- Phantasy Star Online 2 is a sequel to SEGA's Phantasy Star Online, which was an online co-op action rpg that was released for the Dreamcast, Gamecube, Xbox and PC.
- Jun 06, 2013 Boards > Gaming > PC > Phantasy Star Online 2 English Patch?. Don't wanna get booted after all the work it took to download/install and make Sega ID. Absolutely love the character.
- Boards > Gaming > PC > Phantasy Star Online 2 English Patch?. Character is likely sending you a message (koffee most likely) which puts you into a long pause as a first timer.
- The English Community plays on Ship 2 Block 20. The Character Creator Demo is Up! Plus Mini Guide! Phantasy Star Online 2: Registration Guide This page.
- Phantasy Star Online 2 will be free to play and download, Sega has revealed. An item transaction system will be how it'll make money, Andriasang reports. In addition to the PC and PS Vita versions.
The plot of Phantasy Star Online 2 (so far) cannot possibly happen. There's some options in Tweaker to install the English Patch (small files which are mostly the important ones like menus), English Large Patch (which is a larger file size and has other less-important things, but worth getting anyway) and the Story Patch (this will just.
| Phantasy Star Online 2 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Online R&D[1] |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Director(s) | Yu Suganuma Keisuke Nakamura |
| Producer(s) | Satoshi Sakai[2] |
| Artist(s) | Akikazu Mizuno |
| Writer(s) | Ryohei Uno |
| Composer(s) | Hideaki Kobayashi Mitsuharu Fukuyama Kenichi Tokoi Tadashi Kinukawa |
| Series | Phantasy Star Online |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One |
| Release | Microsoft Windows
|
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing, MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Phantasy Star Online 2[8] is a video game in the Phantasy Star series published by Sega. It is a successor to Phantasy Star Online and Phantasy Star Universe, featuring similar gameplay. The initial version was released for Windows in Japan in July 2012.[9][10]
A PlayStation Vita version was released in February 2013, while a PlayStation 4 version was released in April 2016. A spin-off/companion game, Phantasy Star Online 2es, was released for Android and iOS in 2014.[11][12] A Nintendo Switch version was released in April 2018. At E3 2019, it was announced that the game would be releasing outside of Asia for the first time on the Xbox One and Windows in early 2020.[3][13][14]
- 1Gameplay
- 1.1Interface
- 3Release
- 4Anime adaptation
Gameplay[edit]
Upon starting the game, the player can select one of several servers, known as 'Ships,' to play. Players create and customize their characters to be used in the game. The name, gender, race, character class, body and facial features are available for customization during the character creation process, and later, the player can acquire a number of accessories and aesthetic goods to further customize their characters. There are various races available to the players in the game, which include Human, Newman (bio-engineered humanoid elves), CAST (manmade androids), and Deuman (species that contains recessive Darker genes in them). Players also pick a starting class: in addition to the core classes Hunter, Ranger, and Force, the hybrid classes Braver and Bouncer, introduced in Episode 2 and 3 respectively, are also available. Furthermore, as of Episode 3, the advanced classes Fighter, Gunner and Techer are also playable immediately.[15][16] Classes in Phantasy Star Online 2 are interchangeable; every character has access to all classes, although they all level individually, and can switch between them freely at any time from the lobby. When players are finished creating their avatar, they begin playing in the tutorial and the story's prologue stage.[citation needed]
Interface[edit]
The user interface and controls are similar between the PC and the PS Vita. By default, players can play the PC version using a mouse and a keyboard, but may also play the game using an Xbox 360 Controller, which the game supports natively. The player's Character ID, Health (HP) and Photon Points (PP) are displayed at the bottom left corner of the screen. At the bottom of the screen, the sub-palette may contain consumable items, class active skills, Techniques and Photon Blast skills. The mini-map is located at the top-right corner of the screen. When a target is acquired, the top-left corner of the screen displays the information and status of the target.[citation needed]
The chat log displays messages left by players and NPCs, as well as system messages. Chat commands can customize text in many ways, such as changing the colors of the text or using special speech bubbles and animations. The player can also create and display Symbol Arts, images made within the game out of various symbolic objects. Autowords can also be created for a character to react to certain events in battle automatically, such as dying or successfully completing a mission.[citation needed]
Gameplay[edit]
Gameplay in Phantasy Star Online 2 is action-oriented, and features a diverse selection of weapon types and playstyles for the player to choose from.[citation needed]
A form of energy known in the game as Photons plays an important role in the game's battle system. During battle, the player can combine his normal attacks with Photon Arts (PA), special attacks using photon converted into energy, to perform a variety of attack combos. Additionally, the Force, Techer, Bouncer, and Summoner classes can use Techniques, photon converted into magic-like spells in both offensive and support forms. Players can guard with certain weapon types to reduce damage taken at the cost of some PP, or 'Just Guard' with accurate timing to perform a counterattack at no cost.[citation needed]
In some areas of the game, Photons can be generated by defeating enemies to fill up the Photon level in the environment. In return, Photon-sensitive effects (PSE) can provide bonuses to the players in that area. When one of these effects reaches the maximum level of 8, an event known as PSE Burst can occur where many enemies will rapidly spawn for a limited time. This can be further extended by causing a different PSE Burst to form a Cross Burst.[citation needed]
Upon reaching a certain level, each player will be granted a Mag, a small droid that hovers around the owner. Mags can be fed a variety of items in order to strengthen and eventually evolve them. In addition to enhancing the player's stats, a mag will support the player with abilities such as healing or buffing under certain circumstances. Mags also enable the Photon Blast ability, in which the player and mag summon a Photon-based avatar for a brief time to attack enemies or support party members, depending on the type of mag. Photon Blasts can only be used after defeating a certain number of enemies and generating enough Photon energy to fill up its gauge.[citation needed]
Development[edit]
According to Sega COO Naoya Tsurumi, Phantasy Star Online 2 took over five years to develop. Sega 'pulled out all the stops', believing the game to be a crucial entry point into the growing free-to-play market on multiple devices. A cross-platform strategy involving PC, handhelds, and smartphones was made possible by the sharing of cloud data. Moreover, Tsurumi stated that the game would serve as a model for other intellectual properties as part of Sega's broader strategy 'to further develop the whole of Asia as a single market.'[17]
On February 5, 2011, at the Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Nationwide Fan Thanks Festival 2011 in Japan, Sega announced that the alpha test for Phantasy Star Online 2 would begin in the summer. They stated 'Entry into the test will not be open; instead, all participants will be selected by lottery. And your first chance at putting your name into the drawing will be by purchasing Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity.'[18] On February 7, Sega listed alternate ways for users to enter into the lottery on the PSO2 website.[19] On March 9, 2012, Sony announced that Phantasy Star Online 2 would also be released on the PS Vita. On March 26, it was announced that the game would also appear on iOS and Android.[20]
Open beta began on June 21, 2012, as free-to-play. Open beta ended on July 2, 2012, in preparation for release on July 4, 2012. Characters created by players during open beta were carried over to the live servers.
EPISODE2 of Phantasy Star Online 2 launched on July 17, 2013, which introduced the new Dewman race and the Braver class.[21] EPISODE3 launched on August 27, 2014, which introduced the new Bouncer class and Casino, new skills for every class, new items, a new planet, and new quests.[22] Reborn:EPISODE4 was released on January 27, 2016, and the main theme was revealed to be 'new experience'. It introduced even more advanced customization features, a new planet (Earth), and the brand-new Summoner class.[citation needed]
Release[edit]
The game was launched in Japan on July 3, 2012. The game was free to download and free-to-play, with an optional real money to in-game currency feature known as the 'ARKS Cash' system. Sega also has released a retail version of the game on September 13, 2012 along with an installation disc bundled with extra bonuses and in-game items.
Southeast Asia release[edit]
Asiasoft, an MMORPG publisher released Phantasy Star Online 2 in Southeast Asia. The game was fully translated to English with huge changes to its menu, items and classes name. This is mainly to make the game much easier to understand for newcomers to the series. They also released a Thai language version of the game for Thailand players only. The closed beta for it began on April 10, 2014,[23] with the official launch on May 29, 2014.[24] Asiasoft announced they would also distribute Episode 2, which was released on March 5, 2015.[citation needed]
However On April 5, 2017, Asiasoft announced they would end servicing Phantasy Star Online 2 to Southeast Asia countries on May 26, 2017.[25]
There's also a Chinese version released in Taiwan, which also lasted 3 years before the server closed in early 2017.[citation needed]
Western release[edit]
On July 9, 2012 SEGA announced plans to release the game in the west as early as 2013, and English players were given a teaser of an English version of the game during the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington on August 31, 2012. However, the game was delayed until further notice.[citation needed]
The western release may have been cancelled in the later half of 2013.[26] In November 2017, the English website for the game was taken down.[27]
On June 9th 2019, a North American release was announced at Microsoft's E3 press conference[13][14], launching in the Spring of 2020, with no current plans for a release in Europe, Middle East and Africa.[3][4] The game will feature cross-play between Xbox One and PC.[14]
Anime adaptation[edit]
| Phantasy Star Online 2 | |
| Anime television series | |
| Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Keiichiro Kawaguchi |
| Produced by | Hideki Uchino Mei Yoshikawa Yasuhiro Yamaguchi |
| Written by | Mitsutaka Hirota |
| Music by | Takashi Ohmama |
| Studio | Telecom Animation Film |
| Licensed by | |
| Original network | TBS, CBC, MBS, BS-TBS, Anime Network |
| Original run | January 7, 2016 – March 31, 2016 |
| Episodes | 12 (List of episodes) |
| Anime television series | |
| Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle | |
| Directed by | Masaki Tachibana |
| Written by | Hiroshi Ōnogi Shigeru Morita Bunsei Asanuma |
| Studio | Gonzo |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, BS11 |
| Original run | October 7, 2019 – scheduled |
| Episodes | 25 |
An anime adaptation based on the game aired on TBS from January to March 2016.[28] The adaptation was directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi at studio Telecom Animation Film, with scripts written by Mitsutaka Hirota and music written by Takashi Ohmama.
The opening theme is 'Zessei Stargate' (絶世スターゲイト; Matchless Stargate) by Shouta Aoi, and the ending theme is performed by Ayaka Suwa and M.A.O.[citation needed]
The anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America, and was simulcast by Crunchyroll.[29]
A new anime television series titled Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle has been announced and will premiere in October 7, 2019 on Tokyo MX and BS11. The new series will recompile the story of 'Episodes 1-3' of the original game, and will also include an original story.[30] The 25-episode television series is directed by Masaki Tachibana at studio Gonzo, with scripts written by Hiroshi Ōnogi, Shigeru Morita, and Bunsei Asanuma, and characters designed by Shinpei Koikawa.[31]
The new series' opening theme is 'Destiny' by Aimee Blackschleger, and the new series' ending theme is 'Timeless Fortune' by Mika Arisaka.[32]
Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation (2016)[edit]
| No. | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'The RPG That Begins with 'Nice to Meet You' '`Hajimemashite' kara hajimaru RPG' (「はじめまして」から始まるRPG) | January 7, 2016 |
| 2 | 'The Aloof Warrior' 'Kokō no senshi' (孤高の戦士) | January 14, 2016 |
| 3 | 'Roleplay' 'Rōrupurei' (ロールプレイ) | January 21, 2016 |
| 4 | 'Phantasy Star Offline' 'Fantashīsutāofurain' (ファンタシースターオフライン) | January 28, 2016 |
| 5 | 'Aika' 'Aika' (アイカ) | February 4, 2016 |
| 6 | 'Forbidden PSO2' 'Kinji rareta PSO 2' (禁じられたPSO2) | February 18, 2016 |
| 7 | 'Disappearance' 'Shissō' (失踪) | February 25, 2016 |
| 8 | 'Turning Point' 'Tāningupointo' (ターニングポイント) | March 3, 2016 |
| 9 | 'Discharge Notice' 'Senryokugaitsūkoku' (戦力外通告) | March 10, 2016 |
| 10 | 'Vessel' 'Yorishiro' (依代) | March 17, 2016 |
| 11 | 'The Dark Falz' 'Dākufarusu' (ダークファルス) | March 24, 2016 |
| 12 | 'The RPG That Crosses Boundaries' 'Kyōkai o koeru RPG' (境界を超えるRPG) | March 31, 2016 |
Reception[edit]
Registered users for the game exceeded 2.5 million in March 2013.[33] By August 2015, the game had over 3.5 million registered users.[34] As of September 2016, the game has over 4.5 million users.[35] Sega confirmed in 2018 that the PlayStation Vita version has sold over 1.5 Million copies.[36]
Famitsu gave the game a score of 33 out of 40.[citation needed] The game won the Rookie of the Year 2012 WebMoney Award.[37]
Sega released Phantasy Star Nova in 2014. The game shares similar elements to and is set in the same world as Phantasy Star Online 2, and is also part of the Online series.[38] A novelisation, Phantasy Star Online 2 Side Story, began on June 15, 2014.[39]
References[edit]
- ^'What is the goal of the online entertainment research and development department newly established in Sega? We spoke to two central members'. 4Gamer.net. 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^'Annual Report 2015'(PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. April 2015. p. 31. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
- ^ abcd@SEGA_Europe (9 June 2019). 'PSO2 is finally making its western debut in North America on Xbox One in Spring 2020. Regarding an EMEA release, there's nothing to confirm right now. We understand it's frustrating, but when we have more news to share, we will. Stay tuned to pso2.com for updates' (Tweet). Retrieved 9 June 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ abcReynolds, Matthew (9 June 2019). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 is finally, finally coming to the West'. Eurogamer. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^Ryna (July 2, 2012). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 to Officially Launch in Japan on July 4th'. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^Evangelho, Jason (March 9, 2012). ''Phantasy Star Online 2' hits Vita in 2013, supports cross-platform play'. VideoGameWriters. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^''PSO2 PS4 is carried out in April 20, 2016!'. August 16, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
- ^ファンタシースターオンライン２Fantashī Sutā Onrain Tsū
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2'. DotMMO. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^Fletcher, JC (September 15, 2010). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 spotted on Sega TGS video stream'. Joystiq. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2 Es Open Beta Is On Android Now'. Siliconera.
- ^'PSO2es Now Available on Google Play!'. 2p.com.
- ^ ab'Everything We Announced at the Xbox E3 2019 Briefing'. Xbox Wire. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ abcMcWhertor, Michael (9 June 2019). 'Sega's finally bringing Phantasy Star Online 2 to the West in 2020'. Polygon. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
- ^'PSO2 Race'. Phantasy Star Online 2 (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^'PSO2 Class'. Phantasy Star Online 2 (in Japanese). Sega. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^'Annual Report 2013'(PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. 2013. pp. 18–19.
- ^EspioKaos (February 5, 2011). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 Alpha Test This Summer! - PSO-World.com'. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2011-04-09.CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link)
- ^Lada, Jenni. 'Phantasy Star Online 2 will appear on iOS and Android'. Technologytell. www.technologytell.com. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^2013-07-21, Phantasy Star Online 2 launches Episode 2, adds new race and class, Joystiq
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2's Episode 3 Major Update Launches This August'. Siliconera.
- ^2014-04-01, Phantasy Star Online 2 Closed Beta Coming Next Week From Asiasoft, Siliconera
- ^PlayParkSEA. 'Phantasy Star Online 2 is recruiting ARKS member!- PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2'. playpark.com.
- ^PlayParkSEA. 'Phantasy Star Online 2 Announces Service Closure - PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2'. playpark.com.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2 Cancelled'. MMOGames. October 21, 2013.
- ^Wong, Alistar (November 19, 2017). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 English Website Now Shows DNS Error'. Siliconera.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2 Game Gets TV Anime on January 2016'. Anime News Network. July 12, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^'Sentai Filmworks Adds Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation'. Anime News Network. December 29, 2015.
- ^'Sega Reveals Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle TV Anime for This Year'. Anime News Network. March 10, 2019.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle Anime Reveals Cast, Staff, 25-Episode Length, October Premiere'. Anime News Network. July 14, 2019.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2: Episode Oracle Anime Reveals October 7 Premiere, Theme Songs'. Anime News Network. August 19, 2019.
- ^Purchese, Robert (10 May 2013). 'Aliens: Colonial Marines managed 1.31 million sales'. Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
- ^'Phantasy Star Online 2 Heads to PS4 in 2016'. Anime News Network. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/ir/library/pdf/settlement/2017/20161102_2q_tanshin_e_final.pdf
- ^Romano, Sal (January 9, 2018). 'Phantasy Star Online 2 for PS Vita tops 1.5 million downloads'. Gematsu. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^WebMoney. 'WebMoney Award 2012'. www.webmoney.jp.
- ^'Phantasy Star Nova Borrows Elements from Phantasy Star Online'. Siliconera. Sato. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^'PSO2 Novelisation's First Appearance'. Twitter (in Japanese). Sega_pso2. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
External links[edit]
- Official website(in Japanese)
- Anime official website(in Japanese)
- Phantasy Star Online 2 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia