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It takes a special person to write the scripts for RPG games. For one, they have to think up all these exotic but oh-so-believable place and character names; like Lord Threngar of Astovan. Or Borix the dwarf ranger of Vistagoth. And then come up with magical items like 'The Mystical Eye gem of All Seeing'.

The Phantasy Star series of the cream of the crop in these respects. Each game in the quadrology is a huge adventure, with made-up names beyond the realms of possibility. But the latest instalment, number four, is the biggest and most imaginative of the lot. Still set on Motavia, your band of characters face the threat of monsters and ecological decay as they unravel the mystery of an event 1,000 years beforehand. As Sega haven't released a proper RPG in living memory, you'd think they would rush release this impressive game. Not a bit of it, as we may never see an official version on these shores.

The party moves round towns and settlements in a style similar to Shining Force, the other big Sega adventure series. You trail around towns and villages, solving puzzles, buying supplies and talking to the locals. When you get into areas of danger, things take a different turn.

The fourth in a series of adventure games using the same characters and mythical world.

Save the planet of Motavia by exploring the worlds of the Algo system. Oh, right.

You encounter many battle situations, many are randomly generated, but some are unavoidable. When a battle occurs you are presented with your foe(s). Characters have varying combat skills. All are able to fight with weapons, though warrior classes have access to more powerful items.

Characters also employ skills and techniques. Many of these are offensive spells which harm enemies, though some enhance your team's own powers. The new feature of Phantasy Star IV is that some of the skills of two characters may be combined attacks of massive power. The game challenges you to find all fifteen of these.

The game begins on foot, with journeys around Motavia. As the game progresses, distances enlargen and other vehicles present themselves. Eventually you have the opportunity to travel through space via the Spaceport system, as part of your quest lies on neighbouring planets.

Games like Soleil and Thor are alright, but many Sega owners are gagging for a decent RPG. It just isn't fair that the SNES gets all the Squaresoft and Final Fantasy games and the Megadrive gets zilch. That's why this game, despite its lousy graphics and uninspiring presentation grabs the attention.

There's a story, good characters and piles of gameplay. It's also fairer than most RPGs, which seem to concentrate on killing you off immediately. There's no need to spend half an hour in the shops equipping gear before you set off, although powering-up your band becomes a satisfying part of the adventure later on.

Although not moving the genre on significantly since the third in the series, Phantasy Star IV wins on sheer size and playability.

Sega haven't released a proper RPG since, oh the end of WWII. Soleil and Thor are all very well, but they possess more action that strategic elements. Even Shining Force is more strategy game than adventure game. Whereas, Phantasy Star is pure, fulfilling adventure at its very best, if you like that sort of thing.

The game hasn't progressed that much in content or appearance since the last instalment some two years ago, but new ideas have been explored, the potential area is much bigger and the graphics at least approach a standard we've come to expect.

Some fanatics of the series in America have complained about inaccuracies and inconsistencies with previous episodes. Who cares, when the plot begins to take exciting twists and the dialogue remains sharp. This should come to the UK if there's any justice.

Graphics 48%
P. Neat design for the towns, battles and menus.
N. No fancy graphics; titchy sprites and nasty scenery is the order of the day.

Animation 23%
N. Virtually non-existent in the game.

Music 59%
P. Sometimes the music goes all techno, lifting the game.
N. Most of the music is aural wallpaper.

Effects 34%
P. Like animation, the FX are barely discernible within the game.

Playability 90%
P. This RPG scores highly in the interest of its story, and easy-to-use menu system.
N. No 'action' as such, joypad junkies.

Lastability 89%
P. Huge, huge, huge. And once you get in, you'll follow it to the finish.

Overall 88%
The best pure RPG for the Megadrive, but deemed fit only for the 'Land of the Free'. Denied!