Phantasy Star Universe - PS2/PC bound! Options

[kyori]

:D Consider me on the pc bus.

http://img163.exs.cx/img163/390/psu2qe.jpg

[donkeybeatz]

AHHHH NEWS!!
I don't really care what platform its on, just gimme!
Judging from the pic..... Dual weilding?? Gun in one hand and saber in the other? Hrm hrm.
Only a couple more weeks till the new issue of EGM comes out.
Thanks Kyori!

Time to invest in the most kick ass video card.

EDIT: Upon further investigation, it also says....... "PS2"!
I guess this gives Mute a reason to use his HDD hahaha.

EDIT EDIT: D'oh I'm an idiot, I didn't fully read the topic description =P
Though I'll hold my breath since it could be some kind of sick joke haha.

This post has been edited by DJ_Donkey: Mar 17 2005, 02:22 AM

[Riel]

Some guy on the TeamXbox forums yesterday said it was coming out in November,on the new XBox with 65 players online(i think it means in one world,not sure) but the link he provided had the date and the XBox 2 mention but nothing else...i'll try to find it.

EDIT:more info

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php?

PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE REVEALED!

Classic MMORPG franchise revived by Sega's Sonic Team

11:46 Sega's Sonic Team is set to revive one of the Dreamcast's finest hours, with the advent of Phantasy Star Universe, a brand new massively multiplayer RPG which is set for release before the end of this year on Xbox, PC and PS2.
"A MMORPG on the Dreamcast? Surely you jest?" we hear you cry. But no kids, it's all true. And Phantasy Star Online was a highly regarded, early 56k console delve into the world of online, possibly only surpassed by the glorious mismatch which saw Dreamcast owners wholesale slaughter at the hands of PC Quake III Arena players.

Actually we broke first details on this last year, when it was slated as a GameCube exclusive. But a whole lot has changed since then because now Phantasy Star Universe is set to rock Xbox, PC and PS2 owners' bones before the end of 2005, with a release in the US and Japan currently pegged for around November.

There's few details at present except that Phantasy Star Universe is being developed by Sega's mighty Sonic team, and that in its consoles incarnations it will support up to 65 players and cost around $65 in the US.
No details on whether there'll be an ongoing subscription or not, but we have seen the first cheeky image from the game and we have to report it really does seem to live up to the sumptuous graphics of its illustrious predecessor. Wouldn't it be great if Sonic Team could also implement some swinging cross-platform action too, with PC players adventuring alongside their Xbox counterparts? One from our great gaming wish list.

Anyway, we're currently awaiting a response from Sega HQ on possible European release dates and details but we have to say it's great to see one of the classic online franchises revived. Phantasy Star Universe should further cement Sega's growing presence in the MMORPG online world.

[unitself]

Wow.. interestng news.
I am glad to see Xbox on that list of consoles. !!
But I am double sad to not see the GC on that list.
This will just further devide the great AT front.
Let's just cross our fingers that some kind of cross platform setup is implemented.

Now... the real waiting begins.

[Azrael]

Ok,I'm now in anticipation. If it comes to it, and the PC, PS2, and XBox are server compatible (they did it with FFXI, they could do it and add XBox capability), that would be a good thing. I may have to consider my options anad swallow my pride and play on the PC.

[kyori]

[donkeybeatz]

IGN posted additional information:

First off, platform. The magazine lists Phantasy Star Universe as being in development for the PC and PlayStation 2. It does not list any other platform, so we can presume that, in Japan at least, the game is coming to these two platforms alone.

Phantasy Star Universe is set in the Grail Star System, which consists of three planets, as Phantasy Star fans would expect. Players are thrown into the middle of a war that has spanned a vast time.

Unlike PSO, the game has main characters with names. Two characters have been revealed so far: Ewan Webber and Karen Ella. Both aspires to be members of a fighting force called the Guardian Force. Will they be accepted?

Unfortunately, the exact nature of Phantasy Star Universe is still somewhat of a mystery. It's definitely an RPG, and it definitely has an Online component, allowing players to adventure with friends. Jump doesn't reveal if the game is a massively multiplayer Online title, or if the Online play is more limited, as in Phantasy Star Online. Players will be able to travel back and forth between the three planets of the Grail system, adventuring through massive 3D fields on vehicles and taking on huge monsters along the way.

A good many questions still remain unanswered, but at least we now have some solid details on Sega's big return to Phantasy Star. We expect information to slowly be released as the game approaches its Winter Japanese release.

Sauce page =P

Characters with names? Traveling between the Grail Star System? Vehicles? Winter release?

My next game to import.

EDIT: Gamespot had similiar info but went in depth with the characters:

Phantasy Star Universe will take place throughout the Graal solar system, which consists of three planets and various races such as the Numans. After a century of peace following a lengthy period of war, civilization now faces an invasion from a new alien force named the SEED, which has begun attacking different colonies in space.

Two of the main characters will be Ethan Weaver and Karen Era. Fans may remember Ethan and Karen as the brown-haired youth who appeared in the trailer from the E3 presentation. The purple-haired Karen was also featured in the same but has since gone through some character design changes.

Ethan is a 17-year-old trainee at a planetary security organization named the Guardians, and Karen works as his instructor at the security organization. Ethan and Karen, along with some friends, are charged with the duty to protect humanity from the mysterious alien life forms.

Because Phantasy Star Universe has been promoted as a new installment to the Phantasy Star RPG series and has a solid storyline, it's a good bet that the game will play as a standalone title rather than an online game like Phantasy Star Online series.

This post has been edited by DJ_Donkey: Mar 17 2005, 04:09 PM

[AC9breaker]

All I can say and stuck thinking is















OH
MY
GOD!

[Kazicht]

[Guest_Zio_*]

Great news definately!

I'm not sure which platform to go but I have plenty of time to think about it.

[Scan_Man]

I'm will get for PC most def. I'm going to be paying to pay three online games a year from now. Sheesh!

[Vitamin D]

*Faints. Im so damn excited about this game! It just needs to come out already!

[kyori]

http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3138974&did=1

cover to the egm :D
and to clarify one more time it is PS2/PC not just PS2.

[unitself]

ARG! This makes me mad!!!
Platform jumping is a big drag!
I guess I can only hope that it's a great game for the people who can play it AND a game that I wouldn't find fun anyways.
Here's to the dream!!

Then again... It did take them well over a year, after it was out on the GC, to put PSO onto the Xbox. Maybe the same thing will happen here. Maybe?

[Alisha]

omfg [Can i have it]




<--giddy like a schoolgirl

[kyori]

PSU site is live!

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/

With snapshots as well. PRETTY!

[donkeybeatz]

HOT DAMN!
What a neat site.


If that's the lobby area, then wow!

[Guest_Zio_*]

GIB....NOW!

[Kazicht]

[Wiryu]

its just a shame that you have all suckered me into deciding to buy this game -.-

[Vitamin D]

So beautiful...I'm DYING for this game to come out!

[DarkEpyon]

This game looks great so far. Can't wait to see the robot.

[DivA]

lol, i just realized that the 1-up online article is already posted.. ^^; in any case, words & articles just make me dream about having this game even more..

[donkeybeatz]

More pics. Not from EGM though.





Comments?
Looks like alot of open field to play in.

EDIT: Boo links are dead.

This post has been edited by DJ_Donkey: Mar 26 2005, 06:12 PM

[HC82]

*Looks at pics*

*skeet*

Can't wait...

[Mute]

@_@

NEED!

[donkeybeatz]

*steals more info*
Credit to Nash from PSOW (which in turn, credits Soul4ger from GAF):

Soul4ger on GAF has the latest EGM and posted this excellent summary of the PSU article:

"Offline - 40-hour quest. It's a linear story, but you can explore the world as you please. It has everything you'd expect from an actual RPG -- huge towns, more than 20 dungeons, more than 15 bosses. You can have up to three members in your party, and while you don't directly control them, you can assign them commands. The single-player mode will have cutscenes, dialogue, an in-depth story, character development, etc., etc. Some people will have to join you for missions, but when you just want to explore and build levels, you can apparently select anyone to go with you. By the end of the game, you'll end up exploring three planets. It starts on the hume world, Parum, which gets attacked by weird aliens. You visit Neudaiz, a water world of "newman people," and Motwob, the planet of the beast people - desert planet. THe main character's name is Ethan Waber. He decides to fight because his sister gets attacked. Gameplay remains relatively similar to PSO, but there will be more puzzles and stuff in dungeons -- and not just flipping switches.

Online:

No longer jobs, just character races. Each of the four races has its own strengths, but you can develop them as you see fit. For example, casts are the best with guns, but that doesn't mean you can't build up their other characteristics and make them good magicians. Character customization is apparently incredibly improved. You can change colors of lips, eyebrows, eyes, hair, clothes, shoes, you can mold faces and bodies, create large or small breasts, make them firm or jiggly. That's an example the lead artist gives. HDD is NOT supported, because Sony pulled the support. It looks substantially better on the PC, and EGM recommends that version. Voice chat, regardless, has not been confirmed, for either platform.

Combat remains relatively similar to PSO, but there are differences, There are six-hit combo strings now, but you insert custom technique attacks into the combos to change them up. Strafing has been adding, and button-timing is supposed to be quick, for combat. Like John said, the number of party members is much higher, but Sega hasn't revealed how many it will be yet. Characters can dual wield different weapons now, so a gunner can have a short range gun and a long-range one equipped at the same time. Mags are gone, robot partners are in. Downloadable content will be more frequent and more substantial.

And PSO Blue Burst is coming this Summer, the mag says it's "free," but you just have to pay the $13 Hunter's Fee.

One last thing I forgot, vehicles are included."

I swear once I get a copy of that issue, I'm writing whatever they have on there word for word.
HC82: LMAO! Don't you dare edit that post!

Oh I found some scans from EGM. Credits to whoever scanned them:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4< Dam look at that dragon!
Page 5

[DivA]

~dj, i am grateful for the wisdom you share.. ;D

thank you much.. ^^ though voice chat is an advance that i don't look forward to ~ i like to type, if truth be told; *muses* i think it's time for some new avatars - let's see what i can salvage from these images ~ heh.. ;)

[Kazicht]

G'od, I don't even know what to say. Its like everything I used to ask for in PSO is coming true in PSU. Massive combos able to connect with more powerful skills, more PT members, vehicles, better character costomization, better EVERYTHING!

Just speechless.

[DarkEpyon]

Wow... this is better than I could've imagined. Dunno about the voice chat thing though. I've never played PSOX, so I can't really comment on it.

[Riel]

Wow thanks for the scans and info...the only thing i'm a little sad about is no more Mags but robots might make up for it...i actually bought EGM thinking it was the new issue,the one with Jade Empire on the cover,but i guess it's not the newest one even though it's the April issue.

[Guest_Zio_*]

Yeah...no mags ;_; but the 6 string combo thing sounds cool, the vehicles, the 3 different worlds like in the first Phantasy Star, the fact that you can have more people in your party online, and and and...ah hell, the whole thing looks so damn cool.

Also that must be what EGM meant in the last issue when they had one word for us.
-create large or small breasts, make them firm or jiggly

[Alisha]

awesomeness has left me speechless

[Henge]

Looks pretty impressive. hurray for PC release.

[Azrael]

Looks like it'll be pc for me. I can't wait for this to come out. Again I say, I hope they get it right even if there's no release date annonced. Don't toy around with our emotions and make some of us do the I word by constant announcements and delays.

[DarkEpyon]

Of course, I doubt there would be an English-language option like with previous installments.

[Knightsword]

For most of use it won't be a problem, but the EGM article did say Broadband only and no ps2 hdd support

[ZioII]

one word: woot!

[Vitamin D]

Wow...this game sounds better and better the more I here. I'm dropping EVERYTHING when this game comes out.

[DarkEpyon]

I can only imagine how many "well-endowed" characters we'll see when we first go online. I can see it now... "OMFG that (insert weak enemy here) got pwned by big titzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!111111111"

Hey, at least we won't be hearing "LABIZ PLZZZZ!"

[donkeybeatz]

Alittle bit of info:
SEGA officially announces new RPG for North America.

They also posted a few hi-res pics. One of which I really enjoy looking at:



Wonder what will be shown at E3?

[DarkEpyon]

This game's art style is very reminiscent of PSO. Speaking of said game, it has held a place in my heart that neither D2, UO, FFXI (especially this one), WoW, or CoH could possibly fill. I'm sure you all echo these sentiments.

[Dive]

[DarkEpyon]

Since I've played HUcast/HUnewearl/Warrior/Monk/other melee as main characters for so many years, I'm considering going the magic route this time for a change.

[DarkEpyon]

New screens at the Magicbox to whet your appetites, folks.

Heheh, I beat Donkey to it.

Once February rolls around, sayonara social life.

[donkeybeatz]

[donkeybeatz]

OMFG!!!
IGN Phantasy Star Universe Hands On

New pictures and OMFG!! Gameplay footage!!!!! Check it out now!!!!!!!!111111

/skeet

[tanshin]

my god that is awesome.

[Vitamin D]

Holy. Shit.

[Kazicht]

Oh man! I CANT HANDLE IT! I CANT HANNNDLLLE ITTTT!!! WAHHHHH!

[DarkEpyon]

February can't get here fast enough!

[Riel]

Looked great graphically and the character and animations looked good also but i thought the AI on some of the monsters was really messed up....still early though but i definetly love the bigger lands and area's.

[Knightsword]

Looks good, can't wait for footage from the online portion of the game

[donkeybeatz]

New PSU trailer @ IGN
PSU Best Trailer
Not very long but it does show a few new things...
Like vehicles and some insane combo animations.
And that Sonic ring chime... I miss it.

EDIT: This video is also on SEGA's site here.

This post has been edited by DJ_Donkey: May 16 2005, 12:08 AM

[donkeybeatz]

Guys, guys, guys! Check out the new E3 trailer @ IGN!!!
PSU E3 Trailer

They show some indepth character customization... Change color of eyes and even change the width and height of it... and the standard PSO proportion grid!
They also show what appears to be online mode! I assume since they used the default "Sonic, Tails,.. etc." names.
They still only show 4 players max.
The new dragon they show is pretty awesome too!!
This one is hot!

Sorry for double posting but damn!
I'm gonna watch this game like a hawk

[Knightsword]

Whoa... awesome...

[tanshin]

wow, that's a nice trailer. it gave me goosebumps.

[DarkEpyon]

Those new videos are dead sexy. If there's extensive voice acting in the offline mode, I'll bet they'll need 2 DVD's or make it dual-layer.

[Bryn]

Wow....just wow.

I really like that there is an offline game as well. And the character customization looks really sweet.

Is there any word yet on what the required specs are for the PC version? Ack...February is forever away.

[Vitamin D]

God this is TORTURE.

[Alisha]

everytime i try to watch it some lame jeep video comes up -.-

[donkeybeatz]

That's just the ad that loads up. You have to wait for it to finish =\

[Kazicht]

It's gonna take me three days to create my character with all those options! >_<;

[DarkEpyon]

This blows the current PSO out of the water, that's for sure. I look forward to seeing what the droids will look like in character creation.

[donkeybeatz]

A bit long overdue but I'll post it anyway.
Gamepro article I "aquired" @ PSOW Not alot of info but it might catch your eye:
Gamepro PSU preview article

1UP.com interview:
Phantasy Star Universe: The director speaks on the next Phantasy Star.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that the PSU official site has been revamped again.
http://phantasystaruniverse.com/

This post has been edited by DJ_Donkey: May 24 2005, 08:26 PM

[Kazicht]

Well I guess from that Gamepro article, 6 is the magic number for party members. Works for me!

[donkeybeatz]

The Official Site has been updated with some more goodies.
+new characters (some never before seen 13 yr old girl and that beast guy)
+new screens
+new information on areas (check out that space colony! so awesome)

The new images aren't really worth mentioning... except for this one.

[Vitamin D]

Damn...wish the release date wasn't so far off I wanna play right now.

[donkeybeatz]

I think its time to check out the PSU site again. They finally put up that HUcast looking dude in the character's section. And that other guy looks like he's holding some sort of gunblade.
There's also some stuff about organizations.

[Kazicht]

Wow, that be really awesome if HUcasts look like that.

[DarkEpyon]

Oh man, those casts look awesome. Bah! Fuck the techs! Robo all the way!

[Dive]

Character Screens from the PSU Site.













Also added these to the avatar gallery.

[HC82]

Damn, that's a pretty damn badass Cast there.

If he can shoot missles out of his privates area, then everything is GO!

[unitself]

hrm... I'm not so fond of the way the HUcast looks. I don't like my 'bots to have too much of a human form and that one really does. But these are just (i am guessing) the characters for the offline RPG game so maybe we will have many more options for 'casts appearance.

[DarkEpyon]

I sure hope so, seeing as how 'bots sort of got the sort end of the stick when it came to character design.

[AC9breaker]

========================================================
New images over at ign and a new article discussing the races of Phatasy Star Universe in further detail.

chetz page

They also give some back story on some of the main story characters.

[donkeybeatz]

I wonder if you can make the Beastmen look like Blanka from Street Fighter.
That would totally own.
ARRrrooooooooooo.... *electric boogaloo*
"Seeing you in action is a joke."

*Tekker music plays* Nice find AC.
For the win!

[HC82]

Karen Erra
Race: Newman
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: She has a three-year experience in actual fighting as Guardian, and serves as Ethan's instructor. Due to the experience of her mother being killed by native creatures when she was a child, and to the handicap that she can use no "Technics" despite being "Newman", she has been cautioning herself more than necessary and living stubborn as she strains herself, trying to be strong

I wonder if these characters are totally playable in the storyline? I find it interesting that they made it so she can't use techniques. From this we can see that maybe Sonic Team is really going for a more story and character driven PSU. Gameplaywise a techless newman is kinda useless, but storyline wise it makes for something interesting, especially if she is fighting with you.


I can see the senario writer grinding away at the keyboard now:

"OMG, RESTA ME NOW!!!111!"

"Sorry, I can't..."

"DUDE, OMGWTFBBQ, STFU AND RESTA!!!11!!!"

*She tells her long sad story about how she was born without powers and her mother died at the claws of a beast*

"CAN YOU AT LEAST S/D THEN PLZ???"


Yes, I can already feel the deep and intense character driven storyline now....

[Crushinator]

Special abilities for Cast and Beast? I like the sound of that!

Story seems like it will be interesting and actually get me to play the offline mode. The character designs are pretty cool, too. Damn, February can't come fast enough.

What was with those shitty babel-fishy story character descriptions, though? Hire some editors IGN, you boobs.

[Vitamin D]

Yeah this game's gonna be crazy. It's cool to get new info on PSU, but damn it's hard wait.

[AC9breaker]

New update over at the PSU website pertaining techs.


http://phantasystaruniverse.com/

Link to a scan from some JP magazine. Containing the same images. haxs

From the looks of some of the images it looks like you can perform a Haduken type of attack. I guess we are gonna start seeing some damn good Goku and Vegeta characters.


Sucks that the site isn't in english. I really want to know about how fighting will be. There is alot of speculation over at PSOW at how the new combat system will be. This one seems to be the most plausible one.

[HC82]

Well, that haduken thing is probably some sort of tech based attack. I don't know too many Vegita Forces.

I wonder about this whole PP gauge and the rest of the combat system? Screen shots are just icying on the cake, but I need my meat and potatoes, followed by an angioplasty.

[Alisha]

new trailer :o

click here

[Kazicht]

That long/great sword fighting was hot! Reminds me of Nightmare/Sigfreid's technique from Soul Calibur.

[AC9breaker]

Along with that new trailer the PSU site has also been updated with some new and tastey images.


I think I just soiled myself.

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/

[donkeybeatz]

[Henge]

[tanshin]

Anyone know a semi-accurate release time on this yet? Sorry if it was mentioned before, I went back and couldn't find anything.

[AC9breaker]

I think it was something like February 2006 Not sure.

[Bryn]

I looks like December 30, 2005 for Japan & February 1, 2006 for US is the"official" release date.

[DarkEpyon]

Supposedly it's gonna be a "PC first, PS2 second" deal like with FFXI.

[Dive]

Here are some burning questions I know a lot of us would like to have answered.

Will the Japanses version have an english language setting?
Will the Japanese servers be linked to the rest of the world?
Will the PC servers be connected to the PS2 servers?
How much breast customization is there exactly?

[donkeybeatz]

Anyone seen that new character they have up (other than the newman)? People in PSOW says its a cast. Would be fairly interesting to see a character like that holding a big ass shotgun.
Character designs so far look a bit iffy but its starting to grow on me.

[DarkEpyon]

Yeah, she's a cast and her name's Lou. She's a guardian like Ethan and Karen.

Looks like you can have casts that look more human in appearance.

[unitself]

[Alisha]

[Crushinator]

Wasn't there some part of the PSO "mythology" that said that Casts were required to wear the outer shells so that they wouldn't be confused with humans? So one would reach the conclusion that under their armor and helmets the Casts look basically human, right? I remember something like that from the PSO Hunters guide book or some shit.

Maybe since PSU is in the future (right?) from PSO, Human-robot relations have progressed to the point where the humans aren't taken aback by the robots that look like them.

[Knightsword]

In older phantasy star games, casts look mostly human, such as Wren, who at first I thought was a cyborg

[DarkEpyon]

Been like 11 years, but I believe the PS3 instruction manual says something to the effect that Wren (or Shiren if you prefer) and Mieu were cyborgs.

[unitself]

Well, regardless of what you guys think, here is actual proof of what I am saying.

<evidence>