History YMMV / PhantasyStarIII

** But the crown jewel is [[https://www.youtube.com/xyUIFtxxbF4 the overworld theme]] an achingly hopeful anthem that -- truly remarkable for the time -- ''[[EvolvingMusic actually changes]]'' as more characters join the party.

* AngstWhatAngst: Sean's story takes this to perhaps the most ludicrous extreme of this trope: not only is his Azura, of which he was the crown prince, destroyed, but his entire family is dead too. Welp, guess we better wander around Aridia for awhile huh?

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SWq6KGNKk The opening theme]] is breathtaking in size and scope, and ranks amongst the most cinematic introductions in the Genesis canon. It sets the story as the sweeping, multi-part epic it aspires to be.

*** However, doing so would miss out on a crucial callback in the form of [[spoiler:Wren]] from ''Phantasy Star IV.'' When it was announced, many American fans were very surprised at the inclusion of [[spoiler:Wren]] as a main character; [[SignificantNameOverlap his name is translated the same way into English]] and [[EpilepticTrees some wondered if it was the same character]]. While it wasn't, [[spoiler:Wren]] could still be seen as the representative from ''this'' game to round out a cast of three {{Expy}}-callback characters and one brand new one in ''IV'' to symbolize each of the four games in the tetraology coming together for the GrandFinale -- which makes playing this game, however obscure to the main plot of not just ''IV'' but the series generally, unexpectedly vital.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: ''Phantasy Star III'' might be the first example of what has become a long line of [=JRPGs=] where the game itself is hotly debated amongst those play it, but everyone can agree that the music absolutely ''slaps.'' [[https://kotaku.com/izuho-ippo-numata-on-working-at-early-90s-sega-and-comp-1846769095 It was one of the first big projects for Izuho "Ippo" Numata]] , whose work on [[Videogame/PhantasyStarIV this game's sequel]] would achieve international acclaim. Here, her talents for composition and mood -- eerie chimes, brooding bells -- really shine through.

** But the crown jewel is [[https://www.youtube.com/xyUIFtxxbF4 the overworld theme]] an achingly hopeful anthem that -- truly remarkable for the time -- ''evolves and changes'' as more characters join the party.
* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: The Auto Battle option will see the player through every battle up until Rulakir, where actual strategy and use of the Gires technique is needed to beat him. Interestingly, he's the second last boss in the entire game and he's standing at the entrance to the VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon.
* ContestedSequel
** The case for this may come about because of the order in which people play the games. If it's the first game in the tetraology that one plays, the main story isn't known and this game's universe is isolated enough to be a good starting point with the rest of the games coming in at a later date. Players coming fresh from the first two games, at the time, felt that ''Phantasy Star'' had pulled a ''Videogame/FinalFantasy'' and was dipping into more of a gaiden or anthology format.
** It also was not developed by the original people as ''I'', ''II'', and ''IV''. Combine with the story separated from the rest of the rest of the universe and the radically different artstyle, it looks almost like it's not even a ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' game.
*** It's been argued someone could play those three games and get the complete experience of the saga of the Algo Solar System, and skip ''III'' altogether.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SWq6KGNKk The opening theme]] is breathtaking in size and scope, and ranks amongst the most cinematic efforts in the Genesis canon. It sets the story as the sweeping, multi-part epic is aspires to be.

* ToughActToFollow: Chronologically sandwiched between [[Videogame/PhantasyStarII highly regarded vision]] of cyberpunk which has had long lasting influences on not just the genre but the aesthetics of {{Vaporwave}} and Synthwave, and what's usually hailed as [[Videogame/PhantasyStarIV one of the greatest role-playing games of the 16-bit era]]. Factor in a wildly overambitious storytelling device, subpar graphics, and a deeply opaque connection to the rest of the series, and you have...this.
* VindicatedByHistory: Though widely seen by fans to still be the odd one out for the classic quadrilogy as a whole, it's gotten a sizable fanbase of its own for the expressive art style for the characters, branching story paths, minimalist yet foreboding storytelling, and bleakly immersive world. It can be argued that it was an ambitious concept that wasn't able to reach its full potential due to the technical limitations of the consoles at the time.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Despite the game being considered the black sheep of the series, the soundtrack maintains the excellent quality standard. Like the rest of the game, it's different mainly composed of dissonant, eery chimes and bells, but sets the atmosphere very well. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SWq6KGNKk The main theme]] in particular is nostalgic and catchy; considered a fan favorite even by those that don't like the game, and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJzoSOaPqY4 Lashute]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8gfQ3lWjaA Dark Force]] music can be genuinely unnerving and scary.

** The case for this may come about because of the order in which people play the games. If it's the first game in the tetraology that one plays, the main story isn't known and this game's universe is isolated enough to be a good starting point with the rest of the games coming in at a later date. But for those who played the other games first... yeah.
** It also was not developed by the original people as I, II, and IV. Combine with the story separated from the rest of the rest of the universe and the radically different artstyle, it looks almost like it's not even a ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' game.

* {{Narm}}: Some of the enemy attack animations are ridiculous, such as the [[http://www.pscave.com/ps3/enemies/giant.shtml Giants]] pointing their fingers, [[http://www.pscave.com/ps3/enemies/grinder.shtml Grinders]] wiggling their ears, and [[http://www.pscave.com/ps3/enemies/clops.shtml Clops]] flexing their pecs while blinking.
* ObviousJudas: Lyle doesn't do much to hide the fact that he's [[MageSpecies Layan]]
* ThatOneLevel: Wren's Cave serves as a pretty effective wake-up call for the rest of the game. You only have Rhys and Mieu in the party, money is ''extremely'' tight on Aridia, and worst of all, if you came to Aridia without optimizing their equipment, you'll be disgusted to find out that the shops don't sell anything they can equip, so you're going back to Aquatica to grab gear from Rysel. Oh, and did we mention that once you ''do'' find Wren, he comes completely bare of equipment save for a measly Escapipe?
* VindicatedByHistory: Though widely seen by fans to still be the odd one out for the classic quadrilogy as a whole, it's gotten a sizable fanbase of its own for the expressive art style, branching story paths, minimalist yet foreboding storytelling, and bleakly immersive world. It can be argued that it was an ambitious concept that wasn't able to reach its full potential due to the technical limitations of the consoles at the time.

* NightmareFuel: The [[spoiler: Lashute]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJzoSOaPqY4 music]] is, despite being 16-bit, absolutely unnerving and terrifying to listen to, and it grows on you as you travel through the dungeon. The fact that, on your second visit, you're greeted with [[spoiler: "Death awaits you in Lashute, fool!"]] turns from {{Narm}} to horror when you're listening to this soundtrack. It's a perfect buildup to the game's penultimate boss.

* FridgeHorror: Rhys's choice of brides decides the fate of the Alissa-III's sister ship, the Neo-Palm. If he marries Maia, Dark Force is defeated before the two ships rendezvous; they actually meet and exchange pleasantries in Sean's ending. In Nial's timeline more time passes and Dark Force is still in control of Lashute when the two ships rendezvous, Terminus opens fire on the Neo-Palm and it's destroyed, killing potentially millions of people. (Somewhat mitigated by the fact that Nial's marriage ends the war, whereas with Ayn the war continues for another generation.)

* UncannyValley: It is noted that Mieu never blinks.

* ObviousJudas: Lyle doesn't do much to hide the fact that he's [[WitchSpecies Layan]]

* VindicatedByHistory: Though widely seen by fans to still be the odd one out for the classic quadrilogy as a whole, it's gotten a sizable fanbase of its own for the expressive art style, branching story paths, minimalist yet foreboding storytelling, and bleakly immersive world.

* FridgeHorror: Rhys's choice of brides decides the fate of the Alissa-III's sister ship, the Neo-Palm. If he marries Maia, Dark Force is defeated before the two ships rendezvous; they actually meet and exchange pleasantries in Sean's ending. In Nial's timeline more time passes and Dark Force is still in control of Lashute when the two ships rendezvous, Terminus opens first on the Neo-Palm and it's destroyed, killing potentially millions of people.

** It also was not developed by the original people as I, II, and IV. Combine with the story separated from the rest of the rest of the universe and the radically different artstyle, it looks almost like it's not even a ''PhantasyStar'' game.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Despite the game being considered the black sheep of the series, the soundtrack maintains the excellent quality standard. Like the rest of the game, it's different mainly composed of dissonant, eery chimes and bells, but sets the atmosphere very well. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SWq6KGNKk The main theme]] in particular is nostalgic and catchy; considered a fan favorite even by those that don't like the game, and the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJzoSOaPqY4 Lashute]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8gfQ3lWjaA Dark Force]] music can be genuinely unnerving and scary.
* GameBreaker: Sari is ''stupidly'' overpowered. If she was a third-generation character, odds are good that the endgame would have nearly zero challenge. Ryan, on the other path, is just as powerful; however in his case he levels up regularly (if you grind, you might get Sari to level 2 before finishing the second generation) so it's a while before you realize just how powerful he's become.
** Fanbi spell increase the attack power from an ally and is cumulative until the end of battle.

* VindicatedByHistory: Though widely seen by fans to still be the odd one out for the classic quadrilogy as a whole, it's gotten a sizable fanbase of it's own for the expressive art style, branching story paths, minimalist yet foreboding storytelling, and bleakly immersive world.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Despite the game being considered the black sheep of the series, the soundtrack maintains the excellent quality standard. Like the rest of the game, it's different mainly composed of dissonant, eery chimes and bells, but sets the atmosphere very well. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SWq6KGNKk The main theme]] in particular is nostalgic and catchy; considered a fan favorite even by those that don't like the game.

* IdiotPlot: [[spoiler: The whole game is centered on the idea of two factions wanting to rekindle a war that was already over. The worldship is bloody huge, self-sustaining, and only has a few populated areas per biome. Literally any conflict could be resolved by just facing away from your opponent and walking a few hours, you'd never see them again. The cyborgs of Hazatek did exactly that, and they're fine.]]

* NightmareFuel: The [[spoiler: Lashute]] ''music'' is, despite being just 16-bit video game music, absolutely unnerving and terrifying to listen to, and it grows on you as you travel through the dungeon. The fact that, on your second visit, you're greeted with [[spoiler: "Death awaits you in Lashute, fool!"]] turns from {{Narm}} to horror when you're listening to this soundtrack. It's a perfect buildup to the game's penultimate boss.

* ThatOneLevel: Wren's Cave serves as a pretty effective wake-up call for the rest of the game. You only have Rhys and Mieu in the party, money is ''extremely'' tight on Aridia, and worst of all, if you came to Aridia without optimizing their equipment, you'll be disgusted to find out that the shops don't sell anything they can equip, so you're going back to Aquatica to grab gear from Rysel. Oh, and did we mention that once you ''do'' find Wren, he comes completely bare of equipment save for a measly Escapipe?

* ComplainingAboutShowsYouDontWatch: [[http://sardoose.rustedlogic.net/reviews/ps3/index6.htm this]] review clearly shows someone who gave it maybe 15 minutes before breaking it.
** Of course, that entire review is a satire of video game reviews, this one involving SequenceBreaking; see UnwinnableByDesign.

* GameBreaker: Sari is ''stupidly'' overpowered. If she was a third-generation character, odds are good that the endgame would have nearly zero challenge.

* HighOctaneNightmareFuel: The [[spoiler: Lashute]] ''music'' is, despite being just 16-bit video game music, absolutely unnerving and terrifying to listen to, and it grows on you as you travel through the dungeon. The fact that, on your second visit, you're greeted with [[spoiler: "Death awaits you in Lashute, fool!"]] turns from {{Narm}} to horror when you're listening to this soundtrack. It's a perfect buildup to the game's penultimate boss.