"Phantasy Star Universe improves on its traditional game play."

One thing Sega is good at is creating exciting video games. With this in mind, some of their finer qualities show in Phantasy Star Universe, but some poor qualities show as well.

The story takes place on three planets (Moatoob, Parum, Neudaiz) and the Guardians' Space Colony. Apparently, some unknown dark force called the “seed” is causing the native animals to turn into brutal, heartless creatures - like we haven't heard that one before. Sega then added “Ruin Sites,” which are basically ruins from an old civilization. Add all these into a game and you've got yourself a bland, unoriginal game. Sega did do something right, having a “real” single-player mode with a story and main character (Ethan). The online mode, however, expands on the single-player story, which includes new missions to play.

Single-player mode, despite its bland story, is entertaining. This mode features no customization to Ethan, at all. You can't change his face, hair or race. As, the player progresses through the game, he unlocks an extra mode of playing called Extra Mode. Extra Mode is an online adaptation for offline play. Here you can customize you character, and take on numerous missions. This mode of play is greatly inferior to the online play because of the lack of community you get while playing online.

Phantasy Star Universe really shines in its online mode. Sega moved away from the lobbies of Phantasy Star Online and introduces “Universes.” The universes are essentially copies of the single player world. Here you can communicate with the other players and travel to the other planets. The only time when a character splits up from the rest of the PSU community is when players go on a mission, which only allows up to five other people to travel at one time. On special events, the different worlds will be decorated to fit the theme of the holiday.

Joining up with friends to slaughter a towering dragon is definitely what PSU is about. Combat in PSU is relatively enjoyable and rewarding. Nevertheless, combat is extremely easy, featuring only one button to attack and another to execute special techniques. Using only two buttons, however, PSU is still exciting despite its simplistic combat system.

Each weapon in PSU has its own special ability that can be bought, equipped and upgraded. Only one technique can be equipped to a given weapon at a time, however.

To acquire new weapons, players can either buy the weapon from a player/shop or synthesize the weapon themselves. Synthesizing can occur when players acquire the synthesis board (recipe) and all the necessary materials. After everything is received, players can start the syntheses process, which can take from minutes to hours.

Phantasy Star has a good reputation of being highly customizable and PSU is no different. There are plenty of options when characters are first created and there are new outfits and gear being released every few weeks by Sega. Room decorations are also purchasable for your room, which is essentially your safe haven and where you synthesize new weapons, armors, and items.
Besides Phantasy Star Universe being fairly enjoyable, it is visually pleasing as well. The graphics are really impressive on the Playstation 2. The music, the signature electronic, is also pleasing to listen to.

In conclusion, Phantasy Star Universe is a fun and enjoyable experience online. The same can be said of the single mode, even with its lacking story.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/17/07

Game Release: Phantasy Star Universe (US, 10/24/06)