Customer Reviews

Phantasy Star Universe

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The game itself is fantastic. A wonderful combination of RPG and action.
It has a variety of weapons and outfits to customize your character as you like, all with their own look; wonderful cut scenes and graphics for the overall game. Some of the missions can be a little tedious to do but I don't think it takes away from the overall quality of the game.

The online aspect is also a very good one as well. In theory, that is.
The few times I had the chance to play with other players, it was fast paced and exciting - something you don't get in a lot of online RPGs. However, the player base for the PC/PS2 community is a very, very small one. From what I've heard the Xbox players outnumber PC and PS2 combined. This wouldn't be so much of an issue if you were given the option to interact with the Xbox players as well, however PS2 and PC players are restricted to one server, while Xbox players are restricted to another.

On top of this, customer service is next to non-existent. For an online, pay-to-play game, this is shocking to say the least. I encountered a game stopping bug, and have had a petition requesting help from Sega up for the last month, with absolutely no response whatsoever but for the automated confirmation. Thus I have been unable to continue the main storyline.

Amazing game. Wonderful potential. And a lot of fun... if I could still play it.
If there were any moderators, customer service, or help from the company of any sort, it could have been an amazing game. But right now it's just sitting there, collecting dust.

Watch the Sega site before buying this one. If they ever get their act together, and actually TRY working on this one again, it'd be worth playing. Until then, don't expect more than the main story. And even then, if you're buying the PC based version, be ready for bugs.

I usually enjoy the added functionality of a mouse and keyboard when I have the option of going with either the console or PC version. You can imagine my surprise when I found out that you don't even use the mouse in the PC version. The controls on the PC are painfully awkward using a keyboard for a game designed for an analog controller.

As far as the game itself is concerned, the single player game limits you to a unforgivingly cliche male adolecent which I could not bring myself to play. The online version does allow for some respectable character creation, even if you aren't into the Japanese stereotypes (although it's $10 extra each month).

I imagine this game would be fairly playable if you have a pretty good controller for your PC, but it's downright painful with a keyboard. It's overwhelmingly obvious that this was a console native game that was poorly ported to the PC when you first start and get to select from 5 screen resolutions ranging from 640x480 up to 1280x1024.

After you are in game, be prepared to spend a good time going through tutorials and exploring the large starter city before you ever actually get to any combat (online mode).

Overall, the single player I imagine would be unplayable for most, the controls are just unacceptable on the PC unless you have a good controller, the resolution is terrible by PC standards and it takes forever to really get started but even after all is said and done, it's a Phantasy Star game. I enjoyed Phantasy Star Online quite a bit for the Dreamcast and I imagine I'll enjoy this as soon as I get around to buying it for my 360.

It is in my opinion that you shouldn't buy this game. If liked Phantasy Star Online, and would like to see a similar game, check out the stand alone expansion for this game (called Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus). The expansion improves upon the gameplay by adding features that SHOULD have been included in this one. Take a look at my review on the expansion for a more in-depth exploration of my reasons for not liking this game.

I really didn't know what to expect when it came to PSU. I never played a game developed entirely in Japan and then converted to the English Language but I like SCI-FI so I thought I would give it a try.

First you'll notice the the Japanese graphics as colarful and alive. The level design was small at first but opened up as you explore different regions (planets) in the galaxy.

Their only voice acting is the cut-sceens and then text in the form of pop up like in comics coming from the charactors that you will find hitting the Enter button is the best way to stear through them.

This game is the closest to come in years from the Jedi Knight series. You'll receive a sword that looks like the Light Sabors from Star Wars and the effects from combat with the various foes is just down-right breath taking as your light sword leaves trials of light swirling around you as you swing your sword. The lazer guns and photon are also cool with bright greens and reds streaming arossed the battle field.

The story is a bit cheesy and reminds me of Advent Rising but in Japanese version so if you played that game than this will seem all too familar. You play as a young punk kid that losses his sister in an attack on your races colony and must find/rescue her. That's in the very beinging and the sotry mode spans 12 chapters I believe in all. After the fourth you can unlock extra mode which is basically Network mode but offline as you can take free missions you earn from defeating bosses in story mode and can select a party as well from cards you will aquire.

If you like a good sci-fi story and don't mide a weak but rewarding story that seems all to familar and hints on it's Japanese roots then PSU will surely please you but take this in consideration it will be hard to find a game out now or from the past that has more colorful effects and graphics in general as PSU offers!

This is a great game but I've been having trouble getting it running on my PC. My PC uses windows 7 and their log on software just isn't compatible. It took some wrangling to get it going but once I got started it runs great.

I bought this game for my siblings because we love to play the portable version on the PSP and the Xbox 360. It's great fun with a big party and we spend hours goofing off together. However, none of us can take this game seriously and we all make fun of it's story. In my opinion, this isn't the game for you if you are into the more serious RPG's that you can actually really get into and feel the game and it's characters. But if you love a fun game to just goof on and slaughter a TON of monsters with your buddies, then definitely get this one for your collection! The only problem we had was that it refused to run on my brother's computer. The reason is unknown for it worked on everyone's computer except his and it didn't really tell us why it wouldn't run. It installed perfectly and would boot to the main screen and then quit when he tried to play it.

I really have enjoyed this game. There is a lot to do although it can be repetative, but that doesnt bother me. Its great to go in and kick some butt, great for stress! :)

I never grew into the Phantasy Star franchise until I purchased Phantasy Star Online for the Sega Dreamcast. And that should speak for itself, since the first Phantasy Star game I played was III, and for the Sega Genesis. But anyway...

I recently got out of Guild Wars, mostly due to a number of issues I had with the MMO. And when I finally got hold of this game, it took me a while to get used to everything. Heck, I need to consider re-adjusting a couple of buttons due to the fact one is the "camera reset" button. Never the less, this is how I feel about the game:

+ Animation style is true to its Phantasy Star Online roots.
+ Free missions can be replayed.
+ Character creation feels more personal and less military (compared to PSO).
+ Each chapter was given an episode-by-episode feel to it.
+ Non-character customizations added (i.e. room, etc.).
+ Phantasy Star Online charm is still there.

- Subtitles are off-key from time to time.
- Controls have to be customized for most players.
- Must be logged on just to play the game offline.
- Lack of a camera control option can become an issue.
- Might feel like a "been there, done that" kind of game for those who played .hack (the first one especially) or Phantasy Star Online.
- May lack some charm for fans of Phantasy Star and/or Phantasy Star Online.

OVERALL OPINION: I feel that, from my past experience, this is an average Sega game. It has the potential to shy away major Phantasy Star Online fans, and also has the potential to make most .hack fans feel like they played the game before. Which is why I am going to say it has an overall average entertainment value. But what will interest me is to see how many Namco and Bandai franchise characters I can create in this game. And with the lack of an ability to play online, I can only wait until I am given that option.

OVERALL FEEL: The PC version for me is a new experience. But it does make me feel like I should purchase a new Sega Dreamcast, a memory card, and a copy of Phantasy Star Online. Then again, I was given the same feel when I played the GameCube version.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION: If you have DSL or better and want a MMORPG experience without the MMO, this game is for you. If you want to play a good Japanese sci-fi MMORPG, you can either go with this game or Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst. The difference in fee is $1, and Blue Burst is free to download. But I do recommend thinking about your preference on social interaction and customization before you make your final decision.

Having played this game on the PS2 I was excited when I found out that there was a PC version. I wish I had researched it first.

Quoted from the Sega PSU Website ([...])
"Some laptop or notebook computers may not run the game properly, even if they meet the same system settings as a comparable desktop computer. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that PHANTASY STAR UNIVERSE will be compatible with laptop or notebook computers. "

now I am stuck with a game I can't play.

After playing my brother's PS2 copy, I figured I'd give this a try. Unfortunately, after installing the game on my brand new Vista computer, I found the performance was very sluggish and slow. After checking through Sega's technical support section, I found out that this game is not supported for the Windows Vista operating system. Needless to say, I tossed this thing in the trash afterwards.

So buyer beware. This game is NOT VISTA COMPATIBLE.