Phantasy Star Online Ep.3 - A Worthy Direction?

Thanks to Kikizo for their article discussing Phantasy Star Online Episode 3: C.A.R.D Revolution's showing at the Tokyo Game Show, where it was "one of the most popular playable games." PSOWorld has a detailed FAQ page on this forthcoming GameCube RPG, which offers "strategic combat using a turn-based card system." They also carry news of a special PSO Online Trilogy box set in Japan, and confirm that on PSO Ep.3's November Japanese release, the monthly subscription fees for the other Phantasy Star Online titles "...will carry over and work for PSO Ep.3, meaning no additional fee for Ep.3." The same may be true for the US release in Q1 2004, although Western response seems muted thus far - is this where you want to see the Phantasy Star series going?

ehh

[gl4ss]

**They also carry news of a special PSO Online Trilogy box set**

so.. phantasy star online online? wow, it must be so online it makes me wet my pants.

btw, am i the only one slightly annoyed by using the 'pso' for phantasy star online? pso always sounds/looks in my eyes as ps-one.. but perhaps i'm just retarded. ps-online or something would certainly make a better abbreviation. especially if you want to say online with the name anyways..

nah i don't know jack about them..

unless

[Ty]

Unless they release a free server that players can connect to after they take their servers down, all they're getting from me is two middle fingers. Seriously, if I buy an online game, I expect to be able to play it online for several years at least, not taken down like the PSO1 servers.

Re:unless

[rekkanoryo]

I agree. That's the biggest problem with online games, you're screwed when the company decides it's not worth running anymore.

Already got gamer's money? Shut down the servers!

[lightspawn]

Unless they release a free server that players can connect to after they take their servers down, all they're getting from me is two middle fingers. Seriously, if I buy an online game, I expect to be able to play it online for several years at least, not taken down like the PSO1 servers.

I bought Alien Front online less than 10 months after release, but it turns out by this time the servers were already taken offline - forever.

SEGA's response to me and the BBB: Shut up, kid. You can still play offline, s

Re:unless

[Delita]

Unless they release a free server that players can connect to after they take their servers down, all they're getting from me is two middle fingers. Seriously, if I buy an online game, I expect to be able to play it online for several years at least, not taken down like the PSO1 servers.

That might be a valid arguement... if the Dreamcast PSO servers weren't still up. C Mode in particular is still as lively as it is on the Gamecube at times.

Re:unless

[Quobobo]

IIRC, it's either been shut down already or is being shut down extremely soon.

keyboards as gaming device

[Errabes]

Looks like keyboard and HD will become standard on console since there is more and more online games, and especially mmorpgs.
All they need is a mouse to be efficient in FPS :)

Dear Sonic Team

[AlexMax2742]

I am one of your subscribors to Phantasy Star Online Episodes I and II for the Xbox. I throughly enjoy it, in spite of it's flaws. With Episode 3 looming on the horizon, I have this to say...

Seriously, what the hell were you guys thinking?

Maybe I need to play this in person to 'get it', but as of right now, I have no earthly idea how playing a card game online could make me want to pay for something like this.

What you guys should be doing is refining the engine used PSO Episodes I and II. Namely, fix the god damned targeting system, give us more levels, update the dated though still awesome looking graphics, more spells, more skin types, better lobby system).

That is something I would pay for. Not a card game. You guys had damn well better prove me wrong. Which you probably will, because...well...you're Sonic Team.

Love and Kisses

-Alex

Re:Dear Sonic Team

[bigman2003]

Not to refute what Alex said, but more to provide an opposing opinion.

I got a free copy of Phantasy Star Online I & II for the Xbox. I thought it was absolutely the worst game I have ever seen on my system. Horrible- the 'lobby system' consists of a bunch of similar looking rooms where you can either type (?) or talk to each other to go on some really, really, lame quests.

The graphics are horrible- except for the intro (but that lame music overshadowed the nice graphics), and that really cool black screen with the stars coming at you- THAT was nice.

But- if you generally like action games- this may be one you want to avoid. I have heard that it is a fantastic RPG- but personally, I couldn't further than about 10 minutes into the game before I gave up. I did this repeatedly until I decided this was not a game for me.

I'm just putting this out there, so other un-suspecting people like me don't spend their time or money on this game. Oh...I hated Knights of the Old Republic too. I guess a lot of people really liked that one...but I hated the combat system.

Now, Mechassault...THAT is a good on-line game.

Ditch the Online

[darkmayo]

They need to go back to the Phantasy Star roots and make a single player game with a great story. Maybe take aspects that people liked from PSO and take them to a single player game.. (such as creating your own character instead of the pre set Hero character)

anyways the "online" bit was the worst thing to happen to Phantasy Star.. other than number 3 :P

Re:Ditch the Online

[MMaestro]

Two words and one number : Phantasy Star 5

Thats what I'm waiting for.

Re:Ditch the Online

[Rob Simpson]

Me, too... it's been almost 10 years since PS4, hasn't it? sigh...

Though even some sort of online game with *more than a tangential relationship with the original series* might be acceptable.

Looks fun

[Anonymous Coward]

I for one am looking forward to this one.
The Episode 1&2 version bundled with the trilogy is a slightly upgraded version, PSO Ep. 1&2 plus. Some say it is only released in Japan, others say it is also coming to EU/US... anyone know for sure? I'd love to have the updated version.

One Monthly fee...

[PaleZer0]

I'm game if one relatively low montly fee will allow me to play both PSO 1&2 and PSO 3. Thats a pretty cool thing for Sega to do.