Phantasy Star Nova Demo Guide And Changes From PSO2

Phantasy Star Nova is now available to download from the Japanese PlayStation Store! If you wish to obtain the demo, you'll need a Japanese PlayStation Network (SEN) account.

Phantasy Star Nova Demo Guide has moved to a new location!
Click Here to Access the New Guide!

 

 

 Phantasy Star Nova Battle Demo Guide

PSNova Battle Demo

Demo Information

  • This demo features a battle against the Gigantes 'Agrios'.
  • Character Creation, Story Progression, and Base functions are not available.
  • Since the game is currently in development, some aspects will be different in the final version.
  • The demo requires a Japanese PlayStation Network account to download.
  • The demo requires 1,180MB of space.
  • Players can provide feedback through a survey linked at the Live Area.
  • In this game, instead of Photons they use Gran as their power source.
  • Photon Arts are now called Gran Arts which consume GP instead of PP.

 

 

How to Download The Demo?

PSNova Download

In order to download the demo, you'll have to setup a Japanese PlayStation Network account and reset the Vita to factory settings.

The best option for this is to use two memory cards, one for each region. If the account is already setup, just sign in, and you'll see a banner for the game on the front page. If not, press the search button at the top right corner and type Phantasy Star Nova in English.

Otherwise, follow the tutorials below.

Before you reset the Vita to factory settings, please be sure to backup all your data. Within the restoration screen,  it's imperative that you press [Yes] to deactivate the Sony Entertainment Network associated with the device.

When the PlayStation Vita goes through its initial settings, press [English] for your language settings and select [Japan] as your PlayStation Network Store. If you don't have a Japanese account  yet, you can press that you do have a PlayStation Network account but want to set it up later.

 

Click [Creating a Japanese PSN Account] to continue.

It may be quite cumbersome to set up a Japanese PlayStation Network account on your Vita. To make things easier, we will create an account on the PC.

PSN JP Account

Open the Account Creation page in two tabs. In the first tab, change the Country/Region to Japan, and use the second tab to compare the information that must be entered in each field.

Tokyo

Most of the fields are exactly the same, except for two distinct areas. The date of birth must go in the [Year] [Month] [Day] order. In addition, you have to select a Japanese prefecture in the [State] field. One of Japan's most popular prefecture is the Tokyo Metropolis [東京都] area. You can select that area (as shown in the screenshot) to continue or choose a prefecture of your choice.

Pressing the black button on the bottom of the screen will create the account, and ask you to click a link in one of your emails to verify the address.

Click [Editing Account Details] to continue.

Account DetailsThis is the last major hurdle with the account creation process. First sign into the Sony Entertainment Network. In the top left area, click on Account Details [アカウント詳細] to see three major subsections.

Account Edit

The top section [Account] requires you to fill out your name. Unlike PSO2's registration form, you can type it out normally in English. Press the [編集] blue text underneath it to edit. This will ask for your [姓] Surname and [名] First Name. Press the blue square button to save, and you'll arrive at the previous page. Scroll down to the bottom, and click the blue link [編集] to edit the information. Japanese address

 

You could type gibberish information here or enter a somewhat plausible address. Alternatively, you can sign up at Tenso to acquire a legitimate Japanese address. The entries are as follows:

郵便番号: Postal Code

  • Enter a 7 digit postal code here. You may search for one, or enter 1000000 and click the blue button to the right; which fills in another field automatically.

都道府県: Prefecture

  • Should already be set for Tokyo Metropolis [東京都]

市区町村: Ward

  • Gets filled in automatically based on the postal code.

住所1: Address 1

  • Here you enter a district and three numbers with dashes.
  • Ex: 内神田#-#-#
  • Ex: 東神田#-#-#

Everything else can be left as is. Press the blue button at the bottom to save.

Click [Signing in to the Japanese PlayStation Store to continue the tutorial.

SEN Signin

With your account details in place, you can now sign into the Japanese PlayStation Store from the Vita. Click the right [サインウップ] button to signup. Be sure to choose that you already have a SEN account in the following screens. Press the blue button on the right and head through the next few screens.

 

Online ID

Here it will ask you to make up an Online ID. This cannot be changed after the signup process is complete.

 

Account Info

This section should be completely filled out for you if you followed the entire tutorial, so press OK and keep going through the next 2 screens.

 

Vita Privacy Settings

The last screen asks you to enter your privacy settings for friends lists and activities.

Friends List

  • Everyone
  • Friends of Friends
  • Friends Only
  • Private

Activities

  • Everyone
  • Friends of Friends
  • Friends Only
  • Private

After these are selected, you may press the OK button, and press the orange download button to acquire Phantasy Star Nova.

.

Menu & Options

Main Menu

Main Menu

  • Single Mode
  • Multi-Mode (ad-hoc)
  • Tutorial
  • Options

 

Start Menu

Start Menu

アイテム
Item
ストーリー
Story
プレーヤー
Player
帰還
Return
システム
System
アイテム
Item
あらすじの確認
Summary
ステータス
Status
帰還
Return
Settings
設定
装備
Equipment
  ゲストクルー
Guest Crew
 Dissolve Party
パーティー解散
セーブ
Save
        ゲームを終了
End Game

 

Options

Options

  • Control Settings
  • Basic Settings
  • Camera Settings
  • Sound Settings

 Options

Control Settings

Control Settings [Normal View] [TPS View]

  • Control Type: (Type 1 / Type 2 / Custom)
  • Attack 1
  • Attack 2
  • Jump
  • Access
  • Evasive Action
  • Switch Main Palette
  • Lock-On Toggle
  • Switch Sub-Palette [Next]
  • Switch Sub-Palette [Previous]
  • Weapon Palette [Up]
  • Weapon Palette [Down]
  • AutoRun
  • Main Menu

 

Basic Settings

Basic Settings

  • Radar Map Rotation Method: (Fixed / Rotate)
  • Main Palette Operation: (Hold / Click)
  • Lock-On Method: (Hold / Click)
  • Target Cursor Selection Direction: (Camera / Character)

 

Camera Selection

Camera Settings

  • Horizontal Camera Rotation (Normal / Inverse)
  • Vertical Camera Rotation (Normal / Inverse)
  • Horizontal Camera Rotation Speed
  • Vertical Camera Rotation Speed

Click the [Classes] tab to continue

Classes

PSNova Classes

Classes

  • ハンター Hunter
  • レンジャー Ranger
  • フォース Force
  • バスター Buster

A class that demonstrates its true worth in close range combat with high HP and defense.

Equippable Weapons

  • Sword
  • Partisan
  • Double Saber
  • Knuckle
  • Halo

A class which excels at mid-range combat primarily through Shooting weapons.

Equippable Weapons

  • Assault Rifles
  • Twin Machine Guns
  • Halos

.

A class intended for long distant combat who excel at using Technics.

Equippable Weapons

  • Rods
  • Talis
  • Wands
  • Halos

A new class intended for battling the Gigantes. It possesses equal ability in striking, range, and technic; and can equip all weapons, including Piles. (It appears Busters can only equip four weapons in the demo. We'll probably find out more information about what this means exactly in the future.)

Equippable Weapons

  • Swords
  • Rods
  • Piles
  • Halos

 

 

 Basic Combat Operations

PSNova Attack

The combat operations are set up similarly to PSO2. The Square Button button is used for normal attacks, while the triangle button is used for Gran Arts and Technics.

 

Back Palette

Hold down the R button to access the back palette. This allows certain weapons to Guard through use of the R+triangle button combination.

Other Notes

  • Evasive action are performed by using the Left Stick+Circle Button button.
  • Tap on your character to switch to TPS mode.
  • To use an item, tap on its icon in the sub-palette.
  • To use a technic, long-tap on its icon in the sub-palette.

 

PSNova Halos

Halos are a new weapon category to assist with combating the Gigantes. Press the triangle button button to create a "Ring Field" to reach a higher altitude. Stand underneath it and press the Circle Button button to teleport on top of the ring.

 

Gigantes Weakpoint

 From here you have a direct shot at the weakpoint indicated by the yellow lights.

 

Valedainus

Piles are a new weapon category accessible by the Buster class in the demo. They fire these stakes known as 'piles' that attach to the enemy's skin. Attacking the location the Piles land makes that area more susceptible to attacks. This will also increase the chain number and burst gauge at a faster rate.

Click  [Chaining and Gran Bursts] tab for more details.

Chaining and Gran Bursts

AbiaDino

The chain number increases each time you or other party members attack an enemy. This will also increase the damage multiplier indicated at the top of the screen.

 

PSNova Chaining

Attacking the area where the Piles land makes the chain number and burst gauge increase at a faster rate.

 

PSNova Gran Burst

Once the Burst Gauge becomes full, it triggers a Gran Burst. Gran Bursts can provide various effects like increasing the EXP or Drop Rate. Once the burst is over, you'll be treated to the most obnoxious voice-over ever.

 

 

 

Changes from PSO2

Nova Rare Enemy

The game pretty much plays exactly the same as PSO2 with some slight differences; like rare enemies getting prefixed names on Planet Machia.

 

Hunter Class

Hunters are given a new sword GA which spins them vertically into the air like Tornado Dance. From here they'll promptly slash down at a diagonal angle.

 

This GA could be best described as the Partisan's Over End. It wraps the weapon in a sword of light.

 

In this Double Saber GA, you jump forward into an upside-down spin attack. The distance it travels is based on the enemy's location, so it won't let you pass over them.

 

With this Knuckle GA, you basically punch into a ball of light that expands with each hit. Then on the final blow, you thrust forward and it explodes.

 

PSNova Blocking

PSNova doesn't have a dedicated "Weapon Action" button, so things like 'Guarding' have to be placed on the weapon palette.

 

Ranger Class

Rangers get access to Twin Machine Guns, which brings us a brand new GA. Basically, they launch themselves into the air, and shoot at the ground. After they land, they spin around and shoot from each side like the latter half of Messiah Time without the slow motion.

Since PSNova doesn't have a dedicated "Weapon Action" button, we were unable to perform a Stylish Roll. We can only speculate for now that it might be something you equip to the weapon palette.

 

Force Class

Technics work similarly to PSO2 with one interesting change. You can only perform charged Technics in the demo. This tends to be quite annoying as you'll still consume GP if you quickly tap the button.

When comparing the technics available in the demo, Gi Foie stands out as having better fireball animations than PSO2.

 

Buster Class

Pile Shooter fires piles that latch onto the enemy. It's primarily a situational GA used mainly for the Gigantes. From here you can optionally switch to another weapon type, and attack the piles directly.

 

Burn Smash is a Gran Art that swings the Pile sort of like a golf club.

 

2014-08-15-132304

With this Gran Art, you perform a forward somersault into the air, and shoot a Pile down at an enemy.

 

 

Halos

As the weapon name suggests, this Gran Art creates Halos around the character. The Halos are randomly fired at enemies dealing tons of damage.

 

PSNova Resonance Cannon

If you've been following the previews, you've most likely seen this Gran Art before. It's called Resonance Cannon, as it shoots a large Gran energy beam.

 Click the [Quick Impressions] tab to continue.

Quick Impressions

PSNova Sunlight

Phantasy Star Nova for all intents and purposes is just an alternate take on Phantasy Star Online 2. It feels like they took the original prototype and upgraded the game on a slightly different path. Aside from the new content, everything pretty much feels exactly the same, with some graphical tweaks and upgrades here and there.

It feels like this game is going to have a more strategic approach than PSO2, since you won't have everything at your disposal at the beginning. Don't forget, you have to build up your base with Gran after all.

 

PSNova Seil

The graphics are gorgeous, if not a bit bloom heavy. The character models seem just a step below the PC version. This new planet feels quite alien compared to PSO2 where the stages felt ripped straight from Earth.

 

Shooting in third person is just not at all

The controls are nothing to write home about. Due to the limited number of buttons on the Vita, some actions that were convenient to do on PC are now a little bit cumbersome. The first main gripe is the lack of a "weapon action" button, where now you have to push two buttons instead. Step dashing also requires two buttons, but luckily you can change that in options.

Casting technics from the sub-palette is definitely going to feel awkward for PC players. Long-tapping on the screen to cast them takes your hands off the controls for too long, disrupting the flow of gameplay. Perhaps a better solution could be using both the arrow keys and rear touch panel in a fashion similarly to the way it's done with gamepads in the PC version.

 

Gigantes Weakpoint

The addition of Halos brought a nice change of pace from the battles of PSO2. Now you have to plan where to place these floating platforms to get a better shot at the weakpoint. Interestingly, these platforms can also break when the Gigantes charges ahead.

As for the music, well…I was never a fan of Motoi Sakuraba, so because of that, none of the songs so far are convincing me to purchase the soundtrack. It would have been interesting to hear Tri-Ace utilize the Sympathy music system, but sadly none of the songs appear to be dynamic at all. Instead, music would play only when enemies appeared, then go silent afterwards. I guess in a way, this makes the game feel more atmospheric, so it's not entirely a bad thing. I'm just hoping they get Go Shiina to make a few songs.

 

Emergency Code Attack

One final note, they changed the voiceover for the Emergency Code. The new voice sounds extremely excited, and it gets ridiculous after finishing a Gran Burst.

 

 

PSO2 JP: August 27th's Pre-Patch

We're in the home stretch towards the release of the Mission: Episode 3 update. Since the file size for this update is quite large, SEGA will be splitting up and distributing the patch across several days.

August 27th Patch Schedule

Patch Release Date Size
#1 8/15 @ 15:00 JST 886MB
#2 8/18 @ 15:00 JST 743MB
#3 8/22 @ 15:00 JST 711MB
#4 8/25 @ 15:00 JST 729MB

There will also be a patch distributed during August 27th's maintenance. The prepatch files will be stored in the following folder:

[installation folder] / [pso2_bin] / [_precede]

You may delete the _precede folder after confirming you're able to login after August 27th's maintenance.

 

 

Phantasy Star Festa 2014

Interlocking Web Event

It's time for the Phantasy Star Festa 2014 ~Online~ event! Players are tasked with clearing the targeted quest over and over to earn points that will be used to unlock rewards at a later date. Each player will contribute the following points when clearing the targeted quest.

Targeted QuestBorder-Piercing Blade

  • 1 Point = Normal
  • 2 Points = Hard
  • 3 Points = Very Hard
  • 4 Points = Super Hard

Every week we'll get a new mission that lists the rewards we can receive if we achieve certain scores. Points are accumulated through the power of all ARKS members, let’s aim towards clearing all missions!

 

Mission 9: Chrotov M238 / Edel Io /
Grind & Affixing Boosts

[View Current Score]

Mission 9: Chrotov M238 / Edel Io / Grind & Affixing Boosts

  • Target Quest: Border-Piercing Blade
  • Target Score: 30,000,000
  • Scoring Period: August 13th ~ August 27th
  • Prizes: Chrotov M238 / Edel Io / +10% Grind & Special Ability Affixing Success Rate Boost

Mission 8: Double FUN / Login Bonus / Recycle Shop Discount

  •  Target Quest: Border-Piercing Blade
  • Target Score: 25,000,000
  • Scoring Period: August 6th ~ August 13th
  • Prizes: Double FUN points / Login Bonus +1 / 20% Recycle Shop Exchange Rate Discount

 

 

Mission 7: Rare Drop Boost / Rare Enemy Boost

  •  Target Quest: Border-Piercing Blade
  • Target Score: 23,000,000
  • Scoring Period: July 30th ~ August 6th
  • Prizes: +150% Rare Drop Boost / +150% Rare Enemy Chance Boost

 

 

Mission 6: Rappy Photon Chair / Voice Drama

  •  Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 19,000,000
  • Scoring Period: July 23rd ~ July 30th
  • Prizes: Rappy Photon Chair / 「VD『一位の価値は』 (Voice Drama Music Disc)

 

 

Mission 5: Meseta / EXP Boost Period  FAILED

  • Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 17,000,000
  • Scoring Period: July 16th ~ July 23rd
  • Prizes: +150% EXP and +150% Meseta Boost Period.

 

 

Mission 4: Hunewearler / Fonewearler

  • Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 12,000,000
  • Scoring Period: July 9th ~ July 16th
  • Prizes: Hunewearler / Fonewearler

 

 

Mission 3: Rare Drop Boost / Rare Enemy Boost

  • Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 8,000,000
  • Scoring Period: July 2nd ~ July 9th
  • Prizes: +150% Rare Drop Boost / +150% Rare Enemy Chance Boost

 

 

Mission 2: Meseta/EXP Boost Period

  • Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 6,000,000
  • Scoring Period: June 18th ~ July 2nd
  • Prizes: +150% EXP and +150% Meseta Boost Period.

 

 

Mission 1: Red Puyo

  • Target Quest: Chaotic Silence
  • Target Score: 3,500,000
  • Scoring Period: June 11th ~ June 18th
  • Prizes: 1000 FUN Ticket (x1) and Evo. Device / Red Puyo (x1)

2nd Anniversary Bingo II

2nd Anniversary Bingo II
1+75% EXP Booster
2500 FUN Ticket
3+50% Rare Drop Booster x2
4Tamaya no Uchiwa (Twin Dagger camo)
5+50% Tribooster
6+10% Grind Success
Complete+100% Tribooster
2nd Anniversary Bingo II (Reverse)
1+10% Ability Affixer Success x3
2Half Doll
3+250% Rare Drop Booster
4Cabracan Mask
5Extreme Pass x4
6+100% Tribooster x2
Complete+30% Ability Affixer Success

2nd Anniversary Bingo II
A
A-1 Defeat a Blutorbon  Lv.1+
A-2 Clear Xie's client order
お宝探して三千里・その壱
The Endless Search I
A-3 Defeat a Sil Sadinian Lv.1+
A-4 Clear Xie's client order
お宝が呼んでいる
Reaping the Rewards
A-5 Defeat a Jagd Vargr  Lv.1+
B
B-1 Defeat a Caterdra'nsa Lv.1+
B-2 Defeat a Pendran Lv.1+
B-3 Defeat a Dirandal  Lv.1+
B-4 Talk to Faina Daily Order Admin
B-5 Defeat a Vardha Soma  Lv.1+
C
C-1 Defeat a Goronzoran  Lv.1+
C-2 Destroy a green container  
C-4 Destroy a blue container  
C-5 Defeat an Org Blan Lv.1+
D
D-1 Feed an item to your Mag  
D-2 Talk to Lachesis Title Counter Attendant
D-3 Defeat a Gulfur Lv.1+
D-4 Defeat a Signo Gun Lv.1+
D-5 Defeat a De Malmoth Lv.1+
E
E-1 Defeat a Deegalla Lv.1+
E-2 Clear Xie's client order
お宝探して三千里・その参
The Endless Search III
E-3 Defeat a Fangulfur Lv.1+
E-4 Clear Xie's client order
お宝探して三千里・その弐
The Endless Search II
E-5 Defeat a Yede Lv.1+

2nd Anniversary Bingo II (Reverse)
A
A-1 Clear Io's client order
パーティー演習・Ⅰ
Party Practice I
A-2 Clear Koffie's client order
新規任務模擬訓練・砂漠
New Mission Simulation:
Desert
A-3 Defeat a Blundarl Lv.21+
A-4 Defeat a Zeshrayda Lv.41+
A-5 Talk to Pudding Extreme Quest Admin
B
B-1 Clear any Extreme Quest Any Stage
B-2 Clear Xie's client order
サマーリゾート計画!
Operation: Summer
Resort!
B-3 Defeat a Talobecko Lv.21+
B-4 Clear Xie's client order
ビーチの必需品!
Beach Essentials!
B-5 Defeat a Blu Ringahda Lv.61+
C
C-1 Defeat a Dagacha Lv.21+
C-2 Clear Kressida's client order
熾烈な浮遊大陸探索
Fierce F. Cont
Exploration
C-4 Clear Kressida's client order
熾烈な龍祭壇探索
Fierce Sanctum
Exploration
C-5 Defeat a Dahgash Lv.21+
D
D-1 Defeat Falz Hunar Lv.61+
D-2 Clear Xie's client order
まずは海岸の安全確保!
Phase One: Seaside
Safety!
D-3 Defeat a Seglez'n Lv.21+
D-4 Clear Xie's client order
バル・ロドスを追っ払え!
Get Out, Bal Rodos!
D-5 Defeat a Knight Gear Lv.61+
E
E-1 Clear the Emergency Quest
ビーチウォーズ2!
Beach Wars 2!
E-2 Defeat a Biol Meduna Lv.41+
E-3 Defeat a Krabahda Lv.21+
E-4 Defeat an Org Blan Lv.41+
E-5 Destroy a red container  

 

2nd Anniversary
Client Orders & FUN Shop

 

珍素材で工作 / Working With Rare Materials

  • Objective: Deliver 「ナイトギアの破損した剣」 x3
  • Objective: Deliver 「ナイトギアの破損した盾」 x3
  • Objective: Deliver 「ナイトギアの破損した部品」 x10
  • Note: Drops from Knight Gear if shield and sword are broken.
  • Reward: Evo. Device / Knight Gear

お宝探して三千里・その壱 / The Endless Search I

  • Objective: Deliver 「乳白色の玉石」 x20
  • Note: Drops from Natives.

お宝探して三千里・その弐 / The Endless Search II

  • Objective: Deliver 「蒼色の玉石」 x20
  • Note: Drops from Dragonkin.

お宝探して三千里・その参 / The Endless Search III

  • Objective: Deliver 「琥珀色の玉石」 x20
  • Note: Drops from Mechs.

お宝が呼んでいる / Reaping the Rewards

  • Objective: Deliver 「紅闇の玉石」 x30
  • Note: Drops from Darkers.

サマーリゾート計画! / Operation: Summer Resort!

  • Objective: Defeat [Oceanids] x30

まずは海岸の安全確保! / Phase One: Seaside Safety!

  • Objective: Defeat [Darkers] x30

バル・ロドスを追っ払え! / Get Out, Bal Rodos!

  • Objective: Defeat [Bal Rodos] x1

ビーチの必需品! / Beach Essentials!

  • Objective: Deliver [ラッピーのゴムボート] x5
  • Note: Drops from Summer Rappies.
  • Reward: Camalots Mask

みんなのリゾートを守って! / Defend Our Resort!

  • Objective: Defeat [Biol Meduna] x1
  • Objective: Defeat [Blu Ringahda] x1
  • Reward: Lilli Shark

 

  • レッドテンガロンハット Red Ten Gallon Hat
  • トゲトゲのリストバンド Spiked Wristband
  • ドクロネックレス Skull Necklace
  • うさ耳リボンA Bunny Ear Ribbon A
  • チャオのおめん Chao Mask
  • 天使の羽 Angel Wings
  • 天使の輪 Angel Halo
  • シャト帽子 Sato Cap
  • オニオンヘアー Onion Hair
  • ツートーンショートボブ Two Tone Shortbob
  • ゆるふわシニヨン Light & Fluffy Chignon
  • 男性[EX]ボイスA01 Male [EX] Voice A01
  • 男性[EX]ボイスA02 Male [EX] Voice A02
  • 男性C[EX]ボイスA01 Cast Male [EX] Voice A01
  • 男性C[EX]ボイスA02 Cast Male [EX] Voice A02
  • 女性[EX]ボイスA01 Female [EX] Voice A01
  • 女性[EX]ボイスA02 Female [EX] Voice A02
  • 女性[EX]ボイスA03 Female [EX] Voice A03
  • 女性[EX]ボイスA04 Female [EX] Voice A04
  • 女性[EX]ボイスA05 Female [EX] Voice A05
  • 女性C[EX]ボイスA01 Cast Female [EX] Voice A01
  • 女性C[EX]ボイスA02 Cast Female [EX] Voice A02
  • 女性C[EX]ボイスA03 Cast Female [EX] Voice A03
  • 女性C[EX]ボイスA04 Cast Female [EX] Voice A04
  • 女性C[EX]ボイスA05 Cast Female [EX] Voice A05
  • 頬染め Blush
  • 追加ロビーアクション13 Lobby Action 13 -Cry-
  • 追加ロビーアクション14 Lobby Action 14 -Ball-
  • 追加ロビーアクション36 Lobby Action 36 -pose6-
  • 追加ロビーアクション47 Lobby Action 47 -Cam-
  • 追加ロビーアクション67 Lobby Action 67 -Kick-
  • ほくろセット Facial Mole Set

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