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Phantasy Star Online Version 2 Impressions
Can Sonic Team give one-up their own online-RPG wonder? - by digitaltaco
This year's E3 show is home to a number of great Sega titles, that's for sure. But in all honesty, it's the upgraded version of this year's online-RPG phenomenon, Phantasy Star Online, that really caught my attention. As you already know, Sonic Team has opted to offer an upgrade to the already outstanding game aptly titled, Phantasy Star Online Version 2. The game promises more levels, more rare weapons and items, more enemies, clever minigames, and higher levels.
The demo on the floor of E3 showcased what appeared to be "Ultimate Mode." The playable character was a level 200 RAmar equipped with some new rare weapons. In his possession were about ten (yes ten) blades called "Elysions" and a shield called "God's Shield Byakko." I took over a game in the forest... the evil forest! Instead of the lush greenery and blue skies we've come to expect from the original PSO, the forest is now covered in a foreboding red mist. The sky itself is also much darker and more, well... evil. New enemies such as the "Pal Rappy," "Mothvist," and "Mothvert" were challenging, even with my level 200 character! All in all, it seemed like this one mode would provide enough reason to pick up the game at its release.
Because the rest of the crowd also wanted a chance to get their hands on the game, I wasn't able to check out any of the other modes. But I can say without a doubt that fans of PSO will not be disappointed by the update. I asked one of the Sega PR types about proper broadband support in the American release, and got the standard "no comment" response. I guess we'll just have to wait until July when the game gets released to find out for sure. So if you have characters that aren't at level 100 yet, get playing! You still have about two months to prepare yourself before the release of PSO V.2. You don't want to be left behind, do you?
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