Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991-Chapter 313 - 279 Wataru Playing Phantasy Star!

Thursday 7 May 1992 Evening

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Wataru sat cross-legged on the floor of his small bedroom, the warm glow of his ZEPS console reflecting off his glasses. The debate between Base Wars lovers and baseball purists didn't affect him much because he simply loved playing games, and Base Wars was a good game in his eyes. The evening sun filtered through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. Today was special — he had finally gotten his hands on Phantasy Star, the latest RPG release for ZEPS that had been out since April. He had played the other ZEPS releases, saving this RPG for last. As an avid fan of role-playing games, Wataru had played them all, from medieval fantasy to sword-and-sorcery adventures. He expected more of the same. But something about this one felt different.

Wataru then opens the box art, and as usual, there are four things inside: a game cartridge, ZEPS WOW, a game manual, and a Zabo-man card. It shows the text, 'I might see you while I'm in cities.' Wataru shrugs. 'Zabo-man is just a cameo this time around? Okay then.' He then proceeds to load the game into his ZEPS

As the title screen loaded, the iconic 8-bit melody filled the room. Wataru leaned forward with excitement. The game's cover art had already intrigued him — a sprawling galaxy with planets, swords, and futuristic cities — but he assumed it was just artistic flair. Then the opening cutscene unfolded, introducing the world of Algol, a star system on the brink of collapse under the tyrannical rule of King Lassic.

"Wait... what? A sci-fi setting?" Wataru blinked in surprise. "Where are the castles and dragons?"

He stared at the screen for a moment, processing the shock. ZEPS RPGs he had played were rooted in medieval fantasy — knights, wizards, and ancient forests. But this? This was something entirely different.

The character selection screen appeared, revealing the protagonist.

"A female protagonist too? No way..." Wataru muttered, grinning.

The main character was Alis Landale, a determined young woman seeking justice for her brother, who had been killed by Lassic's forces. Wataru couldn't help but smile. "This is so cool... finally, something different."

He selected Alis without hesitation, diving into the game. The journey began in the city of Camineet on the planet Palma. Instead of medieval villages with wooden huts, there were futuristic buildings, robots, and spaceports. Wataru was amazed. "This isn't just different... it's a whole new genre." He immediately encountered Zabo-man as one of the citizens. When Wataru approached him, Zabo-man simply said in text, 'You're very cool.'

'Oh hey, Zabo-man,' Wataru grinned and continued playing.

As he explored further, Wataru was captivated by the intricate world-building. The NPCs weren't mere background elements; they had stories, personal struggles, and unique dialogues. Shops offered high-tech weaponry and armor that felt ripped straight from a sci-fi epic. The depth of immersion was far beyond what he had expected

But it wasn't until Wataru entered the first dungeon that the real shock hit him.

"Whoa... this is real-time?"

The dungeon wasn't a static top-down map. It was fully 3D, or as close as 8-bit graphics could simulate, with walls and corridors shifting as Wataru navigated through. The perspective changed with each turn, making it feel like he was truly exploring a maze. The dim lighting, flickering torches, and eerie background music added a level of tension that kept his heart pounding.

"This is insane... it feels like I'm really there!"

Monsters appeared suddenly from around corners, forcing him to think quickly. Battles transitioned seamlessly from exploration to combat, with smooth mechanics and strategic depth. Alis fought with determination, wielding a sword with surprising speed for a turn-based system. Wataru quickly realized that timing and resource management were crucial to survival. Healing items were scarce, and mana had to be used sparingly.

After defeating a group of monsters, Wataru wiped the sweat from his hands. "This is way harder than I thought... but it's amazing."

The game wasn't holding his hand. He had to map out the dungeons on paper to avoid getting lost. Secret doors and traps were everywhere, and every wrong turn could lead to another grueling battle. Yet, the challenge only made him more determined to push forward.

As he delved deeper, he discovered more party members — Myau, the talking cat with healing powers, Odin, the powerful warrior, and Noah, the mysterious esper. The dynamic between the characters added another layer to the game, with each member contributing unique abilities. Their banter during certain events added charm, making them feel more like real companions rather than just stats on a screen.

Hours passed without Wataru noticing. The sun had long since set, replaced by the soft hum of the ZEPS console and the flickering light of the CRT TV. His room was dark except for the warm glow of the screen. The clock ticked past midnight, but he barely noticed.

"One more dungeon... just one more," he muttered.

But as the next cutscene unfolded, revealing the vastness of the Algol star system and the stakes of the journey, Wataru knew he was hooked. He wasn't just playing a game — he was on an adventure. The story of rebellion, friendship, and the fight for freedom resonated with him on a personal level.

Wataru found himself back in the vibrant streets of Camineet. The city felt alive, with NPCs going about their routines, some offering new bits of dialogue he hadn't seen before. Wataru smiled. "Man, they really put a lot of heart into this."

He checked his party. Alis, Myau, Odin, and Noah stood ready. With a few adjustments to their equipment, he set off toward the next objective — a distant spaceport leading to another planet. This time, he was headed to Motavia, a desert world where resources were scarce, and danger lurked at every turn.

The journey there was anything but easy. Wataru found himself ambushed by robotic creatures and desert monsters, their pixelated forms deceptively cute until they started draining his party's health. Battles were fast-paced, forcing him to juggle healing, mana management, and strategic positioning. He lost track of how many times he barely scraped by with a sliver of health.

"Come on... hang in there, Myau!" he urged, furiously tapping the buttons as Myau cast a last-second healing spell.

The tension was real. Every victory felt earned, every defeat a harsh lesson. Yet, Wataru loved every second of it.

As he explored deeper into Motavia's wastelands, he stumbled upon a hidden underground bunker. The entrance was guarded by puzzles — not just simple lever switches, but riddles requiring clues from conversations with NPCs. Wataru had to backtrack to a nearby town to gather information, writing down hints on a piece of scrap paper.

"Man, this game really makes you work for it... I love it," he said with a grin.

Inside the bunker, the story took another twist. Alis discovered an ancient message left by a rebel leader who once tried to overthrow Lassic. The message hinted at a powerful weapon hidden deep within the planet's core — one that could turn the tide of battle. Wataru's heart pounded as the stakes kept rising.

"This is crazy... it just keeps getting better."

The dungeon was unlike anything he had seen before. Neon-lit corridors hummed with energy, and robotic sentries patrolled the halls. The music shifted to a tense, rhythmic beat that made his heart race. Wataru's palms were sweaty, his focus razor-sharp as he navigated traps, fought off enemies, and solved complex puzzles.

After what felt like hours, he finally reached the core chamber. There, he found the legendary weapon — the Laconian Sword. The cutscene that followed showed Alis lifting the sword as energy crackled around her. Wataru's jaw dropped.

"Yes! Let's go!" he shouted, punching the air.

But the excitement was short-lived. The game wasted no time throwing him into a boss battle against a massive mechanical guardian. It towered over his party, its attacks relentless. Wataru's hands moved instinctively, issuing commands, managing health bars, and timing powerful abilities.

"Come on... come on..."

In the final moments of the fight, with his party barely holding on, Wataru landed the finishing blow. The guardian exploded into pixels, and the victory theme played. He exhaled, leaning back with a satisfied grin.

When he finally paused the game, it was nearly 3 a.m. He leaned back, stretching his arms with a tired but satisfied grin. The game had completely surpassed his expectations.

"This isn't just another RPG... it's something special," he whispered.

As he saved his progress and turned off the console, Wataru knew one thing for sure — this was a game he would never forget.

To be continue

AN: I've decided to make just one Chapter for Phantasy Star because I'm afraid I might overdo it. Besides, we're really close to Chapter 300, so it can't be helped! But let me know if you want more Phantasy Star — I didn't even know if this Master System game is popular or not!

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