link for Volume 1

Today's game:

Not only one the best RPGs in the megadrive's (genesis US and Canada) library, this was also the first Japanese WRPG played by the masses in a console (well... it didn't sell at that well by today's standards, but back then the Phantasy star series had decent sales for a JRPG)

Seen as the black sheep of the Phantasy star family PSIII deviates from some elements of it's predecessors, a generally poor soundtrack, a graphical step backwards from Phantasy star 2 and a shallow combat mechanic that leaves you using healing items constantly.

Even by 1990's standards, the graphics were pretty bland

However for all it's flaws the game compensates with an innovative story-telling method, you see this game is divided in to three generations, you start the game with your main character, and further on depending on who you choose to marry the game skips 17-18 years and you play as your own child (which is now teenager), this happens not once but twice. Depending on who you marry you son may differ in race, ability to use techniques and their level of proficiency with them.

Even by 1990's standards, the combat was pretty shallow

While this revolutionary generation jump is easily the game's strong point it also poses it's own problems, for each generation you skip it becomes difficult to get used to a new main character and seeing your previous characters as nothing more then extras, another problem is that the difference between each future outcome depending on who you marry are sometimes a little too subtle, the same goes for the game's 7 endings

But seeing how your choices affect the future is always rewarding, even by 2008 standards

overall i'd definitely recommend this one, if you can give it a try.