Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II

"Significantly better than the other versions"

Phantasy Star Online, despite which version purchased, is one of the most addicting and involving online RPGs around. Probably the biggest draw towards the series is that they represent the Console-RPG equivalent to what PCs have had for quite a while. Phantasy Star Online is a Diablo-clone at heart, but the sheer innovations both in attacking and corresponding with other players make the game much more diverse and interesting. Set in a futuristic world, Phantasy Star Online Episode I and II tells the story of the fallen Pioneer I, the newly-arrived Pioneer II, and now the story of Heathcliff Flowen and his adventures on a distant island. The Xbox version's story remains identical to the Gamecube's, but since the storyline plays little to no important role it doesn't really even matter.

Changes from the Dreamcast/Gamecube version

Right off the bat, the most noticeable change is the voice chat. Also, you're required to own Xbox Live, and will be using that account as basis for your Guild Cards, which are now linked directly to your Xbox Live friends list.

Friends List

The friends list link works magnificently, because now one can see what GAME their friends are playing, and even invite them to put it away and play PSO instead. Also, you no longer have to search to see if a friend is online. If a friend is indeed online, their name will be white (instead of green). The point of ''searching'' that name is to see what Ship and Block they are in. Interestingly, Phantasy Star Online for Xbox allows the player to send their guild card to anyone in their lobby OR game. If someone was playing in a game, they could still send their guild card to someone outside in the lobby. Strange, but convenient.

Gameplay

Phantasy Star Online is a very basic hack-n-slash RPG. By killing enemies, the player gradually gains ''EXP'', once his/her ''EXP'' meets certain requirements, they ''level up''. Leveling up makes that character stronger. The stronger the character, the further in the game that character can go. The further in the game the character can go, the harder the enemies become.

Playing similarly to Diablo, Phantasy Star Online allows for three basic attacks: Strong, Weak, and Special. Many different ''techs'' exist as well. Overall the gameplay is highly addicting.

Sound

The Xbox version boasts full Dolby 5.1 surround sound for the first time in the Phantasy Star Online series. Strangely, however, the sound effects seem different, sometimes louder, than previous versions.

The music is typical of any sci-fi game. Nothing much to say in this category.

Replay

Let's put it this way: when will you STOP playing?

Overall PSO for Xbox represents the finest version of an already fine online RPG. I highly recommend this game, especially since the first 2 months are free.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/17/03, Updated 04/17/03