Phantasy Star Online 2 Server Open + IGP Winners

Congratulations, the alpha test has now started! Today and tomorrow the first chosen participants will play the newest era in the Phantasy Star series. Currently the client has to be patched before playing.

Update: Today the official Sega Twitter page announced it will (break its previous schedule…) and add more people to the alpha test. So check your emails today to see if you were added. You will be placed in tomorrow's test.

User Relay Updated: 9:07PM EST

    • Over 1600 people were connected to the alpha test.
    • The Flow of starting a mission, the main lobby > quest area > camp ship > mission.
    • Healing items look like canisters on the field. Monomates, Star Atomizer, Photon Crystal, Photon Drop were spotted.
    • Each weapon type has their own specific icon when they are on the ground. Rods have a rod icon, gunslash has it's own gunslash icon, etc
    • Shift is the auxilliary action but it performs different things on different weapons. For example, when you have a Sword and have the Guard skill you press SHIFT to guard. When you have a Gunslash you press SHIFT to change from attacking to shooting.  However the original combo (right mouse button) already has its own agenda.
    • You can lock weapons so you don't discard them.
    • Music is very light and airy and BGM transitions from calm to battle. Music transition is very quick.
    • You can use technics within your physical attack  combos. (Normal atk > Normal Atk 2 > Foie)
    • PA Discs look like CDs when on the ground.
    • You can attack without weapons.
    • When enemies have status effects, their colors change, "Poison" Status effect changes their color to purple.
    • Healing pads look similar to the way they did in PSO.
    • NPC "Dynal"  in missions drop boxes with healing pads from his aircraft. Player described this event as very FPS like
    • Alpha test has 4 character slots but there's a space for a fifth one but it looks disabled.
    • Weapons icons (looks like sword) drops on the ground.
    • You can continuously use "Step" or "Jump" without any cool down (I'm sure they'll probably change this aspect later on)
    • Interrupt Event: An NPC named Prigita, tasked the player with defeating the hovering enemy, Vriahda (Briahda).
    • Transitioning to different blocks actually look like heading off to a new area instead of just warping.
    • Sub Classes were removed from the Skill Tree.
    • You can cut trees down with your sword, we even saw the blades of grass get cut.
    • You can guard with your sword.
    • Forces can teleport or warp to evade attacks.
    • A player reported during evasion (Mirage Escape) as a Force he was completely invincible.
  • Alpha Test invites Sent
    • More reports of them sending out new candidates for the alpha test.

 

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity Teaser

Next week for PSP2i, the winners of the Infinity Grand Prix will release their designed weapons.

 

As for PSU Japan, the beach mission will release with the original arrangement of the BGM, we now know the name of the song is "Naked Sky."

Phantasy Star Online 2: Players Site Opens

Getting ready for the alpha test, the Phantasy Star Online 2 Players Site is now open. We are seeing tweets about a downloadable client. In addition Sega has launched the official Twitter page. You can add @sega_pso2 to twitter for the latest news!

 

 

 Start Screen

Player Feedback Furage!

The following information is based on users relaying information on what they see within the site. Information is collected from 2ch, twitter, and Japanese blogs and comments.

  • Alpha Test User Info
    • nProtect Gameguard is utilized in the Alpha test version of Phantasy Star Online 2.
    • "It is forbidden to disclose information to any outside websites, forums, video sites, twitter, etc."
    • Mags, My room, and the Item Trade Functions are not available in the Alpha Test.
    • PSU Lobby Actions are temporary, they have plans to implement new lobby actions in the future.
    • Auto Word implemented, also a new Chat Feature is coming in the future.
    • Manga Iconography (ex. Sweat Drop) can be placed below text balloons.
  • Alpha Test Restrictions 
    • Class Level up to Level 20. Alpha test gives access to some skills.
    • Only 5 weapon categories with access to some PAs and some Technics.
    • Can't change your class while in the Alpha Test (After you've chosen initial class or While you are in a field?)
    • Can't change your Costume, or form while in the alpha test (After you've made the character or While you are in a field?)
    • Interrupt Event, only some patterns and variations are available.
    • There will be a minimum amount of explanation regarding the general setting of PSO2 in the alpha test. As for the story elements, this won't be featured in the alpha test. In the future,they have plans to have a full fledged story.
  • Available Features
    • Three Races, Three Classes to choose from.
    • Multiparty System, Random Field, Photon Sensitive Effect.
    • Forest field and later the Volcano Caverns Field
    • Quest Counter, Skill Counter, Item Shop, Weapon Shop.
    • Friend, Black List
  • Alpha Test Save Data
    • After the Alpha Test is over,  save data is reset and is not transferred to future tests.
  • Photon Arts
    • Twister Fall (Wired Lance? PA?)
  • Force Skill Tree
    • Flame Mastery > Photon Flare > Flame Tech S Charge
    • Ice Mastery > Freeze Ignition > Freeze Tech Boost
    • Mirage Escape
    • Bolt Mastery > Bolt Tech PP Save
  • Gamepad (3 Sources)
    • Official Site listed Recommended Gamepads.
    • Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows 
    • ELECOM USBtoPS/PS2 Gamepad Converter
    • BUFFALO USB Gamepad 16 Button
    • Logicool PC GameController GPX-500
    • Rumble Gamepad F310
    • Rumble Gamepad F510
    • Wireless Gamepad F710
    • EXA PSU AOTI Official Gamepad

Class Specific Evasion Actions

So far it was discovered through screenshots that there are class specific evasive actions. In previous screenshots it was revealed Hunters have "Step", in today's screenshot it was revealed Forces have "Mirage Escape" and later on a screencast revealed that rangers do indeed have a ability called "Dive Roll."

  • Hunters: Step
  • Rangers: Dive Roll
  • Force: Mirage Escape

Mirage Escape lets forces warp short distances to evade attacks. Videos also show that Rangers can indeed dive to the side just like in Phantasy Star Portable 2 series.

 Also of note, Hunters seem to have exclusive use of Guard. The force skill tree so far doesn't seem to have that skill.

PSO2 Concepts

PSO2 Fomarl Concept!

 

PSO2 FOnewm Concept

After reaching 2000 Likes, Bonkohara revealed the next concept images!

Phantasy Star Online 2 Media Briefing: Fansubbed

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Finally for the first time we can present the entire Media Briefing translated into english. The briefing was translated by Jeremiah Bourque while Ian R. Justman and Velocity7 who did the audio editing, and subtitling.

So this video should  help introduce the basic concept of the Arks vs Darkers, the first planet, and general gameplay system. The alpha test starts on Thursday 3:00 AM EST, see you soon! P.S Check out the previous post for the keyboard control schemes.

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