• January 3, 2007    Home > Game Reviews > Verdict

    Phantasy Star Universe

    Does the newest Phantasy deliver on its promises?
    Version
     Xbox 360, PS2, PC    		Developer
    Sonic Team    		Publisher
    Microsoft    		Genre
    RPG

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    Page 2

    Another change is the number of characters that can join a team. Now six players can join forces, as opposed to the pesky four in previous titles. While still rather tiny in comparison to games like Warcraft, this number allows strangers to really get to know each other as they progress through dungeons and allows to friends to communicate in peace without the intrusion of others. The 360 version also includes voice in addition to keyboard chat which really aids to the level of communication.

    "The dungeons themselves are pretty huge in size, and full of detail."

    The dungeons themselves are pretty huge in size and full of detail. Generally, players hack and slash through the first half before arriving at an outpost. Here they can rest and restock on much-needed potions and ammunition, and find others who may wish to join them in continuing their journey. Once prepared, they can set off into the second half, which normally ends with some kinds of gigantic boss character, who will really require careful teamwork to overcome.

    The dungeons aren't as linear, and are randomly generated in a way that requires careful navigation to find your way through. It's just as addictive to play as PSO, and with so much to do, it's even more fun.

    Phantasy Star Universe really focuses on a lot more teamwork with, for example, only force characters being able to use magic and heal others, as well as themselves. This really encourages users to balance their team out, especially when tackling those harder dungeons. Rangers currently seem a bit underpowered, but we're yet to see what weapons may be made available to improve their abilities.

    While most of the fun is found online, a full, 40-hour single player story mode is included. Here you control a character named Ethan Waber on his quest to become a Guardian and help rid the solar system of the Evil SEED race that's slowly taking over.

    "While most of the fun is found online, a full 40-hour single player story mode is here."

    Ethan seems like a super character that is able to gain the skills of all the different character types available online. During the story you meet various CPU-controlled characters, each with their own personalities and traits, whom you can invite to join you on assigned missions. At various points during the story, players will be greeted with various CG animations and a superb music score performed by the Polish National Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.

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    Video Coverage
    (Latest Videos & Video FAQ)
    PLEASE DO NOT DIRECT LINK TO ANY MEDIA FILE ON KIKIZO
    DescriptionDur.SizeDetails
    Phantasy Star Universe
    NEW - Most recent trailer (Japanese)   (Sega)    		 2.53m 22MB DF, SD, 30
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    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    NEW - Gameplay demonstration CAM   (Sega)    		 1.28m 11MB DF, SD, 30
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    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    Gameplay footage 1   (Sega)    		 0.57m 10MB DF, SD, 30
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    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    Gameplay footage 2   (Sega)    		 0.53m 9MB DF, SD, 30
    640x480
    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    Gameplay footage 3   (Sega)    		 0.59m 10MB DF, SD, 30
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    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    Gameplay footage 4   (Sega)    		 0.29m 4MB DF, SD, 30
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    1.5Mbps
    Phantasy Star Universe
    Direct feed trailer (640x480, 1Mbps)    		 3.22m 25.67 MB WMV

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