Phantasy Star Online

[acidbearboy]

There are probably less hoops to jump through on schthack than if the Sega servers were still up! Last time I set it up it was simply a case of registering, downloading the installer and running the updater. Then play!

I don't have a guild or any friends on there, so I always play with randoms or alone. Apart from some of the quest rewards being removed, I can't think of anything negative about it. Well, maybe the website - it's sometimes hard to find the info you want. But if you just want to get online and have fun, I highly recommend it.

[acidbearboy]

I find it hard to play PSO now. Mechanics ate horribly dated and quests are pretty uninteresting solo. Didn't have much love for PSO2 either.

I think the clunkiness and lack of camera control would put a lot of new players off, but as an old hand it's just not something that occurs to me anymore. The ability to turn 180 degrees and blast/slice an enemy with a 3 hit combo using only the map is ingrained on my brain. I also love the way you can leave slightly different length pauses between the combo hits to avoid enemy attacks or gain a little extra reach.

Quests vary massively in quality. The single player stuff can get pretty boring on your own. I was never particularly into that side of the game beyond the basics of the story and the (brilliant) atmosphere of each individual area. Some of the special event quests are proper dull and not worth the effort unless you really want a particular item from them. It is nice to have a change of pace sometimes though, when you're tired of killing stuff. My favourite quests are those that throw loads of enemies at you, such as Maximum Attack, Endless Nightmare or Mop-Up Operations.

Back in the day when I was playing online regularly with the same people, there was always the desire to grind for levels or new equipment, partly for the excitement of finding and equipping new gear, but also so as not to get left behind everybody else. But now I find it best to forget about the grind, keep it on a low difficulty (where a 3 hit combo kills most enemies) and blast through your favourite area. Just before xmas I was popping online for 10-15 minutes before work at 6am, loading up Max Attack 2 and killing as much as possible. In many ways, PSO is like a classic Sega arcade game that can be enjoyed it short, regular bursts.

[muddy]

So are we up for a trip to Ragol?

[MisterBubbles]

If you are playing BB im in.

[acidbearboy]

I'd be up for a game, but it would be hard to say when I'm available. Between 3-5 in the afternoon if the baby sleeps. Between 7-10 in the evening if the missus doesn't mind!

[MarioMark]

This game is one of my greatest gaming memories, up there with when I first got my Mega Drive, PS1 and the first time I played Mario 64. I loved this game and spent many happy hours on it. I'd love a re-release on Xbox Live Arcade.

PSO 2 needs to come to next gen!

[speedlolita]

It is, on Vita.

[muddy]

It is, on Vita.

Have seriously considered it, but is the language a barrier? I'm no stranger to JAP games, but haven't played any of the PSO series online in Japanese.

[speedlolita]

I'm not too sure. I didn't have any issues tbh on PC, never tried it on Vita.

[S3M]

Have seriously considered it, but is the language a barrier? I'm no stranger to JAP games, but haven't played any of the PSO series online in Japanese.

Be warned western IP's have been blocked from PSO 2, not sure if the block is still on but if it is you'll need to fake your IP to get around it.

[MisterBubbles]

Ive got it on my other 8Gb card on vita, it's pretty easy to understand and pretty straight forward with quests and such, not played it for a good 2-3 months, as the usual playing with randoms bores me to tears. When the retro love in happening? PM me muddy or ABB for getting the sessions going.

[muddy]

Ready!