PSO2 JP: QA Corner

TGS Grande Finale! Sakai, Kimura, Sugenuma, Mashiyama did a question and answer session from the fans. Today's post will combine information gathered by 4Gamer and Famitsu that covers the 3rd and final day of TGS. 4Gamer also updated their page so some information has been added.

 

Hmm Kimura dyed his hair over night..

The QA Session gives you a glimpse of concepts and ideas the developers are thinking about.

One of the questions brought up the concern over whether you'll be able to charge technics through the touch screen. Since the Vita version is still in development, for now it doesn't support this feature. They'd like to try having it available for the official release.

The next question wondered whether the Vita version will support custom button configurations like the PC version. It may not be possible to do all the buttons, but for some of them they could let you try customizing them. They'll also think about having menu shortcuts via touchscreen.

 

Vita and PC players can play together in the same ship, but only certain blocks are designated for them. This chart above shows you the basic layout on how blocks will be set up.  Vita+PC blocks are green, and PC exclusive blocks are light yellow. The Vita version also supports teams, and just like before, you can see the team chat no matter what block you are on.

 

Unfortunately, you can have one account per memory card since the Playstation Network account is tied to the memory card. If you want to sign in under another account, you have to get another memory card. Certainly you can purchase multiple characters under the same account with Arks Cash.

You can download and play the game for FREE from the PlayStation Store. One question asked if you can play PSO2 offline, but this version of the game is also exclusively online.

They hope they can set up national gaming events like the Infinity Grand Prix for both PC and Vita players but it is currently undecided.

There was a question that asked if it was true that when you evolve your mag it transforms into a girl. Though it looks like the person who asked confused mags with PSU's partner Machines, they said if there were enough demand they could implement it.

Previous AC Scratch content will return but you may see some changes, this could be something like a slightly different color variation or upgrades.

When asked if there's going to be a Lillipa Suit, they said they'll do it.

For subclasses, you get all passive and active skills, but know that certain skills are dependent on the weapon category. For example, weak bullet will need Assault Rifles to use that skill. Some things won't apply, like if you were using a wand, you can't perform a step attack. They will even add more weapons that can be used by all classes just in time for the subclass update. According to 4gamer, in addition to that 20% stat boost you inherit from your subclass, your "stat up" passive skills are applied 100%.

They want to improve the game in various ways but particularly the quest counter and how you meet up with other parties. They haven't decided yet on how they want to do it, but they want to address things like how you can't enter the party because its full since other players brought NPCs or something. For example: An idea could be to change the quest counter rules for each block. (Comment: Like you won't be able to invite NPCs on a certain block.)

They have already started concepts on new weapon categories and classes.

 

 

PSO2 JP: Beyond the Ruins

ファルス・ヒューナル Falz Hunar

Well after that uh.. "subclass system" we now move onwards to THE NEXT STAGE of Phantasy Star Online 2. 

Last night, Sakai and Kimura had a talk show where they answered questions from Japanese media outlets. We were introduced to a new trailer featuring the new field with the Halloween lobby and costumes and even Gettemhart's outfit. But what's this?

 

ファルス・ヒューナル Falz Hunar

Is this a reference to Humar? If you checked the PSO2 roadmap, you may have noted that this other area is the last thing we should be getting before the end of the year. We'll probably learn more about it in the future. It appears the Naura Cake Sisters will wear Halloween outfits and sell Pumpkin Pie.

 

The Ruins Area

Famitsu and 4Gamer did yet another recap of information from both presentations. The article mentions a few tidbits about this ruins area in the mountains of Naberius. This area is described as the "Darker's Den" and has both insect and marine type Darkers.

They also introduced a new Darker called サイクロネーダ Cycloneda (Cyclonerda). Though it moves slowly, it uses a morning star for long range attacks.

ゼッシュレイダ Zeshreida

At the end they fought against the boss Zeshreida, who has high stats all around, described to be one of the "strongest class Darkers."

When Sakai was asked about how much space PS Vita version takes up, he said it was roughly half the size of the PC version. They are also currently investigating how 3G will pan out, we'll probably have more details about it later down the road.

Just to recap, the subclass system lets you play two class combinations.  You will have access to the subclass' photon arts, technics, and skills and it will apply 20% of its stats to your main class. However, you are restricted to using weapon types of your main class. The only way around this is to find weapons that can be used by all classes like the  "Mic Stand" rod Michaela gives out until September 26th. When asked about recommended class combinations, Kimura answered with "Fighter/Gunner" and Sakai recommended "Hunter/Fighter."

We also learned the name for the Smartphone version of the game is actually "Phantasy Star Online 2 Essential" but was shortened to "es" for the title.

 

It also appears the PlayStation Vita version will also have costumes from Phantasy Star Portable 2.

 

PSO2 JP: Ruins and Subclass System

The second presentation for Tokyo Game Show 2013 kicked off tonight showing off Phantasy Star Online 2 es, the smartphone version of PSO2. Afterwards we were finally treated to some footage of the new field and new boss. This is a recap of information gathered by 4Gamer and Shougai.

 

The next field coming to PSO2 is called "遺跡" or ruins for short, it features an area on Naberius overgrown by plants. The boss for this area is ゼッシュレイダ Zeshreida which looks like a Gamera. Darkers inhabiting this area are of the fish/stone variety. This field will come later down the line.

 

They next showed the trailer for "Call of Mortality" which will release in October. This is the update that features the subclass system.

The subclass system allows you to use two classes at the same time. You could be something like a Hunter/Force, Ranger/Hunter, Fighter/Gunner, etc. You can use the subclass' photon arts, technics, and skills but there's a catch. You can only use your main class' weapon categories.

So how can a Hunter apply weak bullet when only Assault Rifles can perform that skill? The loophole in the subclass system is dependent on weapons that can be equipped by all classes. For example, if you are a Hunter/Ranger, you can apply weak bullet by using the Bouquet Rifle, then you may switch to a hunter weapon type to attack that area.

 

Very Hard difficulty also unlocks in October, on this difficulty setting, you can encounter rare bosses like King Vardha or Rog Belt. Expect to see weapons higher than 10 stars, new PAs, and new Technics. There's also a new interrupt event called "The Storm's Present," also known as  "Emergency Code: Present" it features the dapper "Mr. Umbra" which is short for Mr. Umbrella.