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Phantasy Star Universe On Demand; PSPo2 Challenge 2 Stage 4 and ESRB

July 27, 2010September 24, 2010 Ricardo 4 Comments

Today's major announcement; Phantasy Star Universe for Xbox 360 will be available for Games on Demand. Though the current price isn't mentioned, it will finally put an end to those who can no longer find the game in retail stores. Though this problem never existed for the PC version, (Thanks to the internet…), but still, it's nice to know that newcomers have a chance to actually play the game. Ambition of Illuminus remains free and must be downloaded in order to play the game online.

[via segaforums]

Challenge 2-4

On July 28th, 2010 a new challenge mission will be released. Known as チャレンジⅡ　ステージ4・金轟 Challenge Season II Stage 4: Gold Roar. This mission features the boss Duga Dunga, as well as several gimmicks you have to overcome. In order to play this mission you must pass the previous 3 challenge missions in Season 2. This mission is available for the Japanese Phantasy Star Portable 2.

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Rated T for Teen

The ESRB has rated Phantasy Star Portable 2 T for Teen. Just for fun, we'll take a look at their description of the game:

This is a role-playing game in which players engage in combat and complete quests to advance a storyline about a planet attempting space travel and domination. Players roam through new territories and battle dragons, demons, and other creatures. Players can slash at enemies with swords and shoot at them with futuristic guns. Damage is usually indicated by a blinking effect, puffs/sparks, and brief cries of pain.

Some female characters wear revealing outfits, or their breasts jiggle when they move. During the course of the game, characters engage in dialogue that is occasionally suggestive (e.g., "Perhaps you can get it up, too" and "I always liked having you on top"). The storyline includes a long discussion about a man's bar tab and a couple of scenes involving a champagne-bottle weapon. [ESRB]

Some females wear revealing outfits? Oh ya? Wait till they see… I do like suggestive lines and all which I can assume the examples above may be between between Crouch and Ursula. Then of course the champagne bottle weapon is one of Chelsea's SUV Weapons which she only uses during one awesome cutscene.

Phantasy Star Universe Cosplay

With Comic Con going on, I was wondering if anyone dressed up as Phantasy Star characters, please send them in if you do. On a random search through the depths of the Internet I found some pretty accurate designs of outfits from PSU+AOTI characters. They even made sure to get Maya's "proportions" correct… Can you spot Lil' Hyuga?

[via gensoumelody]

Festival and Summer

Sakai gives us some close up shots of the new items and weapons released last week. Interestingly enough the male character makes sure to never "moon" the camera.

Male wearing the Light Festival Loincloth with a Lantern TCSM

Female wearing her School Bathing Suit while carrying a Watergun

[via pspo2blog]

Next time we'll feature some of our favorite items in the item design contest.

Phantasy Star Universe: Differences with Gamers

July 18, 2010July 18, 2010 Ricardo 3 Comments

Shougai linked to the second part of Sakai's interview. Here we see some interesting comments regarding us foreign players.

Gamebridge: The latest game have both a domestic and foreign outlook, what do you think is necessary to consider by making Phantasy Star appeal to foreign countries (outside of japan)?

Sakai: For now, the game wasn't really directed towards foreign countries. Originally, "Phantasy Star" was a popular title abroad. But now, that feeling seems to be gone. Maybe it is because of the failure of PSU. Now when you create Phantasy Star (games) "Things that the Japanese players will accept," is valued. Yet, we are also put in a position to make something that foreign countries will accept. This is because our company's policy is to make games for a global audience. So I do try to aim for a global audience, but there is no use creating something that is not accepted by Japanese players. "When you make something in Japan, will the rest of the world embrace it?," is a hugely important thing to think about. […]

Generally there isn't much of a story in online games. How do you introduce a story then? [Inserting a story] was truly the experiment for PSU. [Regarding online games in general]: Is it difficult to have one person developing into the hero? In PSO, "the view of the world" is the main premise behind the game, it was a story where you could see the mysteries, little by little. In the future, I think that it would be good to head back towards that direction.

I guess in comparison, taking a look at PSU's story, the game presents with "you" as a character participating within story events and shaping the world. So you become famous in your own right among the main characters. The characters actively acknowledge you and may remember you from previous episodes. In PSO you were merely taking part in events that seemed to happen around you. It wasn't really much of a game to play for the story. I'm still not even sure what the heck happened in episode 4 after beating it so many times.

Gamebridge: What are the differences between the Japanese and Foreign gamers?

Sakai: "You can do everything" from the start is a concept for foreign games. In Japanese games, it was good to say "How do you make it fun within limitations." But now that hardware has evolved, "You can do everything," is now the reality. The Japanese players are very passive, the foreign gamers are pretty active. For example within events, the Japanese players don't give out much feedback, do they…

Ok? Are we too vocal about events then?

[via shougai]

Phantasy Star Portable 2: Beach Fanservice DLC

July 16, 2010July 16, 2010 Ricardo Leave a comment

Fanservice? Really?

Well, for the first time in Phantasy Star "Universe" history, male clothing has achieved the extremely revealing outfit status. Yes there's bikinis and bathtowels, but the "Magical Princess" outfit always had the thinnest thong. Well now.. The next batch of DLC will mimic summer festival and beachwear. A fundoshi for the males and a swimsuit for the females.

Click for Larger Images if you dare!