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 ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

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 ...  Read the complete review

PSO is probably the most stunning game I have ever played. An auspicious opening you might say but please allow me to continue. Sonic Team’s latest creation quite simply is shockingly good. First lets get the basics out of the way. Despite the packaging and publicity, PSO is not really an RPG. There are no turn-based battles, no real puzzles, very little in fact of the traditional genre. If anything its closer to the spirit of Gauntlet: take character into dungeon and kill lots of monsters. This may not sound terribly exciting but bear with me and I will try to explain. The novel approach begins with character selection, once you’ve ...  Read the complete review

What is it that people like about RPGs? The numbers? The complicated battle system? How about the hit points and weapon strengths? No? Well it must be the characters and story then. Phantasy Star Online is like an RPG without all the stats, numbercrunching or turn based battles. It shines out as a beacon of hope to all that want to play a game with a good story and be involved with a nice fantasy plot, but still have the action element. It plays like a cross between Gauntlet and Final Fantasy, and looks as stunning as the latter game, thanks to some fantastic character and background graphics. The basic premise of the story is that your world is dying ...  Read the complete review