The MMORPG Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is the first major new MMORPG of 2021. Right after its launch, it is doing really well on Steam – so well, that it briefly stood in the Top 10 and has three times as many players as Black Desert and The Elder Scrolls Online.
What kind of MMORPG is it? Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis (short: PSO2:NG) is a new iteration of the well-known MMORPG from Sega, which was released in 2012. With New Genesis, the developers have overhauled everything and turned it into a new game.
Together with a new game engine, there are new contents and a new story that takes place 1,000 years after the first part. You can find more about the new MMORPG in our special: Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis starts today – 10 things you need to know
PSO 2: NG was released on June 9, 2021, on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S and is Free2Play.
This is how big the MMORPG is on Steam: Shortly after launch, PSO 2 on Steam impresses with over 59,000 players (via steamcharts.com). Currently, it ranks 15th among the most played games, although reports suggest it has even been in the Top 10 (via Githyp.com).
Previously, Black Desert and The Elder Scrolls Online were among the MMORPGs on Steam with the most players. PSO 2 has surpassed both, even with a significant lead:
- PSO 2: 48,681 current players, 59,197 at peak
- The Elder Scrolls Online: 20,535 current players, 49,061 at peak
- Black Desert: 17,063 current players, 59,917 at peak
PSO 2 had about 5,000 players on average before New Genesis on Steam. The number has increased more than tenfold. The numbers from the console versions are not included for any of the games.
“NG fixes every problem I had with PSO 2”
What the players say: The current ratings on Steam are “mostly positive” with 70% positive reviews (via steampowered.com). On Steam itself, it is simply praised without specific details. It is said, for example, that New Genesis is a “fun, friendly, and rewarding dream world” (via steamcommunity.com).
On reddit, a user goes into more detail about the advantages. It states: “NG fixes every problem I had with PSO 2 […] Where the maps of PSO 2 are random mazes with a race to the end, NG is more of an open world and encourages exploration […] The story is told more naturally through quests or tasks that send you through the world” (via reddit.com).
The class system is also said to be better now, and the classes have more depth than before. Many players point out that New Genesis is a completely new game and has little in common with PSO 2 other than the name.
What is not well received? One of the most common criticisms is the lack of higher resolutions, which players consider outdated. For example, native resolutions of 3440 x 1440 (Ultrawide) and 2,560 x 1,440 (WQHD) are said not to be supported.
The gameplay is also criticized in parts. New Genesis is complex, the UI is not mature, and the terminology is unusual (via steamcommunity.com). Generally, the negative voices are rather isolated and often lack detailed criticism.
If you are still looking for a new MMORPG, you should definitely take a look at PSO 2. New Genesis is free to play. We at MeinMMO also recommend the game in our list for June:
