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Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II Comments by Tom Bramwell

2 April, 2003

Review - Tom goes online with the Cube. Phinally.

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Comments: 1-50 of 126 in total | next 50 »

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Blerk
02/04/03 @ 09:58
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it's going to be a lot more cost-effective on Xbox anyway

Why?
Mugwum [staff]
02/04/03 @ 10:25
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Because buying an Xbox Live package means you can play other games too (and you even get some thrown in, albeit demos), but in the Cube's case you're buying an adapter for one game. There are no other online games and we haven't the foggiest when the next one will turn up... Plus you won't need another memory card, or any other bits and bobs, and I bet there's no flipping pop-up or slowdown!
Blerk
02/04/03 @ 10:32
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Ah!
Nemesis
02/04/03 @ 10:39
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Oi. All you lot with OCD. Go play Diablo2 instead. Go on. It'll be cheaper. That's a hefty investment for a single game IMO.
RedboX
02/04/03 @ 10:46
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Mugwum wrote:
and I bet there's no flipping pop-up or slowdown!


You be surprised, unless Sega have updated it since the Japanesse version.
Edited 1 times, most recently on 02/04/03 @ 11:47
Cyhwuhx
02/04/03 @ 11:58
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"how about a "quit all menus" button, Sega? And don't bind "Cancel menu" to "Use health potion even if you don't need to""

Z-button people! I know it's small, I know it's clumsy but please try the buttons before moaning... ;) (what's next, you claiming you constantly use 'start' to enter the menu? :P)
Besides you CAN bind your Monomates to the X-button and keep A and B for attacks. (Even smarter put items under you R-set).

Note for the doubters; get your hands on Shining Soul (GBA) which if you like it, is the exact equivalent of Phantasy Star Offline. If you don't like Shining Soul steer clear of PSO. If you do like it, I'll be seeing you on EU/Arcturus3-1.
Mugwum [staff]
02/04/03 @ 12:12
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The bloody Z button! Ta, that'll keep me happy.
Cyhwuhx
02/04/03 @ 12:17
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.::: Heheh, btw I totally agree on the score. If it wasn't for the addictive quality of the game, it would be terribly boring and very basic.

As it is, it's fun to be constantly leveling together with some friends. But that's it...
Machiavel
02/04/03 @ 12:45
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PSO definitely has packaged a rather fine magic inside its unwieldy and sometimes irritating gameplay. For me one of my gaming highlights was playing early on in the Dreamcast days and first reaching the final boss (of Chapter 1). Must admit I'd be tempted to revisit if the Xbox version doesn't look like a lacklustre, dodgy port (as some forumites have worryingly hinted)
Slim
02/04/03 @ 12:48
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As you say, it's almost a shame it's out first on the cube and not the xbox. I love me cube, but there's no way I'm buying a broadband adapter just for one game.
otto [mod]
02/04/03 @ 15:45
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Are you on crack? Low scores?? They've had two 10 out of 10s and four 9 out of 10s in the last few days ffs!!!
JabbaDaHut
02/04/03 @ 17:05
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Heh - Makes Steel Battalion look almost good value for money....And I totally agree with the score Btw...
Dizzy
02/04/03 @ 18:03
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Online games should be played on real online consoles. Not on the Cube. Nuff said...
AOFanboi
02/04/03 @ 18:27
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What's a "real online console"? A console that came equipped with the hardware but no service? And which maker insists on being a monopolistic ASP as well, leading to certain game companies abandoning online play in their games for that platform?
Cyhwuhx
02/04/03 @ 18:47
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.::: Oh grow up you all, just because you like a game doesn't mean it's worth a high score. Besides it's a 6/10, that's above average which makes it a good game right? (If not than I hope you're all getting better grades at any form of college)

Besides, Shining Soul was receiving scores of 5 and 6 and I heard nobody complain about them. Just compare Shining Soul with Phantasy Star Online. It even has the four player option AND the limited ability to do some kind of summon next to being nearly identical.

PSO is a limited game which isn't pushing any boundaries. That DOES NOT mean it's no fun. Quit getting off on scores. Sheesh. :P
mustardkid
02/04/03 @ 23:35
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pffft if you ask me it's repetitive and pointless and mags are just freudian willy extensions. so don't you wave yr stag cutlery at me ... i'm not impressed
beep
03/04/03 @ 00:12
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I'll stick with the eerily ghost town-esque Dreamcast versions then.
Pirotic
03/04/03 @ 00:16
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Im going to have to comment, as i did get a keyboard and a modem JUST so i can play PSOv2, and i dont regret it for a second.

Your argument that it hasn't changed much since the dreamcast release is valid, the graphics are pretty poor in terms of polygons and textures, and the pop-up does suck..

..however, the item popup is there on purpose, it speeds up the internet games a bit, you see it only updates the 'room' your in, and the items which are within your sight meaning even on the dreamcasts 33.6 modem you can play it without any lag. which is also why badguys always 'fade out' and 'fade in/pop out' and why they always stand still when inactive rather than 'roam' by default.

they could of taken it out, but then the broadband people would have a big advantage (being able to see dropped items from a mile off)

but despite this i think PSO is still one of the most beautiful games, it might be carved out of a limited number of polygons but everything is so stylized and 'cool', just look at the weapons, you pick one up, equip it and think to yourself "wahey - this is wicked" only to constantly notice that "that high level geezer" has an even better looking weapon!

(why did that sound dirty?)

its a very magical game and when ripped apart, yes, it isnt perfect, but its far greater than the sum of its parts and for many this will be there only chance to see ragnol before it vanishs forever.
Skeeve
03/04/03 @ 18:07
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"Because buying an Xbox Live package means you can play other games too"

The hunter's licence is supposedly extra on top of xbox live isn't it?

"but in the Cube's case you're buying an adapter for one game. There are no other online games and we haven't the foggiest when the next one will turn up..."

Buying console hardware for initially a single game is hardly a new thing now is it. ;-)

"Plus you won't need another memory card, or any other bits and bobs,"

I bet plenty of gc owners didn't need another memory card either, its a shame sega or nintendo haven't done a gc to usb adaptor for keyboards like ms have supposedly done for the xbox especially since that also has the voice chat stuff as well.

FeZZ
05/04/03 @ 01:19
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Reading the review i thought this would have got a 3/10 or something.
And using xbox screenshots for a GC game, WTF ?
Azule
07/04/03 @ 10:43
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PSO virgins will find the package unwieldy and confusing to start with, and the online element a bit inaccessible. It's worth persevering with if you've got a regular group to play with online, but otherwise it just plain is not.

As a former virgin, erm, I mean newbie ;), I found the game took some getting used to, but that's only fair for a game that you'll most likely play every week, or more accurately, every day. If it was simple to pick up you would probably be seeing the faults of that simplicity rather quickly and be tearing your hair out wishing for something that makes more sense in the long run.
Finding fun people to play with, more likely people who have picked up a keyboard, is no problem and obviously adds to the fun of the game.
The cost was a factor, and still is, but for the kind of useage that this game is getting I don't regret it.

Pirotic, thanks for the explanation on the pop up, et al. :)
CyberClaw
03/07/03 @ 12:16
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Play the game the right way and find the damn weapons you shitty cheater. No one likes cheaters here. They disrupt our Online fun.
CyberClaw
03/07/03 @ 12:19
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This guy is so fucking smart. He posts in a couple of forums he found through google that he'll return the game if we don't give him gameshark codes (like if we wanted more one cheater among us, or like if he returned the game we'd loose a celebrity on our online enjoyment). Not only that, but he posted in those forums asking for cheats, and the said cheats to be sent to his email... Probably because he won't check back on the 30 forums he posted the same crap. The only problem is, he forgot to leave his email ^^;
Smart guy. He "finished" PSO and everything... LOL
FWB
03/07/03 @ 12:20
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PSO CODES PLEASE!, can I shove my foot so far up your ass that it comes out of your mouth?
Blerk
04/07/03 @ 08:14
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Why'd you buy it if you can't go online? Didn't you notice the huge 'online' on the front of the box? The single player game is next to useless....
FWB
04/07/03 @ 09:00
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FUCK YOU all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that a promise? Can I have it in writing?
CyberClaw
04/07/03 @ 10:33
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"I'll get you for this you twiddly brats" (while twisting and waving his fist)

As far as my conscience goes, you, a kid by the age of 5, could very well be lying (I don't have online, buh-uh), so I'd never give ou anything. Not only that, but when called a cheater (which you are, with online or not) you promise to, and I quote "fuck you all". Unless you are a 20 year old, blond busty and sexy female, I think I'll pass the chance of having sex with you though. Sorry.
mal
24/07/03 @ 20:16
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But if they gave it 8 out of 10 it would have to be as good as Halo!
nightmarex2
04/08/03 @ 02:24
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does ne1 know how to equip multiple wepons any help apriciated
Blerk
06/08/03 @ 14:33
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I'm really glad I didn't pay to play PSO, given the amount of cheating scumbags who turn up just on here. Imagine how many of them are out there now, spoiling everyone's games instead of posting for cheats on web sites...
krieg
07/08/03 @ 19:09
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this game is ugly, u pick a gun up, hit the shoot button and u win, whoopedy doo
Scimarad
08/08/03 @ 07:35
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When did this place turn into the GameFAQs forum???
krieg
08/08/03 @ 19:52
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i didnt buy it, i have better things to spend my dough on, my friend bought it... poor sap
krieg
08/08/03 @ 19:53
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the fact that u suck so badly u need codes makes it even worse, go outside, play basketball, something
krieg
08/08/03 @ 20:04
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but if you want a good rpg final fantasy VII (that would be a 7, zero data) is as good as it can get, if u arent stuck up enough to only focus on graphics the story and gameplay could beat out phantasy star's excuse for existance
mal
08/08/03 @ 22:07
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I'm just fucking glad I stopped playing this after the first Dreamcast version. I see the cube version has just the same fuckwits duping and hacking the game as ever. Shame. Brave new world? No, same old morons.
krieg
08/08/03 @ 22:33
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"DUM A$$" Now don't you sound intelligent.
Sleepy Magpie
09/08/03 @ 01:21
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"zero data"

-That just about sums it up nicely. Funny how these things work out.
Pirotic
10/08/03 @ 23:40
#39
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cheating's fine, but this is an online title - get a life and play fair.
krieg
11/08/03 @ 02:28
#40
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this game sucks, play a different one, if u want an rpg final fantasy 7
krieg
17/08/03 @ 17:13
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all you code kiddies are such losers, dont hack or cheat, get a life, if u have to play a game as gay as this at least make it better for others by not being a cheater, what losers, dont waste space here either, if u wanna ask for cheats like the homos u are, just go to gamefaqs
mal
19/08/03 @ 18:53
#42
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Hey, I know just how you feel. Every time I find myself really enjoying a game, I can't stop thinking how great it would be to find a cheat for it that takes out all of the fun of competing. Think how much better it is if you can fuck up the experience for everyone else while you're at it!
krieg
20/08/03 @ 05:28
#43
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seriously people dont cheat, if u suck then go cry, play it and get better, cheating ruins the game for everyone else, by cheating u guys are being selfish, if u want to get an idea of how much people love hackers get counter strike and an aim bot and see how loved u cheating losers are
Lutz [mod]
20/08/03 @ 08:11
#44
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Sega need to pull there fingers out their arse and release a proper Phantasy Star game, which next in the series would be Phantasy Star 5. This is needed. Now.

/sulks
mal
20/08/03 @ 17:33
#45
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You should be able to save at any point, but it will only save your stats. You have to complete each dungeon in one run through - though once you've levelled up enough, that should be a piece of cake.
hellmut55
15/09/03 @ 18:59
#46
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Leider ist durch die tagelange Levelprügelei das Spiel doch recht langweilig geworden.
Jetzt suche ich actionrplay codes für Meseta und Levelgain (PAL-Version)
chrgoku
22/10/03 @ 02:22
#47
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I really want some AR codes If anyone has real codes please send them to chrgoku@hotmail.com
mal
12/11/03 @ 19:56
#48
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Oi! Stop breaking my game. You can afford to pay me my 40 quid refund for breaking my game, can you?
psofreak
06/12/03 @ 01:41
#49
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please send me some action replay codes
btheis@bresnan.net
psofreak
06/12/03 @ 02:28
#50
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the code doesnt fuckin work

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