Phantasy Star Universe

List Price: $29.99 Discount Price: $3.00

Features:

• Sega
• Phantasy Star Universe PC

Accessories:
PC Gamer (1-year)	Games for Windows: The Official Magazine	Slim Jim Meat Sticks, Original, 0.28-Ounce Sticks (Pack of 100)

Customer Reviews:

Doesn't Deserve To Be Called A "Phantasy Star" Game [Posted on 2007-03-28]
Phantasy Star 1, 2, 3, and 4 were great, in fact IMHO they are the 4 greatest RPG's ever. Great gameplay, great replay value, great graphics, great story, total freedom, random appearing enemies, massively explorable maps.

So what does Phantasy Star Universe have?
Horrible graphics, laughable voice acting, awful gameplay, enemies that appear on que instead of at random, crappy bland "real-time" instead of unique and thought-out "turn-based". A lot like those horrible Final Fantasy games, no freedom what-so-ever. I don't like being told what to do in an RPG, it just isn't right.

Save your money, go and fire-up the Genesis and enjoy when RPG's were good.

Game controls overshadow gameplay [Posted on 2007-06-29]
This game has/had so much potential. The graphics are ok, the actual story and 'feel' are nice and immersable. There are pleanty of nifty 'new' things that make this game feel like its not another boring RPG but something a little different. HOWEVER the game controls ABSOLUTELY SUCK. You have the options of either using your keyboard or a game controller. NO MOUSE SUPPORT. I dont have a controller so i used keyboard for movement etc. I dont know about you but I dont like to spend more time trying to face my opponent and find them than I do actualy fighting them. I have always hated the WASD movement system and in real time battles this system is terrible. The whole time I was playing all I could think was "My mouse is sitting rite there, why cant I use it to navigate the world?? It would all be sooo much better if I could". I know alot of you have become acustom to the WASD movement system but I have never and will never like it. This game could be sooo cool except for the LOUSY CAMERA ANGLES and EVEN WORSE MOVEMENT FUNCTIONS. You have to constantly be pushing a button or rearranging your camera and I spent more time orienting myself and learning the convoluded and overworked movement/inventory system that I didnt get a chance to take in my surroundings or enjoy the graphics. Wait for this game to become VERY cheap before you buy in my opinion. I dont want a game that you have to take a class to play and im sure you dont either.

IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH VISTA [Posted on 2007-10-16]
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.

It will do... [Posted on 2007-10-23]
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.

Skip this, buy its expansion [Posted on 2007-11-22]
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.

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