Phantasy Star Universe

"SEGA finally did it perfectly"

Hello there. If you're looking at this, that's good. Always a good idea to get a few opinions before getting a game.

Story: 9
Anywho, Phantasy Star Universe is part of the Phantasy Star games; a popular franchise among SEGA's games, like Sonic the Hedgehog, Shenmue, etc. It started as your usual kind of RPG game, with a plot, and everything else. And then SEGA decided to take the game online with Phantasy Star Online. Many people know this game to be constantly upgraded, and rehashed. A lot of people hate that, a lot of people like that. However, with Phantasy Star Universe, it's taken quite a new look...

In this one, you have an offline mode and an online mode just like the orignal versions of PSO, like the Gamecube and Xbox versions. The offline mode is nowhere near as stale as it was in the original PSO games, where they sent you down to Ragol, hack, slash, voila, you win! Come back to the principal, get your next mission, rinse and repeat. This game actually has a very good story to it. As for spoilers, I won't say anything here, but the basics.

You play a man named Ethan Waber. He has kind of a grudge against the Guardians, the ones who protect people. You also have a little sister, who gets trapped under rubble after chasing some rogues for something they stole from her. After a Guardian helps get Ethan's sister out of the rubble, he comes to like the Guardians, and considers joining up with them. This is where the story takes off from. It's very compelling, and even if you don't plan on getting online with this game, it will keep ya busy for at least about a good 20 hours.

Sound: 9
The sound has been greatly improved, and those from previous PSO games will notice as well. The sound is very crisp, clear, and to the point. Where as in PSO, the sounds were basically the same for techniques used every time, the sound can get louder or quieter the more or less people are around you. The boss monsters' sound effects and roars are all very realistic as well, from the De Ragen monster to Adahnna Degahnna.

Music: 9
The music is really nice here. It some good music, some bad music. I have to say, the best songs so far I've heard are the opening and Adahnna Degahnna boss fight songs. I find myself humming along with it every time I come into a new level. It always seems to keep everything upbeat. Personally though, PSO does have some better songs. But then again, I haven't visited every level yet.

Gameplay: 10
The gameplay is flawless. In PSO, you chose either a Hunter, Ranger, or Force. You were stuck with that character for the rest of your life, and the difficulty for each class was not too high, unless you played a Force. Well, that is all a thing of the past. In the game, you can choose either Hunter, Ranger, or Force. But, you can change back to one of those other classes at any time you like. Be careful though, because you will gain stats based on which class you're playing at the moment.

Hunters use all their swords, Rangers specialize in guns, whereas Forces specialize in TECHNICs. Hunters are best suited for beginners, Rangers for intermediate, and Forces for advanced. Personally, if you've played PSO before, don't worry about picking one based on difficulty, if you have a lot of experience playing the previous PSOs.

The customization is amazing in this game. You can choose a REALLY tiny fat person, or a tall skinny guy. You can proportion your character exactly to your liking, and it is very unlikely you will run into clones of yourself like the PSO games.

Mags are also a thing of the past. You no longer have Mags, but now you have Partner Machinery. This is good though, because your partner can create items for you, if you have the right board and items required to do so. Also, once they've hit a certain level, they can go into battle with you, and fight alongside you. They will fight using a particular weapon based on how you raised them. For example, if I fed him mostly Force-type items, he would grow up to use TECHNICs.

For those of you who got bored with melee fighters in PSO, fear no longer! You now have the ability to use skills from your weapons. That's right, physical attacking skills. No longer just a three button combination. Now, this can make things complicated, cause even TECHNICs have to be put into weapons in order to use them. Thankfully, there is a quick list of weapons on a palette that will let you switch between weapons quickly and effortlessly.

Guns can also go into a first person mode, where Rangers shine. Some monsters can fly into the air. But Rangers can snipe them out if they have a good rifle, bringing them down for the Forces and Hunters to kill.

While you still have to pick Hunters, Rangers, or Forces, don't worry. They changed that part as well. As you level up your job as one of those classes, you can gain access to new classes, like Fortekkers, and Figunners, which specialize in pure magic or a combination of melee and guns, allowing very particular builds for people to use.

The game continues to be updated, and looks very promising. Phantasy Star Universe looks like a game to die for. Anyone who is ven slightly interested, don't hesitate for a second to buy this game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/30/06