Phantasy Star Online
From Sega Retro
- For the PC game of the same name, see Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2.
| Phantasy Star Online | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| System(s): Sega Dreamcast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher: Sega | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developer: Sonic Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supporting companies: Attractive Action Club, Katsugekiza (motion capture), Sega.com, Wave Master (audio) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Tec Toy (BR) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peripherals supported: Broadband Adapter, Jump Pack, Dreamcast Keyboard, Dreamcast Modem, Visual Memory Unit, Dreamcast VGA Box | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre: Network RPG (ネットワークＲＰＧ)[1][2], RPG[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of players: 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Official in-game languages: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Phantasy Star Online (ファンタシースターオンライン) is an Online Action RPG developed by Sonic Team for the Sega Dreamcast. An instanced MMORPG with parties of up to four players, it was the first Phantasy Star game released in six years, following Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, and makes extensive use of the Dreamcast's online features - although it can be played offline in solo play.
The game was re-released and improved on extensively. This article covers the original Dreamcast release.
Contents
Story
Unlike the rest of the Phantasy Star series, PSO's prologue starts on the planet of Coral (possibly a splinter colony from the Algol star system). Coral was becoming unsuitable for life, so a pair of colony ships, Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 2, were sent to the planet Ragol, thought to be uninhabited by intelligent life, to colonize it. Pioneer 1 reached Ragol safely, and constructed a colony there. But when Pioneer 2 arrived seven years later, a sudden explosion engulfed the Pioneer 1 colony as they attempted to communicate. The Player (s) take the role of Hunters, mercenaries/bounty hunters/troubleshooters sent down to the source to determine the cause of the explosion, and find any survivors.
Gameplay
The game itself is a typical RPG, where you slay monsters on the field, find items, upgrade your equipment, and of course, level up. Episodes I, II and IV differ from many previous games of this genre by offering a real-time, rather than turn-based approach to combat - and seamlessly integrating this with the exploration/plot development aspects of the game. The game still retains a cult following and can still be played through private servers with the Broadband Adapter and Dreamcast Modem.
History
Release
To promote the game, Sega "bought" a star and named it "Ragol"[15].
Sequels and re-releases
For the Dreamcast update, see Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2. There are four episodes in the series, however only the first exists in the Dreamcast game. This first episode was re-released for the GameCube and Xbox as Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II in 2002 with an additional secondary Episode added in and with new features such as local multiplayer. The third can be seen in Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution for the Nintendo GameCube and the fourth, Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst was released for Microsoft Windows.
SEGA Cameo
Lots of times, on the online servers, there would be cameos with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Eggman. The game also contains a few cameo items, such as Opa Opa from Fantasy Zone, Maracas from Samba de Amigo, even a gun created by Dr. Eggman, aptly called the Egg Blaster.
Versions
- Phantasy Star Online Network Trial Edition (Dreamcast) 2000 (Japan)
- Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast) 2000 (Japan) / 2001 (USA and Europe)
- Phantasy Star Online Ver.2 (Dreamcast) 2001 (Japan and USA) / 2002 (Europe)
- Phantasy Star Online Beta (Windows) 2001 (Japan)
- Phantasy Star Online (Windows) 2001 (Japan) 2001 / 2002 (rest of South-East Asia)
- Phantasy Star Online Demo (Windows) (Japan) 2001 / (UK) 2002
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Trial Edition (GameCube) 2002 (Japan)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (GameCube) 2002 (Japan and USA) / 2003 (Europe)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Version "1.1" (GameCube) 2002 (Japan)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (Xbox) 2003 (worldwide)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Plus (GameCube) 2003 (Japan) / 2004 (USA)
- Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Beta (Windows) 2003 (Japan) / 2004 (USA andEurope)
- Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst (Windows) 2004 (Japan) / 2005 (USA and Europe)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode IV Beta (Windows) 2004 (Japan) (Released along with Blue Burst in NA and EU)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode IV (Windows) 2005 (Japan) (Released along with Blue Burst in NA and EU)
Music
Below is a listing of the songs available to played through the "BGM Test" option in the Options menu. (NOTE: Tracks with * in their title were not introduced until Ver. 2).
| Title | Usage |
|---|---|
| A song for eternal story | Title Screen |
| OPENING THEME -The whole new world- | Opening Theme |
| Prenotion | Main Menu |
| Image of hero | Character Creation |
| Day dawns | Lobby Theme (Normal) |
| Pioneer2 | Pioneer 2 Theme |
| Crossing3084 | Hunters Guild Theme |
| Healing | Clinic Theme |
| Chaotic bar | Opening Theme |
| Codes of silence | Principal Tyrell's Theme |
| Mother earth of dishonesty PART1 | Forest Theme (Normal) |
| Mother earth of dishonesty PART2 | Forest Theme (Battle) |
| Growl,from the depths of earth | Dragon Boss |
| The kink in the wind and the way PART1 | Caves Theme (Normal) |
| The kink in the wind and the way PART2 | Caves Theme (Battle) |
| From seeing the rough wave | De Rol Le Boss |
| Empty space out of control PART1 | Mines Theme (Normal) |
| Mother earth of dishonesty PART2 | Mines Theme (Battle) |
| The crazy program | Vol Opt Boss (Phase 1) |
| You have nowhere to go | Vol Opt Boss (Phase 2) |
| Revolution to the origin PART1 | Ruins Theme (Normal) |
| Revolution to the origin PART2 | Ruins Theme (Battle) |
| The nearest place to heaven PART1 | Falz Memorial (Normal) |
| The nearest place to heaven PART2 | Falz Memorial (Battle) |
| Pray, for "IDOLA" the distorted | Dark Falz Boss (Phase 1 & 2) |
| Cry, for "IDOLA" the holy | Dark Falz Boss (Phase 3) |
| Versus1 -Tricktrack-* | Battle Mode Theme (Spaceship) |
| Versus2 -A longing to ancient times-* | Battle Mode Theme (Palace) |
| Valentine | Lobby Theme (Valentines & Halloween) |
| Easter | Lobby Theme (Easter) |
| After the story1 | Quest Completed (Happy) |
| After the story2 | Quest Completed (Sad) |
In addition, the following tracks are present in the game but cannot be accessed in the BGM Test menu:
- Can Still See the Light (Credits Theme, Dark Falz Defeated (Online Mode))
- Can Still See the Light - Piano Ver.
- Jingle Bells (Lobby Theme (Winter))
- Also Sprach Zarathustra (Lobby Theme (New Years))
- It Doesn't Matter (Sonic's theme in "The Tinkerbell's Dog 2" quest (originally from Sonic Adventure))
- Open Your Heart (Sonic Lobby (originally from Sonic Adventure))
- Angels with Burning Hearts (originally from Burning Rangers - Japanese ver.)
- I Just Smile (originally from Burning Rangers - Japanese ver.)
- Dreams, Dreams (originally from NiGHTS into Dreams)
- Vamos a Carnaval! (originally from Samba de Amigo)
Production credits
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online/Production credits.
Magazine articles
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online/Promotional material.
Artwork
Merchandise
Statue of the HUmar class
Statue of the HUnewearl class
Statue of the FOnewearl class
Physical scans
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91 |
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| Based on 32 reviews | |
| Dreamcast, JP |
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  Cover
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 Disc |
| Dreamcast, JP (Repeat-ban) |
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 Cover
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| Dreamcast, US |
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  Cover
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| Dreamcast, EU |
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  Cover
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 Disc |
| Dreamcast, EU (Promo) |
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 Cover
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| Dreamcast, PT |
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Disc |
| Dreamcast, PT (PSO+VMU) |
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 Phantasy Star Online  VMU |
| Dreamcast, BR |
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  Cover
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 Disc  Disc 2  Manual  Inlay  Inside |
Technical information
- Main article: Phantasy Star Online/Technical information.
External links
- Sega of America webpage: Dreamcast
- Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Dreamcast
- Sega.com Asia webpage: Dreamcast
- Sega.com Asia webpage (Chinese): Dreamcast
- Phantasy Star Online section at Phantasy Star Cave
- Official Phantasy Star Online homepage (archived)
- Official PSO fan site 'Minhiro'
- Unofficial PSO and PSU fan community, PSO-World
References
- ↑ File:PSO DC JP Box Back.jpg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://sega.jp/dc/001220/ (Wayback Machine: 2009-04-20 11:33)
- ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/dreamcast/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-11-04 11:07)
- ↑ http://www.ebworld.com/ebx/categories/homepages/dreamcast.asp (Wayback Machine: 2001-02-01 16:44)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "April 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 106
- ↑ http://www.sega-europe.com/english/news/000102/000102.php (Wayback Machine: 2001-05-11 09:06)
- ↑ http://www.amazon.co.uk:80/exec/obidos/tg/stores/static/-/videogames/bs-dreamcast/ (Wayback Machine: 2001-06-12 12:06)
- ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/uk.games.video.dreamcast/c/cAW722zoOdM/m/4Y9nsXQFjQ8J
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Computer & Video Games, "March 2001" (UK; 2001-02-15), page 78
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 DC-UK, "March 2001" (UK; 2001-02-15), page 42
- ↑ http://www.okaysoft.de:80/DCNEU.HTM (Wayback Machine: 2001-03-04 08:10)
- ↑ http://www.amazon.fr:80/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/557780/ref=vg_br_dp_1_lf/ (Wayback Machine: 2001-07-19 17:25)
- ↑ http://www.centromail.es/top/ficha.asp?codmail=16368&codprov= (Wayback Machine: 2001-04-18 15:35)
- ↑ http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/DRCnew.asp (Wayback Machine: 2002-01-01 22:11)
- ↑ Official Dreamcast Magazine, "April 2001" (UK; 2001-03-08), page 21
- ↑ 576 Konzol, "Február 2001" (HU; 2001-xx-xx), page 30
- ↑ Bonus, "2/2001" (YU; 2001-03-25), page 38
- ↑ Consoles +, "Février 2001" (FR; 2001-0x-xx), page 74
- ↑ Digitiser (UK) (2001-02-15)
- ↑ Dreamcast Magazine, "2000-41 extra (2000-12-29ex)" (JP; 2000-12-15), page 22
- ↑ Dreamcast Magazine, "No. 19" (UK; 2001-02-22), page 46
- ↑ Dorimaga, "2002-18 (2002-10-11)" (JP; 2002-09-27), page 32
- ↑ Dreamplanet, "Marzo 2001" (ES; 2001-02-15), page 34
- ↑ Edge, "March 2001" (UK; 2001-02-26), page 70
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 2001" (US; 2001-02-06), page 111
- ↑ Entsiklopediya igr dlya Dreamcast, "Izdaniye chetvertoye, dopolnennoye" (RU; 2002-xx-xx), page 155
- ↑ Famitsu, "2000-12-29" (JP; 2000-12-15), page 34
- ↑ GamePlay RPG, "Février 2001" (FR; 2001-0x-xx), page 56
- ↑ Game Station (UK) (+0:00)
- ↑ Game Informer, "March 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 76
- ↑ Gamers' Republic, "March 2001" (US; 2001-xx-xx), page 64
- ↑ Hyper, "May 2001" (AU; 2001-03-21), page 56
- ↑ MAN!AC, "03/2001" (DE; 2001-02-07), page 52
- ↑ Neo Plus, "Kwiecień 2001" (PL; 2001-xx-xx), page 38
- ↑ Neo Plus, "Kwiecień 2001" (PL; 2001-xx-xx), page 64
- ↑ Next Generation, "April 2001" (US; 2001-03-20), page 82
- ↑ Official Dreamcast Magazine, "March 2001" (UK; 2001-02-08), page 8
- ↑ Playbox, "Février 2001" (FR; 2001-0x-xx), page 37
- ↑ Play, "Maj 2001" (PL; 2001-xx-xx), page 30
- ↑ PSX Extreme, "05/2001" (PL; 2001-0x-xx), page 65
- ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 9, Nummer 3, Maart 2001" (NL; 2001-0x-xx), page 32
- ↑ Revista Oficial Dreamcast, "Marzo 2001" (ES; 2001-xx-xx), page 32
- ↑ Silicon Mag, "March 2001" (US; 2001-0x-xx), page 30
- ↑ Strana Igr, "Fevral 2001 1/2" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 46
| Phantasy Star Online | |
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Music: Phantasy Star Online Original Sound Track (2001) | |
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