Phantasy Star Online

"This was one of the best games I've ever played..."

At first, I didn't think Phantasy Star Online would turn out that good...but after more people introduced me to it, I decided to try it out...I bought the game...thinking that it wouldn't be THAT perfect, but after I saw how cool the game was...I realized that they were right...

Gameplay-10

I thought the gameplay was kick ***! it was realistic, and I found it fun to buy stuff from the shops and upgrade all your weapons and buy armor or tools. I thought that the game wasn't that hard, but I just get mad when those monsters kill you...but I didn't mind...I still continued playing and then after awhile, it was the game I played almost everyday...the controls were quite convenient...instead of having to go into a menu all the time, I could just customize the buttons for what I want to use...like weapons, techniques or items. The game is really exciting and very fun. I played for hours and hours at a time...I give the gameplay...9/10.

Story

In Phantasy Star Online, you are a trained fighter. You are investigating what caused the explosion in the central dome, and what happened to the Pioneer One, another colony that was sent before Pioneer 2 to see if Ragol was suitable for life. You start on the Pioneer 2, a big colony that can carry over 30,000 people. The Principal sent some trained fighters, like the one you are controlling, to find out what caused the big explosion. Right now, you are probably asking yourself, ''what really caused that big explosion??''Well, play Phantasy Star Online and you will find out...There are 3 types of fighters. You can pick between a Force; A person that can cast all types of techniques. A hunter; a fighter that has short but very powerful attacks and they can use daggers, swords, and other types of blade-type weapons. You can also pick to be a ranger; a person that can use some techniques and the ranger is very good with guns, so rangers are good for long range attacks with guns. However, hunters can also use some type of blade weapon. The hunter is recommended for intermediate players, while the ranger is recommended for beginners, or the force, which is recommended for more advanced players that have some experience in Phantasy Star Online.

Graphics

The graphics are REALLY REALLY NICE...if you have played the game, you'll know what I'm talking about...the animation is really smooth, and the picture actually shows you have a different weapon in your hand instead of just the same thing you usually carry. There are lots of special effects in the game, and I highly recommend you see it. I give the graphics department...10/10.

Audio

This part was good too, but not as good as the graphics, or the gameplay. The sound effects were really good, but the music wasn't as great. Some parts had blurry music, and I couldn't really hear it. The sound effects like the slashing of the sword, the fire of the gun, the cry of the monsters, or the breaking of the boxes, I could hear well, but the music was only so-so...I give the audio department...8/10.

Replay Value

This game is worth replaying if you want to play the harder levels in the game...but if you are talking about going online, I would recommend you replay it. I find it very fun to be able to go online and chat with other PSO players, and play the game with them. It makes the game much more fun and easy. I found it fun because you actually advance in the game with other people, and you can help out the lower level players. I like being online a lot. I highly recommend you replay it. I give the replay value a 10/10.

Buy or Rent?

This game is worth every penny. I recommend you actually buy the game. It is very exciting and if you are not sure about the game, rent it. You will find it very enjoyable, and eventually want to buy it. I bought it because I thought the Reviews were good, and I decided to try it out because many people told be to play it. So I decided to buy it. It was worth my every penny.

My overall score of Phantasy Star Online: 10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/23/01, Updated 05/23/01