Phantasy Star Fan Blog

Phantasy Star Korea!

Some minor things happened this weekend, firstly Sega attended the G-Star 2011, a Korean Game Show, and showcased a localized Korean version of Phantasy Star Online 2. This version is based on the Tokyo Game Show 2011 version. The news article from Games Watch wrote that the Korean’s interest for the game was pretty high and they had long waiting lines to the booth.

The article mentioned, “The game plans to officially start in Japan in 2012. It’s undecided if the game will open in other areas including Korea.” As we already know, the 2nd Alpha Test version will start early next year. As was brought up in the article, it looks like Sakai is aiming for 10,000 simultaneous connections (compared to 6,000 in the first alpha test.)

Sakai also plans to bring PSO2 to another event before the end of the year.

The Language of the Oracle

Shougai wrote up an interesting article deciphering the text around the lobby. The Arks utilize a custom font which corresponds to a letter in the alphabet. From this, the following text was found:

• Item Shop
• Weapon Shop
• Costume Shop
• Weapon Shop
• Disk Shop
• Peony
• Quest Counter
• Departure
• Arks Counter
• Quest Board

So this shall solidify the correct spelling of the “ARKS” as well as introduce “PEONY” into the PSO2 world. What is PEONY? We’re not sure, but possibly it is for the makeup counter.

 PSO2: A Brief Recap

Today Sakai discusses information that was touched upon in the Media Briefing last July. They are the three revolutions of Phantasy Star Online 2. Not much new information though, sorry!

Revolution 1: Infinite Adventure

By making PSO2 a completely new game, he wants players to feel the sense of pleasure, surprise, and discovery of playing an online game in the same way as they did when they first started Phantasy Star Online all those years ago. They’re aiming for the feeling of “adventure,” a concept that seems to be lost in today’s RPG.

First, one of the new systems to incorporate this concept is the “Random Fields.” Each time you play, it gives the sensation of a different area. Except for some typographical features at the goal of your quest, the route from start to finish and the enemy appearance is generated at random.

In addition, PSE (Photon Sensitive Effect) gives the player levels of various effects that include increasing your attacking power as you defeat enemies. At the final level of PSE, it becomes a PSE BURST. Large quantities of enemies may appear and the chances of getting a rare item increases.

The Interrupt Event invokes sudden various things to occur during game play. For example, from relatively simple events like, “defeating a number of specific enemies” “gather keys to open a door” to, “protect an aircraft that crashed until its repairs are completed.” Yes, even the difficulty can change based on the strength of enemies, and the location it occurs.

In the past games, you could have up to 6 players in the party, but Phantasy Star Online 2 incorporates a maximum of 4 people in a party. But now, you can actually meet other parties and have up to 12 players in a multi-party area. It has been misunderstood that you could only have 3 parties together, but in reality if 1 person is in each party, you can essentially have 12 parties playing together.

So we have Random Fields, Interrupt Events, Photon Sensitive Effect, and Multi-party Area, each system is complexly intertwined with each other that  changes the situations that occur.  As if it were a brilliant table-top RPG game-master, PSO2 allows you to enjoy a different adventure each time!

*Please note the images are representation of the first alpha test version of Phantasy Star Online 2. It is not the current representation now since the 2nd Alpha test version is releasing later on.

Ah a new PORORI image. (My friend explained this term means something that suddenly slips, like the Janet Jackson incident…) this time it is the concept art of the ウーダン Udan (Woodan) or however you want to spell it. It has various appearance patterns and actions.

A monkey-like enemy from the planet Naberius.

ザウーダン Zaudan Concept

Shino Ver. APSY

Mizuno, from the art team (who pretty much does all the concept art for the games) drew this box art for the new Plastic Modelling Kit Shino. Sakai takes out his own modelling kit and touches on some of the details this one has included:

• Agito
• H&S 25 Justice
• Beryl Knuckles
• Mag Varaha

And look her skirt is painted this time!

Project Diva Extend

For Hatsune Miku Project Diva Extend,  in addition to this Nagisa Repca outfit for that game, Luka sings the Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Theme Song on the pre-order bonus CD!

Today is a new dawn for the Phantasy Star Series as Producer Satoshi Sakai will now cover various Phantasy Star titles and goods in his new blog, Phantasy Star Series Official Blog.

Firstly, PSO2 and the 2nd Alpha test are scheduled for next year, which they will also inform you about information regarding these products at the blog.

They were asked many times if Mags exist in the TGS and Alpha test version of the game. They do indeed exist and Sakai believes he’ll just show a concept on what they would be like.

A very mechanical impression don’t you think?

According to the person in charge, the part covered in blue, that color seems to be different based on the person who equips it.

PSO2 is being worked on at a fast pace by more than 100 people.  The new blog has a comment approval system, but you can of course send in your comments encouraging the staff and even ask questions about the game in general.

Sega has also opened a mixi page too, but at this fan blog, we won’t be able to cover any parts that require a mixi membership since it requires a Japanese cellphone email address to sign up.

INFINITY ♪

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Blog is now closed and will merge with the Phantasy Star Series Blog instead. Terada posted something interesting, did you ever want to know the top 5 missions?

Top 5 Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Missions

• 5: Scrap Spirit (730,633 times)
• 4: Gurhal Heroes（730,723 times）
• 3: Maximum Attack Infinity II（1,311,445 times）
• 2: Maximum Attack Infinity IV（1,506,059 times）
• 1: Maximum Attack Infinity I (1,651,137 times)

Worst 5 Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Missions

• 5: Moonlight Beast (8,673 times)
• 4: Challenge 2: Stage 4 (8,373 times)
• 3: Lonely Laboratory (6,359 times)
• 2: Forest of Illusion (4,295 times)
• 1: Urgent Orders (3,744 times)

 We’re wondering why everyone is playing Scrap Spirit so often..

Phantasy Star Eternal Planets Maximum Attack END

Ok I know nobody cares about this game but there’s still some news. PSEP is changing their “Closed Open Beta” schedule and is hosting a Maximum Attack event. Yes, seriously it says closed open beta.

Beta Schedule Change

• Ended 10/24/2011 @ 16:00

Maximum Attack Goal

• All Player Levels should add up to 100,000 total.

Prize

• 50 Gachan Medals “ガチャンメダル x50″  when the official game starts.

Current Score

• 100,000 Achieved!

Notice

• The beta test period of Phantasy Star Eternal Planets is over and the official game will start later. The staff will apply bug fixes and correct the balance of the game based on feedback.

Hatsune Miku Project Diva -Extend- Pre Order

Those that reserve Project Diva Extend can receive this special bonus CD containing Vocaloid remixes and arrangements of songs including:

• Live and Learn from Sonic Adventure 2
• Ignite Infinity from Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity.

See it came true! We present the Ancients costumes/weapons, and Phantasy Star Portable series costumes/posters. The bonus costumes and posters themselves are free. These release on 10/20/2011.

Wynarl Suit
Ancients uniform worn by Men (or parts)
300 Yen

Mika Dress
Ancients uniform worn by women (or parts)
300 Yen

エクスティオン Extion
The two blades lure a soul into darkness.
50% Light/Dark Double Saber (2 weapons)
200 Yen

バレンティア Valentia
A longbow of courage that emits the radiance of hope.
50% Light and Dark Longbow (2 weapons in a pack)
200 Yen

フィラントロピア Philanthropia
The rod of love, it leads the world into peace!
50% Light and Dark Rod (2 weapons in a pack)
200 Yen

イルミナルアウラ Illuminal Aura
Clad in the Holy Light.
 Visual Unit
100 Yen

6 Costume Extend Pack
Fleshies wear Parts
Casts wear Clothes
Free of Charge

Phantasy Star Visual Album
Relive the memories of many adventures! (Spoiler Warning!)
20 Posters in one pack!
Free of charge.

Mission codes on 10/20/2011 feature Dark Falz Dios, Dulk Fakis, Dark Falz Final, and Orga Dyran. They will be available at the Japanese Playstation Store.