P.S. I Love U. (Phantasy Star: Universe (PS2))

Member Name: scream4bruce

Product:	Phantasy Star: Universe (PS2)
Date:	04/02/09 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Satisfying combat, some cool characters

Disadvantages: Some slowdown, party member AI not great

*My review of Phantasy Star Universe is based on the offline experience because I can't afford to play online.*

The fighting system is similar to and will feel familiar to fans of Phantasy Star Online. So it's in real-time, and there's no pausing the game offline. The game sees to the likes of lock-on and strafing, but is still fairly simple, and as satisfying. A sense of character progress - not only does your character level up from battling, but by using skills and earning mission points, then the photon arts and character type, respectively, level up. Would have been nice to have had a checklist of the missions with rankings.

There are numerous NPCs to talk to; use of transparent people helping to give the impression of bustling cities. You can have a seat and take in the surroundings!

I hadn't high hopes for the story given how it started, but it was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. I liked some of the characters. My favourite has to be Lou, whom resembles MOMO from Xenosaga. For me, scenes with characters whom are devoid of feeling manage to bring out emotions! As for the Vol Brothers - what horrible hair-dos!

You can go clothes shopping - I bought shoes to make Ethan look taller - and get decorations for your room! Your partner machine, "Pete", can store as well as synthesize items. Feeding him was a long-winded process. Depending on what he is fed, his appearance might change, but I wouldn't want to do that - he's so adorable the way he is!

Late on in the game the party member A.I. leaves a lot to be desired - wish you were playing online with mates! Can take time to load equipped weapon for use. When the action gets hectic, there is some slight slowdown.

The voice acting is okay. The J-pop tune as introduction to each chapter, "Save This World" (Kelli Sae as singer), was cheesy initally, but it came onto me. That's not to say the lyrics were not corny (as these themes tend to be)! The song "With You" (Lita Harvey as singer) is used at the end of each chapter, and late on, built-up versions of the theme would be played, which was nice!

Three planets make up the Gurhal Star System, but it seems they were running short on disc space - some of the FMV sequences are of a lower resolution.

It took me around 30 hours to complete the Story Mode. In Extra Mode, which is unlocked after a couple of chapters, gone is the story and much of the NPCs but present is the chance to play as a custom character. However can only play through missions already avail in Story Mode but the real downer with Extra Mode is that there are no extra missions. Not that this stopped me from clocking in another 30 hours!

As I borrowed this game off a mate, I would recommend this title to myself!

Summary: Phantasy Star Universe for PlayStation 2