Hello, this is my introductory post and I am a veteran of the original Phantasy Star Online (as well as having acquaintance with the original series) and with PSO2 on the way--something I personally thought would never happen, I would like to address certain possibilities and elements of gameplay which consist of speculations based upon the PSO2 trailer.
I'll try and break down my own personal questions and concerns into categories of discussion. For reference purposes, I will post the HQ link to the trailer
Weapons:
Unlike previous Phantasy Star games, weaponry appeared to literally appear out of nowhere at all. Now they are visibly on your character.
Concerns with this: Only one type of weapon for the two showcased classes appeared on each character--a sword and a rifle. Does this mean that characters will be reduced to one weapon on their person at any given time? Or do weapons take up 'slots' on your character which allow you, carry more types of weaponry?
If that's the case, it would appear to me that 'swords' and 'rifles' take up a 'back' slot, with the possibilities of sabers, handguns or daggers (provided they'll appear in the game) taking up either leg sheath/holster slots?
Question: Does this mean that certain weapon types consume different slots? Meaning shotguns (if they appear) possibly taking up a back slot, meaning that you'll have to make the decision as to whether or not you want a shotgun or a rifle in that particular slot. This leads me to believe that partisans and swords will equally be a decision made judged by whether or not the player prefers which ever type of weapon.
Another possibility is that in the event there is a 'slot' system, will the slots be gained with level ups? (starting off with one slot, reaching certain levels increase the weapon loadout)
Concerns with weaponry: SEGA have used realistic designs on their guns before in PSO (Yasminkov, particularly) and through my extensive firearms knowledge, it would appear that the tan colored rifle used in the trailer (which is equipped with a grenade launcher) is designed in lieu of the H&K XM8--will more realistic/traditional designs be introduced to PSO2 a la Yasminkov series? The Photon XM8 appears at 2:03.
Functional grenade launchers are present in PSO2, will hand grenades also make the cut as PP consuming attacks exclusive to rangers, much like a Photon Art?
Please remember that these are speculatory musings, but judging by the trailer swords may be the mainstead weapon for hunter class--they seem balanced enough in terms of strength and speed to have fully replaced Sabers in their entirety--this could mean that hunters are being oriented more into a crowd control front line class; balancing and therefore negating the usage of firearms by hunters in the original PSO, heavily, in my opinion, defeating the very purpose of having a hunter.
With that being said, firearms should remain an exclusive to rangers so that roles by each class can properly be played, instead of some dullard hunter toting Charge Vulcans +9 and essentially 'stealing' a ranger's combative role as being the long range support. The same can be said for the Holy Ray as well as handguns being a weapon usable by all classes. Also, will grenade launchers be a standard or a weapon attachment? This could mean Rangers will have weapon customisation, adding optical sights to increase ATA or needing particular grenade launchers to an appropriate model of the rifle being used. Rifles were also shown being fired in a variety of forms, including three-round burst and charge--will rifles also have a 'spread' option to supplement the role of a shotgun?
MAGs:
Concerns with MAGs: A lot of people want them back, but they're ripe for abuse and therefore balancing. They haven't yet been shown, but I personally would like to see these come back. In the event they do return and simply weren't showcased in the trailer (people, remember this is a sequel to PSO and core concepts cannot be abandoned) how should they function? Personally, I believe they should solely serve as an inventory/defensive device which increases DFP and can perhaps provide small services such as healing the player, buffing them, or neutralising debuffs/status ailments. Summoning gigantic creatures is a bit outlandish for a mechanical device, and increasing your accuracy and strength? How? What are your thoughts?
Classes: to avoid controversal arguements, I'm not going to regard Beasts at all. This includes the Motavian Beasts--this is PSO2 and so I am going to speculate options that are already available to us: those pertaining from the original PSO.
The concept artwork featured in the trailer showcases three classes: Hunters, Rangers and Forces. In regards to race, it's difficult to tell what exactly will be what judging by what was shown in the trailer in terms of the artwork and the actual gameplay. Amy, the ranger in the trailer appears to be a Numan Ranger--does this mean that Female and male Numan Rangers will be adapting the previous role of PSO's RAmarl, a dual Force and Ranger class? At 1:01 of the trailer, there appears to be what I can only guess is a RAmarl. Will this mean that the RAmarl will have more traits of a traditional human character PS class and simply have balanced overall stats but with more emphasis on dexterity and strength?
PSO was previously dominated by HUcasts and RAmarls--how will PSO2 be balanced out to allow more variety online without breaking popular classes with an expansion pack? (Does Episode 4 ring any bells?)
Will CASTs be able to use magic? What will CASTs be affected by as a result of their augmented strength, defense and dexterity? Will Forces flourish on PSO2 or be disregarded for easier to play classes such as the Ranger of Hunter?
Let's hope CASTs using magic is abandoned; the very idea is a bit silly--and with that being said, will CASTs have any particular abilities besides being immune to paralysis and poison? The ability to see traps without the usage of Trap Vision was of little help when it came down to playing Episode 2 and being trapped in an electrical floor pod which were entirely invisible regardless.
Character customisation:
Concerns: Will there be any? Sega have gone back to the original 'framework' uniforms for each class, but how will they be alterable to give each particular character their own flare online? Previously, MAGs and whichever rare weapons you had were one of the main ways to differentiate your character from another's online if you had the same class. Will it all be judged by color palettes and stable outfits, or will the player character be able to purchase different styles of the same uniform and color them to their whim with a palette?
The goofy, anime sexualisation of PSU is part of what ruined the atmosphere of the title and made it look more like a Japanese cartoon ridden with sexual innuendo than an actual struggle for survival against the SEED invasion. That being said, will outfits like bikinis, banana hammocks and spa towels be a method of customisation in PSO2?
To wrap this up, I'm going to state what I would like to see in PSO2: No classless/everybody weapons such as the Crazy Tune, Holy Ray, S-Beats Blade.
No akimbo mixing (Saber in one hand, mechgun in the other), weapon types exclusive to class (guns of all types exclusive to Rangers, bladed/melee weapons of all type exclusive to hunters), a job for MAGs which will not allow them to be broken for which ever race/character they're equipped to, limitation of the type of weapon and amount of weapons you can use at any given moment and finally, a purpose to every class.
If gender plays no part in statistics and race and class are the only factors, a Human Ranger and Newman Ranger should have more than just appearance and statistics to set them apart--their gameplay roles should be different to assist the team in a way that each one of them would be unable to otherwise provide if they aren't the opposing class. Likewise, CAST rangers should follow suit with abilities that will seperate them from the other two forms of ranger (maybe the addition of explosives such as landmines or grenades) so that the other classes simply aren't excess dead weight in the game's population.
I would also like to note that it has been widely speculated that PSO2 will have multiple planets. I personally would not like to see this because one planet should have enough terrain differences to not have a need to include more planets to meet any sort of quota. Earth has many different types of terrain such as deserts, marshlands, tropics and ancient civilisations--an entirely new planet should not be needed just to express a different form of terrain in the environment.
Alright, so that is all. I have been lurking PSO-World for years now and I think it's about time I finally contributed and involved myself in the community, providing the community accepts me. Apologies for the length of this post.
Well, that's my first post. What are your questions and concerns and what do you think of what I had to say? Most importantly, what do *you*, the Hunters of PSO-World have to say about PSO2 and the aforementioned subject matter?
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