"Heaven on earth!"

OK, so I never really used my Dreamcast's online capabilities to the max. Nor did I ever get into the Phantasy Star series (but that's because I didn't get a Genesis untill long after they became hard to find!) To top that off, playing online RPGs wasn't my cup of tea (but that's because I didn't have the proper specs to play one!) OK, enough about what happened with me. Let me get to the point. Phantasy Star Online was supposed to be an RPG you could play online and offline, right? OK, easy enough. Then I bought the game and popped it in, and all I could say was ''WOW!''

Graphics: 10/10
The backgrounds set the perfect sci-fi role playing theme, thanks to the power of the Dreamcast. Each character is rendered in great 3D, and you can customize their hair and outfit colors, plus their hairstyle and proportions. The detail of the monsters is incredible. Although some are palette swapped, most are totally unique. Although the rating does state about blood, it looks more like a pinkish slime, but that's about my only complaint.

Sounds: 10/10
The music sets the mood well for each area of the game you may encounter, from the guild rooms, to the stores, and even the boss battles that you will encounter. The monsters come complete with their own sounds including grunts and roars and howls. Although there are no character voiceovers or vocal effects, it really doesn't detract one way or another from the gameplay.

Controls: 9/10
The lock-on battle concept is good, but listen, Sega, Zelda did it better! Other than that, it's a pretty good system. You can assign various functions to the buttons as well as R-Shifted buttons to make things a lot easier in the heat of combat. Another thing that makes this game unique is that there is no pause system. Even while you're in the subscreen, game time keeps flowing, so keep moving!

Another thing, you can use the preset phrases if you want, but I suggest getting a keyboard, as the controller takes time to use, and you don't want to be typing a long message only to get whacked by a monster!

Story: 10/10
A planet is dying, and the inhabitants must find a new planet to inhabit. A ship called the Pioneer 1 sets out and finds a planet called Ragol. As soon as it touches down, Pioneer 2 sets out to follow it. Right as soon as they enter Ragol's orbit, though, there's a huge explosion, and all contact with Pioneer 1 is lost. This is where you, a character of your choosing, is decided to go down to the surface and investigate.

Replay: 10/10
You can play entirely online, entirely offline, or both. Either way, it's not going to be an easy task. You start out at level one, and the monsters are real tough (sometimes they can crowd around and attack you!) You can take quests from the guild to earn extra money and increase your levels. As you get higher and higher, you can take on more advanced enemies..oh wait, you knew that?

As for Online play, you can have a team of up to four players go with you into any previously explored area to hunt monsters and money. New players can join and leave as they wish, but this is where a problem lies. You don't know the level of the other players untill you've joined the game, and it's then that you discover you're too strong or too weak for that team. Oh well, nothing's perfect I guess.

Overall: 10/10
Any person who enjoys online gaming and/or RPGs would be crazy to miss the ship on this game! Play Phantasy Star Online to live your deepest Phantasies of building levels with people across the world!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/06/01, Updated 07/16/01