In Phantasy Star Universe, the only way to get ahead - really, the only thing there is to actually do - is repeat the same small set of missions over and over again, striving to reach the next five-level plateau so you can do the same thing on one or two newly accessible missions.Įven that might be fine if the fighting action were addictive, but it's actually worse than before.
Gone are the smooth progression and frequent loot scores of PSO. Worst things first: Phantasy Star Universe is one massive grind. The basic idea behind PSO remains the same in Phantasy Star Universe's online mode: create a character, beam down to a planet, gain experience from beating the crap out of monsters, and profit from the loot. It's like a training simulation for obsessive compulsive disorder, not a game you'd actually play for enjoyment. The only thing to do is play the same basic missions over and over again until you're strong enough to grind the next one in a similar fashion. This sounds cool at first, but it's even less entertaining than the story mode. Extra Mode lets you create your own custom character for offline-only play, sans any story bits. It'll probably take 15 to 20-odd hours to slog through all of the single-player chapters, which has the side effect of unlocking Extra Mode. The action soon proves repetitive, and it becomes apparent how hard it is to really care about a Diablo-clone character that you've not created yourself. In between the goofy anime drama, you'll get to beam down to a planetary hotspot and smack some monsters with Ethan's lightsaber. This basic storyline might've worked in more capable hands, but it's told poorly through cheap cinematics and weak voice acting. One of Sega's major focuses this time around was the single-player experience, which throws you into the space hoodie of young Ethan Waber as he enlists in the Guardians (a peacekeeping force) and fights to defend Gurhal from enemies without and within.
In fact, many aspects of Phantasy Star Universe feel generic and flavorless compared to their PSO counterparts. Though it could've worked out fine if handled differently, Phantasy Star Universe doesn't do much with this setting, making me nostalgic for PSO's infinitely more compelling and creepy Planet Ragol. This time we're introduced to the Gurhal star system, in which three planets (and one space station) are under attack by an unknown alien menace. As with most Phantasy Star games, Phantasy Star Universe has few immediately obvious connections to previous editions.
Sega's made radical changes, even bringing in some common MMO elements, but few of these really work out for the better. Phantasy Star Online was the best Diablo clone ever set in space. All three styles can be used, interchanged, and improved to battle over 200 diverse enemies found in the game. Two items can be equipped at one time, and gamers can group their weapon sets according to each tool of destruction's strength and weakness. TECHNIC is a type of magical combat executed with a wand or other magic casting weapons. There are three types of weapons with 200 variations and 20 categories found in Phantasy Star Universe, including melee, TECHNIC, and ranged combat options. Mission points, items, and other goodies are awarded in all three adventures based on performance. All players then gather in a pre-mission lobby to select and attempt a quest to complete, either alone or with a group of friends. Online universe users begin by creating their own character through a customization process complete with a variety of adjustable physical attributes. He won't be alone, however, as an ensemble of characters will join him throughout the single-player adventure.Ĭonnecting to the Internet opens up three types of missions for single-player and group adventuring. To save his sister and eventually the entire Phantasy Star Universe, Ethan must travel through 20 dungeons and three different planets while earning experience, upgrading his gear and attributes, and discovering hidden trinkets and treasures found throughout the game. Ethan is thrust into war after an alien race known as the SEED attack a colony of humans and kidnap his sister in the process. Offline, gamers take the role of 17 year-old Ethan Waber, a young cadet in a human security group known as the Guardians.
Players who journey through the Phantasy Star Universe, can find action as a single gamer in either an offline "Story" mode, as an individual adventurer online, or within a group by connecting to the Internet.