Electronic Gaming Monthly

Electronic Gaming Monthly, also known as EGM, is a North American magazine that ran from 1989 to January 2009. After being canceled, the magazine returned in April 2009 under the control of its founder, who regained control of the brand to revive the publication. During its many years of distribution, the magazine provided extensive coverage new and popular video games. Electronic Gaming Monthly was also the source of several spin-off titles, such as EGM² and annual buyer's guides. Electronic Game Player was a predecessor to this title.

Featuring Phantasy Star

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A full page advertisement for Phantasy Star appears on page 66. A screen shot from the game is featured in the magazine's subscription advertisement on page 75. The latter advertisement would return for several issues.

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A full page advertisement for Phantasy Star graces page 55. Page 67 mentions Phantasy Star II with a title screen shot near the end of a three page article featuring upcoming Sega game releases. Phantasy Star is listed as #4 in the Top 5 Sega Games feature on page 80. This ranking is described as being based on the total units sold up to June 1, 1989. On page 81, the magazine's subscription advertisement is repeated.

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The magazine's subscription advertisement returns on page 34. An article on upcoming Sega roleplaying games highlights the success of Phantasy Star as an inspiration for those titles on page 58. This article includes one battle screen shot from that game, featuring the Crawler enemy. Phantasy Star takes the #1 slot in the Top 5 Sega Games feature this month, based on total units sold through July 1, 1989.

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The special 1990 Video Game Buyer's Guide issue awards Phantasy Star the status of 1989's "Most Challenging Video Game" in the magazine's "Best and Worst of 1989" awards. A more clear version of the Crawler battle screen shot from the previous issue is featured on page 18 with this award. Predictions for 1990's awards on page 24 list Phantasy Star II under "Best Sequel" (along with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Castlevania 3) and "Best RPG." Phantasy Star II receives a small announcement on page 60, with a title screen shot. The usual magazine subscription advertisement once again appears on page 67.

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Phantasy Star Adventure Preview

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Phantasy Star IV Preview 1

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Phantasy Star Gaiden Preview

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The Making of Phantasy Star IV, part 1

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Phantasy Star IV Preview 2

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The Making of Phantasy Star IV, part 2

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Phantasy Star IV Preview 3

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The Gaming Gossip column mentions rumors of a 16-bit remake of Phantasy Star that would feature new graphics and sound on page 64. This is described as part of a contest, suggesting it might have been a reference to the MegaDrive version of the game, which did not feature graphic or sound improvements. Phantasy Star IV is mentioned on the cover, but only receives a short preview on page 94. The article states that the game has been renamed from Phantasy Star IV to Phantasy Star: The End of the Millennium to lessen connections with Phantasy Star III. Three screen shots are included; one displays the first boss battle, while the other two are cutscenes previous to that encounter. The article gives the Japanese name of Alys as "Leila" instead of the more common "Lyla." Another battle screen shot appears in a side bar on upcoming Super Famicom RPGs on page 100, where the writer suggests Phantasy Star IV will face a challenge in the market.

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The English version of Phantasy Star IV is featured in a one page preview article.

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An advertisement for game seller Chips & Bits, Inc. on page 145 displays a very different form of the Phantasy Star IV box artwork.

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For their anniversary issue, the magazine ran a "Best 100 Games of All Time" feature. Phantasy Star placed at 62 and Phantasy Star II placed at 30. One screen shot, a brief review, and a factoid are included for each.

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Phantasy Star Online

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Phantasy Star Online

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The "Best 100 Games of All Time" list is revisited for this anniversary issue. Phantasy Star drops to 96, Phantasy Star II drops to 71, and Phantasy Star Online ver. 2 enters the list at 45.

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Small announcement of Dreamcast Phantasy Star Online server closures.

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Phantasy Star Online Episode III is reviewed by three writers, receiving scores of 9.0, from both Shane and CJ, and 8.0, from Shoe. The game receives the highest marks in the issue, so it is selected as Game of the Month. All three reviewers focus on the game's switch to a card based gameplay system, added complexity rising from that, and a lack of a potentially useful voice chat feature.

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Preview of Phantasy Star Online Episode III, announcement of an in-game wedding of two Phantasy Star Online players.

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Announcement of a Phantasy Star Online Episode III quest with an Electronic Gaming Monthly theme and Electronic Gaming Monthly card reward.

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Announcement of Phantasy Star Universe and a list of special Phantasy Star Online Episode III items.

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A Phantasy Star Universe cover feature provides a six page preview of the game. Many features of the game are outlined, often comparing them to similar concepts used in previous games. Also included is an interview with Yuki Naja and a crossword puzzle partly based on Phantasy Star games.

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In this anniversary issue, the "Best 100" game list feature from issues 100 and 150 was revisited, with a twist. The feature is titled "The Greatest 200 Video Games of their Time." Games are rated by their impact on players and the gaming industry. Phantasy Star IV is ranked at 136, Phantasy Star II at 97, Phantasy Star at 26, and Phantasy Star Online at 21. An online version of the feature is available.

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Phantasy Star Universe

Electronic Gaming Monthly 1994 Video Game Buyer's Guide

This issue collects all the ratings given to games Electronic Gaming Monthly had reviewed from the first issue until the time of publication. Included in the lists on page 47 are Phantasy Star II and Phantasy Star III. Both games received ratings of 7 from Steve Harris, 9 from Ed Semrad, 8 from Martin Alessi, and 8 from Sushi-X.

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EGM 177, page 129	EGM 191 Crossword Solution	EGM 191 Crossword Puzzle	EGM 191, page 118
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