[Katsuya]

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SEGA ANNOUNCES PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE; THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN THE CLASSIC RPG SERIES

Ambitious New Action Role-Playing Game
Designed to Satisfy Both Offline and Online Players

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd announced Phantasy Star Universe, the next installment in the popular Phantasy Star series, developed for both the PlayStation 2 and the PC. Phantasy Star Universe offers two complete RPG experiences - a single-player action adventure spanning multiple planets, and a robust online multi-player component.

Developed by SEGA Studios under the guidance of Yuji Naka, the creator of Sonic The Hedgehog and Phantasy Star Online, Phantasy Star Universe offers long-time fans the epic experience they have been clamoring for. The solo adventure features more than 40 hours of gameplay, an emotionally engaging story, traditional cut scenes, and strong character development. The title's hero is Ethan Waber, a 17-year old cadet intent on saving his sister, who is living on a planet under siege by mysterious life forces called THE SEED.

In Online Mode, players are given the opportunity to create their own characters from a range of races, and they get to explore all three planets in the Grarl solar system. Fans can travel with a squad of other adventurers, enter urban sprawls teeming with hundreds of other players, and build their avatars into powerful warriors.

"Phantasy Star has a rich history, both as a single-player RPG franchise and as an online multi-player series," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Entertainment Marketing, SEGA of America. "By fully supporting both gameplay modes in one package, we will be able to provide gamers with a fantasy role-playing experience of unprecedented depth."

The first Phantasy Star game to appear on a PlayStation platform, Phantasy Star Universe will offer a rich, constantly evolving world that will provide years of entertainment to fans of the series and RPG enthusiasts. The game is slated to ship in Spring 2006.

Key Product Features:

* The first major offline Phantasy Star game in more than a decade.The robust, full-featured single-player campaign offers more than 40 hours of gameplay.

* Three enormous planets to explore. A gigantic overworld and more than twenty giant dungeons are featured.

* All-new enemies to fight. In addition to a brand-new roster of standard opponents, there are more than 15 major bosses to challenge.

* Player-controlled vehicles. Players no longer need to travel everywhere by foot, adding a new dimension to exploration.

* The best online Phantasy Star experience to date. The game features a game world that will evolve with new content over the course of several years.


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[Valcrist]

This is sweet news, I cant wait .

 

[Razor Blade]

Wow, gone are the bad graphics Looking good and sounds even better!

 

[INCA]

But will the single player part be fun? I figure they will work harder on the multiplayer instead of the single player mode.

 

[Zer0Soul]

I don't know.. the scenario writer from the 1-4 games is back, as well as the scenario writer from the PSO line. It's going to be interesting seeing them combine their work.

Many people still see this as PSO Part 2. I see it as a completely new transition to the series. It will be nice to see a new generation get involved in the PS saga.

 

[ChankastRules]

I would rather see a completely single player one, multi-player and single player is seldom a good combination for games like these.

 

[Exophase]

Graphics look extremely good.. I'd also rather see a dedicated single player game but this is better than nothing.

Unfortunately it's not hard to see that this game is getting short changed... 40 hours marketed translates to maybe 20 hours and 15 bosses is really low for most RPGs (but hey, Phantasy Star 2 only had 3 bosses and the game was fine by me). Maybe "major" bosses means something. I don't know, I want more details on what the single player game is like. I want a good plot, and not a loose collection of little quests.

- Exo

 

[Zera H]

It looks GREAT! I can not wait at all. If the other ones were good think about Universe.
The Stampede

 

[DarkAurora]

This game is going to be great. Here are some of the new features not mentioned in that article that I read in a game magazine:

- The combo system has been upgraded from 3 hits to 6 hits
- You can duel wield certain weapons
- There are no classes, you get to customize your character as they level to your liking.
- There are more options when creating your character such as changing the shape of nose and lips and umm firmness to two certain female body parts.