"A Universe of Never-ending Gameplay and Excitement"

Introduction

Phantasy Star Online: Ep I & II is a revolutionary game for the Nintendo Gamecube, as it was one of the first games created for online play from Nintendo. Phantasy Star Online is a real-time action RPG. It was created mainly for online play, hence the name, although the game's offline mode is exceptionally good as well. PSO brings the player a dizzying array of characters, weapons, spells, quests, as well as many other exciting things you'll find while playing this game.

Gameplay 10/10
PSO is a game of choice, as you customize and create your own characters, equippment, armor, and many more exciting things for you're gaming experience. There are three types of characters, and four classes within each. You pick them, you design them. The possibilities are endless. You choose the costume, hair style, skin color, and proportion. There are four character slots for one memory card, meaning you have a chance to play as each class, in the hopes of getting to level 200. There are hundreds of weapons at your disposal, as well as armors, shields, and units called MAGs which increase your stats. As well as weapons, there are over 18 techniques as well, creating many types of unique gameplay stlyes. Your character can be whatever you want it to be like. Whether its a battler with swords, a sharp-shooter with guns, or a spell caster with techniques. You have the freedom to choose what you want to do, and when you want to, which makes the game so addicting. There are four difficult levels(Normal, Hard, Very Hard, and Ultimate) that you unlock as you progress through the game. Each stage brings you stronger enemies, and better weapons to find. Up to four players can be on a team at one time. Offline multi-player is split-screen, but is often hard to see with more than two players. Online is where the multi-player action is the greatest, as you are in third person view and can see only you're screen, and no one elses. Online is a must have for this game. There is also Challenge-Mode, where you try to complete levels as fast as you can in the hopes of getting special prizes for having a good enough time. Battle-Mode is another type of play mode for PSO as well, with over 8 different variations of rules.

Story 8
The story, like any RPG, is picked up more as you progress through the game. You pick up a lot of tidbits and clues from message boxes left on the ground throughout Ragol. You also learn more by talking to key people and beating more levels. It is very easy to miss information, as there are no cut-scenes or speech. The story isn't vital to play the game, however. You can basically just hack and slash your way through the game and not need to know why you're there.

Interactivity 10
The online world of PSO is amazing, with four ships to select as well as 10 lobbies within each. You can choose to chat with your friends, or seek a quieter setting in a lobby with fewer people. There are a number of lobby animations achievable with a keyboard, which I would highly suggest getting if you plan to go online so that you may talk easily with friends. There is also a number of preset symbols you can use, and customize on your own time. Guild Card are exchangable as well, which are like electronic ID cards. You can send them to as many people as you like, and can store a large number with you in your card list. Guild Cards allow the user to search friends online, and see where he/she is and what game he/she is in at the moment.

Graphics 10
The graphics for this game are phenominal, including an extremely broad amount of colors and styles. Each character appears o be moving on their own, without looking like they are on strings which most video game character's posses. Nothing seems to clash dramatically, nor are there any major flaws graphic wise.

Music 9
There is a number of music styles to fit the mood of the game, as well as for each level. There are also a number of music disks you can purchase in an online quest so that you may change the song at any point in time duing game.

Controls 10
The controls for Phantasy Star Online are very easy to get a hold of, as you are able to customize your own actions to fit what is easier for you or what is right for a certain situation. Very basic controls otherwise, making the game easy to pick up on and get used to.

Overall 9
This is undoubtably the finest games I have ever played. I have three characters, and it never gets old with either one of them. I have been playing a year and a half now and have had online for over half a year and I continue to play today. The only flaw in this game is the Double Save feature, which can corrupt your character data and cause you to lose your information. In the year and a half I have been playing, I am yet to corrupt, and I hope that day never comes. Other than that, a must have for the Nintendo Gamecube.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/13/04