Score: 89
Overall User Average: 8.91 / 10 (89.1%)
Gameplay User Average: 8.55 / 10
Graphics User Average: 7.73 / 10
Sound User Average: 7.27 / 10
Addsy
Date reviewed: December 8, 2003.
Overall: As soon as you buy this game, it is really confusing as to what the hell is going on. If you have xbox live, when you enter a lobby its all wierd and you dont know what to do, but there are plenty of people out there to help you online so just ask around. The weapons are awesome, there is so much variety, there must be at least 300 weapons on this game. The best thing is joining a mate who has had the game a while and has loads of freebie weapons. Most people on PSO are very kind and if you ask them nicely, when you are a newbie, they will donate some weapons and equipment to start you off.
Episode 1 is good but episode 2 is even better. only bad thing is the fee of £4.75 a month but that isnt really a big issue. The game still rocks. It is good for a few months but when you get really experienced and you get to a high level character, then it takes the fun out of the game because you have to play several hours just to gain one level (the level ranking system is based on experience, the more monsters you kill, the more experience (or EXP) you get. It s a very addictive game because you constantly play on it just to get to a higher level than your mates. There are always new quests and challenges coming out for download (FREE). This is a top game overall and you wont get bored of it that soon, i give it at least 3 months. But that depends on how bored of a game you get. If you are quite easily pleased then this is a game that should be on your game stack.
Gameplay: The gameplay is impressive, you get no lag at all gameplay wise. It all runs nice and smoothly on xbox live. There are 4 difficulty levels: Normal, Hard, Very Hard and Ultimate. Trust me it will take you easily 3 months to complete all these. Normal Hard and Very Hard are pretty much the same apart from the monsters are bigger and stronger and the level patterns vary slightly. But Ultimate is a whole new world, i'm not going to spoil it for you but dont give up at the very hard level because it is getting a bit repetitive, when you get to ultimate it .i'm saying no more.
Graphics: The visuals are overall good. Episode 1 is slightly less detailed than episode 2 and (im gonna let the cat out of the bag a bit here) on ultimate the effects are a lot better and the graphics are improved. My fav level on episode 2 is the Centeral control area beach because the graphics on it looks sweet, it almost looks real, the water effects are top. Some of the character detail can be good but it just depends what details you choose because some of the faces and costumes are not as good quality as the others but that really doesnt matter. Top graphics all round
Sound: The sounds on this game i would say are really good. Not something to say wow at but they are good. The monster sounds are pretty cool and the door openings sound good too. Just see for yourself, they are good but not perfect, id still give them a 4.5 though because they are not bad. Sound effects on the weapons can be pretty cool aswell. The only bad thing on the sound i would comment on is on xbox live, there is quite a big delay on the headset and it can be hard to get a good conversation going, but the captions and speech bubbles could always fill in for that.
Suggestions: No real suggestions here except to improve the voice lag. It wont make you have major views on the game but it can be frustrating trying to talk to someone when they are in the middle of a conversation because their voice lagged into yours :S
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
Steel Vortex
Date reviewed: November 5, 2003.
Overall: I Highly recommend the game to all that love a mixture of Role Playing and action. This game is classified as an action RPG much along the lines of Diablo. Hands free communication with voice masking is outstanding! Graphics are smooth and beautifully detailed. Account set-up and character Creation is Quick and easy. One major flaw that I experienced was the lack of a game manual with the game. You need to go to Microsoft and download the PDF version.
Gameplay: Character movement is easy, but using facing trigger (Left Trigger) is annoying. Makes it difficult to target. Recommend using small controller. Button set up is comfortable, and adjustable. Offline is a great touch to the game and allows for character development. Game play modes are great, especially challenge mode and battle mode. Challenge mode is excellent for building team strategy whether online or off. Incredible selection of items, but limited techniques. Mags are a bit tricky to develop at higher levels but add an interesting aspect to character development overall.
Graphics: Beautiful Graphics!!!! Rich use of color and wide range of texture maps.
Creatures are very detailed and proportionate to character and environment.
Sound: Typical of a Sega RPG game, but there is a good variation in BGM. Effect sounds from environment and player interaction are all excellent.
Suggestions: For Offline play, two player, make creature targeted description window smaller. It takes up too much of the playing view. Allow for occipity settings (Transparency) on pop-up fields and during quests when someone is tagging along with you. Their heads block the view.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
joelmatton
Date reviewed: November 4, 2003.
Overall: Phantasy Star Online is a great game overall. It is a great mix of classic RPG fantasy-magic elements along with futuristic space age guns etc... The kicker is you can play it with other people, on the same xbox and tv or on XBOX Live.
Gameplay: The action is good, because the controls aren't hard to learn and action is pretty fast paced. In multiplayer games the game gets exceedingly more difficult and requires players to work together and have a good mix of character types.
Great Bosses: I am in the caves level 2 and finding that the bosses in this game are worth fighting over and over again.
Note: The camera angle sometimes makes it so you can't see yourself or your enemies if you are near a wall or door. This gets frustrating at times, but not that frustrating.
Graphics: Good graphics, could have more features added to utilize the xbox. But overall not bad.
Camera angles were once again a downfall.
Sound: Fine if you like the traditional Final Fantasy type music mixed with a little techno.
Dissapointed you couldn't used customized sound tracks.
Suggestions: Improve the camera angles. As for the hunter missions, get some better writers. It is frustrating making 300 mesatas(bucks) for walking back in forth between rooms 3 times to talk to someone about spending too much money on weapons. I guess that might be normal for these games.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 50 %
GloriousSPIKES
Date reviewed: November 3, 2003.
Overall: i am a major addict and i have had it for 2 weeks i thought that overall it kept me busy for quite a while (it is still kepping me busy)although it cost a fee to play it monthly it is worth it. the broad horizon of weaponry and charcters alavible is another good thing about it.
Gameplay: the gameplay felt like an intermideat to fast pace it would seem much better if you could run but the fast walk is still fine. another thing that was a plus to the game was the quick attack option that way you didn't have to go to the menu every time and with 6 slots you rarely have to adjust the settings of it. still there is yet something else great about this game and that is the ability to have a locked game so you and your buddies can play without some noob sneaking in and kepping your freind out.lastly i think the guild card is a great way to find who you nedd to find.the only thing bad about this game is the black screen of death.
Graphics: the visual is great the graphics were very nice but it still looked kind of cartoonish that is where it may be fixed but even at that the over cartoonish lokk seems to help it.
Sound: the sound was in need of help but still adequte the deafiting of the eneimies starts to get old that same maoning over and over again.
Suggestions: i think you should have fixed the black screen of death it is just so dissapoitning having the best item and then what do you know it freezes if you ever make another game please fix the freeze up.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 70 %
RyoTheWanderer
Date reviewed: November 3, 2003.
Overall: pretty well done game, ive had it since back in the DC days. never got to play it online though, huge bummer. this game could keep you entertained for a long time, the multiple quests, but the AI is terrible and easy to kill.
Gameplay: well, the fighting is crap, but its an online game, so i guess it makes it fair. you only have 2 modes of speed: walk and jog. that made me angry.
Graphics: well, as my friend said as we were running thru one of the levels, we saw flashing lights and he said: no wonder the japenese have seizures so much, why do they do this to themselves? but besides that, they are not too gr8. lazers are done well though.
Sound: poor, repetitive, cant stand it any longer. its all slow techno and crap, its horrible and i want custom sound tracks.
Suggestions: more char models, and more freedom on char design.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 40 %
Ito
Date reviewed: October 22, 2003.
Overall: The game is fun, specially when playing online or offline multiplayer with your buddies.
Gameplay: It might get boring after a while because it can get really repetitive at times, but if you have some friends to play with, you will see yourself playing this game for hours and hours...
Graphics: Didn't really improve much from the DC version, still looks good though.
Sound: I suggest you listening to "Burning Rangers" .. ;)
Suggestions: Better yet, I have a question. Planning on a true sequal? Not that im in any rush to seeing this great series come to an end.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %
Lord Vivic
Date reviewed: October 13, 2003.
Overall: The overall description to this game is AWESOME!I was and still am shocked on the length and massiveness of this game.
Gameplay: The gameplay is ..................... go around and play with other characters and kill them ETC.
Graphics: The visuals are really good in fact i was bragging on them.Thats odd ain't it.It is a pritty good game.
Sound: The sound in this game is cool.I always go back to see what new sounds i could hear if i did different things.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
GrggThGrmmRpr
Date reviewed: October 13, 2003.
Overall: Hmmmmmm.....Same as the DC game....That game was fun but now I hafta pay 8 bux a month for this game? sorry not worth it. I playing my 2 free months and then ditching it.
Gameplay: You go around as a character you make and shoot things to level up and find items. Like diablo 2 with no story and not as many people. Also costs more money.
Graphics: Graphics are exactly the same as the DC. I thought XBOX was sposed to have a lot more power then this?
Sound: Same sound as the DC. Everything is the same as the DC. But xbox is more powerful? USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.
Suggestions: Ummmmmmmm DON CHARGE ME 8 BUX A MONTH! MAKE THE GAME UPDATED!
Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 50 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 50 %
echohype
Date reviewed: May 2, 2003.
Overall: All in All, phantasy star online(or PSO) is one VERY addictive game. You will encounter thousands of players, and eventually team up with them. Items are to be found, monsters to be killed, Mag's to be raised, and levels to be gained. If you become a true PSO gamer, you'll entertain yourself to 50+ hours of this game, since it is one ENDLESS journey filled with fun and adventure! Go out, buy it, and join us! The only "negative" is the 9$ monthly fee after 2 months of free play. But no matter what the cost, join us!
Gameplay: Very controlling, easy to use, and fun. You will quickly pick up the games feel and be able to join the ranks of elite PSO players worldwide within days, or even hours if you constantly play!
Graphics: The graphics engine is just the Dreamcast version with some touch-ups. The graphics could have been better, but this game is so addictive it doesn't matter.
Sound: Sound is alright, I'm sure many gamers mute the soundtracks and play their on music via a computer or what-not. But the music is alright for the average gamer!
Suggestions: Spice up the graphics engine. If we're going to have to pay 9$ or a service fee every month, make the graphics *MORE* worthwhile and appealing!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 70 %
therock21
Date reviewed: April 24, 2003.
Overall: Well, I can honetly say at first I wasnt gonna get this game. My friend convinced me to get it. RPG games are my favorite but the game wasn't appealing to me. After I played it for 5 seconds. I can now say it is my favorite RPG ever. I am totally addicted to the game. It is defnetly a must have for any true RPG fan. I even think the fee is worth it now. I hated the idea at first. But this game is just to great.
Gameplay: Game play is actually really simple. It is color co-ordinated to the XBOX controller. the hardest thing to do is get the timing of the combos down. But even thats a breeze.
Graphics: Ok, the graphics are actually good. However, they are not the greatest of all time. The game is very clear and detailed in the backgrounds and movement. But its still kinda looks like a cartoon.
Sound: I would have to say, the music is the worst thing on the game. But, even its not too bad. I guess its more of a matter of opinion really. I will leave it to you guys to decide
Suggestions: All I can say is....Soundtrack support would be really cool.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 60 %
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