GC: Have DC PSO, thinking of switching to GC

[RanciD]

Oi! I've been kinda debating over this back and forth so I decided to come to some professionals to help me. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif I've got the first Phantasy Star Online on Dreamcast and I totally love it. I've played it on and off since a few weeks after it released. It's been losing a ton of popularity though, as everyone is switching to Gamecube/X-Box or at least Dreamcast Version 2. Although the features of Version 2 are so tempting, I've been trying to avoid it because of the monthly fee. I've recently come across a Gamecube however and PSO: Episode 1&2 just looks too cool to pass up, so here's my questions about it:

1. Can you play it all offline like the original Dreamcast one? I know you can do split screen offline (which looks incredibly awesome by the way) so I'd assume you can but I really want to make sure.

2. How much better is the Challenge Arena/new items/new characters/etc. than the original?

3. How much is a Hunter's License?

4. Would it be worth buying if I could only play it offline for a couple months?

5. Is there a lot of cheating online?

6. Does Nintendo charge any additional costs for broadband access? I already have DSL, I'm wondering if it's going to cost me money like X-Box Live does to have internet access on the console.

7. Do you guys like the game? http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

8. Is it out in the USA yet?

Sorry for all the questions.. I really want to do some research on this before I buy it cause I don't have a whole lot of money to spend. Thanks a lot!

Oh yeah, forgot to add this.. I have pppoe DSL and as I've been reading around here it seems like people have been having problems with it on Gamecube Broadband Access. I have a router and set up my network myself so I have a good understanding of networking so how difficult is it do connect my Gamecube to my network? Do you need to just set up port forwarding or something?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RanciD on 2003-03-07 16:30 ]</font>


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RanciD on 2003-03-07 16:40 ]</font>

[Muku6]

1. Can you play it all offline like the original Dreamcast one? I know you can do split screen offline (which looks incredibly awesome by the way) so I'd assume you can but I really want to make sure.

Yes, you can play this completely offline if you wish.


2. How much better is the Challenge Arena/new items/new characters/etc. than the original?

Can't help much with Challenge area, I avoid Challenge mode. There are slight changes to look of items and such, but the new items are pretty cool. Gives you more things to use, see, and tinker with. Even the look of some old weapons have new looks.


3. How much is a Hunter's License?

First month is free, after that it is $8.95 a month.


4. Would it be worth buying if I could only play it offline for a couple months?

Sure, I think it's worth it. Plus you can pick back up at any time.


5. Is there a lot of cheating online?

Well, about the only cheating online to my knowledge right now is duping. But just generally avoid trading people you don't know and don't take items from strangers if you don't want dupes.


6. Does Nintendo charge any additional costs for broadband access? I already have DSL, I'm wondering if it's going to cost me money like X-Box Live does to have internet access on the console.

Nope... your only cost is to pay for the fee to access Sega's servers. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif


7. Do you guys like the game?

I love it. Although some things changed that I didn't particularly like, there have been a lot more changes for the better. I gave up on V.1 on DC a while back, just because my FOmarl reached level 100 and I got bored with it. Now I'm level 101 on Ep1&2 and still loving it.


8. Is it out in the USA yet?

PSO Ep1&2 has been out since October 2002 I believe.

[Sashi]

To help fill in gaps...


Challenge mode is the same, though there should be an episode 2 challenge mode in the future. The S-rank weapons are not as powerful as they were in DC, but still cool. Its like a badge.

Cost for EU players is 5.99 pounds, as I recall. Please correct me if I am mistken.

US release was October 29th 2002, and Japan release was About September 12thish.

[RanciD]

I've actually never played Version 2 on Dreamcast.. just Version 1 so I have really no idea what the Challenge Arena is. Also, is there a way to fight other players (if that's not what the challenge arena is)?

About cheating.. I really hate cheaters but considering I had to deal with being NOLed and all that on Dreamcast, duping isn't the end of the world (NOL pretty much was http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif).

Also, what changes did they make that you didn't like? And how do they add stuff to game.. does it download patches to your memory card or something?

Again, sorry for all the questions!

[Sashi]

Only cheating on GC is duping. Comparitivley, I can live with that.

Challenge and battle are different, both were in version 2.

Battle you fight others.

Challenge you teamwork with otthers, solve puzzles, and re-work your way up from level 1, and use what you find in the level, and what you are given by Challenge mode. Its a nice change from the normal game, and the level change on your character is only in effect in challenge.

[BrokenHope]

On 2003-03-07 17:22, Sashi wrote:
Only cheating on GC is duping. Comparitivley, I can live with that.

Challenge and battle are different, both were in version 2.

Battle you fight others.

Challenge you teamwork with otthers, solve puzzles, and re-work your way up from level 1, and use what you find in the level, and what you are given by Challenge mode. Its a nice change from the normal game, and the level change on your character is only in effect in challenge.





Unless a cmode bug get's you and you end up keeping your c mode items, stats and level http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_eek.gif

[Jack]

On 2003-03-07 16:26, RanciD wrote:Oh yeah, forgot to add this.. I have pppoe DSL and as I've been reading around here it seems like people have been having problems with it on Gamecube Broadband Access. I have a router and set up my network myself so I have a good understanding of networking so how difficult is it do connect my Gamecube to my network? Do you need to just set up port forwarding or something?

IIRC, using a router gets around the PPPoE problems.

[RanciD]

Awesome, so I shouldn't have any problems getting online eventually.

I'm hearing a lot about "double save" around here.. What exactly is this?

[Jack]

It saves twice when you enter a game, to prevent duping. Apparently, sometimes you're prone to an FSOD during the second save, which corrupts your character.