First Phantasy Star Portable Review 7.0 from IGN

IGN posted the first Phantasy Star Portable review outside of Japan, and gave it a score of 7.0. Comparing this score to Phantasy Star Universe, it is slightly higher from 6.6 for PS2 and 5.5 for PC. IGN reviewer Ryan Clements summed up his review as:

 

Despite its problems, including a terribly lackluster story.
poor AI and imperfect lock-ons, Phantasy Star Portable
is really satisfying, especially if you enjoy collecting loot and
seeing your deliciously fashionable robo-wizard level up.

He pointed out that "the game's entire presentation feels extremely cheap" noting shops and cities have been reduced to a 2D representation of themselves. He also felt the AI was atrocious, stating,  "Never have I seen such incompetent, incapable party members like the AI-controlled riffraff of Phantasy Star Portable."

We can assume the AI for Phantasy Star Portable acts the same as it does in Phantasy Star Universe. Most players use them for meat shields and healing support, they don't tend to be useful in any other fashion.

He did point out excellent parts of the game, praising the wide assortment of cool looking weapons and the game's multi player modes. He seemed to like the action pallete system describing it as, "…extremely handy, as attempting to navigate the game's full set of menus with monsters leaping all over you is excruciatingly difficult (as it should be)." 

So in all, this is a very surprising review score coming from IGN after the horrendous scores of Sonic and the Black Knight and Sonic Unleashed. Maybe IGN isn't so IGNorant after all?

 

[via IGN]

Game Tweaks, Graphical Technic Nerf, Machine Gun Glitch Fix Planned for Jan 20, 2009

GMs Edward and Ruby posted details about a Title update scheduled for Jan 20th, 2009. This update will fix several bugs in the game and make slight changes in game mechanics. Hopefully these changes will make the game a more enjoyable experience to everyone. Here's a rundown on the most important issues.

  • Graphical Technic Nerf
    • Technics will now display as high as Level 21-30 to prevent slowdown. Though they did not specifically mention this, in the Japanese version the caster will still see level 31+ technics. We're assuming this still stands.
  • Machine Gun Glitch
    • The Machine Gun Glitch will finally be fixed, great news for Xbox360 players.
  • Rare missions
    • A message will appear on the screen notifying the party that a rare mission has been received.
    • The calculation of rare missions has been changed so that solo players can now receive them.
  • Photon Charges
    • Photon charges will now fully charge  a weapon in each hand instead of 50%. In other words, a photon charge will now work the same way as they do with 2 handed weapons. 
  • Kicking Party Members
    • It will now be impossible to kick party members between "Trial End" and "Mission End". This means you may no longer boot players when the boss or clear boxes appear. 
  • Party List
    • When you select to join a party on the  mission screen. The party list will now display open parties at the top of the list.

[via psu_board]

Phantasy Star Zero connection to Phantasy Star Online; Soundtrack Announced

phantasy-star-zero-original-soundtrack

During Sega's Christmas party commemorating Phantasy Star Zero's release, Sega announced the original soundtrack which will be released on January 28th, 2009. The cover is described to pay homage to Phantasy Star Online.

A question was raised if Phantasy Star Zero had any relation between the past Phantasy Star games.  Producer Sakai revealed that if you play quests after the completion of the main game and read the text thoroughly, you might see some relevance between past games.

pso-in-ps0

In the first stage of development,
Phantasy Star Online was recreated on the DS.

 

kazuhiro ozawa

Special Guest Kazuhiro Ozawa (left) from Comedy Duo Speed Wagon
and Idol Sayuki Matsumoto (right) both holding the Ps0 box.

 

snowy1

Director Kawabata commented on how there weren't any snowy areas in the previous phantasy star online games. He said he was determined to insert such a field this time!

 

capsule-figures

PS0 Capsule figures on sale after February 2009.
You can get your hands on Sarisa, you perv!

[via gamewatchimpress and gamespot jp]

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