Month: November 2010

Today we get to see the title screens and various menus from the game.

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Title Screen

 

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Title Menu

 

(As a side note, study that image above to see which options go missing whenever the English version makes it here…)

[NEW GAME] is for those who are making a new character.
[CONTINUE] is for those continuing their character's game
[IMPORT] is to transfer something from previous game.
[GAME DATA INSTALL] install game data on the storage media.
[OFFICIAL WEBSITE] view the official website.

 

Mode Select Screen: After choosing or creating a character.

At the Mode Select Screen you have several choices.

[STORY MODE] play the story.
[MULTI MODE] play with up to 4 players in ad-hoc.
[INTERNET MULTI MODE] play with people in Infrastructure mode.
[FRIEND SEARCH] Friend search within Sleep Mode.

The Friend Search option can be turned on and off. If you highlight story mode and press the Triangle button, you can activate or deactivate Friend Search during that mode. So in review, Friend Search works in Story Mode or Sleep Mode.

 

Episode 1 Select

 

Episode 2 Select.

When you select Story Mode you can choose between Episode 1 or Episode 2.

[via pspo2iblog]

Additional Comments

Since people have been asking for proof if Episode 1 and 2 are in Infinity, I think these images should quell all those questions.

 

I saw that someone wanted to know how the Force and Vanguard Infinity Blasts look like on Gamefaqs, but the description was vague. Well It's kind of a coincidence Sakai posted this today.

Infinity Blast Force

The Force Version of the Infinity Blast

During this blast, if you press Square, your Duman will unleash balls of light consecutively. At the end, the light will explode and can hit enemies that are nearby the circumference of its explosion. If you hold down the triangle button, you will do a light explosion around your character.

Force Infinity Blast Animation

Vanguard Infinity Blast

The Vanguard version of the Infinity Blast

With the Square button you will generate a photon sword in both hands and unleash quick spinning attacks. If you hold the triangle button, your Duman will spin up into the air with a tornado attack.

Braver Infinity Blast Animation

 

Type Level Abilities

Type level ranges unlock new special features for Infinity Blasts.

• Infinity Blast Levels
  • Type Level 11 ~ 20: HP Recovery*
  • Type Level 21 ~ 30: Reduced Charge Time
  • Type Level 31 ~ 40: Sleep Effect
  • Type Level 41 ~ 50: Blast time lengthened.

[via pspo2iblog]

Though Sakai wrote HP recovery, the current form in the Demo is HP absorption.

The drawbacks

Now, the Infinity Blasts are a double edged sword, because just like the nanoblast, you can not use any items to heal yourself  during the process. No items whatsoever. So you need to be careful with your timing, especially with bosses or you might die….

[via pspo2iblog]

Additional Comments

See I knew Sakai was going to balance this the right way. I didn't think for one minute they were able to heal themselves. So maybe the Dumans are a strong race, but their poor defense will obliterate those who can't Just Guard (Exact Block).

 

Sega has just announced they are planning a collaboration with Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Shining Hearts. These DLC are based on characters and weapons from their respective games. Unfortunately no screenshots were provided and this post will update once they are available. The DLC appear to cost money this time…

Shining Hearts releases in Japan 12/15/2010 and Valkyria Chronicles 3 releases January 27th, 2011.

Imca from Valkyria Chronicles 3 Outfit and Weapons.

 

Fortunately, the original PSP2 DLC of Valkyria Chronicles 2 is already included within Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity. So you may use that extremely long saber or wear their outfits.

Now someone was asking if because there's a visual lobby for PSP2i, if the game will have a monthly charge. Sakai reassures us that the internet multiplayer portion of the game is still free. Download Missions are still free.

But why are these items pay DLC? Well Sakai has a budget to make up for development time and labor, and PSP2 didn't have that many pay items to cover it.

So now, the DLC for items will be generally pay items. However collabs like Calorie Mate, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Evangelion, Gurren Lagann, and the Item Design Contest winners will stay as Free DLC. The price for these pay collaboration DLC items will stay exactly the same as they did since PSP2. Sakai will never provide any DLC that will increase your EXP or Meseta. These pay DLC are just for those who want them.

[via pspo2i + blog]

Jump Festa 2011. At this year's Jump Festa, you can receive this lovely yellow Rappy Pouch. It can hold the PSP or a digital gadget. The Rappy Pouch is in limited supply so get it if you can.

With this Rappy Pouch you can attach it to your belt and utilize the friend search to it's fullest potential. As you walk down the street and come in contact with other nearby PSPs, you'll download and exchange characters.

The event kicks off 12/18 – 12/19/2010 from 9 to 5.

This is a sample Rappy Pouch that Rapico posted on Twitter. It holds your PSP and you can thread a belt through the top. The purpose of this pouch is to highlight "Friend Search" which requires you to pass by nearby PSPs to exchange data, just like a similar feature in Dragon Quest 9 or God Eater Burst.

So I know that it will be highly impossible for anyone who lives outside of Japan to even receive one, but Sega of America usually gives out free swag like this eventually with their blogs and youtube videos. So not all hope is lost.

[via Rapico]