As a huge fan of Phantasy Star Online (I must have racked up a phone bill worthy of a mortgage on the Dreamcast version) I literally can’t wait for PSO 2. Sadly though, unless you’ve got a monster PC, it’s going to be a little while before the PS Vita version rolls around.
2013, to be exact.
However, an overnight Beta preview event in Japan spilled some more juicy details on the upcoming game, which will also be coming to smartphones (Android and iOS) as a kind of social tool – it’s not the full game, but a way to keep in contact with it on the move – checking your shop and your mail, for example, which could be useful.
The big news though is that the game will be free to play, with (obviously) certain aspects being paid for such as some items. SEGA are saying the Vita version is for those that don’t have a modern PC, but will still look fine despite being toned down a bit. Updates will be downloaded to the Vita.
The Alpha testing is over on the game, and it’s now moving to Beta, which kicks off in April. It’s still a private, closed affair but you can up your chances here.
Video credit: PSO-World, info: GAF.
aerobes
Very interested in the Vita version and I might have one by the time it comes out.
KeRaSh
Vita version it is for me until they announce a PS3 version…. I’d buy both since your character data is hopefully stored on the server. I also git quite the phone bill back in the PSO DC times! :D
KeRaSh
Wait, by free to play I thought they ditched the monthly fee (Hunters License). Is the game itself free to download? Does that also apply for the Vita version? So there won’t be a boxed release? I’ll gladly buy a 16 GB (or more) memory card for the game if I have to so I have enough room for future updates.
Germanos
I think what they meant was that there will be no extra for playing, but you will still have to buy the game :)
KeRaSh
That would be great. I hope they don’t nerf the rare drops and make all the cool stuff only available through microfransactions.
Germanos
I imagine the game looks cool, cuz the video quality is rubbish :P
ron_mcphatty
Phone bill, wow, I’d forgotten the days or dial-up Internet! I remember downloading a game demo when my folks had Compuserve, I think the time it took and demo megabytage cost them about twenty quid. Eek!
Crocadillian
O_O. That is really awesome, I will definitely be buying this now!
Sympozium
Free to play is surprising for this.. Hopefully it won’t be long for the western release.
robinzflores
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bigmac175
Never played a Phantasy Star game, but im looking forward to this, i’ll probably play loads of this on the vita! :D