Phantasy Star Universe - any players?

[Hwa Yunhae]

hey all. I just made a couple alt characters for my Phantasy Star Universe account, and was wondering if anyone else plays, and/or has a henshin-based char for their game?

I have two: DekaRed and Akaza Banban. (I used two character slots to make human and transformed versions).

I also have two other characters: my main (Hwa Yunhae), and Riku from KH2.

If anyone else plays, give a shout! XD :buttrock:

 

[Dark Kabuto]

I want to play this, the game has an offline mode too right? That you don't have to pay for?

 

[koji17]

haha I used to play, but the fees get really expensive and you'll find out it's not worth it in the end. There are more maxed level characters than newbies. lol

But if you'd like to meet up on the free Demo version, I'd be more than happy to make another account for that. lol

 

[SaikoDragon]

I want to play this, the game has an offline mode too right? That you don't have to pay for?

Yes it does. It comes with an offline story mode and an offline "create your own character" mode. However, I dont think the offline mode gets any of the updates that online mode does (like costume additions and such. But I could be wrong.)

You never have to pay to access the offline mode.

I used to play PSU, when it first came out. Then I stopped because I quickly realized it was no where near as fun as PSO was. They ruined the entire game by putting in a ranking system for the levels. Meaning once you completed an area, you were graded (Rank D through Rank S) depending upon how well you did. That meant everyone was very picky about getting an S Rank.

Also, since the only way to upgrade your gear was through the shops (and that gear was expensive in the shops), that meant people wanted to grind money in the fastest and easiest way possible. There was gear and costumes to buy. So what happened was that everyone simply wanted to run the same level over and over again because that particular level might be easy to achieve a Rank S with. Getting Rank S means easy money and easy EXP.

That gets boring really fucking quick. If a level was too hard, no one wanted to do it. Because dying meant you lost S Rank. And that meant you were losing money on buying scape dolls and mates, etc.

It really became nothing more than a boring grind.

PSO only had four stages. It was a terribly short game; And yet, PSO was leaps and bounds better than PSU. PSO, no one cared if they died. No one cared if that they were running the same four levels over and over. Because they were fun and no one was running Forest over and over repeatedly. They would run the caves, mines, or ruins, before going back to forest. It was an adventure with friends.

But in PSU, it wasnt an adventure. It was "how can I get easy money and exp so I can get to the top". You didnt care about any ranks, or getting to the top in PSO. You just had fun.

PSU really had so many terrific improvements over PSO. But in the end, Ranking and the fact that you could not find a lot of armor/weapon upgrades out on the field, meant that it became a lot harder to have fun.

Rant over.

 

[Savory Cade]

I was a hardcore PSO fan and bought PSU for PC on release. It failed to live up to my expectations in every way. I canceled my account after a month and haven't played it since.

However, the changes they're making in the Ambition of Illuminus expansion sound like a huge step in the right direction. Better combat, new weapon types, less item creation failure, better drops. They're even bringing back some PSO stuff like costumes, mags (as weapons) and even the levels and enemies like the Forest and Caves.

I'm willing to give it another shot out of respect for Phantasy Star so I picked up PSU for 360 dirt cheap in anticipation. Even if I don't like it again, I figure I can get some easy Achievements playing through the story mode since I never bothered to finish it before. I wasn't planning to play for awhile yet since I'm swamped with games and paying a fee to play online isn't in the cards at the moment. But, if anyone wants to play now I might do it.

 

[Savory Cade]

Sega officially announces the Ambition of Illuminus expansion for November 20th.
X360 = $20 (1600 M$ points)
PS2/PC = $40
Difference is the PS2/PC are store-bought disks and have an enhanced offline Episosde 2 story mode with voice and new cutscenes. X360 lacks that, but you just download it on Live.

I can't help myself, I think I'm going to have to give PSU another shot.

SEGA REVEALS DETAILS OF PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE: AMBITION OF THE ILLUMINUS

Xbox 360 Expansion Pack for the Epic Sci-Fi Action RPG Soon to be Available for Download Via Xbox Live®

SAN FRANCISCO (October 25, 2007) - SEGA® of America, Inc. today released details for Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Playstation®2 computer entertainment system and for PC. Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available on November 20, 2007. The Xbox Live download will be available for 1600 Microsoft Points/$20 USD and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PC versions will be available at retailers across North America for $39.95 USD.

Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalized avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.

The expansion further enriches the online Phantasy Star Universe experience with newly created and enhanced gameplay and customization features. Players can commune in new and expanded lobby areas filled with colorful decorations and music, including the new Casino Voloyal where roulette and slots can earn players special casino-only items. Character and weapon customization is even deeper with the introduction of new weapon types, armor, Photon Arts, and clothing. Also, each Guardian's individual Room is upgraded with far greater options for customization.

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus continues the exciting single-player action-RPG storyline as a new Human Fundamentalist group, known as the Illuminus, disrupts the peaceful Gurhal System throwing the Gurhal Government into chaos. Using their custom-made Guardian, players embark upon a series of missions where they will meet familiar characters like Ethan Waber from Episode 1 and others including GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez from Episode 2.

Since its introduction in 1988, Phantasy Star has revolutionized the RPG genre by creating new standards through innovative gameplay, as well as being the first console RPG to offer an online experience in Phantasy Star Online. This new installment also expands the popular online adventure of its predecessor and continues the quest for peace in the Gurhal System.

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is rated "T" by the ESRB. For art and assets, please visit http://segapr.segaamerica.com. Online play requires a subscription, for more detailed information, please go to the official website at www.phantasystaruniverse.com. Please note that the Xbox 360 download requires the original Phantasy Star Universe game.

 

[SaikoDragon]

I dont know if I would give it another chance. But if Sega allows you to invite more than one PM into the group (when I played, you could only invite one PM into a group. Which sucked.), I would join right back up and get my friends back in it. Because then we could have some real fun.