So I've got a hankering to play a phantasy star game. I've tried to get into the first Phantasy Star a dozen times (I don't have the original, I've got the GBA remake) - but I can't stand it. I haven't really played PS II, III or IV because I know the series is continuous and I didn't want to play them out of order.

I've read that PS IV is the best of the bunch - can I just play that one? I don't want to have to bother with PS I or PS III, and I'd rather play II over IV since IV seems better.

Any advice on the topic?