This time Sakai was quoted again about PSO’s 10th Anniversary. It’s another minor quote but it opens up for some more speculation. “Following the previous “Phantasy star Portable”, since many are enjoying it at this time. For the next work, I want to expand (or widen) more of the user base. There’s still some way to go, though it’s still in the “thinking” stages. Please wait while your playing Phantasy Star Portable 2 (Laughs).”

Sakai also says they will continue to release new quests and download items for PSP2 in the future. I guess from this it could mean the next game would appeal to more casual as well as hardcore gamers? Or maybe it will be easier to play and gets more strategic later on?

[via Famitsu LWGP Interview]

Little Wing Grand Prix

Finally, Sakai will be releasing the Little Wing Grand Prix mission for all players. In case you didn’t know, Little Wing Grand Prix is a tournament where two players would compete for the fastest time. The tournament is now officially over, however Sakai had to release this mission early and had to push back the “Gamega” Collaboration Mission further down. Everyone will be able to participate in not one but TWO missions from the event. These missions are very short but the point is to try and time attack them anyway.

LWG1stステージ

Seguntal doesn’t understand the meaning of crowd surfing…

FIRST STAGE: The first stage will take place in the abandoned ruins, here you will fight Go Vahra and Astarks, at the end you will fight Fazuntal and Seguntal as a boss. Your personal goal should be to complete this mission within 4 minutes, the fastest time recorded was 2 minutes and 13 seconds.

LWG2ndステージ

SECOND STAGE: In this stage you will run through PSO Caves, and will defeat Poison Lilly and Pal Sharks. PSO Dragon will be waiting for you at the end. Your personal goal should be to complete this mission within 4 minutes, the fastest time recorded was 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

These are CHALLENGE Missions, however you can choose the combat type at the start of the mission. All players will be fixed at Level 50. With a time attack challenge in mind, you might want to reach the boss at the 1 minute mark. However the time it takes to defeat the boss will just be based on SKILL and LUCK. These challenge missions are available 3/10/10

More Evangelion

テストプラグスーツ・アスカ
Test Plug Suit Asuka
Available: 3/17/10

プラグスーツカヲル
Plug Suit Kaworu
Available: 3/17/10

Expect two more Plugsuits from Evangelion to be released next week only at the Japanese PlayStation Store!

Blog Updates

• Captain T posts “Blazer Drive” released their 6th manga volume. I smell new DLC.
• Phantasy Star Universe PC/PS2 Shut down March 31st.
• “Easier Communication” a goal for the next “PSP2″ game supposedly… [shougai]

[via pspo2blog]

What’s New?

The “Jump 邪王降臨” mission follows the theme of “friends saving friends.” In this mission, you rescue the three Naura sisters! As you play there will be several gimmicks to impede your victory! At the end of the mission you will fight the rare boss “Olga DeRan.”  It appears this mission will play similar to “The Big Push”, where you must protect the sisters from receiving damage.

This mission will be very difficult, but Sakai describes it also as DELICIOUS, because of the rare drops! It appears the previous Shonen Jump collaboration weapons will drop in this mission. Now you’ll be able to obtain those weapons with different elemental percentages. Download this mission on 2/24/10.

Moyashimon World
もやしもんワールド
6269 2230

The Moyashimon World Aura Unit will release on 2/23/10. You can obtain it by inputting a special password in the Vision Phone located in your room!

Blog Updates

• Several new Evangelion DLC outfits will release sometime soon
• Obtain your 3 Extend Codes by playing Maximum Attack’s Exchange Mission in Story Mode.
• Server Maintenance 2/24/10

Whats Next For Sakai Part 2 *

Shougai PSO posted a minor minor update about the next game in the Phantasy Star Series. In a recent Dengeki article, Sakai comments, “Phantasy Star Portable 2 can be seen as a compilation of the Phantasy Star Universe Series. Therefor, I think that next [game] will be a new “leap” for the series. As for [making] the Phantasy Star Series, “challenging” is one of the concepts. So there’s an opinion that we should just make a console version of PSP2, however, I think that this [new] thing should be something more different from that. I want to not only draw in new players, but also deliver a game that older fans can approve of.”

Shougai PSO speculates that a brand new game for the Phantasy Star Series is in development. They speculate the new game will not be the “Gurhal” series of PSP2, since he stated it will be “different thing” but may draw upon the flow of PSO’s “Ragol Series”, since he stated it would be a game the older fans approve of.

I would say from all of  this, this next game will be completely new, just as PSZero was, but may follow some older traditions that we’ve come to love throughout our years of playing Phantasy Star.

[via shougaipso]

* Will move to next new blog post in the future.

Finally some actual news that has nothing to do with Emilia being nude. A few brand new download content items are heading this way. This includes the long awaited Hatsune Miku VN02 outfit! Plus you can now wear the EDEN uniforms from the shopkeepers of Clad 6. As always you can only download these outfits from the Japanese Playstation Store.  CFW users can not use CWCheat codes to obtain the outfits. (Think about why you can’t for a second…)

Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup has been extended due to popular demand. The new final date is now February 19th, 2010. Did you know that if we all achieve  a total kill count of 10,000,000 we’ll all receive 3 Extend Codes? That’s right! Three extend codes! Why bother completing all the challenge missions when you can get them for free! Extend Codes allow players to upgrade weapons of any grade to S grade. You can even embed the weapon with a special ability like Freeze. It will also have a shiny glimmering effect when you take it out.

Plus, the last “water” route opened up a few days ago and gives out the EX tickets. Please refer to the previous post on the cost per exchange items.

After completion of the Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup, Multimode players will now be able to access ALL routes on their own; Extend codes will also be distributed.

Sakai mentions that there was some dissatisfaction with the way this event was handled. He hopes to use our opinions to make future events even better!

The next download mission will include a new collaboration with Jump Magazine’s  “邪王降臨” that concludes with the battle of the rare boss known as Olga DeRan.

PSUBlog’s general FAQ is slowly growing but we need more questions, please post a comment preferably at the bottom of this post asking simple general questions to the game for example,  “How to unlock and play Megashi Eradication mission.” or “How to get online after purchasing the game.”

Download Items 2/17/10

Miku VN02 Protector
Female Clothes and Parts
Free of Charge

Shopper Suit White + Navy Blue
Male Clothes and Parts
300 Yen

Shopper Dress White + Navy Blue
Female Clothes and Parts
300 Yen

Clad Riser (Slicer)
50% Dark
200 Yen

Clad Cannon (Laser)
50% Light
200 Yen

Clad Bastone (Rod)
50% Light
200 Yen

[via pspo2blog]

PSU Japan Phishing

On January 21st, 2010 Phantasy Star Universe Japan was hit with a phishing attempt on a Chinese domain name. The url was reported to be passed around various message boards and emails. The actual site clearly mocks the login elements of the official site even going as far to include CAPTCHA to lure unsuspecting users to the site.   The news was first posted by The Council of Anti-Phishing Online.

Online Character Data

A new character data chart was posted on the official blog yesterday.

• Females are the most popular sex.
• Humans then Casts makes the most popular race.
• Hunters then Bravers are the most popular classes.
• Forces dropped from 10% to 8% since the game’s release.
• Rangers dropped from 18% to 15% since the game’s release.

Notice how the Forces make up for only 8% of total players. Why do you think less people are interested in playing as a force? Please fix this Sakai.

Maximum Attack Update

Several new items highlighted in orange can be seen below. You can recieve your Madoog by playing the exchange mission in story mode. Instructions at the bottom of this post. If we reach 10 million kill count EVERYONE gets a free extend code.

Maximum Attack Outline

To play Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup you must either download the missions from Sega or connect to Internet Multimode. Please note, only Internet Multimode counts towards the total kill count. While online, select Extra Mission (エクストラミッション) > Clad 6 (クラッド６)  > Famitsu Maximum Attack  (ファミ通マキシマムアタック)

At the start of the mission, you will arrive in  Seabed Plant. You may optionally speak to Tonio or Liina. Liina will inform you that you can exchange tickets in Story Mode. You will then head to a blue gate and click on a switch to select a route.

The party leader can select a route here!

Within the Mission you can obtain Special Tickets スペシャルチケット; C, B, A, S and  EX. Based on which route you chose, you will receive different Special Tickets as an S rank reward. There is also a small chance you may receive Photon Boosters and Photon Codes.

Routes

Various Routes are unlocked based on the total number kill counts.

• Route 1: Ancient Forest (古代果樹林)
• Route 2: Forgotten Sand City (忘却砂岩都市)
• Route 3: Evil Front (悪意ある戦地)
• Route 4: Frozen Road (凍てつく世道)
• Route 5: The Great Water Source (偉大なる水源 ) 

Mission Rewards

For now, mission end result grades depend on the amount of enemies you kill. Killing all 40 enemies nets you a S rank Grade. Items marked by the word (Chance) indicate you may randomly receive this item. This information may change at any point.

^^ Information is updated based on both Japanese Wikis

Exchange Tickets with Liina

You can exchange Special Tickets スペシャルチケット with Liina to receive items. Once the total kill count is 1,500,000, the exchange mission will be updated with more items. This exchange mission is listed under Story Mode.

Select: Exchange Mission (交換ミッション) > Maximum Attack Clearing House (マキシマムアタック交換所) to start the mission.

Weapons may ask you to choose an element before purchase.

火 = Fire    氷 = Ice 
雷 = Thunder  土 = Ground
 光 = Light   闇 = Dark

[via malw]

*Exchange Mission will update with new items after the next maintenance.

Viju Skyline
(Female Clothes and Parts)
Free of Charge: 2/3/2010

B-84
(Single Handgun)
Free of Charge:  2/3/2010

Blog Updates

• The number of players simutaneously logged on during the MALW CUP is almost the same amount of  players during the release of PSP2.

If you are keeping track of the Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup, please refer to the previous post for information when it is available.

How to Download Items from PlayStation Store

Before you actually see any download items in the game, you must first import them from the Title screen. After you purchase and downloaded the item from the PlayStation store, start up your game and select ‘Import”

Select the third option, “ダウンロードアイテムインポート” Download Item Import, to start the process.

Select the first option, “インポートアイテムの選択” Import Item Selection.

Select the items you want to import. The first page will list weapons, the second page will list clothing. When you select an item, its name will turn dark purple. Go back to the previous menu.

After selecting the items you want to import, Select the second option “インポートの実行”  to start importing. It will pop up another screen which will say that the save data needs to be updated, select はい to start.

Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup

Alright! Our first event! Maximum Attack Little Wing Cup, is an event anyone can participate in. It takes place within Internet Multimode where all players will contribute to a score based on the total amount of enemies defeated. Within the event,  players will be able to see brand new routes and items.

The ancient power of the Karsh clan was lost due as it was overrun by monsters in Moatoob. To investigate the secrets of the Karsh clan, we will be collecting research data as you defeat monsters in a simulation program. I encourage all Little Wing employees to collect this data and bring it to me! Of course, you will be rewarded handsomely based on the total amount of monsters defeated. ~Ursula

The details of the mission are not yet available but expect new items, an exchange mission to trade tickets, and a brand new enemy!?

[vi malwc]

This event mission can be played in Internet Multimode and Multimode. Be advised that playing in Multimode does not contribute to the total amount of monsters killed. The mission will also introduce a brand new boss Dol Vabeil.

[via pspo2blog]

Phantasy Star Universe Japan

Egg Blaster from Eggman
A Sonic The Hedgehog Collab!

• Supplemental Update: Unknown Date
• PSU Japan will receive another Supplemental Update.
  
• This update includes brand new hairstyles, items, and clothing.
• PSU Japan will also inherit the Titles system like PSPortable.
• This week’s Update: January 28th, 2010
  
• New weapons include the Egg Blaster and Ignis
• Rebalancing of 13 Photon Arts  will take place, for example:
  • Splender Crush: Power increase in 2nd combo
  • Assault Crush: Power increase in 2nd + 3rd combo
  • Cross Hurricane: Power Increase

[via psujp 4gamer]

*anyone refers to those who purchased the game with official firmware outside of Japan. They can participate, unlike Little Wing Grand Prix which you’d have to travel to Japan to play.

Please note that after January 29th 2010, no new PSU subscriptions will be available for purchase for PC/PS2. Those who are subscribed as of that time will be able to play, for free, until service closure.

The schedule is as follows:

• January 29th 2010: MAG+ event begins for PC/PS2 and Xbox 360 servers.

• January 29th 2010: No new PC/PS2 PSU subscriptions will be available for purchase.

• January 29th 2010: Free play for PC/PS2 PSU begins. No more billing cycles will take place on or after this date.

• March 31st 2010: PC/PS2 servers / service closure, the PlayStation2 and PC versions of Phantasy Star Universe online play will not be available after this date, however, please continue to enjoy the Single Player version of the game.

For those who play the Xbox 360 version of Phantasy Star Universe: SEGA will continue to support, in full & with regular updates, this version of Phantasy Star Universe. This includes bringing currently unreleased and anticipated content to the XBox 360 servers. We will be able to provide more details on future Xbox 360 PSU content over the coming weeks and months.

Son in essence PSU Pc/Ps2 servers will be free for January 29th to March 31st, which I guess will allow everyone to say their goodbyes before they leave. What’s interesting to note is what Edward says next..

While we are sad to see the PC/PS2 version of Phantasy Star Universe end, the year 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online — and this server / service closure is helping to pave the way for bigger and better things for the Phantasy Star franchise in the very near future!

Sakai also shared a somewhat similar statement during his New Year’s message. We should continue to see things from the Phantasy Star Series in 2010, considering it’s the 10th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online. Does this mean a new flagship title Phantasy Star will be announced?  Does this mean PSPo2 will soon get an announcement for the English release?  We’ll just have to wait and see.

[via psu]

Where do we go from here?

There aren’t many games out there like Phantasy Star Online. Fortunately, the market for non-targeting, action RPG systems are slowly rising out of Korea and China.

For now most MMOs focus less on action and more on strategic gameplay. This is where a player clicks on an enemy and engages in auto combat. The player may press a sequence of buttons to use various skills. In these MMOs you never see characters roll out of the way, strafe behind the enemy, shoot and run away from a distance. You are pretty much “attached” to an enemy during the entire combat.

Whatever Sega plans to do with the Phantasy Star series, we do at least have some hope for other games that follow in it’s footsteps. Here are a few games coming soon for the PC that provide an action oriented, non targetting system.

• Continent of the 9th
  • Offers a more graphically realistic approach to PSU.
  • Follows in PSU’s footsteps with instanced like gameplay.
  • Battle animation tends to be flashy and mimics PSU’s style.
  • Limited Character races.
• TERA Online
  • Beautiful graphics, serene visuals, open world gameplay.
  • Players aim their attacks at enemies.
  • Character Classes/Races similar to PSU.
• Dragon Nest
  • Instanced gameplay.
  • Gameplay feels ripped out of PSZero

Of course if you are on the handheld market, you can still play Phantasy Star Zero and look forward to Phantasy Star Portable 2, if and when it does come out.

What will Sakai do next?

Shougai PSO posted a quote from Dengeki Magazine regarding an interview about PSO10th Anniversary. In it he says, given that last year’s Phantasy Star Portable 2, is seen as the compilation of the series.  The next new thing he wants to do is something incredibly challenging that is “a giant leap“, [possibly something extremely different than what we'd expect /something that upgrades the series?] however, he still wants to please the traditional fans.

[via shougai]

Reactions

Ana has blogged her reactions on the current news, also speculates there might be some new Phantasy Star game in development. Kotaku comments section (view the unpromoted comments) has more reactions.  Other player reactions will be posted here.

Ocha-ken Doog: TCSM
お茶犬ドゥーグ
3485 0502

Ocha-ken Doll: Room Item
お茶犬ヌイミ
7545 4663

Shincha-ken Doll: Room Item
新茶犬ヌイミ
4864 1356

Pa, Panda! Table
パ、パンだ！テーブル
3453 2321

Upcoming DLC

Terada posted some photo leaks of upcoming items you can obtain in Phantasy Star Portable 2. This includes an outfit from Reanbel (US: Leanne), a character in the upcoming game, End of Eternity (US: Resonance of Fate). Apparently due to copyright issues, the name was changed, yet for some reason every main character has a different name in Japanese and English .

Can’t Touch This… yet…

From the same game, another tie-in item known as  “Anchor King” was released with a free product code for the Playstation Store.  Originally this card was given out during Jump Festa 2010. Sadly this item isn’t available to everyone, you have to attend Little Wing Grand Prix to get it. They will only give it out until March 13th, 2010. They plan to release this item as DLC at an unknown future date.

Hatsune Miku is back, this time for her VN02 outfit which was noticeably missing in the Vision Phone passwords.

The release date for these items are unknown.

Notices

1/13/10 Due to a bug within the mission data that prevents some players from advancing, Toro and Kuro mission should be downloaded again. This mission is patched automatically when connecting to Internet Multimode.

1/13/10 Players were banned for breaking rules that forbid you from displaying violent, harassing, and slanderous behavior to other players. Bans were also sent out for behavior that is deemed sexual in nature or goes against public moral standards.

If this game were to be localized in English, I do wonder how Sega of America will enforce these rules. They are pretty loose on Phantasy Star Universe rules, you really had to go out of the way for to get banned for harassment.

[via notices]

Level Data

A chart showing Internet Multimode player levels as of January 2010.

Wings of Universe

Wings of Universe, Phantasy Star Portable 2’s official soundtrack was released the other day. The CD includes 40 songs. You can view the track list on Shougai PSO. I haven’t heard many new songs while playing this game. So far the new music doesn’t stand on it’s own like it does in PSZero. Like any Phantasy Star Universe game, they’ll play Mystery (Mistery) over and over and over.

Missing Panties Again? Almost!

Stop making her bow you perverts!

A while back, Kotaku posted an article linking to a Japanese blogger in which a certain female outfit makes it appear as if she no panties underneath. Terada recalls a little story about the “Santa Dress”. Immediately after the final data was complete and sent to testers, they reported back that there were polygons missing  for the panties. Of course they had to get that fixed pronto! Strangely enough, Terada reports the Santa Dress is one of the most popular DLC items. Gee I wonder why… (Pretty much all Japanese bloggers including Shougai PSO posted the Bow action so they can see up their character’s  skirt…)

Little Wing Grand Prix Update

Sakai posted some tidbits about the Little Wing Grand Prix. The Little Wing Grand Prix is an nationwide event in Japan where two players play through a customized challenge mission solely for the event. The details on what each class can use and the layout of the mission can be seen here.  This includes the medal which apparently is an actual medal, and not the room item equivalent.

It’s REAL!

After the event meeting was over, he shook hands with almost everyone and became teary eyed. Well it’s nice to see that he has an emotional connection to his game.

I found it funny to read about parents and their kids in a tag team. Yes, Japan takes gaming seriously. 

Locally we have our own PSU tournament, The Great Gurhalian Cup II, hosted by Edward. If PSP2 gets localized we’d like to see Sega Of America hold events like this across America, not just limited to the internet.

[via pspo2blog]

Fake Passwords

Making life suck for everyone, Fake Vision Phone Passwords are circulating. I guess you could see these as “Dream Collaborations” or pranks anonymous likes to spread around. For now, no official announcement has been made between Monster Hunter weapons, and various celebrity posters.

Rie’s Repca Repca?

Who is Rie Tanaka? And you call yourself Otaku! On her blog she writes how she discovered a person using the character name in whom she voice acted. She found out that you can wear “replica” outfits of the main characters from Phantasy Star Universe. Karen Repca (カレン・レプカ)  was recently released in the Wandering Interstellar Peddler 2 mission. With just 3 Photon Boosters and 12 Photon Crystals, you can get other replica outfits of various PSU characters. Why not try wearing Hyuga, Maya, Lou, Curtz, and Vivienne’s repca outfits!

Of course everyone asks where you can get Photon Boosters, and for now you can randomly obtain them by S ranking “Toro and Kuro’s” mission, or playing the “Fanta Quiz Battle” where you must answer questions related to Fanta in Japanese of course!

[via rie]

A little crossover between Valkyria Chronicles 2 and Phantasy Star Portable 2. These are actually FREE download items which you may only get through the Playstation Store. Only those who downloaded these items will see them in the game, otherwise you will see a generic replacement instead.

Lanseal Military Academy Uniform
(Male + Female Clothes and Parts)
Free of Charge!

Valkyria Shield and Valkyria Lance
(Shield + Saber)
Free of Charge!

Gallian
(Rifle)
Free of Charge!

Lancaar
(Grenade Launcher)
Free of Charge!

[via dlitem]

Valkyria Chronicles 2 will have two Phantasy Star Portable 2 DLC mission from Little Wing and the Guardians on January 21st, 2010. So in essence each game will exchange content for the other on the same day.

The Little Wing!

Notice Board

We’re currently looking to make a Frequently Asked Question section for players. This will just be a series of questions and answers to get you through certain parts of the game, hardware related issued, and process of purchasing. If you would like to submit a question that you think should be included in the FAQ please post a comment within the blog. 

How to Download Items from PlayStation Store

Before you actually see any download items in the game, you must first import them from the Title screen. After you purchase and downloaded the item from the PlayStation store, start up your game and select ‘Import”

Select the third option, “ダウンロードアイテムインポート” Download Item Import, to start the process.

Select the first option, “インポートアイテムの選択” Import Item Selection.

Select the items you want to import. The first page will list weapons, the second page will list clothing. When you select an item, its name will grey out.

After selecting the items you want to import, Select the second option “インポートの実行”  to start importing. It will pop up another screen which will say that the save data needs to be updated, select はい to start.