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Phantasy Star Online
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Dreamcast - Sega - Action RPG - T
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| If you are familiar with the previous Phantasy Star games, right off the bat, you’ll notice the game mechanics in the newest chapter of Sega’s beloved series are drastically different. In place of the previous installments’ more traditional turn-based style, PSO implements a real-time fighting engine revolving around precisely timed combo strings. The classic Phantasy Star atmosphere, however, is back in full force. Although the fighting system has been retooled, you are still well consumed by the brilliant science fiction picture that only Phantasy Star can paint. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| As opposed to the epic, narrative driven structure of the previous games, PSO offers an open ended, never ending composition. As opposed to following a path set for you, driven by plot, PSO is derived of unrestricted treasure hunting and leveling, not unlike that of Blizzard’s Diablo series. The plot is there, it’s simply entirely optional and not always presented to you in an obvious manner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The most drastic change of all is, of course, the addition of online play. Up to four adventurers may cooperatively explore the world of Ragol simultaneously. Here you will witness countless hours of teamwork, trading, and conversation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Interwoven into this online RPG is a diverse and creative list of character classes ranging from typical human fighters to oversized android snipers, fully customizable in appearance. Once your character has been born, so to speak, you find yourself inhabiting a giant, populated spaceship dubbed Pioneer 2. Orbiting a partially unexplored world, the inhabitants of Pioneer 2 are eagerly waiting to colonize the planet Ragol. After a massive detonation, soon followed by the loss of communication to the few colonists on Ragol, you are hired as a Hunter to descend to the planet’s surface and investigate. As opposed to the expected ‘lone hero saving the world’ situation, PSO proposes a slight twist; you are not the only hero. Hundreds of other Hunters are flooding Ragol in search of adventure, treasure, and above all else, recognition as a hero. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| You are free to move from the planet’s surface (or sub-surface) back to Pioneer 2 at will, provided you have a Telepipe or some other form of transport. Pioneer 2 serves as PSO’s hub. Here you will find a dozen or so NPCs, shopkeepers, and side quest presenters in the form of the Guild Counter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Gameplay primarily consists of weapon and spell-based combat. Weaponry varies from close-ranged sword melee to long-ranged firearm warfare, while spell combat is generally comprised of elementally rooted techniques. Weapon combat is based around linking three attacks into one rhythm-based combo, preventing button mashing and providing a less repetitive hack ‘n slash-fest than other titles within the genre. Each weapon has three attacks; normal, heavy, and a special ability, all of which may be linked in any order, to a maximum three hit combo. In addition to combat, your character will need to be aware of their party’s status. Support techniques and items play a vital role, not only in aiding combat, but helping the party proceed further down the depths of Ragol’s subversive underworld. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| In addition to the wide variety of items players will discover while adventuring, all characters will be given a Mag at the start of the game. This small creature, floating over the shoulder of the player, essentially has no abilities in this initial, infant state. But feed it unwanted items and over time, your Mag will gains levels, abilities, aid you in battle, and physically change form. As you damage creatures and take damage yourself, your Mag slowly builds up a Photon Blast meter. Once this meter reaches its apex, you may command your Mag to summon a dramatic creature, unleashing either a devastating blow upon your foes or providing you with an advantageous support effect. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| What makes PSO such an immersive experience is the level of depth underneath, not necessarily within the game mechanics, but as a vast gaming world. The player is so easily engrossed in the comradery found within the experience of adventuring with others online, the endless treasure hunts, seeking out a desired item, trading and communicating, and generally living this character they created in a fictional world. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Phatasy Star Online’s combination of player immersion, atmosphere and depth result in an unbelievable experience that you will loose yourself in. Memories of the adventures you have with other Hunters on Ragol will stay with you for some time. It’s hard to classify PSO as a game when it is much easier recognized as an experience. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All content © World Zero and may not be reproduced in any manner without expressed written consent.
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