Phantasy Star Fan Blog

• Corrected typo from handheld market to console market.

What will Sakai do Next; Part something…

I always like reading the “What Sakai will do next” entries but as usual they are vague and open for interpretation. If you haven’t been keeping track, so far we know the next Phantasy Star game will not be a PSPo2 port to PC/Console. In addition, the game will be something “brand new” that may somehow commemorate PSO’s 10th anniversary.

Shougai PSO linked to an interview with the man behind Phantasy Star’s current generation, Satoshi Sakai. This time he sorta kinda answers questions regarding PSO’s 10th anniversary. We also learn of some interesting little tidbits about age groups.

Game Bridge: What was the aim for switching over to Phantasy star Portable?

Satoshi Sakai: Porting to Phantasy Star Portable was decided when I was in the process of making PSU. During those times, players were experiencing the Game Cube version of Phantasy Star Online. Since multiplayer games were great around that time, [...] there was the idea of having a portable version. Though usually the age group in the handheld market is young [kids], yet when “Phantasy Star Portable 1″ came out,  the age range was higher.  Also there’s the thought about “wanting a PC version, Console version, etc etc…” We want the  “Phantasy Star” brand as something that should be seen for a long period of time, so that everyone [of all ages] can become familiar with it.

Game Bridge: Is it possible you will return to the console market*?

Satoshi Sakai: I don’t know… (laughs) Since this year is Phantasy Star Online 10th anniversary I want to start something big…

OK so there you have it, I guess we can expect to see something huge for Phantasy Star in the future since he dodged the question. He could have just said Yes or No, but notice how he transitions quickly to PSO10th anniversary out of nowhere…. You can of course interpret this quote any way you want, it’s up to you. Additionally we can make an assumption that the next generation of Phantasy Star games will try to cover all bases again, PC version, Console version, Portable versions, you name it.  But there’s more…

Gamebridge: So there’s a desire for  younger players to know about Phantasy Star?

Sakai: Phantasy Star Portable 1′s player base was considerably young. As for  Phantasy Star Portable 2 player base, there’s many high school students.

Gamebridge: What is the age range for PSU players?

Sakai: Naturally there’s middle and high school students, but the median seems to be in their 20′s.

Gamebridge: Did the direction of the game change  when it transitioned from Hardware to Handheld?

Sakai: At first I was going to do a direct port of PSU, but by looking at the situation of PSU and the characteristics of the handheld gaming system, we had to come to a decision. Looking at PSU, there are too many MMO aspects  [to place within the portable version] so we had to make the game simpler. If anything, the handheld games are more closer in respects to PSO.

I did notice the age range for NA/EU PSU seems to be around 18, but also I do like the comparison of the Portable games with PSO. No more than 4 players in a party? I don’t think that was a hardware limitation at all.

[via shougaipso] [thanks yuki for translation help]

Challenge 2 Stage 3

Tomorrow, what’s being dubbed as Challenge (Season 2), we will see a brand new mission titled; チャレンジⅡ　ステージ3・絶影 Shadow Suppression. This mission you are tasked with protecting an object from being damaged by enemies. To make this mission harder, there will also be invisible enemies…  You can download this mission automatically by signing into Phantasy Star Portable 2 Internet Multimode, otherwise  you can download it from here.

Guardians Advanced Content

If all goes as planned, Monday July 19th – July 20th, will mark the first days for the Supplemental update coming to the Xbox 360 PSU servers. The update will be applied after the extended maintenance…  Enjoy!

??? > “Ah.. You’re Little Wing?

PSU Chronicle Movie

Phantasy Star Portable: PSP The Best

Phantasy Star Portable PSP the Best will feature 3 episodic movies chronicling the whole Phantasy Star Universe series. It first starts with the SEED INVASION, so that you may know more of the Gurhal Solar System and character history.  It’s great for those new players of Phantasy Star Portable 2. Sakai says it was very hard to edit over 30 chapters of video and images together to make one coherent story.

Ethan, Laia, and Lumia will be narrating each episode. The narration voice work is entirely new providing you a sense of feeling and emotion by their respective characters. Also, voice acting is now provided to the script of Episode 3.

However, since Episode 3 has multiple endings (based on S ranking mind you..) certain parts will not shown in the ending of the PSU Chronicle movie.

As for the opening theme of Phantasy Star Portable 2, the “official theme” and the “PSU Chronicle PSP2 opening theme” will be slightly different. Sakai wants you to compare the two openings. 

Oh and LOU GOT A NEW HAT… plus added minor info to character data.

[via pspo2: blog]

This video is a great example on how NOT to play the game.

[thanks mysterious g]

Photoshop

Lou and Maya Shidow

(via anonymous of 2ch)

We had a bit of a confusion regarding 3 step Technics, but now we can follow up on some more details. The concept is a little bit tricky to follow so we’ll have a follow up explanation later on.

• What is “3 Step Technics”
  • Release 3 Technics consecutively.
  • You may only use this feature with the wand or the rod.
  • Unfortunately, Madoogs can not use this feature!
  • You can release Foie > Foie > Foie in quick succession. (read 3 step casting time)
  • You can also alternate between different technics.
• How to Alternate 3 step Technics
  • Technics can be alternated using the square and triangle buttons
  • (ex. □Foie > △ Barta > □Foie)
  • However, you must use the front palette or back palette to alternate technics.
  • (ex. Front□Foie > Front△ Diga > Front□Foie) = SUCCESS!
  • (ex. Back□Diga > Back△ Foie > Back□Diga) = SUCCESS!
  • (ex. Front□Foie > Back△ Diga > Front□Foie) = UNACCEPTABLE!
• 3 Step Technic Casting Time
  • The Casting time will be shorter based on which attack you are on.
  • The first attack will have a casting time of 100%
  • The second attack will have a casting time of 70%
  • The third attack will have a casting time of 50%
• Technics with range (AREA OF EFFECT)
  • A Technic with area of effect will hit a boss in multiple areas.
  • For example: Shougai PSO says how Rafoie would hit in multiple areas on a boss in PSO.
• Chain Combo (A quick Review)
  • When you do a regular attack your chain combo tallies up.
  • The higher the combo the stronger the Photon Art Damage
• Chain Combo FINISH
  • A “chain combo finish” means you have broken the combo.
  • This is where the damage of the Photon Art is increased…
• Triggering A Chain Combo Finish
  • Pressing the Triangle button will automatically finish your chain combo
  • Photon Arts will break your chain combo!
  • Charge Shots will break your chain combo!
  • Technics (assigned to the Triangle button) will also break your chain combo!
• Mirage Blast
  • Mirage Blast is similar to an SUV, you equip it like a unit.
  • Once your Blast Guage is full you will unleash the mystical creature!
  • Mirage Blast can be equipped at Level 10!
• Nano Blast
  • Nanoblast tattoo starts at Level 10!
• SUV
  • SUV can be equipped at Level 10!
• Shortcut Order
  • Shortcut order allows you to specify what your NPC should focus on,
  • This feature uses chat shortcuts to command the NPCs.
  • You can assign 7 shortcut orders!

[via shougai pso]

Confused?

Don’t worry, I was too! Here’s how Chain Combos work. All normal attacks will contribute to the chain combo. Since a normal attack is the default square button on PSP, you can spam square all you want to add to the combo. While doing so you won’t use up any PP and everything will be great! A photon art receives higher damage when you break the combo, this is known as a “Chain Combo Finish”.

Unlike Phantasy Star Zero, anyone can break the chain combo, even Techers. The button that is assigned to breaking a chain combo is the default triangle button. With this knowledge, you should strategically use the triangle button, not only for PP sake, but for your teammates.

If you want an enemy to die faster, you (if your soloing) or your team mates must rack up chains with the square button. Then unleash the final blow by pressing triangle which triggers your Photon Arts. Make sure your team is well versed on effectively using this feature.

Shougai PSO updated information that was released by Dengeki Playstation. We’re still under the confusion of bullet attributes, but at least this time we have a magazine source confirming elemental photon art bullets are gone!

• Story Mode
  • Story is advanced through chapters, it will also contain a side story.
  • Like PSP1, ALL your characters will share an illustrative database record:
    monsters defeated, weapons, and clothing.
• Multi mode
  • Internet Multi Mode is free!
  • Before a party is initiated:
    1) You will choose a room from a list of rooms.
    2) You can write a recruitment message for others to see
    3) Players can enter your room and join your party.
    4) However, they can not join your party if you are in a mission!
• Ranged Weapon Details
  • Elemental PA bullets are no more!
  • A ranged weapon will drop with an element attached to it.
  • The attack power of the gun is affected by the elemental attribute percentage:
    For example
    Gun ATP of 500 (x) 50% elemental (=) ATP of 750 .
    Gun ATP of 100 (x) 50% elemental (=) ATP of 150.
  • A bullet was added that can increase the percentage of the element.
    (*note: It will not change the element attached to the gun.)
    (side note: may be possible this bullet is of “power” type)
  • Based on the type of gun you have, the charge shot’s range and power will change. (see: charge shot animations)
  • “Accuracy” can alter the amount of damage given from the gun. 
• Combat (Chain System) 
  • When you perform normal attacks, the number of attacks is tallied up.
    The higher the number, the higher the amount of damage your photon arts will do.
  • You can even perform chain combos as a solo player.
• Combat (Just Guard and Guarding and Urgent Evasion)
  • Stated in a previous post, Just Guard can only be done through shields.
  • You can still guard with two handed weapons, except it will only reduce the damage recieved.
  • Guarding can cancel your attack animation. The time it takes to cancel will differ with Photon Arts.
  • While you are using Urgent Evasion (rolling) you will be invincible for a certain amount of time.
  • Once you complete the animation, you will not be able to move for a certain amount of time.
• Miscellaneous
  • The amount of classes you can choose from is reduced.
    Sakai says the reason for this is for “player enjoyment.”
  • Some data will be stored on the Memory Stick Duo for cache access.

[via shougai pso and mike]

Blog Updates 09/09/09

• Rappy Kid made a poll asking if he’s needed at the blog.
  991 Voters say he is needed
  64 Voters say they don’t want him there.
  341 Voters say they don’t know who the Rappy Kid is.
• Rappy kid makes a comment about the collaboration.
• He says we of course expect to see a collaboration with an in house SEGA character…
• So he asks what  if there was a collaboration that is not from SEGA.
• Something to be seen at Tokyo Game Show…