If you've never gotten a chance to play Phantasy Star Online before, you're in for a treat. If you're a jaded vet, you may find that the addition of voice chat – which the game was probably meant to be experienced with in the first place – isn't enough to warrant a return trip to the realm of endless leveling up and pounding through the same four levels over and over again.
However! Let's assume for a moment that, like myself, you never truly got a chance to be properly sucked into the phenomenon that is PSO. You hopped aboard its bandwagon too late on the DC, and when it showed up on the cube, you found the lack of keyboard support and future online prospects disturbing. There is no doubt that those whose first taste of PSO comes through an Xbox will be getting the definitive version of the game.
PSO is pretty much Diablo set in space, from the comfort of your couch. I think that pretty much says all that needs to be said, but it is also worth noting that this PSO has more customization options than any version of the game to date. It's true most of them are cosmetic, – there's only one new character subclass, the female android – but it does help to know you can make your character look like Sephiroth, Spike Siegel, or even a Transformer! I know – I've made characters that resemble all 3.
It's not so much that PSO is a deep game, it's that the mere act of leveling up will keep you coming back for more, possibly until you reach your lv 200 max. There is a bit of story for those interested in the single player mode, but now more than ever, PSO is strictly for those planning to go play the game with people around the world, since an Xbox Live account is required to even access the offline mode.
To play online, you need a "hunter's license," which will cost you an additional 6.95 a month after 2 free "trial" months. I think this is a ripoff, seeing as how PSO is not a "true" MMORPG, and the only new content we've seen thus far that could warrant such an upkeep fee thus far is one single quest that was available the day of launch. Still, there are some very nice "features" you are getting, including voice communication, the ability to trade "guild cards," which function like an in-game friends list, as well as the promise of a hacker free environment, though we'll see how long that one lasts.
Aside from the much-improved communication and meager costume change additions, this is the same game that you played on the Dreamcast. This is not a bad thing, but if you played this game until you were sick of it in any of its former incarnations, the addition of voice support probably isn't enough of an excuse to foot the bill all over again. For all others, this is probably the most addicting Xbox Live game currently available.
-George
Company Line
Phantasy Star Online makes it's debut on the Microsoft Xbox! Enter the fantastic multiplayer RPG world that is PSO, and explore distant lands populated with real players like you. Chat, exchange items and information, and go into battle with other online players -- all in real-time. With Phantasy Star Online, RPG gaming has no boundaries.
Features
The award-winning Phantasy Star Online (PSO) sparked a worldwide gaming phenomenon. Now, the world of PSO is coming to Xbox and Xbox Live. The first online roleplaying game available on Xbox, Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II will feature all-new gaming modes and new content. PSO gamers around the country will be able to communicate online using the Xbox Communicator headset.
New character classes, weapons, enemies, items, and quests are only a portion of the new content awaiting discovery. With the new split-screen feature, four friends can adventure through the main quest, as well as the other game-play modes, on the same Xbox.
Episode I includes all of the content from the original PSO and Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (PSO Ver. 2), while Episode II brings a new, full-length adventure. The evolution of the original, revolutionary gaming experience continues.
An Xbox Live account is required to play Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II. To play the game online, Xbox Live subscribers will be required to buy a Hunter's License, which will give gamers the ability to travel on wild adventures with other Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II gamers. It also provides access to a plethora of online exclusive content, such as seasonal quests, downloads, and rare, in-game items. The Hunter's License is free of charge for the first two months and, after that, will carry a service fee of $8.95 per month.
Get Ready for a New Kind of Roleplaying: Experience the first online roleplaying game available on Xbox.
Chat with Fellow Gamers: The Xbox Communicator headset is fully compatible with PSO, enabling gamers across North America to talk to each other with ease.
Obtain Your PSO Hunter's License: A Hunter's License is required to play with or against other PSO gamers online. The Hunter's License is free of charge for the first two months and, after that, will carry a service fee of $8.95 per month. If you do not want a license, feel free to enjoy the offline game-play modes.
Cooperate or Compete with Others: Play with up to three players, cooperatively or competitively, with all-new, split-screen capabilities.
Test Your Skills: Assess your endurance abilities with the Challenge mode, or prove yourself as the supreme champion of player-versus-player combat in Battle mode.
Download New Content: Discover new, downloadable quests via Xbox Live.
Embark on a Single-Player Quest: Choose the Offline mode to experience the same, exciting PSO world in a single-player game.
Experience PSO - Old and New: Enjoy all the game play from PSO and PSO Ver. 2 as well as a brand new adventure.
Find New Monsters & Treasures: Challenge new, more powerful monsters in intense, real-time combat. Embark on new quests, explore new dungeons, and acquire new, rare items.
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