Phantasy Star Online 2/Comparisons

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Version Comparison (JP)

The following section covers differences present between the various console releases of Phantasy Star Online 2's Japanese release.

NOTE: Due to the ever-evolving nature of the game some of these comparison shots may not reflect the content of the latest version of the game.

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PC & Cloud (PC version)

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Cloud (Nintendo Switch Version)

The PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 uses a launcher for launching either the normal client or Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud. Its through this launcher that patch updates are distributed and the game's settings can be configured. The Nintendo Switch version of Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud uses a more basic launcher that lets players start the game, check their connection to the server or visit the game's website. No other version of Phantasy Star Online 2 makes use of a launcher.

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PC

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PlayStation Vita

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PlayStation 4

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Cloud

The title screen differs slightly between each version. In particular the "PRESS THE ENTER KEY" prompt is often changed to "PRESS ANY BUTTON". Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud has a unique logo used in that version's title screen as well.

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PC

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PlayStation Vita

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PlayStation 4

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Cloud

The PlayStation Vita menu lets players access an Offline version of the Character Creator and the Vita's augmented reality features. The PS4 version lets players choose between login in using just a PSN or to link a SEGA ID with a PSN account. Lastly the Cloud version lacks the "Exit Game" option.

PC & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

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PlayStation 4

The Ship (Server) selection screen differs between the Vita version and most other versions which have been consistently been similar to the PC's. In particular in the Vita version the camera keeps the same perspective used in the title screen and main menu and the Ship is represented by a 2D graphic in place of a 3D model. The only difference present in the PS4 version is the order the Ships are listed in.

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

The Character Selection screen on the PlayStation Vita version differs greatly from that used in other versions of the game.

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PlayStation 4 & Cloud (Nintendo Switch version)

The PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch version of Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud allow players to login without needing a SEGA ID. However there exist various limitations to playing without a SEGA ID:

• PlayStation 4 players using Easy Login cannot purchase AC. Nintendo Switch Cloud players can purchase AC but only from the Nintendo eShop or using LINE Pay.
• Players using Easy Login cannot use their characters on other platforms or link to Phantasy Star Online 2 es.
• There is no One-time password support when Easy Login is used.

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PC

PlayStation Vita & PlayStation 4

Cloud (Nintendo Switch version)

The PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4 version have a one time Login screen which links their SEGA ID to their PlayStation Network account used to run the game. Subsequent logins as a result are automatic on PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4. On Nintendo Switch Cloud version, players not using Easy Login get a Login screen identical to the PC version except the option to remember passwords is also made available. The PC Cloud version lacks this screen as players login to their SEGA ID using the game's launcher.

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

PlayStation Vita

The game's GUI was drastically modified in the PlayStation Vita version to better fit the screen.

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

The loading screen differs slightly between most other releases and the PlayStation Vita version. On the PlayStation Vita version ingame advertisement is missing and the top of the screen is used to show system information.

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

The ingame monitors that normally display videos for events and promotions are replaced with a static image on the PlayStation Vita version.

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PC & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita & PlayStation 4

The PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4 version features Sony's Japanese mascot "Toro" and "Kuro" in the Visual Lobby. These characters are not present in any other version of the game though their Partner Card and Costume can be obtained and used in other versions of the game.

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

PC, PlayStation 4 & Cloud

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PlayStation Vita

The AC Shop and Scratch Screen is arranged differently on the PlayStation Vita version compared to other versions.

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Cloud

Certain music discs cannot be played on the Cloud version as a result of licensing restrictions.

Additional differences

• The size of the game's User Interface can be adjusted on the PC and PlayStation 4 version, namely via the game's launcher in the former and the Options menu in the latter. The PlayStation Vita and Cloud version however do not support this option.
• As Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud runs using a cloud hosted game client no patch updates to the actual game are required from the player's end.
• Players on Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud are disconnected after 30 minutes of inactivity.
• Unlike the regular PC client, the PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud does not allow for copying and pasting of text nor does it produce any chat-related logs.

Regional Comparisons (North America)

The following is a comparison between the Japanese version and the 2020 North American release. NOTE: The screenshots used for comparison are from a work in progress and a different platform. This comparison is subject to change.

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Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The light blue Japanese SEGA logo has been updated to be the dark blue SEGA logo used in Western SEGA game releases. Notably like the Japanese version, the logo animation is the previous SEGA logo animation used since 2005 up to 2014.

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Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The Japanese version always cycles through each Opening on a loop starting from the latest version. The North American version plays Opening 1 and Opening 2 and had the game's logo updated to use the North American logo based off of the logo used on Episode 4 onwards sans Katakana spelling. Due to the way the new logo has been inserted, the background in the FMV fades much sooner than it does in the original Japanese version.

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Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The North American version's title screen is similar to the latest Japanese version. The game's logo has been modified to use the North American logo, the text to start the game has a "Press A" button prompt. In addition the user's current GamerTag is displayed at the bottom left and the option to switch accounts has been added.

Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The Terms of Service has been updated to be in English.

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Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The Main Menu options differ from the Japanese version in that it lacks options relating to Linking with PSO2es and changing SEGA ID information (as these two options relate to features only available in the Japanese version). The North American version moved the "Online Manual" option from the Main Menu to the Title Menu seen here in addition to adding additional settings such as "Windows/Text Size Settings", "Language Setting" and the option to view Licenses and Reset the game's Local Data.

North America (Xbox One Version)

A privacy policy screen has been added prior to the Ship Selection screen.

Japanese (PC Version)

North America (Xbox One Version)

The number of ships between the Japanese and North American version are different.

Additional Differences

• Phantasy Star Online 2's North American release has Dual Audio support featuring an English dub made exclusively for the North American version.
• Similar to previous localizations of Phantasy Star Online 2, the game's font had been changed for better sizing.
• The ingame button prompts have been updated to match those of the Xbox One. Notably the updated button prompts are of higher quality than those used in the Japanese version.

Regional Comparisons (Asia)

The following section covers the differences between the Japanese version of Phantasy Star Online 2 and the various releases the game's had within Asia.

Keep in mind that versions of the game released in Asia were active and ultimately closed whilst older versions of the Japanese version were also active. As a result, some differences present in screenshots are not the result of regional differences but simply due to using the latest Japanese version of the game for comparison. With that said, screenshots from older Japanese versions would be used where possible to more accurately reflect the differences present between these releases

Japanese

South East Asia

South East Asia (Thai version)

Taiwan

The game launcher for Phantasy Star Online 2 was different for each version of the game released.

Japanese

South East Asia

Taiwan

The Title Screen is changed to reflect the Phantasy Star Online 2 logo used in the region. The font used for the "Press Enter Key" prompt is replaced with the font used ingame for that version of the game. Version numbers of non-Japanese versions end with an abbreviation designating the version's region (SEA, TH, TW)

Japanese

South East Asia

The content of the terms of service differs to conform to the different operator responsible for Phantasy Star Online 2 in South East Asia. The Taiwanese version lacks this screen altogether, going straight to the Main Menu instead.

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Japanese

South East Asia

Taiwan

As Phantasy Star Online 2 es was not released outside of Japan, options relating to it have therefore been removed from the Taiwanese and South East Asian release.

Japanese

South East Asia

South East Asia (Thai version)

Taiwan

The number of Ships (servers) differs per version as operators actively add and remove servers depending on player count. The South East Asian version uses the English names of the Japanese Ships whereas the Thai version uses different names for each Ship.

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Japanese

South East Asia

Once a Ship is selected, a login screen will pop up. The account used to login to Phantasy Star Online 2 differs between each version to reflect the operator's pre-existing account system. The Japanese version uses the SEGA ID system used in various other SEGA games. The South East Asian version uses an AsiaSoft PlayID or a linked Facebook account to login though the option of remembering the player's Username is missing in this version. The Taiwanese version skips the login screen and goes straight to the Start Menu as players login beforehand on Gamania's 'beanfun' game launcher prior to launching the game.

Japanese

South East Asia

Taiwan

The English title of each area is left as is in the Taiwanese version. The South East Asia version alters them to display their official English name.

Exclusive content

Each localized version of the game got content designed specifically for that verison of the game. Some of this content later go on to be implemented in the Japanese version.

Weapons & Mags

The following Weapons and Mags were exclusive to the Taiwanese version.

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  Formosan black bear inspired Mag.

Costumes

The following Costumes were exclusive to the Taiwanese version.

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Visual Lobby Variations

The following Visual Lobby variations were present in all non-Japanese versions.

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  Lunar New Year Visual Lobby Variation

The following Lobby Variations were exclusive to the South East Asia version.

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  Malaysia Indepence Day Visual Lobby Variation

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  Singapore Indepence Day Visual Lobby Variation

The following Lobby Variations were exclusive to the Taiwan version.

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  Dragon Boat Visual Lobby Variation

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  Tanabata Visual Lobby variation

Rappy Seasonal Variations

The following Rappy variations were present in all non-Japanese versions.

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  Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year Rappy Variation

Additional differences

• All text is localized for each release of Phantasy Star Online 2 however the game's voice acting is left in Japanese.
• The font used for each version differs to better support the language used in those regions.
• Phantasy Star Online 2 es not being released outside of Japan resulted in the removal of functionalities related to it including the NPC attendant responsible for managing connectivity, Seraphy.
• The distribution of the game's content such as the pricing of the game's currency and the method items are obtained differ as a result of each version being managed by different operators.
• Whereas Costumes are merely cosmetics in the Japanese version, following negative feedback in the Alpha version, the South East Asian version has costumes give players Stat Boosts (known as "Affixes" ingame) in the same way Weapons and Units would. As a result the South East Asian version was criticized for its Pay-to-Win mechanics.
• Similar to Phantasy Star Universe's Western release, the South East Asia and Taiwan version of the game had different content update schedules from its Japanese counterpart. This unfortunately lead to a large content gap between the Japanese version and the releases in Asia. At the time of both version's closure in 2017, the Japanese version was months away from Episode 5 whilst neither the South East Asia nor Taiwanese version ever received the Episode 3 update.