Phantasy Star Portable for the PSP.

[Dark Saiyan]

News....

Something for Shin-Ra (if you are into this type of game)

And pictures here

The game is actually a port from Phantasy Star Universe. It will include the Ambition of Illuminious expansion pack, and 4 player ad-hoc support. Sadly the game will not support infrastructure (from what is stated), but it does give the PSP players some PSU time while at a mall or on the road.

I love the PSU games on the PS2 and I personally can't wait.

[seto]

I was a big fan of the Phantasy Star series and avidly played Phantasy Star Online but PSU was a great disappointment (for me). It just didn't capture the fun that PSO had.

[Dark Saiyan]

Originally Posted by seto

I was a big fan of the Phantasy Star series and avidly played Phantasy Star Online but PSU was a great disappointment (for me). It just didn't capture the fun that PSO had.

I only played PSO for a little bit. The games does its justice and some of the features in that game were pretty cool.

I personally love PSU because it has better features. But one can agree with what you said though. Some people approached me stating what you said.

What didn't you like about the game?

[seto]

I guess the whole feel of the game itself. For one I didn't like the fact that you could only create a personal character for online purposes, only.

And the customization factors, for a next-gen game, should have been more plentiful. SEGA is really lacking when it comes to giving more customizable features (i.e. Virtua Tennis 3 on the PlayStation 3). You would think with a next-generation platforms they would "step it up".

The difficulty gauge is horrendous as well. Enemies no longer stagger after getting hit, even with power hits (I'm going off memory from almost half a year ago so I might be wrong). Some enemies take ridiculous amount of hits before they finally expire.

The level designs are also very lackluster and bland. Dark environments with very drab colors. PSO's environments, in my opinion, were more colourful and vivid.

The quick menus and transportation points were a definite improvement, though. The online play also seems much more stable. I also have to admit I haven't played much since the first month of its release so things may be really different now but back then the shops really didn't have anything and they didn't release much in terms of nice, new, and pretty weapons like they used to have in PSO. I also kind of miss the mags that would boost stats.

[Dark Saiyan]

Originally Posted by seto

I guess the whole feel of the game itself. For one I didn't like the fact that you could only create a personal character for online purposes, only.

Agree with this to the FULLEST extent.

And the customization factors, for a next-gen game, should have been more plentiful. SEGA is really lacking when it comes to giving more customizable features (i.e. Virtua Tennis 3 on the PlayStation 3). You would think with a next-generation platforms they would "step it up".

I found the expansion pack to be a little more plentiful. But you is dead right on the money on this one. Sega isn't to good in the department.

The difficulty gauge is horrendous as well. Enemies no longer stagger after getting hit, even with power hits (I'm going off memory from almost half a year ago so I might be wrong). Some enemies take ridiculous amount of hits before they finally expire.

Some of the enemies do stagger. It just depends though. But once again I agree with what you are saying.

The level designs are also very lackluster and bland. Dark environments with very drab colors. PSO's environments, in my opinion, were more colourful and vivid.

Accurate. I didn't like the level designs. Not at all. They seem so uninspired. To add to this, the story mode isn't spectacular at all. I would expect something with a little more substance, but the expansion pack does it justice...barely!!

The quick menus and transportation points were a definite improvement, though. The online play also seems much more stable. I also have to admit I haven't played much since the first month of its release so things may be really different now but back then the shops really didn't have anything and they didn't release much in terms of nice, new, and pretty weapons like they used to have in PSO. I also kind of miss the mags that would boost stats.

The Mags are actually back in the PSU expansion pack, but in a sort of different way. I just think that PSU could've been better in terms of overall quality. But I guess it just caters to the hardcore fans of the online series.

I personally think Phantasy Star 4 is better. But I have to admit I've grown attached to PSU, so...*sigh* I'll just try to continue to support it.

[Shin-Ra]

300MB Japanese demo for download on PSPFanboy.

[sega_smasher]

i cant stop playing the demo. this seriously needs to come out ASAP state side. the longest i can wait is december 08. no longer or i will import!

[nward]

didn't know bout this till this thread now i cant stop playing...cant wait for it to come out

[sega_smasher]

i know what you mean. i had to run through the story one more time haha.

[sega_smasher]

looks like us PSO/PSU fans will be getting treated by sega after all. and judging from the interview looks like it will be supporting the AD-HOC ps3 feature. awesome!

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3170662

[dk3dknight]

If I had a psp I would get this blind buy I love PSU, one of my favorites never played it online though :-

So what direction did they take the sp campaign on the expansion?

[sega_smasher]

no idea, i never got around to owning psu (avid pso still to this day!) but im buying this day one for sure! plus this has DLC in Japan so i dont see why we wont get the same treatment...

[Shin-Ra]

Euro boxart's nice:

[Shin-Ra]

Speaking of nice PSP boxart..

[AranhaHunter]

I didn't even know this was coming out in EU, good news for Europeans though is it coming out around the US release (March)?

[Maximus]

Import it! UK version is guaranteed to have an English soundtrack.

Edit: Shit misread your post...

[sega_smasher]

so when is ad hoc party coming state side anyway???

[daevv]

My favorite (Phantasy Star IV) is already on the PSP in the Sega Genesis Collection so I'm good!

I will be checking out this one though!

[sega_smasher]

release date has been pushed up to early march.

http://kotaku.com/5144993/phantasy-s...orward-in-time

color me happy!

[Goodintentions]

so has anyone tried the demo ?? i DLed it off the store last night but havent had a chance to try it yet ..