Post by Yoon on Oct 30, 2006 11:27:44 GMT -5
I just got my hands on Phantasy Star Universe for PC yesterday and have played through it for most of the day. So far, I am definately enjoying this game. PSU, like it's predecessor PSO, is a fast-action paced online RPG and is very easy to get into. PSU has been released for PC, PS2, and XBox360. The PC/PS2 U.S. & Europe players play on their own servers and are locked out from the Japanese PC/PS2 players. The XBox360 users have their own server s and are unable to play with PC/PS2 players.
For those that are not keen on the online concept, there is also an offline, free mode, which is a (supposebly) 40-hour game with a full-featured, actual storyline (unlike PSO's offline mode), coupled with voice actors. You play as Ethan Waber, a young human, in Story Mode. The offline mode is separate from offline mode and does not affect online characters.
Unlike other online RPG games, PSU is not a true MMORPG, but is a CORPG (Competitve/Cooperative Online RPG), where people form large parties and have areas reserved to themselves without distraction from other wandering players. This concept is most similar to the original PSO, Diablo/Diablo II, and Guild Wars. The main cities and field lobbies are the only areas which truly feel MMORPG-like. Unlike typical MMORPGs, you are not restricted to a single server; you can switch between the different universes (servers) seemlessly without hassle. So if your friend is on Universe 4 and you are on Universe 1, just talk to the crystal transporter to warp to the other universe instantly.
In comparision to the original PSO, there have been many changes. One key change is that game characters are saved server-side. This will greatly reduce the amount of cheating/hacking/duping that was present on previous PSO versions and destroyed gameplay there.
Now, as for the characters and their classes, there are four different races to choose from in PSU:
- Human (All-Around Race)
- Newman (Elf-Like Race)
- Cast (Cyborg-Robot Race)
- Beast (Human-Beast Hybrid Race)
When you create a character, you can fully customize how they look, such as gender, hair-style, hair color, eye shape, skin color, clothing, etc. PSU allows you to have up to four characters per account. In addition, PSU has the same three basic classes from PSO:
- Hunter (Close-Combat Specialty)
- Ranger (Long-Distance Specialty)
- Force (TECHNIC-Use Specialty)
Unlike PSO, in PSU you can change between the three different classes at any time (a la Final Fantasy XI style), so if you are ever bored with one of the classes, you can switch to another at the Guardian HQs.
Four main areas in PSU, each featuring several different missions/areas to hunt and explore:
- Guardian Colony (Space Station)
- Parum (Nature-Rich Planet)
- Neudaiz (Asian-Style Planet)
- Moatoob (Desert-Hostile Planet)
Each player is also given their own space "apartment", which they have a special robotic pet that can synthesize custom items and weapons. You can also decorate and furnish your room with items and furniture you find during your PSU exploration. This room concept is extremely similar to Final Fantasy XI's Mog House concept. The only key difference is that other players can visit your room. There is also the ability to setup your room as a shop so people can shop directly from your room!
There are a lot more things that I have yet to check out. If anyone here has the U.S./Europe PS2/PC Phantasy Star Universe copy, feel free to contact me anytime. I have the following characters:
- Yoon
- Yoon Huh
- Huh X0015
- Michael Huh
You can find more information on Phantasy Star Universe over at PSO-World.
