The first big New Genesis update is still coming later this year

Phantasy Star Online New Genesis got a minor update this week, with a foc??us on ne?w enemy types, quests, and items.

One of the big additions is the Mining Base Defense: Aelio Urgent Quest. So Urgent Quests are kind of like "light raids," in which groups of players (premade or via matchmaking) can take on endgame tasks and/or bosses. In this case it's a protection mission, as a group of eight needs to defend mining rigs from waves of enemies. It's here that the new enemies will factor in, a?s you need to take out Boms (which are self-destructing bombs) and Destagras. You only need to have one rig left standing at the end of the mission to win.

If you haven't been catching up or are a lapsed player, here's the full roadmap through winter. So we're already to the "Braver" phase, and now we're on to the Bouncer part entering the fall. That'??s when we'll get the titular Bouncer class, as well as a mission pass and title system. From there it's another wait until winter, which is where the real meat is.

That "first major update" is a big one??. It'll sport a new region (one of which was tease?d at the end of the main story, amid a walled-off snowy zone), as well as a level cap increase from 20 to 35, and new class skills and techniques. It's kind of like a miniature free expansion.

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The Braver class is a free update, here's how to play it

While Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is struggling in some ways in terms of content, the Braver class is here to shake things up.

Here's how to unlock it, and what it does.

The first step to snagging the Braver class is logging in! Seriously, it's just innately part of every character now and you can swap to it at the job counter immediately. You'll want to take this quest from Deirdre near?? the southwest end of the central hub though, as she'll introduce you to the?? basics.

From there you can grab a basic level one katana?? and run out into the wilderness to take out a? few enemies. And that's pretty much all the hand-holding you'll get: you're on your own after that.

Like all low-level classes, one of the best ways to power-level is to go to a Level II ranked zone with your main (some of you are the max of 20 at this point) and put Braver as your off-class. That way any residual XP will g??o to it and you'll level up extremel??y quickly. Just keep in mind that the subclass cap of 15 applies.

After that you can swap Braver to your main and go nuts gr??inding to level 20.

You also might want to go grab a bow from the player marketplace in town. The main gimmick of the Braver is the ability to utilize the katana and bow weapon types for close and ranged combat, while triggering the "Brave Combat" sk?ill, which "reduces PP consumption for a set amount of time while active." Bravers also can alter their combos by using photon arts (abilities) rapi??dly one after another, and excel at very fast close-range tactics.

While I'm not sure it's going to be my new main (I'm still comfortable with Hunter), the Braver has been a source of fun so far since it launched this week. And lord knows that New Genesis could use an injection of something! We'll ?have to wait a little longer on the more massive conten?t patches.

Here's a reminder of the roadmap!

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New Genesis is out of beta and into 1.0

During my time with the Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis beta, I was floored to see how much the kinda-so??rta-sequel had innovated; to make it stand out as something new, something worth putting time into. I'm glad that sentiment still rings true for the final version.

Much to my delight, this is an entirely new story set far beyond the scope of the original, with a global day-and-date launch. Now, it's still going to have some weird voic?e acting choices (at least it's fully voiced!) and some paper-thin characters. If that's really bothersome, you still have the option to fully skip basically every cutscene in the game with a quick button press.

Things kick off pretty quickly though. I imported my character from PSO 2 in seconds, and I was chilling on a Kingdom Hearts Destiny Isla??nd tutorial paradise with some cool anime people, learning how to jump and dash �then BAM �a giant ship appears, the DOLL threat makes its presence known, and they destroy the idyllic town. Yadda yadda yadda, you're recruited to fight off this invasion.

During all the chaos of the aforementioned tutorial, you'll get to dodge some orbital blasts and get a good look at the new movement system. A stark shift to more fluid movement should really sell folks on New Genesis if you were reticent about how much it strays from the typical PSO formula. Prior games felt more rigid in nature, but th?is one has a much more concerted focus on action.

Add in dash attacks, perfect dodges, and perfect guards, and it all means there's more actual nuance for engaging and defending. You start off with a wide array of photo abilities, too, and in my experience with the Hunter (melee DPS) class, launchers, aerial combos, and area-of-effect slicing and dicing are all on the table. The real test is whether or not this combat system can remain interesting long term by giving us actual formidable enemies to tangle with. Right now it's a ton of fun, leaving town and roughing up random DOLLs with random players (especially the higher-level ones that remind me of BAMS from Tera Online); but if foes don't actually require you to u?se any of that nuance, it's all moot.

I think my favorite part about New Genesis though is just how distinctive and flashy it looks. When gazing upon Central City for the first time (pictured) it was legitimately shockin??g, amid the typical drab brown-smears of most modern grimdark aesthetic design. That same level of admiration goes for the music: which brings back that techno-dreamy feel of the original series. This is Sega world-crafting at its best. It's also a game where a player-character named "Asuna" can hyper-dash past you in a pink dress and blow holes in demons with dual pistols. It's great.

Once the tutorial veil is lifted and you're thrown into the "real" multiplayer game/lobbies, the "daily login" bonuses and other fluff appear on-screen; but like PSO 2, nothing seems too intrusive yet. Will it all hold up? Stay tuned and find out! I'll be working through New Genesis in the coming days to see if its legacy will be as enduring as PSO 2.

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Still ready to unlock on June 9

[Update: Maintenance has been extended to 12PM ET today "due to problems detected during the maintenance process." Sega suggests that players do not log in early b?efore i?t is completed.]

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis has been a treat so far, and I'm keen to see what Sega has in store after ?the beta. We won't have to wait too much longer for it to unlock, thankfully.

Launching a new live game is hard, but Sega has thankfully given us a clear date and time as to when New Genesis should go live. In theory. June 9 is still the launch date, but Sega just provided a clear window as to when New Genesis will un??lock: 1AM PT (4AM?? ET). So by the time you wake up in the US (or get off work in Europe), the game will be live.

That's good! We'll provide an update if that changes, but for now everything seems full speed ahead. It's an interesting time to launch a game though, amid Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and uh, the E3 madness. Still, a free-to-play game always has a chance to make a splash, and folks will probably want some comfort food before and after the ESA festivities. Given that I've already finished a few upcoming games, I'll have a little more time than the average person when it comes to diving into Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. I'm still thankful that this version doesn't overwrite or replace the original PSO 2 project too, and gives people equal ??footing rather than a way-early Japan launch putting everyone else in the world behind.

In the west, you can play New Genesis on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Microsoft was a big component of the game coming west, so you're stuck with those platforms for the time being. Note that in Japan, you can also play it on PS4 and Switch, just like PSO 2 proper.

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New Genesis will launch globally on that date

In case you missed it, Sega just held some tests for Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. And they seemed to go well enough to hit the g??reen light for launch!

Out of the blue Sega announced a date for New Genesis, which is now arriving on June 9. That's like, a week! This is kind of a big deal for the series for multiple reasons, chief among them that this is a global launch. So Japan isn't getting a PSO game years in advance, while all of the big story beats leak out online. This time everyone is starting fresh together, and it will still maintain the free-to-play scheme of PSO 2. Oh, and it'll have cross-play between PC and Xbox One players, which is grea??t in terms of starting off with a bang of a playerbase.

As a reminder, the tale is set "thousands of years" after New Genesis, so it's even a fresh start in terms of the game's lore. It's also a different tact than traditional PSO, instead opting for bigger sandboxes that crib off of open world concepts. It sounds like it could go wrong on paper, but first loading into the beta and doing a sparkly anime dash out of the tow??n and into the game world felt really cool. It remains to be seen if it can keep it up throughout!

See you in Halpha. I'll probably be running some for?m of Hunter like I was? in the beta.

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It ended last night

Look, Sega doesn't have to sell me on a new Phantasy Star Online project.

It's been... a while since we've gotten one of those. I mean the west just got PSO 2 recently, which is great! But the prospect of starting something on a completely level playing field, at the ground level, is extremely enticin?g.

Based on what I've played of the PSO2: New Genesis beta, I'm even more?? jazzed ?for that day to come.

Just like in the past, you'll?? get the chance to create your own character and unleash them upon the online world.

Here's the race selection as of the beta period:

And here's the class list as of now:

It's enough! But the thing is, you'll definitely want to rapidly create and try every class, because they're a little more pronounced in New Genesis.

The key is the enhanced focus on locomotion. With a controller, it feels like a fully-fledged character action game. Dashing (anime style), double-jumping, and even gliding are in, adding a whole new flavor to aerial rave attacks as melee DPS. Once you start to really dig in though it gets even more interesting, particularly when you add wall-kicking (Mario 64!) and gliding into updrafts into the mix. It's just shy of being a full-on ac??tion platformer, though those sections do exist in the form of the "cocoon" mini-dungeons.

It was, to be frank, a shock. New Genesis completely rein?vents the way the series plays, although the implications of those mechanics have yet to be seen. As a rule, you have so much direct control, that it's very easy to whizz and air dash past the threats we've seen so far. It's a beta after all, wit??h a limited scope of the narrative, so maybe they'll change.

Speaking of, the core loop is really simple and doesn't crib from the classic Dreamcast concept of "select?? missions from a menu and wait for a loading screen." You'll zone into the main hub, which is kind of like a sandboxy MMO HQ that leads directly into the core mission area. You can dash around quicker than most games allow you to move moun?ted, and the "open world" is seconds away (with fast travel posts for good measure).

It's ultimately the same idea: you level-up, chase loot, and kill bigger badder monsters. The real question is how long will this hold our collective attention. The sandbox nature is refreshing, but it needs to keep us all interested beyond the flashing neon lights and cool looking combat. Will it have enough to do, and will the endgame be enough? It's something you don't really know until after a live service game is actually out. PSO has tradition??ally been smart about leaning into the grind, so I have hope.

In any case, I'll be there to figure that out and judge it accordingly with the rest of the community. While the weekend beta is over, you'll have a chance to play the full game soon enough. It actually launches next month!

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Out globally in June

The Final Fantasy XIV really nails the "producer live letter" format, which is basically a fireside chat of everything going on with the game at different intervals. It's a very easy-to-follow concept and I dig the non-produced, realism of it. Well, Sega just held one of its own today for Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, and it was super enlightening and gave us a ton of details for?? the upcoming ??game.

First up, New Genesis will arrive in June of this year, and it will be a global launch. That's huge, as there is no lead time (like say, years) for the Japanese version; everyone is getting it. It's very important to understand here that the team does plan on providing global patches, so unlike the current version of PSO 2 was with the western launch, there will be no "lag time" between updates. There's also going to be a "starter package" out on August 19, which will contain codes for nine in-game items, plus a "Limited Edition,?" with a mini soundtrack and new artwork.

You can watch the full hour-ish presentation below. As a note, it does have English voiceovers in this global version of the stream, so you can fully along without wonky You??Tube subtitles.

Oh, and we also got some PSO 2 basic news today. As of June 2021, it will be caught up with the Japanese edition! So we'll have full Phantasy Star Online parity in just a few months.

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There's a stream on March 18

You know that Jack Nicholson nodding gif? That's how I feel whenever I hear the phrase Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis.

I mean, I love playing PSO 2 on the Xbox One. I've been waiting for it for years! But there's something special about the idea of playing a Phantasy Star offshoot at the same time with everyone else; sans a giant years-long Japan region lead. It's glorious, and reminds me of when my whole group dove into Phantasy Star Online together on Dreamcast and the OG Xbox.

We've already gleaned a bit of info from various Seg??a goings-on these past few months, but now we're diving even more headfirst into it really soon. How soon? March 18 at 7AM ET, otherwise known as 21:00 JST. You can watch it right here at that time.

As the listing reminds us, New Genesis is scheduled to be rele?ased "sometime in ??2021" on PC, PS4, and Switch (via cloud version) in Japan. In the US, it'll also arrive on the Xbox One and Series X/S.

PSO 2 [Sega]

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Look, I didn't think PSO2 would even come out here, okay?

In 2012, when I first started to really become interested in Phantasy Star Online 2, I didn't think it would ever hit western shores. And I definitely did not imagine Epic Games starting their own store to rival Steam. And I absolutely assumed that a storefront wouldn't launch without a shopping cart?.

It's been a weird nine years. Alas, it is really happening. Today, fo??lk?s.

As of right now, you can grab Phantasy Star Online 2 from the Epic Games Store. It's still free-to-play, and with today's update, it'll include content through Episode 6: Chapter 6. That's adding in the Luster class, which utilizes Gunslash weapons. So if you're still having Steam issues, there's another platform you can give a try. ?The Steam ?edition even came first! How about that, you don't see that very often these days.

As a reminder, while Phantasy Star Online 2 is the hotness now, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is the hotness later t?his year. I can't wait to see what it has in store for us, as we all experience this new iteration globally.

Still, PSO 2 made a hell of a fa?shionably late entrance eight years later.

PSO 2 [Epic Games Store]

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Interesting

So for a few months now, Sega has been promising more information for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. We got a basic FAQ rundown, but this past week, the publisher has really let loose as to what New Genesis is in its entirety. As of today, we have a much clearer picture of what's ?to come when it debuts sometime in 2021.

For starters, we have an English opening cinematic and plenty of footage of the character creator: thanks to Sega's recent prologue stream. In fact, most of the "new footage" of New Genesis was of the character creator, as well as a look at the new city hub (which replaces the Arks in PSO 2 proper).

So about that phrase: "replacement." As a whole, Sega is sticking to their philosophy of separating the two games, all the way down to the login screen. They've confirmed that New Genesis will actually share a login screen with the original PSO 2, and you can swap between the two freely.

If you do opt for the newer coat of paint, you'll embark upon a journey to defeat the "DOLL" faction with the wand, Twin Machine Gun, Knuckles, Rod, Assault Rifle, and Sword classes (there's six to start). Subweapons/subclasses and Mags are still very much part of the core mechanics, so it's going to play very similarly to PSO 2. Just remember: you'll have to start over, as very few things actually transfer to New Genesis.

As more info comes out on this one, I feel more relieved. I'm actually excited for a fresh start given that PSO 2&n?bsp;has been around for ages in Japan: it'll be nice to completely get in on the ground floor.

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Episode 6 arrives on December 9

The time has come for the western edition of Phantasy Star Online 2 to meet the original Japanese release.

As announced on Sega's official blog, PSO 2 is getting its major Episode 6 update on? December 9. The main sticking points: more main story quests, an enhanced level cap of 95, more classes (Etoile/Phantom), more quests in general, and another difficulty setting for hardcore users (Ultra-Hard, or "UH"). It's...a lot!

The new classes should keep people busy for a while on their own. The Phantom is another mixed melee/ranged playstyle, and focuses on shifting their attacks rapidly to dish out more damage. The Etoile is a sturdier, mobile class, with the option to parry and release energy they've stored up: kind of like the Royal Guard style in Devil May Cry.

To recap, PSO 2 launched in the west under the Episode 3 patch, which actually hit in Japan nearly six years ago. To compensate, Sega eased players into subsequent chapters at a rather rapid pace. Now, the western version is poised to basically be in lin??e with the original 2013 release. For some people it might be overw?helming, but for hardcore players, it's a near-unprecedented rollout for a live service action-RPG like this.

It's a pretty good time for the game to get a continuous amount of updates, as Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is on the horizon next year. Sega is smart to keep people interested in PSO 2 and not feel like they're too far behind.

What's new in Episode 6 [Sega]

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This is the most significant update to PSO 2 since its 2012 launch

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis immediately shot up on my "most anticipated" list when it was unveil??ed.

This "not-a-replacement" (not the momma!) for Phantasy Star Online 2 proper is coming in 2021 on PC and Xbox One in the US (and PS4 in Japan), and I couldn't be more intrigued. This is the first major coat of paint for PSO 2 since its 2012 release, and it couldn't be timed better. The west just got PSO 2, so it's smart for?? Sega to strike while the iron is hot and the playerbase?? is active.

But again, what is it? Well, the crux is that it's a "shared universe" release that smooths over the Phantasy Star experience with new visuals and better performance on top of new content. We'll also be finding out more on December 19 at 6:30AM ET, when Sega will be playing a pre-recorded show with New Genesis info. It'll be playing on YouTube Live, and the "details of the program?? and the URL will be announced a?t a later time."

Pre-recorded? I'm in! Ther??e's less of a chance of tomfoolery, screw-ups, and connection issues if the entire thing is planned out. Live events still have their place, but at this point I prefer the smooth Nintendo Direct style above all else.

New Genesis [Sega]

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New costumes and emotes

We knew it was coming, but thanks to a recent tr?ailer from Sega, it's mo?re real now.

Phantasy Star Online 2 will be hosting a Senran Kagura crossover this month. Like most of the lighter crossovers that don't involve significant bits of content, this one is mostly cosmetic, offering outfits, emotes, and items. You can get a quick look at the crossover stuff in the first few minutes of the below video. In truth, this month is also a dual-crossover period, featuring scenarios from the kaiju anime SSSS.Gridman.

I kind of love that Sega will go to any lengths to include basically anything even remotely anime related in PSO 2, without letting it completely dominate the tone of the game. These crossovers are generally fleeting, with the excep?tion of having to see some of the more popular out-there outfits regularly in the Ark Ship hub.

But while I'm still enjoying myself, I'm really anxious for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis next year on Series X. Given that the ga??me is nearly eight years old at this point (and still good!), it'll be nice to catch a co?mplete refresh.

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Where else but Tokyo Game Show

Sega's giving us more news next week about Phantasy Star Online 2's glow-up. What better place? than Tokyo Game Show?

Next Friday, there's a big Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis stream where Sega will show the first gameplay of this remade PSO2. It kicks off on September 25 at 5am Pacific.

If you missed the announcement back in July, New Genesis is a complete overhaul of PSO2. New engine, improved visuals, new mechanics, a more detailed character creation system, the characters' fingers move now -- it's? a major undertaking. If I had more emphasis-giving formatting options, I'd have used them.

However, New Genesis isn't replacing PSO2. The two of them will exist in parallel, meaning that players can jump back and forth between the new and old versions. They're both playable, accounts have full functionality between PSO2 and New Genesis, and you'll always have the option of picking whichever one you want to h?op? into.

New Genesis is coming to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X sometime in 2021. It'll be on PC, PS5, and Switch in Japan. Just like with the base PSO2, New Genesis will be free-to-play.

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New Genesis will probably mix things up, too

Phantasy Star Online 2 recently arrived on the Xbox One this year in the west, then swiftly migrated t?o the ??Windows 10 platform, followed by a proper Steam release.

It seems as if that fairly big western push paid off, as Sega is reporting that the game now has 1,000,000 registered users as of this week: a number they seem to be very proud of. Sega says that the game will be available in "33 nations and territories," by the time the launch is?? fully?? complete, which is a huge upgrade from "just Japan," the previous reality from 2012 all the way through this year.

If you play, Sega is running free boost events, as well as daily rewards through August 26. You can find more info on that campaign here. As a reminder, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is in the pipeline, and will serve as a sort of follow-up for the original PSO2. This series isn't going anywhere anyt??ime soon: and thankfully, it's finally available in the west.

Celebrating 1,000,000 Arks [PSO2]

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Persona 3-5 represent

As someone who got into the Persona series with the original game, it's wild to see the landscape completely dominated by Persona 3-5 and nothing else.

I mean, it makes sense! The re-releases of those titles were very popular and are available on more modern systems. But there is a world where Maki Sonomura and Eikichi Mishina are just as popular as say, Chie Satonaka. But that day hasn't?? come yet.

For now, you will bask in the glory of Persona 3-5 and you will like it. Sega thinks you'll like it too, as they've tapped their own Atlus-based property to headline a new event in Phantasy Star Online 2 called "Persona Paradox." In short, like a lot of the other events before it, it's cosmetic in nature. You'll earn outfits, music and "more extras" (like emotes or dances) across the three games through AC Scratch Tickets: w?hich you can view in the video below.

It's pretty comprehensive with a ton of characters joining the fray, as well as Jack Frost himself and Morgana. The event is live today and will run through September 9 at 2AM ET. You can find the full list of cosmetics here.

Persona Paradox [Phantasy Star Online 2]

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It hits Steam on August 5

The time has finally come for Phantasy Star Online 2 to be free of the Wi?ndows launcher and arrive on ?Steam. When that day arriv?es (August 5, by the way!), it'll bear some gifts for Steam users.

According to the official PSO2 blog, Sega is rolling out rewards for folks who log in on Steam. All you have to do is log into the game near the release date to grab the Headcrab Emote from Half-Life, as well as a number of booster items. If you finish any quest once on normal or casual difficulty (or higher), you'll get the Pyro's gas mask from Team Fortress 2, as well as the Alyx hairstyle from Half-Life Alyx.

For finishing any quest on hard/hardcore difficulty, you'll get a Wheatley evolution device, as well as a Left 4 Dead frying pan, a Team Fortress 2 minigun and a Half-Life crowbar. Continuing on (haha, this list is actually pretty great), for completing any quest on very hard difficulty or higher, you'll get a Half-Life HEV suit, and completing any quest for times on super hard difficulty will net you an Alyx replica outfit from Half-Life Alyx. Phew!

As a reminder, the game is cross-play and will offer cross-progress with the Steam edition. So you really have nothing to lose if you want to go for broke and grab these items: just know that in typical PSO2&n??bsp;fashion, they'll be "distributed at a later date." Good luc??k!

PSO2: Steam Launch Rewards [Sega]

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August 5

[Update: Sega has confirmed that PSO2 will arrive on Steam on August 5, which will allow you to link your existing account and cross-play with Windows/Xbox One users. On that same day, Episode 4 (??a huge content update) will arrive on both PC and Xbox One. You can watch the trailer for that below.]

[Update #2: PSO2 is live on Steam right now. Note that there are very specific instr?uctions for linking your acco??unt to Steam, so make sure you follow them closely.]

Phantasy Star Online 2 is finally ?out in the west...but it might ??not be on your choice of platform.

It hit the Xbox One this past April, with a PC release following in May. The thing is, that PC edition didn't launch so swimmingly, most notably due to some issues with the Windows 10 launcher. W?hile Sega has patched up some of those problems the experience isn't silky smooth just yet: t??hough Steam might be an option soon.

Wait, Steam?! Yes, it looks like Microsoft doesn't have a Gollum-hold on the game for the foreseeable future, as a new listing for Phantasy Star Online 2 just popped up on Steam today. According to the page it'll be out on August 5, which is much sooner than? a lot of us probably anticipated. Yay for opt?ions!

This bodes well for the upcoming Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis project, which is also confirmed for PC on top of the Xbox family of consoles. While everyone feared that this entire western PSO2 umbrella would be forced into Window?s 10, Steam is back on the menu.

Phantasy Star Online 2 [Steam] Thanks Ravenclaw!

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It requires a lot of explaining!

Yesterday, Sega announced Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. It was both confusing and exciting. Exciting as it looks like a modern version of PSO2, which launched all the way back in 2012, but confusing as Sega didn't really explain upfront what it actually is and provide details like "how much, if anything, will transfer over from PSO2?" As it turns out, not much.

According to a full breakdown on Sega's site, NGS (which is what they're calling it for short) will launch "After Episode 6" instead of a new PSO2 episode. They're calling NGS "the renewal the game deserves," and will function as a separate, but "co-existing" entity with the original game. Many items from the old game will not transfer over, nor will "character growth" (read: levels, experience, skills, arts and techniques). So...pretty much everything outside of AC and SG (currencies) and weapons, units and Mags (the latter trio will be "changed in accordance with NGS' game system").

This is actually fine by me. Not every online game is World of Warcraft, and the new coat of paint will be a great way to introduce people into the world of PSO. So long as the original still exists and is free, everyone can experienc??e th??at one too: win-win. Although Xbox Series X was revealed as a flagship platform in the announcement, Windows 10 (PC) and Xbox One are also confirmed, as is the free-to-play monetization tactic.

Announcing Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis [Sega]

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The classic MMO RPG is back

Today's Xbox Games Showcase featured an exciting and action-packed trailer for New Genesis: Phantasy Star Online 2, which is headed to Xbox One, Xbo??x Series X, and PC.

PSO2: New Genesis is to be considered a complete, from-the-ground-up overhaul of Sega's original Phantasy Star Online 2, with a new engine, new visuals, gameplay mechanics, and much more. According to the official blurb, PSO 2: New Genesis is a brand new game, "redesigned for best-in-class online action", and offering players "limitless adventure" and "unparalleled customisation." A teaser site is now live.

PSO 2: New Genesis wil?l launch in the west on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in 2021. In Japan, it will launch on PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch (via Cloud).

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The most common error codes

Phantasy Star Online 2 launched on April 14 of this year on Xbox One, and although there's a few quality of life upgrades on my wish list, things were mostly stable. The PC edition that arrived just this past ??week on May 27: not so much.

After a number of folks had issues even logging in, much less keeping the Windows 10 build (which is the only PC option right now) stable, Sega has acknowledged the problems an?d opened up a landing site for players. The? page instructs users on what to do for numerous error codes, from downloading the game from the Windows ??Store to sign-in bugs to patch problems.

A lot of the strife seems to stem from the Widows Store. While Microsoft was instrumental in bringing this classic west, they also need to be on top of the impending fixes so people can jump back in as soon as possible. You can find those instructions below, but the unofficial PSO2 Tweaker might help.

Then there's the stuttering in-game, once you conquer all of those error codes. Sega is working directly with the developme??nt team to implement fixes for that on June 10.

Windows 10 Issue Report [PSO2]

“Code: 0x80072EE2” and “Code: 0x800704c6"

These errors occur when downloading Ph??antasy Star Online 2 from the Microso?ft Store.

• Please try the following actions, which could ?you s?olve the problem:
  1. Update the Microsoft Store app.
  2. Please wait and try to download at a later time. Access to the Microsoft Store might be exceeding its capaci?ty.
• If this issue persists, select the Windows key + F key to launch the Feedback Hub. Please send a report to Microsoft in th??e Feedback Hub with the following information:
  1. Summarize yo?ur issue: Phantasy Sta??r Online 2 (Windows Store)
  2. Give u??s more detail (optional): Please describe the issue that you have experienced.

•  Choose Category: Please select “Gaming?? and Xbox” and “Game Installation.”

The error message "File system error (-2015294512)"

Please make sure that the sign-in information is the s??ame in all three of the following:

• Sign-in information in the Microsoft Store. (The user sign-in information that appears wh????en you select your profile picture on the top right corner of the Microsoft Store.)

• Sign-in information on Windows 10, found in “Settings > Accounts >?? Email & A?ccounts > Add a Microsoft Account”.

• Sign-in information found in ”Xbox Console Compani?on > Settings > Account&?rdquo;.

Error message "LastError:1813”

There is a possibility that you may not be running the game as administrator. Please enable administrator privileges and try starting the g??ame again.

Errors “[No.140]” and “[No.106]” 

These errors can occur while downloading the patch file. Please try one of the following actions, ?which can help you resolve the problem:

• Please try rebooting your PC.
• Please update the graphics driver, sound driver, and? other drivers to the latest version.
  1. Plea?se contac??t your PC manufacturer or parts manufacturer for information on how to update the graphics driver.
• Please make sure that your security softwa?re or firewall is not blocking Phantasy Star Online 2&rsq??uo;s communication.
  1. If blocked, please remove Phantasy Star Online 2’s installation f?older from the monitored software.
• After uninstalling the software, please try to reinst?a?ll it again with administrator privileges.
• If you try all of the above, but the issue remains, please notify ?your internet service provid?er that you cannot download the file. The security settings of your internet service provider may be affecting the download or installation process.

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More info on the PC release 'coming soon'

After many long years, Phantasy Star Online 2 finally arrived in the west this past April in Xbox One form. But just releasing on Xbox One alone was never the plan, as a muddled marketing message inadvertently stated when the localization was revealed during E3 2019. As it turns out, the PC was always slated to ?get a western edition too, and that day has come: next week.

Announced by the way of the game's official Twitter account, PSO 2 will launch on PC (Windows 10) next week on May 27. Sega says that more info is "coming soon" on their official websi??te, which will probably provide an FAQ for details like potential cross-progression and the like. Either way, this is great news as PSO 2 only gets more enticing the bigger the playe??rbase is.

In other PSO 2 news, fictional idol Hatsune Miku is joining the existing Megurine Luka for in-game performances in the m?ain hub. Sega has posted a "concert schedule" for the pair, with "shows" rotating times on a daily basis, with at least two during the ?weekday and three on weekends from May 19 through May 25. Each performance lasts around 10 minutes.

A crossover concert schedule for an online RPG? I love how weird Phantasy Star Online is.

Phantasy Star Online 2 [Twitter]

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Recommended for Humans, Newmans and Deumans

Has someone made a Phantasy Star Online podcast called HUcast yet? Get it?

Aw man, I can’t believe this game is finally out.

Phantasy Star Online 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One [reviewed])
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Released: July 4, 2012 (Japan) / April 14, 2020 (West - Xbox One) / May TBA (West - PC)
MSRP: Free-to-play

So what's all the hubbub about? Why have so many people wanted Sega to localize a game that's nearly eight years old at this point? To answer that question, let's mentally travel to the Dreamcast era. Here's upbeat time travel music to set the scene.

Back in the year 2000, the online console scene was in its infancy. Although several games did dabble in it (shoutout to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 on PS2), it wasn't until Xbox Live sashayed across the stage in 2002 that it really started to catch on from a publisher standpoint. Heck, the original PSO even greatly benefited from the eventual 2003 Xbox port, which proudly required an Xbox L??ive fee on top of a "Hunter's Pass" monthly fee: I remember subscribing to?? it!

Through the act of camaraderie, a hell of a lot of bright charm, and an expansive loot system, PSO encouraged people to shine with their own personally created avatars and join a community that so many folks ju??st hadn't experienced up until that point. The fact that it was a rare console action RPG also made it both endearing and stylish.

So what is Phantasy Star Online? Well it's a lot like old school dungeon crawlers, but with MMO lobby elements and bright blue Sega aesthetics. In PSO 2, which is very much in the same vein as the original game (just greatly expanded and free-to-play), you'll choose between several races and classes, then dive into various generated sandboxes with different themes: tropical forests, lava worlds, technological underground ruins, stuff like that. In theory, PSO 2 doesn't have the sam?e allure that it once did in this age of myriad competitors, but it stil??l holds up for a certain kind of audience.

Because of the action-centric flow, PSO 2 is very easy to pick up. It doesn't really matter what class you choose, whether it's a hulking sword-wielder or a laser-pistol-toting rogue; being able to jump, dodge, attack, and trigger abilities in real-time with a button press is as intuitive as it gets. The tutorial does a decent job of setting the stage for its sci-fi theme (in which you are a member of ARKS, a benevolent space organization) and will acclimate new players nicely to the literal rhythm (pressing buttons in time does more damage) of PSO's combat system.

Once you really start to take notice of everything around you though, it can get extremely daunting. The lobby is actually comprised of multiple locations, all of which offer countless shops. There's a casino and a cafe filled to the brim with optional sidequests that grant massive benefits. Early on you can re-roll your character and choose a new class, juggle items to feed your MAG (a floating companion) to min-max your statline, and discern what skills to take next in your ability tree. Rewards can be buried within menus, of which there are many in the game's frankly tiny-text-heavy pause screen. Even as someone who has played MMOs since Ultima Online, it's a lot at first.

If you're willing to put in the time and learn those systems, PSO 2 can be extremely rewarding. Again, the moment-to-moment gameplay is engaging, and there's a class out there to suit any potential action playstyle. If you're a fan of parrying, the katana might be your jam, with the option to execute perfect defense counters. On the flipside, ranged combat allows players to take potshots at weak points directly with an aiming system, and weapons like?? the Gunblade (thanks Squall) cover everything. Just like the sheer number of cosmetics in this game, which we'll discuss momentarily, there's a lot to ponder strategically. You can thankfully try every ??class at will in training mode and swap freely between them, leveling classes on the same character.

While you can grind for loot to your heart's content, everything story-wise is broken into narrative chunks, which makes for great "just one mission" sessions. PSO 2 is delivered "episodically" as a live service game, but with the delayed localization, you're basically getting years of free updates at all once. There's a massive story to explore that frequently relies on common media tropes, but also contains plenty of growth for its growing, unique cast. Zones have weight to them, with heavily-stylized themes and gigantic bosses that you'll remember after you've downed them. The Xbox One edi??tion also benefits from very fast load times (with a unique visual style that bolsters its sometimes dated effects), which gives it a leg up on many modern games that buckle under scrutiny.

The more you play PSO 2, the more you'll appreciate it. There's an insane amount of customization involved (free or otherwise), so every single player character feels different. Spe??aking of cosmetics, this is a free game, but there are lots of ways to spend money. Outfits, boosts, special items, services like trading, and personal quarters for 30 days are the common premium options, as well as classic MMO services like salon passes to change your ap??pearance.

Thankfully, it's not exactl??y in your face outside of brief loading screen pictures, and you need to dig into menus to really find them. There's lots to do for free. Cosmetics play a big part in some players' routines (oh man how I love having "dungeon gear" and "chatroom garb" options), but getting every class to level 75 (or 95 in some regions) is free, as is the ability to join a guild (alliance) and hang out in th??eir quarters.

Another thing you need to keep in mind is that PSO 2 is predicated on repeating content. While some dungeon crawlers might have you trek back through a familiar area to move the story forward, PSO's menu-based level selection necessitates replaying familiar zones for better gear or experience boosts so you can take on the next boss. Here's the thing though: PSO 2 has been out for so many years, there's plenty to do without too much overlap for hours on end. You can also solo content with NPCs, or join random games via matchmaking. At no point did I feel like I? was alone in the past several weeks I've spent with the Xbox One edition??.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is a difficult game to assess and a hard sell for a lot of people. It can get repetitive and the anime aesthetics aren't for everyone. But like many expansive online projects, the opportunity is there to really get sucked into a new and exciting world. Plus, it's on a console, making it more accessible; true to the original spirit of PSO.

_{[This re??view is based on a retail build of the free-to-play game acquired by the reviewer. No additional content was provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Phantasy Star Online 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

You wanted a time sink during this pandemic? You got it

I've been waiting for this moment for years. R?oughly eight y??ears to be exact.

That's how long I've been covering Phantasy Star Online 2, when it was first released in Japan on PC. Over time Sega rolled out the launch to the PlayStation Vita (and took it back), the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, but not in the west. I ev??en tracked that PS4 edition down in Japan at TGS to play it. As someone who was absolutely mesmerized by the American launch of Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast in 2001, I pretty?? muc??h willed the westward release of the sequel into existence with my constant insistence: I'll take most of the credit.

That moment I've been waiting all this time for: the official launch of Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west. That day is today my friends, as the game is rolling out now on Xbox One following the extended open beta period. But that's not all: Sega also dropped another bit o????f info on us.

As we learned last year, those errant "PC" notations for the game's advertising back in 2019 weren't misnomers. Sega confirmed today that PSO2 will also arrive on PC in "late May, exclusively on the Microsoft Store." Yes folks, cross-play is fully confirmed for that launch: not a further-out update. All of the ducks are in a row for this one, but that exclusivity won't last forever.

Sega has a bunch of offers going on for the Xbox One launch, by the way. "Every day" from April 15-23, you'll earn an extra log-in bonus, and everyone who joins an allia??nce with four members or more "before April 28" will net themselves an SG20 Ticket.

The "Cunning Black Winged Vanguard" and "The False Champion" urgent quests start today, and Quna will be serenading folks with her concerts on the weekend. We're also launching directly into a seasonal event, with cherry blossoms adorning the ARK player hub. As a reminder, region locking is not planned at the moment, English/Japanese dual audio is in and mouse and keyboard support is a go.

You can grab the game here on the Xbox Store. I took long enough!

The post Phantasy Star Online 2 is out on Xbox One NOW,?? P?C version announced for May appeared first on Destructoid.

Yes, the western version

Finally! The time has come where we don't miss out on those awesome Phantasy Star Online 2 collaborations. After posting them for many, many years and feeling an intense sense of FOMO, the collabs are coming west??ward thanks to the impending release of the Xbox One edition.

Sega really wants folks to use the group chat functionality in the current PSO 2 Xbox One open beta, so to spur that use the publisher is allowing players to earn a unique Mag Evolution device (Mags are like little stat-increasing pets in the world of PSO) that triggers a Puyo Puyo transformation: brilliant.

This one is actually pretty easy to snag as all you need to do is "use group chat [friend list chatting] to communicate with other arks," and will run from today through April 14. Rewards will be doled out "after the scheduled main??tenance on April 28," as is customary for the beta rewards so far. You'll find it at your Visiphone under "campaign items."

To be clear, there's only one device reward and it is a??lways green: no need to track down anything else, completio?nists!

Campaign: Use Group Chat! [PSO 2]

The post Puyo Puyo is i??nvading Phantasy Star ??Online 2 and it gives me life appeared first on Destructoid.

Good night sweet OLED prince

Anyt?ime I can pour one out for the Vita, ??it's a good day.

Well, it's not a great day for the Vita for sure, but it's nice that we can at least remember the good times we had with it on a regular basis. All good things must eventually come to an end, and if you were playing Phantasy Star Online 2 in a supported region on the Vita, you're in fo?r a rud?e awakening.

Sega has revealed that they plan to shut down servers completely on August 19: after that point, no more Vita version after seven years of service. As Gematsu points out, there is a concession pro?gram for users who want to swap. If you log in on PC, Switch (cloud), PS4, or PC (cloud) before August 19, you'll net half your AC and SG points, added toge?ther, in the form of SG.

If the Vita was your weapon of choice, good luck! You probably knew this day was coming, and according to Sega, it allows them to free up more resources to support the game elsewhere (like the western versions). This has been a pretty commonplace strategy, with the Final Fantasy XIV team ditching the PS3 in the past, and the original Destiny crew moving away from the prior generation to focus on ??PS4 and Xbox One.

PSO2 [Twitter via Gematsu]

The post As Phantasy? Star Online 2 is hitting Xbox, Sega is sunsettin??g the Vita version appeared first on Destructoid.

The open beta also has rewards

I can't believe that it's nearly here.

I've been waiting literal years for Phantasy Star Online 2 to come west, and in the meantime I managed to play the fan-translated client and even test out the PS4 version at TGS in Japan years back. You could say I'm ready for ??this.

While a closed beta was held recently for PSO2, the time for a true open beta is upon us, and everyone is free to download it right now on Xbox One and login. Additionally, the Sonic Collaborati?on for the game is now live, as is the "join an alliance for more rewards" campaign, which you can read about here. As a note, the PSO2 team confirmed that closed beta test rewards will arrive on March 31.

If you're playing it for the very first time, I recommend trying the Braver class. Most classes are user-friendly at first actually, but when you start to hit the point whe?re yo?u're pumping points into skills and MAGs, the decision becomes a little murkier.

OBT [Phantasy Star Online 2]

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Irresistible

A lot of people have been waiting nearly a decade to finally play Phantasy Star Online 2. In those first minutes with the game, why not make things weird and dress up like a low-rent Sonic the Hedgehog cospl?ayer?

Sega's immediately monetizing Phantasy Star Online 2 when it comes west on March 17 with the open beta, and it's in the form of a $60 Sonic-focused founder's pack. Your character could wea??r this approximation of Sonic's look that's ?held together with a lot of tape. Throw the Sonic mask on to really nail the uncanny valley aesthetic.

That $60 gets you more than just the Sonic garb. It also comes with a 30-day premium subscription and a bunch of consumables. One of the more interesting perks are the five Ragol Memories which grant cosmetics from the original PSO (which can include costumes). Also, it's worth noting that a one-month premium sub??scription costs approximately $13 on its ?own.

It's pricey for what it is, but anyone who doesn't need to look like Sonic won't get gouged. PSO2 is free-to-play apart?? from the?? microtransactions. But, combining two of Sega's most popular franchises will take a few gold rings.

Here's everything that's included in the PSO2 Sonic collaboration founder's pack:

• Male Sonic suit
• Female Sonic suit
• Sonic Hair 1
• Sonic Hair 2
• Emotes 602: Sonic and Tails
• Sonic Knuckles weapon camo
• Sonic mask
• Ragol Memory (5)
• Inventory expansion (5)
• 30 days of premium subscription service
• Mission Pass Gold Ticket
• Beauty Salon free pass (1)
• Character storage expansion (5)
• +150% EXP earned (15)
• +125% Triboost (10)
• Grinder (500)
• AC Scratch Ticket (12)
• +50% Great Enhancement Aid (99)

PSO2: Sonic Collaboration Edition [Phantasy Star Online 2]

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March 17 until TBD

You may have missed out on the first opportunity to play Phantasy Star Online 2 for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it was a closed beta, so maybe you weren't lucky enough to get in. But, even if you got access, maybe scheduling didn't quite work out; the closed beta planned to run for a ??whopping 31 hours (although that timeline got shifted a bit t?hanks to some emerg??ency server maintenance).

The next chance to play Phantasy Star Online 2 will (hopefully) be more conducive ?to, you know, people actually playing it. Starting March 17, there's an open beta on Xbox One, which will mark the first time most people outside of Japan will get their hands on i??t. 

The time is finally here! The #PSO2NA Open Beta Test starts next week, March 17th! Play one of Japan's biggest online action RPGs, coming first on @Xbox One.

More information coming soon to our official website: //t.co/pJIEmQkazM pic.twitter.com/vy6Az57bjB

— Phantasy Star Online 2 (NA) (@play_pso2) March 9, 2020

Sega hasn't yet updated the PSO website to detail how long the open beta will last. However, if this one is anything like the last beta, there will be an opportunity to pre-load the client, anyone who partook in the closed beta shouldn't have to download a new client, and progress will carry over to the full game. And, if Xbox One isn't your speed, Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming? to Windows 10 PC sometime after the console launch. 

The post Phantasy Star Online 2’s open beta starts next week appeared first on Destructoid.

It's an easy hybrid to learn

Booting up the Phantasy Star Online 2 Xbox One beta (which is only running through tonight) and looking through the class choices ??sight unseen can be daunting.

Not only do you have to sort through all ?of the not-so-D&D terminology (Hunter = loose Warrior, Fighter = loose Rogue), you have to pick something you're unsure of for a brand new game that's had a meta developing for years in Japan.

Don't worry though: if you pi??ck Braver, your options will be o?pen from the start.

So let's translate "Braver" real quick. Phantasy Star Online 2's rendition of the class is basically ??a jack of all trades type deal. You have access to multiple weapons at the start: bows, katanas and gunblades (yes, all three). To change between any of them at will, you just press up or down on the d-pad, then press A to confirm. You don't have to unlock? any of these weapons or abilities for them, you have them right away.

The bow is your pure?? ranged mode, and perfect for dropping back during a really aggressive boss, especially if your party consists of mostly melee brawlers or you find yourself low on health. All of those possible scenarios pretty much showcase the Braver's best qualit?ies: you can adapt to any situation or just go full-hog with the style of play you enjoy, especially early on in the game.

If you prefer to be one of those aforementioned brawlers, the katana is your huckleberry. It's incredible fast and dishes out a lot of damage in the early game, but it's also rather flashy as it starts with the "Nocturnal Blossom" ability: which acts as a fighting game upward launcher for aerial raves. As long as you have PP (mana, basically) you can spam it and keep afloat. It's a really fun introduction to PSO 2'?s combat system, and should keep you engaged if you tried another class and hated it.

The Gunblade is a mix of both styles. It starts off as a close-combat blade, but if you press RB you can swap modes on the fly and shoot projectiles. It's far more straightforward, especially at the start of your journey when you don't have that many phot??on arts (abilities) for it, but it's flashy just like the katana and the combos (that involve both the blade and bullets) are fun to muck around with.

If you end up not liking the Braver later on, you can swap your class at the Class Consultant desk (right in the center of the main mezzanine, behind the quest counter, to the left). You can even add classes/skill trees on top of your main choice too. PSO 2 is flexible. In fact, if you hate the Braver and went through all of the trouble to make your perfect avatar, you can swap right after the tutorial. You only need to semi-worry about swapping when you start training your Mag (your companion that can influence your stats).

If you haven't figured it out by now, Phantasy Star Online 2 rules. What other game can you start as a katana-wielding maniac in a tuxedo and very small glasses, while standing next to an avatar named "Buc Nastea" that looks like Evangelion Unit-01 (see above)? Maybe Final Fantasy XIV: that's about it. The full ga?me is aiming to launch sometime after April 1 of this year on Xbox One, with a PC release also in the cards. All progress from this beta will carry over.

The post Guide: Playing the Phantasy Star Onlin??e 2 beta and need a starting c??lass? Try Braver appeared first on Destructoid.