PSO Vs PSØ, what's better or worse

[the_importer_]

This is a list to see what as improved going from PSO (V1, V2, V3, BB) to PSØ.

Feel free to add or correct me about anything, I will adjust the list accordingly.

Please note that NDS limitations aren't a valid reason to point out: Inferior graphics, sound and the fact that areas are separated by invisible white walls.


Positive:

-White board for chatting
-Charging for stronger Techs
-Charging weapons TP attacks
-Removal of Ultimate Mode
-Randomized worlds
-An actual story in the story mode
-No pay to play online
-Local mulitplayer each with his/her won screen
-More like PSO and not PSU
-Level-up quicker
-Mags can be fed 5 items per round
-More variety of weapons
-Can grinder armor
-Photon Drops are an actual currency now and are easier to come by
-More worlds than a single episode of PSO
-Although the graphics are inferior, the characters have more personality than in PSO
-It's Anime based
-Hit mats are back as well as new ones
-No more worrying about maxing out stats
-Mat tracker
-Stat keeper, bestiary, weapon index, etc...
-No load time
-More character classes
-Can now dodge, side step and step back
-Shared banks between characters
-A free and unlocked Dressing Room

Negative:

-The sound track is one of the worst so far in the series
-Limited character customization
-Monsters aren't very imaginative, they look more like real life animals
-Can't have more than 6 shortcuts Vs 16 in PSOBB
-Can't use Techs from your menu, only from shortcuts

[TUSCAN]

NEGATIVE: My copy hasn't arrived yet :P

[the_importer_]

NEGATIVE: My copy hasn't arrived yet :P

Sucks for you, but I can't add this :P

[TUSCAN]

lol, I just went and checked the mail and the card was there, $12.12 customs charge! I hope to see you soon!!

[SammaeltheDark]

Positive:
-It's Anime based

I'd argue that

[Percival]

Interesting list.

I'd say that some of your points have more to do with personal taste. Some of your positive points are negatives for me and vice-versa.

e.g.:

"Removal of Ultimate Mode"
I liked the feel of ultimate mode. Bigger difficulty increase than between previous difficulty levels, "Newish" enemies, color of the sky changed.

"Level-up quicker"
Not sure I like that. That make'S PSØ's maximum level achievement (100) pale in comparison to PSO's (200). Max level in PSO was something most people would never achieve and I liked it like that. (I never reached it myself) Then again, maybe they have a PSØ Plus in the pipeline with a new level 200 cap.

"Mag stats and Mats only add 1 point instead of 2"
I consider this a moot point. It all depends on game balance. I haven't played the game yet so I can't really tell. Maybe a 1 point of stat increase in PSØ makes as much as an impact as a 2 point increase in PSO.

[Kent]

Why is the removal of Ultimate mode considered a positive?

I'd think that it would have to coincide with the level cap being a mere 100, which some people will undoubtedly see as a negative, because it detracts from the potential length of the game for an individual character.

[cApNhOwDy]

Removal of an optional difficulty level isnt a positive.

And I definately prefer the soundtrack over PSU's. That's a matter of personal preference. I enjoy that they included the transition of music between just regular running around and when you're fighting enemies. Like it did in PSO, it just brings out a better atmosphere.

[Saphion]

My guess is that they're saving Ultimate Mode and the level 200 cap for a sequel or expansion, as they did with the original PSO and it's successor, PSO Ver.2.

[GutsGO]

"Feel free to add or correct me about anything, I will adjust the list accordingly."

You make it sound like these positives and negatives are fact, this is all your (and our) opinions I think you should rephrase your initial post. Like everyone else I don't agree with everything you call positive and everything you call negative, so me giving "help" to this topic is sort of....strange since that list would change after each new person gives their opinion.

More on topic; I don't really compare the two as competitors, since both are unique in their own rights and are on two completely different systems that really shouldn't be compared in hopes of saying which is "better". Both are amazing games that make almost 100% use of the hardware with few if any faults to their design or gameplay systems.

As far as comparing PS0 to the Phantasy Star series, or more specifically the "Online Series" it is a perfect match of the PSO and PSU style of combat, coupled with unique and refreshing level/enemy/character designs and graphics with some breathtaking and catchy music that fit extremely well to the surroundings and immediate moment of game-play. It has brought some really cool functions to the series (Picto Chat, Tech/PA charging, Evasion Maneuver, AI Commands) and has maintained that classic sci-fi charm that the series is known for. It doesn't completely change what we are used to like how PSO did, but it does refine and collect the things from it's predecessors into one magnificent, portable package.

[parabolee]

I would say the lack of an online lobby is the biggest negative!

[Callous]

I would say the lack of an online lobby is the biggest negative!
This, and no elevation.

I can't believe the thread starter actually thinks anime (even though I like anime) is a positive and that PSZ has worse music than PSU. Hard to take the rest of the list seriously.

[the_importer_]

lol, I just went and checked the mail and the card was there, $12.12 customs charge! I hope to see you soon!!

Welcome to my world :P


I'd argue that

You're entitle to your opinion, but keep in mind, PSØ is a Japanese game


Interesting list.

I'd say that some of your points have more to do with personal taste. Some of your positive points are negatives for me and vice-versa.

Of course, almost of everything written on the Internet is an opinion, I never stated otherwise. Everything is a personal opinion here, there are no right or wrong answers and everyone is free to make their own list.

I liked the feel of ultimate mode. Bigger difficulty increase than between previous difficulty levels, "Newish" enemies, color of the sky changed.

My main issue with Ultimate was the entire concept, it was a huge leap in difficulty and the fact that you didn't level up that fast for your work. It was clear that V2 was to cash in on the popularity and to be able to charge P2P fees for the game. Sure, Ult got easier in V3, but the rest of the damage was already done.

Not sure I like that. That make'S PSØ's maximum level achievement (100) pale in comparison to PSO's (200). Max level in PSO was something most people would never achieve and I liked it like that. (I never reached it myself) Then again, maybe they have a PSØ Plus in the pipeline with a new level 200 cap.

You see, that is the kind of correction I was looking for. I had no clue that the max level was 100, that makes thing even better. Let's face it, reaching Lv200 was a huge goal for PSO players, only problem, it was boring and you said it yourself that you never made it. Unlike PC RPGs, there wasn't enough to do to justify grinding for 200 levels in the same 4 worlds, so being able to move on to a new character faster should be refreshing and add much more replay value.

I consider this a moot point. It all depends on game balance. I haven't played the game yet so I can't really tell. Maybe a 1 point of stat increase in PSØ makes as much as an impact as a 2 point increase in PSO.

Well now that I know that 100 is the level cap, I don't mind this now, so I'll remove it, thanks for the info.


Why is the removal of Ultimate mode considered a positive?

I'd think that it would have to coincide with the level cap being a mere 100, which some people will undoubtedly see as a negative, because it detracts from the potential length of the game for an individual character.

Please read the reply to Percival


Removal of an optional difficulty level isnt a positive.

And I definately prefer the soundtrack over PSU's. That's a matter of personal preference. I enjoy that they included the transition of music between just regular running around and when you're fighting enemies. Like it did in PSO, it just brings out a better atmosphere.

Please read the reply to Percival for the Ult difficulty subject.

As for the soundtrack, it's of course an opinion, but PSU was much more orchsetrol than PSØ and it's probably the only thing I loved about PSU. I'll agree about the transition of music, it's good that they brought it back.


My guess is that they're saving Ultimate Mode and the level 200 cap for a sequel or expansion, as they did with the original PSO and it's successor, PSO Ver.2.

Only one problem with this, V1 to V2, EP1&EP2 to EP1&EP2+ and PSU to AotI all had 1 thing in common, save data was on memory cards and/or hard drives. On consoles, you could do a transition from your old game to the new one and carry your game data. Finally, considering the poor sales in Japan, I don't think we'll see a 2nd PSØ :P


You make it sound like these positives and negatives are fact, this is all your (and our) opinions I think you should rephrase your initial post. Like everyone else I don't agree with everything you call positive and everything you call negative, so me giving "help" to this topic is sort of....strange since that list would change after each new person gives their opinion.

Please read the reply to Percival for the Personal Opinion subject.

More on topic; I don't really compare the two as competitors, since both are unique in their own rights and are on two completely different systems that really shouldn't be compared in hopes of saying which is "better". Both are amazing games that make almost 100% use of the hardware with few if any faults to their design or gameplay systems.

As far as comparing PS0 to the Phantasy Star series, or more specifically the "Online Series" it is a perfect match of the PSO and PSU style of combat, coupled with unique and refreshing level/enemy/character designs and graphics with some breathtaking and catchy music that fit extremely well to the surroundings and immediate moment of game-play. It has brought some really cool functions to the series (Picto Chat, Tech/PA charging, Evasion Maneuver, AI Commands) and has maintained that classic sci-fi charm that the series is known for. It doesn't completely change what we are used to like how PSO did, but it does refine and collect the things from it's predecessors into one magnificent, portable package.

There's nothing wrong with comparing games, we compare people with other people all the time in the real world. Although I probably won't be playing PSO anytime soon, it doesn't mean that I'll never play it again. You're obviously taking this a bit too much at heart here, they're just games, not your kids


I would say the lack of an online lobby is the biggest negative!

True, but I would put this in the NDS limitations for 2 reasons:

1- Don't think that the hardware could handle that many characters in one place, let alone actual players.
2- That alone would be enough for SEGA to start charing monthly fees and minus DLC, no games for Wii or NDS are P2P


This, and no elevation.

I can't believe the thread starter actually thinks anime (even though I like anime) is a positive and that PSZ has worse music than PSU. Hard to take the rest of the list seriously.

Well since I've answered pretty much everything here already, I won't take your post seriously.

[SammaeltheDark]

You're entitle to your opinion, but keep in mind, PSØ is a Japanese game
And? All the Phantasy Stars were Japanese games. My opinion of "anime doesn't automatically equal awesome" aside, I just think it's kinda silly to list that as a bulleted Pro or Con because every PS has been in an anime style

[the_importer_]

And? All the Phantasy Stars were Japanese games. My opinion of "anime doesn't automatically equal awesome" aside, I just think it's kinda silly to list that as a bulleted Pro or Con because every PS has been in an anime style

Actually, with PSO, the Phantasy Star franshise departed from the Anime style and opted for plain old regular 3D (side from some art in the manual). There's a reason why 3D TV shows haven't replaced standard animated show, 3D simply doesn't have any life compared to good old animation.

[Callous]

Actually, with PSO, the Phantasy Star franshise departed from the Anime style and opted for plain old regular 3D (side from some art in the manual). There's a reason why 3D TV shows haven't replaced standard animated show, 3D simply doesn't have any life compared to good old animation.
Just admit that listing "anime style" as a positive is entirely subjective and can in no way be qualified as a fact of any kind. Same goes for the music.

With two such points on your list, neither of which can be called anything resembling objective, it's not difficult to see why people will dismiss the rest of your list as not much more than your personal taste.

Are you actually trying to say that PSO would be better in 2D? While your view on TV animation most likely carries some truth for a lot of people (including me), games are not TV and what works in one form of entertainment does not simply transfer to another form of entertainment.

[the_importer_]

Just admit that listing "anime style" as a positive is entirely subjective and can in no way be qualified as a fact of any kind. Same goes for the music.

With two such points on your list, neither of which can be called anything resembling objective, it's not difficult to see why people will dismiss the rest of your list as not much more than your personal taste.

Please read the reply to Percival personal opinions.

Are you actually trying to say that PSO would be better in 2D? While your view on TV animation most likely carries some truth for a lot of people (including me), games are not TV and what works in one form of entertainment does not simply transfer to another form of entertainment.

Who said anything about 2D, I mean besided you with your ignorance and misconception of what is an Anime based game that is. An Anime based game means exacly what it means, it's based on an Anime or feels like one. Putting aside handheld games, most Anime based games are 3D now but the characters talk and have Anime-like gestures. They of course have Anime cutscenes and usually have J-Pop songs. DragonQuest as kept it's Anime based concept and it still works today after over two decades.

[Kent]

True, but I would put this in the NDS limitations for 2 reasons:

1- Don't think that the hardware could handle that many characters in one place, let alone actual players.
2- That alone would be enough for SEGA to start charing monthly fees and minus DLC, no games for Wii or NDS are P2P

For the first one, one could argue that it may actually be within the system's limitations to be able to have that many characters on-screen at once. After all, it can do four characters and however many enemies on-screen at once currently, right? Generally-speaking, when working with fixed hardware (such as consoles and handhelds), developers use significantly less than the system's capabilities, in order to preserve a high framerate.

So while it's very possible that the DS' hardware could support significantly more characters on-screen at once, it's also entirely possible that doing so would drastically reduce the framerate. From what I've seen, I'm going to go ahead and say that the DS could possibly render out several more characters on the screen at once, without much in the way of a detriment to performance, based on the quality of the character models and textures in this game and others.

No games for the DS or Wii may be pay-to-play at the moment, but Nintendo has made the option available, complete with a red Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo that signifies a fee required for online play. Additionally, lobbies probably wouldn't provide much in the way of server strain - there are ways it could be done that would be rather minimalistic, and couldn't justify a fee.

...But no justification for a fee to play was never a cause for Sonic Team to not charge before, anyway. :/

[the_importer_]

For the first one, one could argue that it may actually be within the system's limitations to be able to have that many characters on-screen at once. After all, it can do four characters and however many enemies on-screen at once currently, right? Generally-speaking, when working with fixed hardware (such as consoles and handhelds), developers use significantly less than the system's capabilities, in order to preserve a high framerate.

So while it's very possible that the DS' hardware could support significantly more characters on-screen at once, it's also entirely possible that doing so would drastically reduce the framerate. From what I've seen, I'm going to go ahead and say that the DS could possibly render out several more characters on the screen at once, without much in the way of a detriment to performance, based on the quality of the character models and textures in this game and others.

Obviously, this is up for debate, but PSØ kind of reminds me of a title that you would find on the original PSX which begs the question, could it do better? I'm far form a hardware pro but still, the NDS is over 4 years old and PSØ seems to be one of the more technically complex games I've seen so far.

No games for the DS or Wii may be pay-to-play at the moment, but Nintendo has made the option available, complete with a red Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo that signifies a fee required for online play. Additionally, lobbies probably wouldn't provide much in the way of server strain - there are ways it could be done that would be rather minimalistic, and couldn't justify a fee.

...But no justification for a fee to play was never a cause for Sonic Team to not charge before, anyway. :/

Actually, that logo doesn't mean Pay to Play, it means Pay and Play which so far, seems to mean DLC content is available. Also, I wouldn't let anything pass by SEGA when it comes to Online fees. Compare to monthly fees that they charge for PSU, WoW users are getting more for their buck (not that I care for either :P).

[Mike]

There is slowdown when you use the touch panel and are moving at the same time so lobbies are probably impossible, unfortunatly. A five man party might work but I can't see the lobby working in a PSO style.

[Saphion]

Wait what, PS0 had poor sales in Japan? When the hell did that happen?

[Callous]

More like it didn't happen, which means there was no "when".

[Callous]

Who said anything about 2D

*sigh*

Actually, you did. You specifically said "3D doesn't have any life compared to good old animation".

I feel any further discussion is useless. You are clearly not presenting your arguments rationally or with much consistency.

[Mike]

Its sales don't seem to have been as good as PSP's. Either way, I've got my copies of both games so beating around about how well games sold or didn't doesn't mean a whole lot to me.

[cApNhOwDy]

And I have no clue why. DS and PSP were both incredibly popular at their own respectable times in Japan, so it shouldnt be the system holding the game back from sales. Personally, I can only see how much better PS0 is from PSU and PSP. I mean, PSP was basically a port of PSU and it had a couple of changes to the overall structure of gameplay, and I hated PSU right off the bat. But Phantasy Star 0 is brand new and completely different from what we've been playing this whole time with PSP, it basically takes the best of PSO and PSU and puts it all in a portable game on the DS with free online wifi. So to me, it's an absolute no brainer as to which game is better. I'm incredibly surprised by the sales figures.

[Saphion]

Does anyone have the sales figures? I'm interested. And baffled.

[Callous]

Around 150,000 combined for the first two weeks.

I'm thinking it has to do with the fact that PSU is currently quite popular in Japan while PSO is like 8 years old. I'm also thinking it has to do with PS:P riding a bit on the coattails of the success of Monster Hunter. The commercials sort of made it seem like the same kind of thing.

[the_importer_]

There is slowdown when you use the touch panel and are moving at the same time so lobbies are probably impossible, unfortunatly. A five man party might work but I can't see the lobby working in a PSO style.

I didn't notice before, guess I'll try it tonight


*sigh*

Actually, you did. You specifically said "3D doesn't have any life compared to good old animation".

I feel any further discussion is useless. You are clearly not presenting your arguments rationally or with much consistency.

I was talking about TV shows, but you get points for trying son.


Its sales don't seem to have been as good as PSP's. Either way, I've got my copies of both games so beating around about how well games sold or didn't doesn't mean a whole lot to me.

Hey same here, I don't care if it sales well or not, but fact of a matter is, if it doesn't do good, there won't be another one anytime soon.


And I have no clue why. DS and PSP were both incredibly popular at their own respectable times in Japan, so it shouldnt be the system holding the game back from sales. Personally, I can only see how much better PS0 is from PSU and PSP. I mean, PSP was basically a port of PSU and it had a couple of changes to the overall structure of gameplay, and I hated PSU right off the bat. But Phantasy Star 0 is brand new and completely different from what we've been playing this whole time with PSP, it basically takes the best of PSO and PSU and puts it all in a portable game on the DS with free online wifi. So to me, it's an absolute no brainer as to which game is better. I'm incredibly surprised by the sales figures.

The main problem might not be the game itself but the system. Right now, the NDS is the powerhouse system for RPGs. PSO is a great franshise and Japanese gamers love it, but they love their Square-Enix even more. Don't think gamers over there will even be thinking of this game when DragonQuest IX comes out >_>

[DeathMachine]

Although you already said it to Percy, I will also say that I consider it a loss when it comes to Ultimate mode dissapearing. But, we can't have everything or SEGA won't have a means to get our money past this game. :D
Here's hoping for a sequel, or better yet, a console type PSO/0 sequel...

[Dragwind]

Stay on topic folks.

[deso123]

blah...

[DeathMachine]

Okay...what? Please rephrase that?

[deso123]

What I meant to say is that Phantasy Star Zero is better than Phantasy Star Portable because it has prettier and more colorful graphics. I also meant to say that the monsters in Phantasy Star Zero don't seem to have weaknesses when up against certain weapons like if you used a shot in the mines level of Phantasy Star Online the robots would all fall down so that it was extra fun to use spread weapons. You could also do things like hit those flying droids with a gun and they would fall down so hunters could reach them. In Phantasy Star Zero I'm seeing a lot of what I didn't like in Phantasy Star Portable where all the monsters are just roaming around 'till they fall over dead not really becoming affected by getting hit in unique and cool ways like the examples above.

The level design in Phantasy Star Zero isnt that great like in Phantasy Star Online but I think it's slightly better than Phantasy Star Portable. So overall it's a weaker game than Phantasy Star Online but with mags and the way everything works it still feels like Phantasy Star Online. With things like auto aim and dodging included as well as how everything looks different makes this a game worth trying especially when compared to Phantasy Star Portable. Boop.

[DeathMachine]

That was a well thought out post, and I see what you mean. I'm waiting for the english version, so I haven't touched Zero yet, but I understand what you meant due too the fact that I did play PSO and PSU. I didn't realize that they had gone with PSU's monster fight system. That disappoints me. It won't deter me from getting the game, though. Does this mean that you can only hit three monsters at a time? Or, did they fix that?

[Callous]

I haven't had a weapon yet that could hit more than 3 enemies in PSZ, but what I can say is that, like in PSU, the monsters are mostly running around all over the place, so hitting even 3 at a time is the exception more than the rule. Techniques can hit more, but you can't use monster behaviour against them, thereby herding them and setting them up for some big hits like in PSO. Granted, herding wasn't really possible in the last two levels of Episode II, either, but it did come back in Episode IV. Overall, combat in PSZ isn't what it was is in PSO. You have the timed attacks and everything, but battles don't play out like in PSO. They are much more like PSU with monsters spread out and running everywhere.

It seems to me that the designers of PSU tried to make monsters as annoying as possible to fight and that this way of thinking has in large parts been carried over to PSZ. In PSO, you can predict enemy behaviour by reading their body language and react accordingly, making minute little changes while fighting possible. This is absolutely ingenious and a big part of the reason why combat in PSO is so much fun. That's all but gone in PSZ. Partly because of programming and partly because things are just too small, cramped and fuzzy. In the heat of battle you simply aren't able to tell what a monster is going to do next, so dodging things like in PSO is rarely a possibility. It's mostly a matter of healing when you get hurt. On the positive side, the bosses are back in almost PSO form. That's a huge positive. I would really have preferred to see PSZ on the PSP where the bigger screen, resolution, detail and processing power would have allowed it to really shine and be much more of a PSO2 than it is in its current form.

Better yet, a PSO compilation for PSP spanning all episodes including Episode III and all the online quests, seasonal events and so on even in offline play. *drool*.

[deso123]

Playstation Portable has better controls I think. The d-pad on the DS is all sunk in and cheap feeling. Makes it hard to aim and run at angles. I didn't really have to adjust my fingers as much on Phantasy Start Portable. I just picked up my PSP again earlier today. I like it better than DS in functionality and look. I almost want to just play Phantasy Star Portable on it if I can get the multiplayer set up but I kind of stopped caring about it right now. Much better system for sure though. DS already pisses me off to no end but it has nice things like the touch pad chat and the graphics arent that bad. I was impressed. I may buy a DSi and the english version or stop playing if a new one comes out for pc or 360. I don't like sega's track record of shutting down servers though. PSO was supposed to be forever but the hacking on it was unbearable so I can understand why, lol :/

[the_importer_]

Playstation Portable has better controls I think. The d-pad on the DS is all sunk in and cheap feeling. Makes it hard to aim and run at angles. I didn't really have to adjust my fingers as much on Phantasy Start Portable. I just picked up my PSP again earlier today. I like it better than DS in functionality and look. I almost want to just play Phantasy Star Portable on it if I can get the multiplayer set up but I kind of stopped caring about it right now. Much better system for sure though. DS already pisses me off to no end but it has nice things like the touch pad chat and the graphics arent that bad. I was impressed. I may buy a DSi and the english version or stop playing if a new one comes out for pc or 360. I don't like sega's track record of shutting down servers though. PSO was supposed to be forever but the hacking on it was unbearable so I can understand why, lol :/

Yes, I was tempted to add controls in this, but this is a DS limitation. Controlling with the D-pad is no picnic and holding the DS with a long period of time hurts my hands. I've ordered this thing, let's hope it will solve one of my problems:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110335866478

[cApNhOwDy]

Yeah, it's going to take me a while to get used to the DS's controls. Analog 8-way movement really limits things. Even taking that into account, I'm so used to using a joystick with my DS emulator and playing the game on a big monitor, having to cope with the D-pad and the smaller screen is going to take a while to get used to. Unfortunately, this is required if I want to be able to go online, and that's kinda the point. There was a device in the works for the DS that allowed it to be plugged into a standard TV, but I've looked all over and I dont think it ever went to retail. It was made by a third-party company and I think that since then they've gone bankrupt. I'm all for legitamately paying for games, especially good ones that I want to see a sequel to like PS0, but I find so many advantages to emulating my games (being able to customize my controls down as much as I want, using any controller I want) and sitting down in front of a larger screen and playing, especially since it's going to be for several thousands of hours. Unfortunately, no DS emulator exists that can emulate Wifi connection.

[MinscTFA]

Without having played the game I'll take the original post, rework it, and call it my opinion.

Positives:

-White board for chatting
-Charging for stronger Techs
-Charging weapons TP attacks
-Randomized worlds
-An actual story in the story mode
-No pay to play online
-Local mulitplayer each with his/her own screen
-Level-up quicker
-Mags can be fed 5 items per round
-More variety of weapons
-Can grinder armor
-Photon Drops are an actual currency now and are easier to come by
-More worlds than a single episode of PSO
-Although the graphics are inferior, the characters have more personality than in PSO
-Hit mats are back as well as new ones
-No more worrying about maxing out stats
-Mat tracker
-Stat keeper, bestiary, weapon index, etc...
-No load time
-More character classes
-Can now dodge, side step and step back
-Shared banks between characters
-A free and unlocked Dressing Room

Negatives:

-Limited character customization
-Can't have more than 6 shortcuts Vs 16 in PSOBB
-Can't use Techs from your menu, only from shortcuts
-Removal of Ultimate Mode
-My copy is still in the mail

Being anime based or similarities to PSU and PSO are really not a big deal to me.

[StanleyPain]

I wouldn't say that Ultimate Mode was "removed" really. When PSO first came out in 2000 or whatever, it only had three difficulties. Ultimate was a result of the V.2 expansion, and there's a very good chance we'll see some sort of follow up to PSO like that. I don't know the technology aspect of how they'd work moving over your saves, but it wouldn't surprise me. Sega seems very willing to do that sort of thing. I mean, I was amazed they even put out PSO Episode 1&2 Plus in the US considering the low sales and reduced audience for the initial release.

[Mike]

... there's a very good chance we'll see some sort of follow up to PSO like that.

Until there is proof, I wouldn't go as far as to say that.

[StanleyPain]

Well, as I said, Sega has a surprisingly good track record of supporting their PSO related franchises. PS Zero is one of the all time best selling DS games in Japan so far, it's a huge success. It wouldn't surprise me to see some sort of expansion. Same with PS Portable, though that one might just be downloadable.

[Mike]

PS Zero is one of the all time best selling DS games in Japan so far, it's a huge success.

The numbers don't back you up there, unfortunately. I'd quote some but I don't have the numbers in front of me at the moment. That's not to say that it's selling poorly though but "all time best selling DS game in Japan" is a huge overstatement. Decent, perhaps, fair, perhaps. PS0 came in at 10th on the Famitsu sales ranking last week. The "all time best selling DS game in Japan" will most likely be, forbidding anything terrible happens between now and then, the new Dragon Quest game. But this is getting off topic.

Anyways, the game just went on sale less than a month ago so hoping for a version 2 at this point is way too soon.

[deso123]

dragonfail >:3

[Callous]

PS Zero is one of the all time best selling DS games in Japan so far, it's a huge success.

This is quite simply wrong. Total sales to date being 170,000. It's not even in the top 50.

[StanleyPain]

I didn't say the same was THE best selling, I said ONE of the best selling. But if I'm wrong there, then I misinterpreted numbers or whatnot.

Regardless of all that, my point is, Sega has a good reputation so far in supporting the PSO franchise for the most part (not counting their stupid decision to take down all the BB servers). I don't why so many people have all this gloom and doom about it attacking me like I'm saying their baby just died or something. I was just pointing out, there's a good history with expansions and add-ons. So, it's something to keep an eye out for.

[Aeternus]

As of last week:

#12 Phantasy Star Zero (NDS, Sega) - 19,000 [160,000]

Under 200,000 copies so far and its decreasing sales every week. Not exactly steller, unfortunately. especially considering THIS game is currently 2nd in sales:

Wagamama Fashion: Girl's Mode (NDS, Nintendo) - 34,000 [660,000]

Dragon Quest V for DS also currently sold more than 1 million more than PS0, even though that's been out for quite some time..

Hope sales pick up for it though. lovin PS0 so far..

[Ebram]

This game sounds so freaking cool. Can't wait for the US version.

Is it safe to assume that the play control is tighter, like PSO rather than PSU?

[Callous]

Hope sales pick up for it though.

A highly unlikely scenario.

[deso123]

we like crappy games. :O

[SammaeltheDark]

I've got some silly things to rant about so I guess I'll throw 'em in this tread

Cons:
-Confuse lasts too long and is more annoying than in previous games because you can't just stand still and wait for it to wear off
-Burn (and I think Poison, too) break your combo every time they tick for damage
-Lock on was downgraded because if a monster moves to the side while you're in your attack animation, you do not stay locked on. Weapons that have a long attack animation make fighting the surfing mechs a pain in the butt. PSO and PSU stayed locked on during attack animations
-NPCs have a timer controlling how often they'll cast Resta or Anti. Get hit by a status effect trap and in Free or Follow NPCs will cast Anti right away. Now go get hit by another within 10 seconds or so and they won't do jack

Pros:
+Instead of a block animation, the game now says MISS. This makes Evade tanking a viable build since you won't just end up getting locked in a block animation. A shame you can raise an evade mag
+Freeze has be nerfed. Once a feared status effect, it now breaks in one hit
+Paralyze has also been nerfed. It lasts long enough to break your combo and that's about it..

[the_importer_]

I've got some silly things to rant about so I guess I'll throw 'em in this tread

Cons:
-Confuse lasts too long and is more annoying than in previous games because you can't just stand still and wait for it to wear off
-Burn (and I think Poison, too) break your combo every time they tick for damage
-Lock on was downgraded because if a monster moves to the side while you're in your attack animation, you do not stay locked on. Weapons that have a long attack animation make fighting the surfing mechs a pain in the butt. PSO and PSU stayed locked on during attack animations
-NPCs have a timer controlling how often they'll cast Resta or Anti. Get hit by a status effect trap and in Free or Follow NPCs will cast Anti right away. Now go get hit by another within 10 seconds or so and they won't do jack

Pros:
+Instead of a block animation, the game now says MISS. This makes Evade tanking a viable build since you won't just end up getting locked in a block animation. A shame you can raise an evade mag
+Freeze has be nerfed. Once a feared status effect, it now breaks in one hit
+Paralyze has also been nerfed. It lasts long enough to break your combo and that's about it..

All of them are very good, think I'll add them to mine late on :P

[curtuswins]

I just want a solid US release for ZERO. Do we reall need o wait till fall? My FOmar needs some love!

[Aeternus]

A highly unlikely scenario.

Yeah I know.. last week, the game completely dropped out of the top 20 charts. Bad news.

[deso123]

Let it be known that I'm not ashamed of buying a DS and wifi connector just to play PSØ even though I'm staring at the quickmatch screen right now getting absolutely no games going nor do I feel that I'll ever find fun rares that pwn like in PSO.

PSO is the winner hands down at this point. The few features they added aren't worth playing it over PSOBB. But since I don't play on third party servers anymore and I really don't want to give PSU another chance this is the only PS game I have right now sadly. It's not a terrible game but I'm finding it hard to convince myself that it's still worth my time playing even though I've only played 3 of the levels so far which aren't that interesting and honest to god when I play them I can't tell the difference between them. Sure the textures are different and the monsters have different skins but they are all the same god damn it, SEGA. Screw Nintendo and Macs as well. My list of hate is growing.

[Mike]

Yeah I know.. last week, the game completely dropped out of the top 20 charts. Bad news.

I'm not sure what chart you're looking at. What chart are you looking at? In the Famitsu from last Saturday (this week's Famitsu?) PS0 had a place at 12th, down from 10th the week before.

[Aeternus]

I'm not sure what chart you're looking at. What chart are you looking at? In the Famitsu from last Saturday (this week's Famitsu?) PS0 had a place at 12th, down from 10th the week before.

http://www.the-magicbox.com/gaming.htm Taken from Famitsu:

Jan 12 - 18:
-dropped off

January 5 - 11:
#12 Phantasy Star Zero (NDS, Sega) - 19,000 [160,000]


December 29, 2008 to January 4,
#13 Phantasy Star Zero (NDS, Sega) - 55,000 [140,000]