Phantasy Star Universe: So who's buying it? [Archive]

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Union Carbide

10-10-2006, 05:06 PM

http://phantasystaruniverse.com/index.php
Drops on 10/24

The one drawback is that it's $10 a month on top of your Gold live account. Silver members will be able to play online, however.

I loved PSO 1 and 2, so I'm all over this. Anyone else? Perhaps we can get together a guild that will flame out in 3 weeks. :)

Edit: Bah, that's what I get for writing up a report for work before clicking "submit"

Coca Cola Zero

10-10-2006, 06:21 PM

I'm looking forward to it. I'll give the open beta a try before I commit to buying it, but unless it sucks in some unforeseen way I'll probably buy it and subscribe for a few months.

Aszurom

10-10-2006, 07:05 PM

How is this any different from the other 3 PSO games? Haven't we done this on the Dreamcast, Xbox, Gamecube, etc?

Also... just while I'm curious - was PSO the only game that used the Gamecube NIC?

The Bitter Cynic

10-10-2006, 07:08 PM

Union Carbide

10-10-2006, 10:36 PM

It's different in that it's a brand new game with all new content, and it's not a stupid card game like the last iteration of the series.

quatoria

10-11-2006, 12:11 PM

It's different in that it's a brand new game with all new content, and it's not a stupid card game like the last iteration of the series.

...and that's all it takes to get me to buy it. I'm gonna miss my mags, though, and having to decipher babelfished japanese sites to figure out what to feed 'em to get the awesome looking ones. Ah well. So long as I can grind my photon chainsaws to +99, I'll be happy.

Kaylin

10-11-2006, 03:16 PM

How is this any different from the other 3 PSO games? Haven't we done this on the Dreamcast, Xbox, Gamecube, etc?

Also... just while I'm curious - was PSO the only game that used the Gamecube NIC?

Mario Kart also used the NIC to link two consoles together for eight player mode on the GC. Worked surprisingly well at the Mario Kart UK launch party. Probably the only time anyone ever bothered to do it.

I think Kirby Air Ride also used the NIC - but that game was too horrible to discuss.

Other than that - the NIC was a forty quid mini-brick.

Cosmic Hippo

10-11-2006, 03:20 PM

But PSO's offline gameplay SUCKED. So you really needed the NIC if you wanted to, you know, play it.

quatoria

10-11-2006, 11:28 PM

But PSO's offline gameplay SUCKED. So you really needed the NIC if you wanted to, you know, play it.

That's certainly the only reason I had one. Also the only reason I tracked down one of those japanese Gamecube Keyboard controllers, the ones with the keyboard inserted into the middle of a regular gamecube controller. They were pretty awesome.

Kitsune

10-11-2006, 11:40 PM

What I'm wondering is why it seems no one is as interested in the offline portion of the game -- this isn't just a sequel to PSO, it's a sequel to the Mega Drive/Master System Phantasy Star games. For me, that was the part that was far more exciting. Of course, if it turns out both sides are equally compelling, it's a win-win situation.

It came out at pretty much the same time as Final Fantasy III DS, so I'll catch up and buy it later, but that's the only reason I'm going to purchase, the online holds no sway for me.

-Kitsune

quatoria

10-11-2006, 11:47 PM

Wait, seriously? I hadn't heard that part, Kitsune, as I've avoided all hype about the game. That's fucking fantastic. I'll still end up playing more of the online, though. Something about that game is just ridiculously addictive - and Phantasy Star Online is the only online game I've played to EVER really get the potential of bringing people from all over the world together to play. Through their system of pre-translated phrases and words, I was able to communicate and have fantastic games with people from all over the planet. One of those things that really makes you realize the potential that online gaming has to serve as a bridge between communities and nations.

Kitsune

10-12-2006, 12:02 AM

Yeah, seriously. There are three modes in Phantasy Star Universe. The Story Mode is a brand new RPG in the vein of the old games, full-blooded in every way that a usual RPG is. The Extra Mode is where you create a character offline and play around on randomly generated quests after the story mode is over, somewhat like Monster Hunter Portable. The Online Mode, I suspect you know about.

Though the battle system is like a mix of old Phantasy Star party-based and new Phantasy Star action RPG, it looks quite enticing. There's the old separation of races like in Phantasy Star 2 (there's even a Nei-alike character) and planets as well, and just like in the old Phantasy Star, it has that queer alien design for the monsters. You seem like you're trying to avoid information, so I won't say anymore than that.

It has been called everything from awe-inspiring and having a rare sense of quality to boring and passe -- so par for the course for Phantasy Star's reception in Japan. ;) Though I'm rather obliged to believe the opinions of the former rather than the latter because the latter are the same people who want to murder the developers for the unstable online launch.

PSO is one of the only online games I've ever played and enjoyed (soccer in the lobby), it's part of the reason I got interested in Monster Hunter. But as currently, you have to sacrifice a cute kitten to be able to understand or get any online to work on the PS2 in Japan, it's not my main buying impetus.

BTW, it may sound insane but I wish online games didn't let you chat normally and made you use the "language" that the game provides for communicating. I don't think enough of them take advantage of the idea that communication can be part of the crunchy gameplay too.

I you want to know more, I can transform into and use my Kitsune Puke Information attack.

-Kitsune

quatoria

10-12-2006, 03:53 AM

Just don't say anything else about Monster Hunter. It's hard enough waiting for MH2 as it is.

jiffy

10-12-2006, 06:38 AM

<bites finger> Kitsune no jutsu! (Summoning technique)

I you want to know more, I can transform into and use my Kitsune Puke Information attack.

Yes please. :D I'm actully thinking about picking up PSU when it comes out in 2 weeks, it looks like a fun game.

Fugitive

10-12-2006, 08:48 AM

Achievements are up. (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/phantasystaruniverse/) Looks like an easy 1000 points.

I might pick it up if the single-player game is reported to be good. I'm not interested in yet another MMOG right now, especially with WoW tempting me back.

Damien Neil

10-12-2006, 12:18 PM

Achievements are up. (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/phantasystaruniverse/) Looks like an easy 1000 points.

Man, those are even sadder than the Lego Star Wars 2 achievements.

(One of my only two complaints about LSW2: the achievements are utterly uninspired.)

Moore

10-12-2006, 12:45 PM

huh.. I now have some interest due to Kitsune's comments. It's on my 'buy at $20 list' but still, it was on my 'ugly-ass same ol' same ol' cash in sequel game with play to play, peer to peer, multi? bleh!' list before.

Jab2565

10-12-2006, 01:17 PM

About combat, is melee any better then it was in Pso? I could not play a melee character as each time I would start a combo I would be smacked down by some creature. Which is why I stayed with the gun class all the way.

Brian Rucker

10-12-2006, 02:08 PM

I wish online games didn't let you chat normally and made you use the "language" that the game provides for communicating. I don't think enough of them take advantage of the idea that communication can be part of the crunchy gameplay too.

As a roleplayer, I'd probably feel pretty constrained without the ability to express myself freely or use free text emotes. That said, tolerable roleplayers are pretty damned hard to find and obnoxious dirtbags are everywhere. I'd actually go along with this given the option to have invite only (say, guild or group) chat channels where you could type freely with invited parties.

But as a real element of gameplay? I'd think you'd find people just going around it by only dealing with folks who speak their native languages on teamspeak. I can't imagine how a game would control or channel the ability of players to communicate however they saw fit.

Moore

10-12-2006, 03:53 PM

Ah, roleplaying cant really enter into PSU though can it?

Whither fither thine GIANT LAZER GUN, sirrah?

Lenkenobi

10-26-2006, 11:11 PM

Did anyone pick this up? My friend backstabbed me and said he'd get the PC or PS2 (PC friendly) version, and then got the 360. So I won't be playing co-op with him. Won't be able to get a 360 until well after playing PSU stops being in style. I was thinking about getting it, but wanted to get some qt3 opinions.

Union Carbide

10-26-2006, 11:31 PM

I got the 360 version tonight, but it appears the online component is totally boned this evening.

RickH

10-27-2006, 06:31 AM

Man, those are even sadder than the Lego Star Wars 2 achievements.

(One of my only two complaints about LSW2: the achievements are utterly uninspired.)

Really? I had to bust my ass to get them.

What's an example of "inspired" achievements for you?

BDGE

10-27-2006, 03:33 PM

Almost got this last night, buty went with Marvel instead(which is MARVELous BTW!)

I'm so on the fence with this game. I mean I adored PSO, which is enough to drive me to insta-buy the sequel, but the beta stunk. The layout of the cities seemed atrocious, loadtimes were everywhere, the game crashed multiple times, and the whole experience lacked much direction.

I hear it all clicks eventually, but damn PSO was like instant gratification and accessibility. So what the hell?

Damien Neil

10-27-2006, 03:36 PM

Really? I had to bust my ass to get them.

What's an example of "inspired" achievements for you?

Dead Rising is pretty good. Getting an achievement for putting masks on zombies is amusing, for example.

I think that a good game should have three types of achievements: Ones that you get naturally for playing and completing the game, ones that you get for doing particularly difficult things, and ones that encourage you to do amusing things.

Dead Rising is pretty good about this. There are a number of achievements that anyone will get on their first playthrough: Defeat a psychopath, defeat 1,000 zombies, and so on. Then there are the ones like putting novelty masks on zombies or walking a certain distance over zombie heads. And then there are the ones like rescuing 50 survivors.

The LSW2 achievements are bland. "Complete this level", "get X% completion", "complete this level without dying". That's it. I'd have rather had achievements for finding power bricks, for completing minikits, and so on.

BDGE

10-27-2006, 03:47 PM

SPlinter Cell has decent achievements. I mean most are for just beating the campaign, but some are a bit off the beaten path. Well, completing the terrorist profiles is a daunting, but ultimately rewarding process for 20 points. I woulda done it anyway as it was a nice little optional sneaky challenge within the JBA missions.

The rest are multiplayer yawners though(Play this map X times with X victories...)

Dead rising did have great achievments, though many are just ugh...I would loved killing 54k zombies if that didn't mean driving over respawns for 8 hours straight. If it was persistant where you literally committed genocide on the buggers hunting every last one...sign me up! But no...

LSW2 achievements were fine IMO. I mean I wouldn't bother going for no-death otherwise, but it's a nice challenge I am willing to flaunt on my gamercard...eventually. But yea, many of them could be more creative.

Pumpkinhead

10-27-2006, 07:00 PM

I picked up the 360 version. I have not been able to get online with it yet. But I will say that the once the online servers are straightend out I will not go back to single player. I've been playing SP because I have to. But so far I find it VERY boring and uninspired. If there was no online play I would have traded it already.

Union Carbide

10-28-2006, 12:04 AM

360 multiplayer is utterly, tragically, fucked. 2 nights now I haven't been able to connect at all. I keep the controller next to my computer and retry every now and then.

I really hope they fix this shit.

Pogue Mahone

10-28-2006, 12:31 AM

I chanced to read this thread yesterday, but after reading Kitsune's notes about the potential sequel to the Genesis games offline mode I was riding a little high - actually this close to buying - but now that I read Pumpkinhead's thoughts I'm in bipolar hell. I played PS Online for the Dreamcast way back when and found it unsatisfying, but then any online game on dial-up is an exercise in frustration. I'd love to hear more about the offline mode though, even if it's ultimately less than you hoped, does it put you in mind of the original Phantasy Star games? I'd love a modern Final Fantasy-esque update.

Pumpkinhead

10-28-2006, 06:49 AM

Union Carbide

10-28-2006, 11:43 AM

OK, I finally got into PSU multi last night, thanks to a suggestion I saw posted on the gamefaqs forums. I had to edit my network settings and change the primary/secondary DNS to 4.2.2.1. Doing this got me into the servers. Now, I wonder who that server belongs to?

Kunikos

10-28-2006, 11:43 AM

So does this game let you play on the PC with 360 users and do voice chat?

flyinj

10-28-2006, 03:25 PM

Myth

10-28-2006, 07:28 PM

So, wait. Online isn't working for anyone right now? Days after release?

That's ridiculous.

I got the PC version and it's working fine both online and off line right out of the box. The pcs and playstions are playing together and the XBox360 folks are playing by themselves on separate servers. Is it just the 360 players that are experiencing problems?

Really enjoying the single player. Haven't played a JRPG since... oh Phantasy Star II on the Genesis. Both a little alien and refreshing after a decade of playing North American style rpgs.

The PC version runs really well, and the graphics are colorful and sharp. Nice animations too. Controls take a little while to used to (keyboard only without mouse useage) unless you have a gampad (which I don't) but once you become accustomed to them everything is in pretty intuitive.

Just back from around a 10 month hiatus from computer gaming (exploring some other hobbies) also picked up Titan Quest, Dark Messiah, Battlefield 2142 and The Guild Wars expansion. With NWN 2 coming out soon too looks like it is going to be a great end of year for pc gamers.

RickH

10-29-2006, 08:11 AM

I think that a good game should have three types of achievements: Ones that you get naturally for playing and completing the game, ones that you get for doing particularly difficult things, and ones that encourage you to do amusing things.

Ah. Amusing is indeed a rare quality in 360 achievements. You tend to see it more with retro XBLA arcade titles, where they really have to stretch to fill the list out.

But then, the idea's only a year old in the retail space and it's clearly still evolving. Look at the difference between the achievements for NFS:MW versus NFS: Carbon.