Gaming Target - Dreamcast: Phantasy Star Online Version 2

Written by Ryan Smotherman on August 01, 2001

Final Glimpse: Forget heroin, this is the real stuff!

Phantasy Star Online first hit the Dreamcast back in January of this year. Thousands of eager Sega fanatics (including myself) flocked to their local gaming stores to get their hands on the first ever Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) designed exclusively for a console gaming system. Before this, the PC had been the solitary way to get your hands on some MMORPG goodness. And in typical console fashion, the game was a lot more simplified when compared to a PC counterpart, which I myself welcomed. If I could use one word to describe the PSO experience, it'd be УaddictiveФ.

I don't think I've ever been more addicted to a videogame in my 15-year history of playing, or gaming if you will. Which is odd because the game was rather repetitive. The gameplay consisted of you moving from room to room fighting the same enemies over and over again, sounds boring eh? What made the game so addicting was a good mixture of item collecting, leveling, and interaction. There had been many a nights when I'd stayed up playing six hours straight without moving, except for the occasional bathroom break. Needless to say, this had to stop; the game just simply sucked your life away. Don't worry though, I went into rehab for it, I'm better now.

That's the reason U.S. fans started a petition up earlier this year when PSO Ver. 2 was announced for a Japan release, people are captivated by the game and they want more. Version 2 is being labeled as an add-on disk to the original PSO, which is somewhat misleading. You don't need the original to play version 2, and it's also going to retail for the same price of a brand new game ($39.99). About the only way they interact with one another is the ability for you to transport your characters from the first version to the second. The important question is this: Is the new version worth purchasing if you already own the original? I myself can't answer this with a simple yes or no yet. But I can say that PSO Ver.2 has some strong points that might make it worth the purchase, but it also has it's fair share of negative points as well.

The main improvements that PSO Ver. 2 will offer apon the original is the three new modes of play that will be introduced. The first, and most hyped by the fans, is the УBattle ModeФ. Finally, players will get to take on each other in full combat, and it's legal. Woohoo! There will be four different modes to choose from, each sporting a different time limit and objective. The next new play mode is entitled УChallenge ModeФ, in it you and your buddies will be equipped with set items, and you must make it to the end of the level within the allotted time limit and without dying. HmmЕsounds pretty challenging. Last but not least is the УUltimate ModeФ. In all actuality, Ultimate Mode is more of a difficulty setting than a new mode of play. Only 80 level plus characters need apply. In it you are challenged by dreadfully more powerful and faster creatures. Thankfully though, PSO Ver. 2 has upped the limits on all your player stats, including you maximum level, which is now set at 200.

Another one of the more exciting additions to PSO Ver.2 is the brand new levels. A lot of players have complained that the original four levels in PSO just weren't enough, and apparently Sonic Team was listening. Version 2 is set to pack two brand new action packed levels, the Spaceship and the Palace. Each of the levels look just as beautiful as the previous four, especially the sunset displayed in the Palace level. Also, expect some brand new enemies and incredible boss characters to go along with these latest stages. However, the new monsters won't just lie within the new stages. The older levels will also be packing a new brand of beasts, and some updates of the current enemies as well.

Looking for new items and weapons has always been one of the most entertaining aspects of PSO. And Version 2 is set to bring this back with a bang. Last I read there is reportedly going to be over 70 new weapons to obtain, including new ultra rare weapons. Dang it, I'm still searching for a freakin' Lavis Cannon. Additionally, Force characters (a.k.a- magicians) will be searching for higher-level spells, thanks to the new limit hikes throughout the game. You didn't think Sonic Team was going to forget the Mags did ya? That's right, many new Mags will also be making the cut into Version 2, I'm sure everyone has already seen the many pics of the different Sega console Mags, which includes a Master System, Genesis, and a Dreamcast Mag. I'm still waiting for that Sonic Mag though.

PSO Ver. 2 will also contain a few less important, yet entertaining features. One that's been highly anticipated is the new soccer lobby. You'll actually be able to play a soccer game with fellow players, with up to 12 at once. Sick and tired of how you character looks after spending 300 hours with him/her? Well get your Meseta out and pop into the new wardrobe room, where you get to alter your appearance in a variety of ways.

Remember when PSO first came out and all the broadband users (including myself) were pissed because Sega of America opted not to support their recently released Broadband Adapter? Well, you're not going to hear any whining this time around, Sega has recently announced full support of the adapter. So broadband users, put your baseball bats away, for now anyway. This brings us to the most controversial part of the game. Sega announced the game will be moving to the pay-to-play method, just as you'd find in any MMORPG on your PC. When fans heard this news they were absolutely outraged. In fact, it got to the point where rumors were circulating at the possibility of the game not surfacing over to the U.S. shores just because of the fans reactions to the announcement. Fortunately, Sega dropped the bomb on the price not to long ago and it turned out to be very reasonable, $15 for 3 months of play.