- Simply PhantasticSince buying the Dreamcast, it had never been played as much as my PC did until ''Sonic Team'' announced the production of a sequel to one or thee most popular Role Playing Games ever to hit the Sega system. Phantasy Star first was born and released on the Sega Master System, it's ability to use a three dimensional scenery as dungeons was astonishing for a 8 Bit System. Phantasy Star 2 was then released for the Sega Genesis (Megadrive) and was even better with it's addictive game play and graphics made it a huge hit for everyone. Phantasy Star 3 & 4 was repeated game play of the second of the series. Sonic Team has revived the saga and has released the long awaited and most anticipated game...Phantasy Star Online (PSO).
Meanwhile the game was being produced, I never paid much attention into enquiring what the game was like, graphics and game play wise so when I purchased the game, it wasn't what I was expecting. However once I played it, it definitely took a lot of shirt pulling to stop me playing the game (as well as the money it was costing me when playing online).
Graphics: Sets the game to a stereotypical futuristic movie with all the hovering ships in the background makes the game absolutely great to play and even just to sit and view each element that moves. Every element in the game is all 3D rendered which puts the systems graphics card into good use, the character you are able to create can be unique in ever perspective as a wide array of clothing, race and hairstyles are at your disposal. Despite such amazing graphics, expectations of the game's frame rate to slow down is not common thus giving the gamer freedom to play the game at constant smooth
Game play: PSO is played in a third person view (Like Diablo on the PC) which is what surprised me the most about the game. Not like it's predecessors of issuing commands to your characters to cast magic or attack, you control your characters movement and his/her ability to strike or cast a spell on your foe which is also aided by a automated targeting system aiding the user to pick his foe off. A numerous amount of spells (Techniques as they are called in the game) are collected throughout the game. User is able to set his controls as shortcuts for different spells/items/attacks. Lots of functions are there, it's a matter of setting it the way the user feels most comfortable.
Lasting Appeal
The lasting appeal really does depend on two factors;
RPG Addictiveness: If you are addicted to the game then you will play through the game in all difficulties like you are suppose to but in some cases, defeating the boss and completing the game is the end for some gamers but it would be a waste of £40 if you stopped their and didn't play all the way through.
Online Capability: This is the most important factor to the lasting appeal of the game. The Online side to PSO is merely and extension to the game which doesn't sound like much but believe me...it is!! The online community lets you communicate with other players all around the world and to also team up with 3 other players. Whilst playing with others, more enemies and more experience points are there for the taking. Playing with others increases the gamers life span for the game, though you are just doing a repetitive job online it is still a fun experience *Applause To Sonic Team for making it possible*.
Side Quest: This will also refer to the online capabilities of the game. Using the online features of the game, you are able to download quests. Doing this gives you an extra level to play through and a more challenging one not experienced on the features present within the game. With creators of quests, the game may become more challenging.
Rare Searching: Personally, I'm a hypocrite. Reason being is that I asked the question ''Why would I want to go searching for rare items?'' but I find myself now doing so. I spent much of my free time looking for rare items/weapons that I sometimes look at the clock to find it's well past my bedtime. Giving you a sense of satisfaction of finding a rare makes you a proud gamer. Rare Items are what they are....RARE. Some items that are under that title are time consummating to find e.g. you can spend 100 hours playing the game and still not find it whereas some are more fortunate to find it than others.
Cons; Keyboard: You will find yourself unable to become as able as other players in the game especially in online gaming due to not possessing a keyboard. The keyboard is a needed peripheral to the game in order to communicate. Although identical to a standard PC keyboard it has a different port which I feel is a way to make people go out and buy more Dreamcast accessories.
Memory Card: Most people have already got a memory card but the game is so good, you may want to create a second character to play with. Unfortunatly, the game will not allow you to save a second character onto the same memory card. A 1 megabyte memory card contains approximatly 255 pages (Page is it's unit of data). A saved game along with a main file takes up 40 pages of data but it won't allow you to save a second game and many find this frustrating and they go out and pay for another memory card.
Conclusion The game is very addictive. Possibly the best game for the Dreamcast as you will not find that you'll have spent more time on another RPG than you will on this one. So far, I'm into my 238th Hour of the game.....yes that's how addictive it is. You will be satisfied with the purchase of this game guarenteed. If you do not have a Dreamcast, buy one (second hand if your on a budget) and get Phantasy Star Online...trust me, you will not be the only one. Many people I know have done so and they don't regret it for a second.
I'd have gave the game a 5 out of 5 except the only part that brings the point down is the cons section...mainly the memory card section and the Keyboard, though you are bound to buy more games which need these peripherals anyway so it's no big loss unless you only plan on buying a selected amount of titles for the console.
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