Wow it's been a while. Just got PSU.

[CGoodness]

Sorry for the obvious questions, but I've been out of the loop for a while. (Tonight is my first PSOW login in about 2 years.)
I played PSO on the Gamecube for about 4 years(hello nostalgia), so I don't need too much explanation. I just picked this up when I saw it at Gamestop used and it was only $13.84 with my employee discount. I figured I'd get my money's worth at least. I just have a few questions.

1. I read somewhere that there is a fee for online in addition to the XBL membership. Is this true?
2. Is it worth getting online with this game? Is the online good at all and is it as active as PSO was? I go back to school in three weeks and I won't have much time to play, but still, what other online RPGs are there for consoles?
3. I just finished the first real single player mission in the forest with the annoying little kid and the deformed cow-like creatures. Will I be introduced to MAGs at any point, or are they out of the game?
4. How do Photon Arts work?

Overall, should I play this online? Will I be disappointed? Should I play more single player or will I be able to play it like PSO without missing a beat?

Thanks :-D

[Stefan09]

1 Yes there is an additional fee to play the game
2 Yes you wont be dissapointed because you are starting while mag is going on and it gives tons of experience
3 No mags are gone they replaced them with partner machines which you can learn about later in story mode or once you start online (more info here http://pso-world.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2433 and here http://pso-world.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2367)
4 Photon arts are special attacks that will boost how hard you hit (i don't know how to explain them that well but hers a link for more help on them http://psupedia.info/Photon_arts)

[Anduril]

1 Yes there is an additional fee to play the game
2 Yes you wont be dissapointed because you are starting while mag is going on and it gives tons of experience
3 No mags are gone they replaced them with partner machines which you can learn about later in story mode or once you start online (more info here http://pso-world.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2433 and here http://pso-world.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2367)
4 Photon arts are special attacks that will boost how hard you hit (i don't know how to explain them that well but hers a link for more help on them http://psupedia.info/Photon_arts)

Just to add some things:
1) The charge exists for the game, but you don't need a Gold LIVE account to play it online, a free Silver account is enough.
2) You have to buy the Expansion ($20) from the LIVE Marketplace first if you want to participate in MAG when you get online.

[CGoodness]

I meant the MAG that follows you around in PSO I + II

I read around a bit and figured out those are gone. What is MAG in PSU?

[Anduril]

I meant the MAG that follows you around in PSO I + II

I read around a bit and figured out those are gone. What is MAG in PSU?

MAG (short for Maximum Attack G) is an event that has just returned to the servers for 3 weeks that gives boosted EXP and item drops, that uses PSO Ep I areas.

Also there are Mag-like weapons, but they serve as left handed Auto Turrets (Range-MAGs, RSCMs) and TECH-casting weapons (TECH-MAGs,TSCMs) as opposed to boosting your stats like PSO Mags, and some even look like old PSO Mags, like Sato and Pushan.

[Zaft]

1. Yes
2. Yes, online is very fun, even if the game is extremely lacking compared to any other MMO.
3. Mags are gone. We now have Partner Machines, or Lolibots if you will.
4. Its like a weapon skill on other games, but gets additional combos as it goes higher up in rank/power.

Here's my lolibot.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a348/Zaftikins/PsuIlluminus2008-08-0719-50-10-62.jpg


Also, partner machines fight in combat. As such, they don't give you stat boosts, but they're great combat buddies, and look sexy for a 8 year old robot chick.