Phantasy Star Online (GC)

Forget all your pre-conceptions of computer RPGs; Phantasy Star Online (PSO) is something very new... it takes the "character development" aspects of RPGs (e.g. character classes, stats, persistent inventory), and marries it up with slick 4-player arcade action, much akin to the 80s arcade classic "Gauntlet" (only in 3d... and Sci-Fi themed instead of fantasy-themed). The result is one of the most addictive games I've played in years, and judging from comments in the videogame newsgroups, I'm not alone.... PSO is *THE* current hot ticket in videogaming!! So how does it work? The first step, as with traditional RPGs, is to select ...

They say that football is a game of two halves, but with the Dreamcast's drought of great games in that particular genre we gamers must look for our thrills elsewhere. With Phantasy Star Online (PSO), those gaming gurus Sonic Team have provided us with an experience who's two distinct halves render sporting conflict bland in comparison. PSO is a role playing game but before half of you leave or fall asleep, know that this particular RPG has a tasty ace hidden up it's sleeve in the form of full online play. This turns out to be somewhat a double-edged sword as will become clear in a moment but first a look at the game itself. The basic ...

I lost 200 hours of my life to this game. A couple of years ago I pretty much swore off online games. Most the titles around were either first person shooters (ack), dull, overly complex western role-players or just plain sucky. Then at the end of last year my devotion to Sonic Team, and a bit of prodding from a few people, caused me to pick up Phantasy Star Online. As a game it's pretty simple. Those who remember Gauntlet from the eighties will be at home here. You are a mercenary on the colony ship Pioneer 2. When on its way to meet its sister ship Pioneer 1, which has relocated its inhabitants to the Earth-like planet Ralgol, it arrives to find a ...