Phantasy Star on the Sega Master System was way ahead of its time—this wasn’t just another generic 8-bit RPG. You start off as Alis, a girl out for revenge, and right away the game throws you into this weird mix of sci-fi and fantasy with spaceships, laser guns, and sword-swinging warriors. The first-person dungeons? Brutal. No automaps, just you and a notebook trying not to get lost in those maze-like corridors.

What really stood out was the story—way more dialogue and personality than most RPGs back then. The sprites were surprisingly detailed for the Master System, and the music? Still sticks in my head. Just don’t expect it to hold your hand; grinding is part of the charm (or pain, depending on your patience).

It’s rough around the edges by today’s standards, but you can see why it became a classic.