Phantasy Star Universe Portable - Comin' Stateside!!!!!!!! <3

[RelentlessRolento]

yay!

http://kotaku.com/5064094/sega-bringing-phantasy-star-portable-stateside
________
Update:

Downloadable Demo:

http://www.pspfanboy.com/2008/07/11/phantasy-star-portable-downloadable-demo/
________________
http://forums.exophase.com/showthread.php?t=4766

Most likely due to the success of monster hunter on the system, this title looks to sit aside capcom. Personally, I never gave a crap about PSU and even less after playing it on the 360 for a few days, but the news of it hitting a portable system makes me really want it. I have no idea, but maybe because I always prefer my stuff on portables over home consoles.

[LancerEvoX]

http://forums.exophase.com/showthread.php?t=4766

Most likely due to the success of monster hunter on the system, this title looks to sit aside capcom. Personally, I never gave a crap about PSU and even less after playing it on the 360 for a few days, but the news of it hitting a portable system makes me really want it. I have no idea, but maybe because I always prefer my stuff on portables over home consoles.

I feel the same way also. I disliked the single player story for PSU, and I didn't feel like paying to play online, especially since I was playing WoW around the same time... but in this case I'll probably get it along with some friends, since we'll probably be bored of MHF2 by next year. Though if Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G supports Infrastructure... I know where my money is going...

[RelentlessRolento]

I feel the same way also. I disliked the single player story for PSU, and I didn't feel like paying to play online, especially since I was playing WoW around the same time... but in this case I'll probably get it along with some friends, since we'll probably be bored of MHF2 by next year. Though if Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G supports Infrastructure... I know where my money is going...


Oddly if SEGA wanted to make a real moneymaker with PSU Portable, just add infostructure and bam, instant hit. I know it's a pain in the ass to integrate into games like this, but if you want to sell in large numbers (at least in the USA), then put infostructure in.

Even if MHP2G dosnt have infostructure, the added bonuses are worth it IMHO like the pet felines you can take into combat to help you out.

[imascrub]

I actually have not seen one game on the PSP that has interested me that has infrastructure mode on it. It's always ad-hoc. How many games out there actually support infrastructure? The DS has many great games that allow you to connect to the internet and interact with other people either through play or trading and whatnot, but why is it so difficult to make that happen on the PSP? I guess is it just because of the PSP hardware that's hard to run a game and go online at the same time? Lots of resources used up or something like that?

The only upcoming game that sorta has my attention is Warriors of the Lost Empire and that supports both ad-hoc and infrastructure (according to the us.playstation site) up to 2 players for both.

[RelentlessRolento]

I actually have not seen one game on the PSP that has interested me that has infrastructure mode on it. It's always ad-hoc. How many games out there actually support infrastructure? The DS has many great games that allow you to connect to the internet and interact with other people either through play or trading and whatnot, but why is it so difficult to make that happen on the PSP? I guess is it just because of the PSP hardware that's hard to run a game and go online at the same time? Lots of resources used up or something like that?

The only upcoming game that sorta has my attention is Warriors of the Lost Empire and that supports both ad-hoc and infrastructure (according to the us.playstation site) up to 2 players for both.



I've been eyeing Warriors of the Lost Empire for a long ass time... it looks good and I hope it is. I never realized it had infostructer in it. As for online, PSP had more supoort for it in its early life. I remember the first day I picked my PSP up on launch day I was online playing Twisted Metal Head On. That shit was fucking badass and still is IMHO.

[LancerEvoX]

I play Metal Gear Portable Ops Plus and Killzone Liberation online, even now. I used to play Untold Legends: The Warrior Code and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2, but I agree, there isn't much infrastructure based games that really interest me also.

[whoknows]

If it's online I'm in, if not pass.

[Grave_Addiction]

If it's online I'm in, if not pass.

It's not.

[whoknows]

It's not.
Ah well.

Why do they refuse to make it online? It would kick so much ass if it was

[imascrub]

infrastructure is really a make it or break it kind of feature for a lot of people since many people don't have friends with psps, don't have friends who are interested in the game, or just plain don't have friends. I myself only know two people with psps and their tastes in games vary a bit from mine.

[DiscoJer]

The trouble with infrastructure on PSP games, is that because piracy is such a massive problem and there is no way of keeping pirates off the servers, it simply costs too much. Maybe if PSP games sold better they could. But with a few exceptions, they sell horribly.

Most Sony games have infrastructure. But they can afford to. Maybe if this is a hit, Sega will release a follow up with infrastructure, much like Capcom is supposed to with that MHF2 expansion pack.

[DiscoJer]

The only upcoming game that sorta has my attention is Warriors of the Lost Empire and that supports both ad-hoc and infrastructure (according to the us.playstation site) up to 2 players for both.

I don't think it supports infrastructure. It just says WLAN on the product page from the UK publisher (on the US it doesn't say anything, other than "A Friend")

[imascrub]

hm...says 2 players ad-hoc, and 2 players infrastructure supported here:

http://www.us.playstation.com/PSP/Games/Warriors_of_the_Lost_Empire

though I don't know how long this information has been up and if it's been updated

[zewone]

I'd be excited if it was PSO.

PSU is unnecessarily convoluted.

[Ryukahn]

No online play makes this somewhat worthless since I don't know anybody around here that has a PSP. I might end up getting it anyway though since I really want a dungeon crawler, even though I didnt like PSU on 360 since it was so different than PSO.

[Ice2Dragon]

No online play.. meh.. pso games have never been long enough.. the one for 360 I ran through in like 10 hours.. and i bought it at 59.99 sigh.

[LancerEvoX]

Not to mention a lot of online PSP games usually have hackers/cheaters on the servers, ie people running faster than normal on medal of honor heroes, wallhacking or invincibility on SOCOM, etc etc. Its sad since I do like playing games online.

[SL4IN]

never been big on the PS games, but I'll give this one a try since it's on a handheld and looks promising.

[Jesse_Dylan]

The thing is, in Japan, at least in larger areas, you carry your PSP with you, Monster Hunter 2, PSU, blah blah, and you run into people who also have it, and you play with them. I think that's why the Monster Hunter games are so popular in Japan. Here, the odds of me running into someone who owns Monster Hunter, or even a PSP period, are just so ludicrously low...

So yeah, ditto to the above. I never cared about PSU/PSO, but seeing it was coming to PSP excited me until I realized it was ad hoc only. :( That doesn't stop me from enjoying Monster Hunter, but I think it might be a deal-breaker in this case.

There are ways to use a router to do ad hoc over the net, but it's a pain, and should we really have to resort to that? Sad. Stinks, cause I'd love to play FF Tactics with someone.

As for Warriors of the Lost Empire, why aren't there any reviews up for this game anywhere? It's been out for two weeks! Frustrating. I've been eyeing it since IGN did a little preview about 28 years ago, and since then, there's been nothing except some mentions on podcasts the week it came out (mostly along the lines of, "Huh? What is it? Never heard of it. Ho-hum," total and utter dismissal).

I wish someone would review the damn thing. I'd definitely buy it if it was solid. I actually had it pre-ordered until I realized there were no reviews upon its release date. And there still are none. Perplexing.

[JEKKI]

bump from the grave!!

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.pspfanboy.com/media/2008/05/pspsegabox225r.jpg http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.pspfanboy.com/media/2008/05/psp.jpg

Official Website: http://phantasystar.sega.jp/psp/

trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouMEZ85J1rI

opening movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAW5Cjc_lGM

I never played Phantasy Star Online or whatever before...

but this is suppose to be the next killer app or sum shyt for PSP...

trying to get sum of that Monster Hunter skrilla... get HYPE!!

[The Mana Knight]

I'm pretty interested in this myself. I kind of liked PSU, but in ways I feel it suits portable form well.

I think this should do well in Japan, but PSO would have been huge in Japan on PSP IMO.

[Ryukahn]

I still don't see much of a point in this unless it has online play. I put well over 1000 hours into PSO (played PSU for a month and didn't like it), and it was awesome due to the interaction with others. Taking that away turns it into a terribly boring game. Even PSU's single player game wasn't that fun. Based on how well Monster Hunter has sold I'm sure this will do fine in Japan, but I can't see it doing well in NA.

[JEKKI]

taken from magic box:

- Sega will release Phantasy Star Portable for PSP in July 31, 2008, for 4800 yen. The game will support up to 4 players in multiplayer mode, you can also play the game online using the WiFi infrastructure mode, download new content and import characters from the PS2 and PC version.

[RelentlessRolento]

I hope the online is real.

[Ahadi]

Tagging this for info later on.

PSO was a good time with some friends on GC and Xbox. Never got a chance to play with PSU on 360, so hopefully they didnt mess with the classic formula too much.

[guyver2077]

i always dreamed of a portable pso....

[zewone]

i always dreamed of a portable pso....

Yeah, but PSU :puke:

Tagging this for info later on.

PSO was a good time with some friends on GC and Xbox. Never got a chance to play with PSU on 360, so hopefully they didnt mess with the classic formula too much.

They ruined it. If this PSP version can get back to the PSO roots, I'll buy a PSP just for this game.

[Ryukahn]

taken from magic box:

- Sega will release Phantasy Star Portable for PSP in July 31, 2008, for 4800 yen. The game will support up to 4 players in multiplayer mode, you can also play the game online using the WiFi infrastructure mode, download new content and import characters from the PS2 and PC version.

If that's true, this could be awesome. Of course, like zewone said, this game needs to get back to being more like PSO. PSU is crap, but I have a few friends from way back on DC PSO that still play it since it's all they can play online heh.

[RelentlessRolento]

yeah, PSU was a shining turd. actually to be accurate, a neon turd.

[pete5883]

Magicbox is not the best source for info. But hopefully they're right anyway.

[imascrub]

fingers crossed for online play...

[JEKKI]

is PSU considered really bad in Japan too??

otherwise why would they port it??

I hope it's a new game...

[pete5883]

is PSU considered really bad in Japan too??

otherwise why would they port it??
They looked at Monster Hunter's sales numbers.

[JEKKI]

damn they're already rollin out the accessory pack n shyt...

http://image1.play-asia.com/350/74/pa.128245.1.jpg

link! http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-bh-49-en-70-2qyd.html

[RelentlessRolento]

Update:

Downloadable Demo:

http://www.pspfanboy.com/2008/07/11/phantasy-star-portable-downloadable-demo/

it's a bit big, 300mb... I'll be trying it on the crapper in a min.

[imascrub]

btw...will this be pay to play online?

[RelentlessRolento]

btw...will this be pay to play online?

highly doubt it since it seems there may be no online.

go read my blog for further impressions.

[imascrub]

hm tried it out the other day and so far it feels a whole lot like PSU. I think even the first training level was the same or very similar. So far the difference in this is that you can to choose your companion robot off the bat. That and instead of running around a central lobby, it's more of an overview map and you can choose places and people to talk to.

Tried the online mode but wasn't connecting to anything... Dunno if it was looking for local or online players

[ogbaka]

thanks for the heads up and the nice demo

[Bazz]

I doubt it will be free to play like Monster Hunter though. I really hate how Sega charges for this game per month on the consoles. It is really not in the pay for play league. Seeing this portable is nice a little late for the game, but still cool to see.

[SynGamer]

If they honestly think they can charge for a portable game, which is meant to be played in short bursts...well, they have another thing coming. While i *might* pay $5 a month to play, i just can't seeing many others doing the same when you can get much more on a console/PC game that requires a monthly fee.

[RelentlessRolento]

there's no charge for this people... no internet play!

[Radioactive_Man]

shit this is just what I needed, portable pso......must resist.....ah who am I kidding im importing.

[OnyxPrimal]

I've been playing PSO since the DC, but didn't like PSU. If this is more like O than U I'm so freaking in!

[RelentlessRolento]

I'm hoping for an announcement today maybe.

[imascrub]

to me PSP plays a lot like U

[guyver2077]

wow didnt realize they had a demo out.. i was a huge pso fan and i liked psu which i havent finished

no online play= whats the point

give me portable pso!!!

[Pestilence]

no online play just killed it for me...

The game plays amazingly well, but the whole time I was thinking "man this will kick ass if others can play with me."

My dreams were crushed and i will not be buying this.

[RelentlessRolento]

MHF2 had no online play and still kicked ass... I've been playing the demo in single player and its still damn good. you can have AI buddies in the multiplayer now.

[tofus]

AI haha what a terrible movie

[AwRy108]

Well, I've already noticed one major change that already has me excited for PSU on PSP: the "reward" system has become much more favorable. What do I mean exactly? Well, I only played for like 10 minutes, and I managed to get my character to level 5, my one-handed Saber's Photon Art to level 10, and I found a TON of half-decent loot!

If I remember correctly, PSU on the PC/consoles required much more grinding for much less rewards, which is why I stopped playing it.

If SEGA makes the full version of the game feel much more satisfying for your time, consider me hooked.

[RelentlessRolento]

Well, I've already noticed one major change that already has me excited for PSU on PSP: the "reward" system has become much more favorable. What do I mean exactly? Well, I only played for like 10 minutes, and I managed to get my character to level 5, my one-handed Saber's Photon Art to level 10, and I found a TON of half-decent loot!

If I remember correctly, PSU on the PC/consoles required much more grinding for much less rewards, which is why I stopped playing it.

If SEGA makes the full version of the game feel much more satisfying for your time, consider me hooked.

yeah, I think SEGA has stated that this version will be more user friendly due to lack of online.

[SynGamer]

I'm wondering if Xlink Kai will work with this...i know it could be a hassle, but i'm sure after the initial setup, it would be worth it.

EDIT: considering how much the US market prefers online multiplayer, SEGA could perhaps surprise us with infrastructure. I mean, a small team could take the ad-hoc mode and translate it into online.

[pete5883]

I mean, a small team could take the ad-hoc mode and translate it into online.
If it was really that simple, every game would have online play.

[RelentlessRolento]

yeah, online coding is superbly complicated. it's not an overnight or even a one month thing.

[argyle]

The drop system is what I hated in PSU. Instead of dropping actual weapons / armor, it was all components that I had no idea if they were worthless or not (usually were). Had to go back to your apt. to check the recipe lists & see if anything was actually useful.

So have they ditched that system? I'd d/l the demo for myself & see, but I've let the gf borrow my psp.

[SynGamer]

yeah, online coding is superbly complicated. it's not an overnight or even a one month thing.
I know that, but my point was that there is going to be at least a few months for the localization...why not improve the product since they already know the US market prefers online multiplayer? Personally, i'll probably stick to single player, but i'll definitely give xlink a shot to see if it works.

[pete5883]

I know that, but my point was that there is going to be at least a few months for the localization...why not improve the product since they already know the US market prefers online multiplayer? Personally, i'll probably stick to single player, but i'll definitely give xlink a shot to see if it works.
Because that costs more money, and they don't think it will increase sales enough to justify the added costs.

[SynGamer]

Because that costs more money, and they don't think it will increase sales enough to justify the added costs.
Understandable...would be nice to have but as i said, we can always try xlink.

[Cao Cao]

http://kotaku.com/5064094/sega-bringing-phantasy-star-portable-stateside

Apparently, Sega announced a US release at the Tokyo Game Show.

[RelentlessRolento]

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I predicted it. I am also happy.

[Halo05]

This is good news if only because it means that someone is still releasing PSP games in the US. Outside of that, I'm more excited for the new revision of MH.

Still, if this does well, maybe we'll see a PSP port of PSO. (probably not)

[RelentlessRolento]

It's expected that the game will also use the same ad-hoc online as Monster Hunter 2G when released in the US.

Glad it's coming out in the not too distant future. I remember MH2 releasing nearly a year after release >_<

[pete5883]

Is it expected because anyone at Sega has actually mentioned it, or expected because we expect Sega to do the right thing? Because if it's not in the Japanese version, I really don't expect Sega to do the right thing.

[RelentlessRolento]

Is it expected because anyone at Sega has actually mentioned it, or expected because we expect Sega to do the right thing? Because if it's not in the Japanese version, I really don't expect Sega to do the right thing.


It sold very well and was largely driven by sales of MH2. Also, opening a channel for the game is superbly easy. If you've tried doing the same thing on a PC you have a good idea already.

[nectarsis1]

Now will the DS game come over hmmmmmm

[Ryuukishi]

What is this game's relation to Phantasy Star Universe? Is it just a PSP port of Universe, or a totally new game?

[RelentlessRolento]

What is this game's relation to Phantasy Star Universe? Is it just a PSP port of Universe, or a totally new game?


It's a port of the mechanics and world as well as missions of Universe, but I think it's a new story and alot has been streamlined. Most of my complaints about universe seem to have been fixed from the demo I've played.

[pete5883]

It sold very well and was largely driven by sales of MH2. Also, opening a channel for the game is superbly easy. If you've tried doing the same thing on a PC you have a good idea already.
Yeah, but wasn't it already released in Japan, without this feature? Japanese companies are pretty notorious for not really giving a shit about the foreign versions of their game enough to add a feature like this.

[RelentlessRolento]

Yeah, but wasn't it already released in Japan, without this feature? Japanese companies are pretty notorious for not really giving a shit about the foreign versions of their game enough to add a feature like this.


Monster Hunter FG2 was released long before plans for the PS3 online. Sony already stated they are working on getting multiple games on it.

I honestly would be surprised if the PStrPortable game would not be supported.

[pete5883]

The thing is, Sega doesn't give a shit about America. Even though Americans were paying subscription fees for PSO like the Japanese, we always got less quests and stuff over here. Exhibit A:

1UP: Can you explain the functionality between the PS2 version and the PSP version and how it works?

SS: Unfortunately, that won't be incorporated into the Western version. But just to describe what it does: You'll be able to take your character from the PS2 version, download it from the network, and upload it on to your PSP, complete with that character's weapons, armor, facial features, and everything.

1UP: Why isn't that in the U.S. version?

SS: Because of technical difficulties.
Read: we don't want to.

However there is this:

1UP: Sony just announced that all ad-hoc playable games are now playable over infrastructure mode via your PS3. Did you know about this in advance? And how do you feel about the ability to now play pretty much any ad-hoc PSP game over the Internet with the PS3? If you did know about it, would it have changed anything concerning communication or functionality in the game?

SS: We didn't know about it beforehand, but if we had known, we would've wanted to include it in the game. I learned about the announcement [recently] along with everybody else, and I'm looking forward to incorporating that functionality into Phantasy Star Portable.

Both from here (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=1&cId=3170682&p=).

Anyway, it would be nice, but I'm not getting my hopes up. I'd say it's a lock for PS Portable 2, though.

[SeanNOLA]

I'm suprised how late they are porting it here. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is going to release in the Spring as well, and I would think that Sega would want to get a nice install base here before welcoming their competition. I guess they are hoping the PSO fans here will bank on brand-purity...

[SynGamer]

Brand loyalty will drive sales, definitely. But PSP fans in general will be looking forward to a good RPG so that alone should help sales as well. Personally, i hate the interface of the Monster Hunter games, but i like the gameplay so i'll probably get PSP first.

[guyver2077]

even though ill try it out.. isnt the ds game based on pso? not psu..

that right there is money

[Jesse_Dylan]

It's my understanding that the PSP version is PSU-based and heavily Monster Hunter influenced. The DS version is PSO-based. And probably still heavily Monster Hunter influenced.

PSU was a bummer.

[RelentlessRolento]

anyone who buys Monster Hunter Unite will be buying PStar Portable no question.

[Jesse_Dylan]

anyone who buys Monster Hunter Unite will be buying PStar Portable no question.

Sorry to be a naysayer, but why would you say that? I'll buy Monster Hunter Unite, but I won't buy PStar Portable unless I like what I read in reviews.

[RelentlessRolento]

Sorry to be a naysayer, but why would you say that? I'll buy Monster Hunter Unite, but I won't buy PStar Portable unless I like what I read in reviews.


monster hunter has a huge base on the PSP here in the states... a large portion of those people will be pulled into PStarP due to it being the only other game in the nearly same genre on the system.

[Jesse_Dylan]

monster hunter has a huge base on the PSP here in the states... a large portion of those people will be pulled into PStarP due to it being the only other game in the nearly same genre on the system.

Ah, I see. Or they might just play Monster Hunter. Or figure one game is enough. I guess it depends how PStar turns out and/or what kind of marketing push it gets.

[SynGamer]

Personally, this is the first PSP on the PSP, where as this will be Monster Hunter's 3rd appearance. From that standpoint, it's 50/50 as to whether people will give the 'new guy' a try or stick with the established (on the platform) series. I'll most likely get both at some point in time.

[pete5883]

Look alive people, this is coming out in 1 month, March 3.

[Jesse_Dylan]

The DS version is starting to look really good... Do they both have internet play, or just only the DS version? Seems odd not to include it on PSP.

[SynGamer]

The DS version is starting to look really good... Do they both have internet play, or just only the DS version? Seems odd not to include it on PSP.
PS0 (DS), from what i've gathered, is a spiritual sequel to Phantasy Star Online (on the Dreamcast). Where as PSP (PSP) is another Phantasy Star game, similar to Monster Hunter in that was can party up online. Again, we'll probably lose Online during the translation but i hope not.

And i just checked out the screens for the DS version and you can't tell what anything is...man, if only Nintendo had put a bit better hardware in that thing...

[Jesse_Dylan]

Again, we'll probably lose Online during the translation but i hope not.

I don't think the Japanese versions of Monster Hunter had online either, for the most part; it's just the ad hoc thing, which works for them. They're always having little parties and playing on trains and things. :) I think if I lived in Tokyo (um, and maybe had friends!), I would totally have been on the bandwagon.

I know the new version uses the PS3 as a bridge to do internet play. Maybe we'll get that in PSU as well, though why it can't just have internet play without a PS3 is beyond me.

And i just checked out the screens for the DS version and you can't tell what anything is...man, if only Nintendo had put a bit better hardware in that thing...

Haha, it's not that bad! It looks frankly quite good for the DS, which is not suited to 3D (and why I've been worried about Dragon Quest IX). And I'm much more interested in it; anything labeled "Universe" scares me. It also has full internet play.

As eager as I would be to play a good PS Online, I still want a true Phantasy Star V. PSIV is one of the best RPGs of all-time, and the first two in the series were extremely advanced for their time (but I can't even bring myself to play them now).

[SynGamer]

Demo came out today...i'm holding off until the game is released before i rent it, i don't want to spoil anything.

[RelentlessRolento]

Demo came out today...i'm holding off until the game is released before i rent it, i don't want to spoil anything.

go play it now... why? because it's just like the japanese demo... and why is that good? it starts from the beginning of the story and where the demo ends you can save your data :)

nice :bouncy:

[SynGamer]

go play it now... why? because it's just like the japanese demo... and why is that good? it starts from the beginning of the story and where the demo ends you can save your data :)

nice :bouncy:
Really now...i didn't know that, downloading now :D

[SL4IN]

Where's the english demo?

[Ryukahn]

It's on the PSP Store. I'm downloading it right now.

[redline]

Does the demo support online play through the PS3 ad hoc mode or whatever?

[pete5883]

I think you need to download something for the PS3 first which isn't out in America yet... we're all assuming you'll be able to eventually, though.

[SynGamer]

This sucks, i don't have a PS3 and this is definitely one game i'd love to play online with people.

[redline]

Well after playing the demo this definitely isn't the genre for me. It brings back bad memories of Monster Hunter Freedom 2. Maybe these types of games are more fun multiplayer but they just seem pretty lame playing solo.

[lilboo]

I kinda liked it.
I made a fat human chick and named her Fatilda.

I don't know about $40, though. It is something I'd play with my BF..but $40 is what I'd be willing to spend for BOTH copies.

[lilboo]

Sorry for the double post.

BF downloaded this on his PSP. Can.. we play together? How?
To be honest.. I never played any PSP game with anyone before... :oops:

[SynGamer]

Go to multi mode, i think you should be able to try adhoc.

[mykevermin]

I liked this a lot - but you're telling me it's basically a port of PSU?

Do you have to pay for online play in PSU on the 360, like PSO on Xbox? If not, I may look into buying it.

[RelentlessRolento]

Online play is free via PS3.

[Cao Cao]

Online play is free via PS3.

myke was likely asking about the 360 version of PSU. According to an IGN launch review, there is a monthly fee for PSU (360, PC, PS2), $9.99/mo., and 360 players require an active Live Gold subscription on top of that, I don't know if they dropped it since releasing it, but it does not seem like it.

[lilboo]

We played together. We really had a good time playing this..
How would you play this game through the PS3? :-s

So..me and him could meet up with 2 other people..but it has to be done through the PS3? :-s

--

Going off topic: Any other games like this? Our PSPs are so underused it's sad. I'll even take games for the DS too. Really love this genre.

[RelentlessRolento]

Monter Hunter Freedom 2
Valhalla Knights 2 (be warned... game is hard as fuck)

others as well....

[Cthulhu8u]

I've heard so much about these games (Shane Bettenhausen on 1UP Yours used to rave about it all the time), and now I'm playing the demo.

All I can say is, I'm addicted. I made a midget robot with a squeeky voice. So. Freaking. Cool.

BTW, I know so little about this series of games and I've picked up some bikinis. Can I eventually equip these (I'm thinking, you know, my female party members might need something more attractive while engaged in combat \\:D/ hunh, hunh, hunh hunh...).

[pete5883]

lilboo, the Monster Hunter games are like this, except impossible.

[Knoxximus]

Loving the demo. My character is already at level 19. It is amazing that this grind fest is just as feature filled as it's console counterpart and is PORTABLE!! Can't wait to transfer my character over next month!!

EDIT: Whoops! Better slow down or create some other characters in the interim!

Per Wikipedia:

On February 5, 2009, an English Demo for North America was released. It is available for download at the Playstation store. The North American Demo, like the Japanese demo, allows you to level your character up to level 20. You may choose between 3 Classes: Hunter, Ranger, Force. 4 Playable races in the demo include Beast, Cast, Human, and Newman. The demo contains the same amount of missions as the Japanese version with no noticeable content change aside from the language used.
Previously rumored to be removed from the North American release, the demo will support uploading save data to the full version of the game.

[RelentlessRolento]

I maxed out my character... >_<

[SynGamer]

How are you guys playing so much? I beat Farm mission 3 or something like that and afterwords it takes me to my 'room' and prompts me to save...

[pete5883]

You can play more in the multiplayer mode. You don't need other people.

[SynGamer]

You can play more in the multiplayer mode. You don't need other people.
But the demo says you can't use your character from story mode in multi (i think)...will i be able to transfer my character from multi to story in the full game?

[pete5883]

The Story Mode screen says "*Character can be used in multiplayer mode." You should be able to transfer, yes. I'm not leveling up that high, as I don't want to sleep through the whole story mode since I'm so overleveled.

[SynGamer]

The Story Mode screen says "*Character can be used in multiplayer mode." You should be able to transfer, yes. I'm not leveling up that high, as I don't want to sleep through the whole story mode since I'm so overleveled.
Ah, well in that case i need to read better while playing games in bed at night :P Thanks, i'll definitely give the multi mode a try, i wouldn't mind getting my character up to level 5 for when the game finally comes out.

[pete5883]

Don't worry, I misread it at first too. Just make sure you leave your wi-fi switch on, or you're immediately kicked out.

[SynGamer]

Got to level 5 or 6 last night. I can see this game getting somewhat repetitive because you can get through battles by repeatedly pressing square. But i hope that the higher level provide a more powerful triangle attack that is actually a descent amount more powerful than square attacks.

[The Mana Knight]

I actually really liked the demo. It fixes some issues I had with PSU. I definitely want to buy this.

[Redeema]

This may make me want to dust off my PSP after a couple of months of neglect. I loved PSO, but thought that PSU was too much of a departure from what made the series so good. I don't want to walk around the city that much, I don't want MMORPG, I just want a decent action/rpg with the ability to team up with friends.

[eastx]

Well PSU's not an MMORPG. It's actually only 6 players. But yeah, it is different than PSO.

[Redeema]

I know PSU isn't an MMORPG, but they tried to make it like one with all the walking around and pointless nonsense. I liked being able to just go to one counter and find stuff that I might need in PSO. It was a weird combination that didn't work for me. Too much walking around aimlessly. Not enough kicking monster ass. I may or may not pick this up just because I haven't bothered with my PSP in so long, but it'll depend on how I feel about the demo.

[SynGamer]

One thing i'm already not liking about the game is how EVERY level/mission has roughly the same number of enemies, ALL in roughly the same locations. I was hoping for a bit more randomness/variety :( Still fun, but something i'm realizing the more i level my character up (Lvl 11 or 12 last i checked).

[Redeema]

That's how the series is, so if you've played any other PSO/PSU game you should be used to it by now. The real reason to play is the rares, so that you can show off, but if you can't play online to do that I really fail to see the point. I don't even know anyone else with a PSP, everyone else has a DS.

[eastx]

My son and I played the demo and really enjoyed it. I've only played a little but I have no major complaints so far. It's annoyingly hard to tell how a weapon increases your attack power, but I'll get used to it. Glad I have someone else to play it with, otherwise it would be a tough sell.

[Psykodelik]

After playing the demo. I'm actually torn. I really like it, but dont like the fact I have to keep my wlan switch on to play multi-mode. Is there some sort of block or quick dodge? I dont remember if there was since I played PSO for the dreamcast/gamecube.

Then there's "which I like better" factor. It's either this or Monster Hunter. I played MH a lot on the PS2 version and I hear there's a new version coming out soon.

[RelentlessRolento]

I personally like MH alot more... and the PSP versions are a million times better than the console release IMHO even without the online play.

[eastx]

Psykodelik, how could you play multiplayer with the switch off? That's a silly complaint, dontcha think??

[pete5883]

They should recognize that people will be playing multiplayer by themselves, and don't really need to waste the battery by leaving wi-fi on.

[eastx]

Ohhh, gotcha. My bad!

[Psykodelik]

hehe yeah what pete said. If I do get the game I will play online but most of the time would most likely be solo.

Rolento - Yeah I know what you mean. Since I have my char and skills (I want) maxed. I'll play MH again and decide from there.

[ced]

So has anybody picked this up? I'm on the fence in terms of purchasing.

[RelentlessRolento]

I'll be getting it but I'm playing too much ATM, so I'm waiting on a good sale price or discount...

[Thomas96]

I'll be getting it but I'm playing too much ATM, so I'm waiting on a good sale price or discount...

I've been wanting to play this game since the dreamcast... I never picked it up because at the time I didn't have any online at my home, and I felt that the meat of the game was online.

[eastx]

I'm probably getting it in 2 weeks or so. Really busy with Street Fighter 4 and Legacy of Ys for DS right now.

[RelentlessRolento]

I've been wanting to play this game since the dreamcast... I never picked it up because at the time I didn't have any online at my home, and I felt that the meat of the game was online.


if you want the right online experience I say wait for the DS version if you have a DS. It's more true to the original since the PSP one is more like the recent releases.

[JEKKI]

maaaaan I finally played the demo yesterday.

honestly, shyt is maaaaad boring. Especially since the game is supposed to be compared to Monster Hunter...

Monster Hunter shyts all over this game man...

[SynGamer]

Agreed. Grinding the same missions with no enemy variation is boring as hell.

[Redeema]

I think after playing the demo I'll pick it up, but I'll definitely not pay full price for this. More along the likes of $20 or so. *Come on Target clearance*

[whoknows]

I really want this game and probably will give in.

Seems like fun. I know everyone says Monster Hunter is better, but I prefer the setting of this game.

[RelentlessRolento]

I put it on my gamefly que so I i'll play it but probably not buy it till later.

[Dead of Knight]

Yo dawg I herd you like PSPs so I put a PSP in your PSP so you can play PSP on your PSP.

I got this this weekend and I've already put an absurd amount of time into it despite not having online. I guess it's because it's very much like the PSO of old, which I put hundreds of hours into on DC and GCN. I think I still prefer PSO's mechanics, but being able to switch classes is nice.

[eastx]

Monster Hunter has more stuff to do overall, but it's also got that absurd difficulty and a ton of unintuitive design decisions that they never fix. Each game has its ups and downs.

[Dead of Knight]

So right now my character is rocking a maid outfit with a whip and a Japanese demon mag. This game cracks me up. I also have Sega Mark III and Genesis mags and Samba maracas.

EDIT: OMG I was just able to buy old-school PSO outfits for my character, just like the ones my HUnewearl and FOmarl used to wear back in the old Dreamcast days. The nostalgia is overwhelming.

[RelentlessRolento]

I still need to buy this... I'll pick it up this friday.

[whoknows]

I got it. It's fun.

And am I missing something, or can you only have one save file?

[RelentlessRolento]

I know it's fun, I've just been so damn busy I haven't even picked i up.

[RubyEclipse]

Yo dawg I herd you like PSPs so I put a PSP in your PSP so you can play PSP on your PSP.

I got this this weekend and I've already put an absurd amount of time into it despite not having online. I guess it's because it's very much like the PSO of old, which I put hundreds of hours into on DC and GCN. I think I still prefer PSO's mechanics, but being able to switch classes is nice.
I'm with you here, I also enjoyed being able to jump right in without the MMO aspects of PSU (the synthing and PM leveling.)

The game definitely shines in multiplayer though, I'd highly recommend for Phantasy Star fans or action RPG fans who enjoy (full) realtime combat for their battles. Granted, I'm a big PS fan here, but just my thoughts.

[ryosnk]

Going to be picking it up from gamestop soon. This thread helped out making the decision. :)

[Mr. Beef]

After almost a week of playing it, I'm already a lvl. 70 Acro. I forgot how much I loved Phantasy Star.

[ryosnk]

After almost a week of playing it, I'm already a lvl. 70 Acro. I forgot how much I loved Phantasy Star.

Well I'm not at lvl 70 just yet but I also forgot how much this franchise took over me when I got it on the dreamcast and on the gamecube. AWESOME GAME!

[genfuyung]

Just finished the demo and loved it. Not for 30 bucks though.

Is there a way to block the fireballs that the dragon at the end of the first multiplayer mission fires when he flys?

[RelentlessRolento]

when ur stats are high enough you can automatically block.
the full game is worth it IMHO for $30.

I'm still about lvl 71 or so... slowly working on 100

[Mr. Beef]

Just finished the demo and loved it. Not for 30 bucks though.

Is there a way to block the fireballs that the dragon at the end of the first multiplayer mission fires when he flys?
If you stand directly underneath him, they can't home in on you.

[PuppetYuber]

Picking this game up from a CAG for $20 shipped, cant wait to play this game. It seems like the multiplayer mode will be disappointing though according to gamefaq's msg board

[Dead of Knight]

Picking this game up from a CAG for $20 shipped, cant wait to play this game. It seems like the multiplayer mode will be disappointing though according to gamefaq's msg board

And the single-player NPC AI is total ass. I still played the shit out of this game though.

[eastx]

If you create a Japanese PSN account and download Ad Hoc Party, you can play online with other people who've also done the same. This game really is a ton of fun once you figure out all its systems (the tutorials aren't so great).