Phantasy Star IV is one of those classic JRPGs that just nails the vibe—cyberpunk cities, alien planets, and a crew that actually feels like they’ve got your back. You start as Chaz, a rookie bounty hunter who quickly realizes the job’s way bigger than just chasing credits. The combat’s snappy with these combo moves where characters team up for special attacks, and the sprite work still holds up surprisingly well.

This version’s got the Purgatory Mode hack, which cranks up the difficulty if you’re into that. Early fights will humble you fast if you’re not careful, but figuring out the right party setups (hint: don’t sleep on Alys’ debuffs) makes it satisfying. The story’s got that ‘90s anime charm—cheesy at times, but in a way that’s endearing now. If you missed this back in the Genesis days, it’s a great way to see why people still talk about it.