Phantasy Star: Fringes of Algo

Here we have a look at some of the villains from Phantasy Star IV. Zio starts things off, with both a color design and three sketches. The sketches highlight the one armored gauntlet the zealot wears, as well as why he wears it. Zio's right hand is hideously deformed, for reasons unknown. It could be due to his contact with Dark Force... but then why would he hide it, considering how worked up Zio was about carrying out Dark Force's will to destroy the world?

We also see a nice close up of Dark Force, as illustrated on the Japan box art for the game. Then there is the name... just imagine what would have happened if Sega had tried to market the series in the US with that name. Phantasy Star would have gone down in history with a very different reputation.



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I don't like Zio very much he is basically a pawn to Dark Force and hardly evil compared to Lashiec. I prefer Lashiec for his evilness, disturbed personality and loyality to the dreadful beast.

Not to mention Dark Force sounds a lot better then Dark Phallus. Because Force has a powerful ring to it. Making Dark Force sound much more evil.

Chaz: So, what actually happened to your arm, anyway?
Zio: I slipped while I was shaving! Reverent Dark Force did not desire me to have a five o' clock shadow that day!
Rika: ...The whole forearm?
Zio: My dark master preferred I use a straight razor.
Chaz: Yeah, but still... your whole forearm?
Zio: It was a very bad slip.

(meanwhile, on the other side of the image)
Alisa: Wait... "Dark Phallus?" That doesn't look anything like a-
Rolf: (interrupting) It's a really loose romanization, Alisa.

I never did like the name 'Dark Phallus' due to how strange the name sounds compared to force. On the other hand I don't think Zio is anymore of a pawn than Lashiec, but I will agree that Zio is very much devoted which makes him a bit of a tool. Oh well at least these drawing's looks awesome!

Dark Phallus is obviously funny, however I think "Dark False" would fit more.

I think Zio isn't hiding his arm, but only preventing to transform himself (or something important) into stone by accident. This reminds me of the Greek legend of King Midas which everything he touched became "gold"... only this time was "stone", like Medusa. This could also explain why he didn't used this "stone technique" against us during battle.

He could also had this power (only this specific power) before DF came to him... but in this case he had to be the son of a human and Medusa (the chosen one from the darkness, like Chaz was to GL).

Dark Phallus, Darkphallus, Dark Force, Darkforce, Dark Falz, Darkfalz...it's so hard to choose a fitting name ! It's here why we can see that it's hard to translate accurately from japanese language !

Nice!

Zio and Dark Force!

Dark Force and Zio ! Both are great