Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming to the West. Microsoft announced this at the E3 press conference. Many MMORPG fans are excited, but what kind of game is it and why is it so well received?
PSO2 has a long history: Phantasy Star Online 2 is based on the long-lasting Phantasy Star series. The first game in the series was released in 1987 for the Sega Master System. The early games were single-player JRPGs that combined fantasy with science fiction elements.
Only in 2000 was the first Phantasy Star Online released for the Sega Dreamcast, followed by the sequel Phantasy Star Online 2 for PC in 2012. The game is now also available for PS Vita, as a mobile game, for PS4, and for Nintendo Switch, with an Xbox version following next year. However, this MMORPG is currently only available in Japan. A release in the USA and Europe was planned for a long time, was repeatedly postponed, and was eventually abandoned by Sega in 2017.
At E3 2019, Microsoft announced that the MMORPG would be released in 2020 at least in the USA for Xbox One and PC.
The MMORPG of a classic JRPG series
What is Phantasy Star Online 2? Basically, it is a classic MMORPG that relies on the unique features of the Phantasy Star series – namely mixing science fiction with fantasy.
- You create a hero from the races Human, Newman (biologically engineered elves), CAST (androids), and Deuman (a kind of mutant)
- You choose one of the classes Hunter, Ranger, Force, Braver, Bouncer, Challenger, Fighter, Gunner, and Techer
- You can also change your class
- The battles are active and quite fast-paced. You have to actively strike to hit enemies and continuously move during fights
- Combos are important
- You can quickly switch between three equipped weapons
- You complete quests that take you to diverse areas
- You have a companion called a Mag, a type of pet. Mags support you and you can improve them over time
- PvP is possible in arenas
- Your hero can be customized according to your preferences
Why are so many excited about the release? On one hand, the current outlook for the release of new MMORPGs is not great. Even when an online RPG comes out, its chances are often not very good, as can be seen with Bless. So when an MMORPG actually hits the market, fans are happy to have something new to play.
Phantasy Star Online 2 has been very successful in Japan since 2012. It is among the most popular online role-playing games in the country. This alone shows that something is coming that could also be well received in the West.
Fast action paired with classic MMORPG
What do Japanese players like about the MMORPG? Phantasy Star Online is of course based on a successful and classic game series. Phantasy Star does not quite have the status of Final Fantasy, but it comes pretty close. Accordingly, many fans of the series play the MMORPG.
Furthermore, the combat system is convincing. It is an action-packed, active system that also runs quite fast. You really feel like you are in an action battle. This contrasts with Final Fantasy 14, which has a more classic and “slower” combat system.
The pacing is right as well. Phantasy Star Online 2 plays quite fluidly and quickly. This also applies to the animations. Additionally, it features anime graphics, which are very well received in Japan. Moreover, almost every NPC has voice acting, making the MMORPG feel like a playable anime.
And of course, the MMORPG offers plenty of content. After all, it has been running for about seven years. During this time, it has continually been expanded with new content, giving players plenty to do.
For many, Phantasy Star Online 2 is the counterpart to Final Fantasy 14. While it is basically also an MMORPG, it plays differently due to the focus on action and the sci-fi scenario.
Will it also come to Europe? Currently, Phantasy Star Online 2 is only announced for the USA. However, with this announcement, the chances for a release in Europe increase. Hope dies last.
