Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play online action role-playing game in the Phantasy Star series developed and published by Sega.Created as a successor to Phantasy Star Online and Phantasy Star Universe, Phantasy Star Online 2 features gameplay elements and aesthetics reminiscent of previous Phantasy Star games while incorporating unique twists on the formula. Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is due out in 2021 for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in North America, and for PlayStation 4, PC, and the cloud (Switch and PC) in Japan. Read more about the.

The free-to-play online RPG Phantasy Star Online 2 has arrived! As the player, you'll join the ARKS task force of Oracle, an interplanetary fleet composed of 4 different races, and head out on an adventure to explore unknown worlds. Hailed as one of the greatest games of all-time by fans and media alike, Phantasy Star II is an RPG that features an epic storyline and turn-based battles. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo, or several other characters as you navigate through the Algol Star System battling the evil Dark Force. Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is not just a huge update but is also set to contain new elements, but specifics aren’t prevalent. The update is also set to launch in the West in February.

Phantasy Star II is a direct sequel to the first game, set 1,000 years later, and is the first of the classic series for the Sega Genesis. Gone are the monotonous first-person dungeons ... and in their place are monotonous third-person mazes. Hey, at least they gave you a map in the box.

• 1Unused Enemies
• 5Unused Text
• 6Regional Differences
• 7Revisional Differences

Unused Enemies

Much like its successor, all non-boss enemies are stored in groups of three recolors of each enemy.

VANLEADR

The second member of the VAN - AEROTANK group, VANLEADR, exists in the game's code, but isn't used in any formations. All data appears to be complete for this enemy. In terms of stats, it fits approximately between the two members of its group, fitting the usual pattern. Given that all data exists and its name was even translated, its lack of use was likely just an oversight.

Dummied-Out Groups

Enemy groups 14 and 19 are unused in the final game. They only have proper names in the Japanese version; The English translation truncates their names to a single character. Their palette data and stats are still in the game, but their graphics are no longer present. Their tilesets, tilemap pointers, and attack sounds default to the ones used by the Ant enemy group. All six enemies are coded as Biomonsters and use no techniques in battle.

Note: The names shown in the screenshots are incorrect due to being from a hacked ROM.

Names start at 0x17725 (Group 14) and 0x177BA (Group 19) in the Japanese version.

The first group of enemies are named after insect genera in the Hemerobiiformia suborder of lacewings: Sisyra (A genus of the Sisyridae, or 'spongefly', family), Chrysopa (A genus of green lacewings), and Hemerobius (A genus of the Hemerobiidae, or 'Brown lacewing', family).

The second group should be more obvious.

Unused Graphics

Anna is the only character that can equip multiple weapon types but can't equip guns; In fact, she mentions that she dislikes guns in her intro text. Nevertheless, there's a sprite with Anna packing heat that's ready to go, just in case.

Unused Items

There are two unobtainable items, both of them references to the first Phantasy Star. They have the same item flags as the Pipe items, but they don't actually do anything. According to this developer interview, these items were created to give the player something to use meseta on late in the game, but memory limitations meant that their actual use data and text had to be cut.

Like the monster names above, their names were dummied out in the English release.

Unused Spell

There is one unused spell in the game called リューフェ (Ryufé), ID 35. It costs 28 MP and has the same spell attributes as Anti and Rever, meaning that it targets one party member and can only be used outside of battle.

Attempting to actually cast the spell will just result in all message box windows closing, and the player being unable to open any new windows until a battle starts or they exit the area.

Unused Text

All text is for the English version unless otherwise stated.

Dialogue

The inventor in Kueri should say this after you obtain the Maruera Gum, but the code to do this is immediately overwritten by the standard intro code. He'll just go back to asking you if you know what Maruera Leaves are.

This text at 0x1B6EC, complete with a Hamlet reference, is stored with the Central Tower text. In the actual game, once the player returns to the Central Tower after the defeat of Neifirst the planet immediately begins flooding.

Stored with the Esper Mansion text at 0x20643. However, a famous glitch involves a townsperson in Paseo (which is in the middle of the lake) accidentally saying one of the lines of Lutz (who is in the Esper Mansion); it is likely that this is the line they were meant to say.

Cut-Off Line

There are two location descriptions, both on the Mota overworld, that are cut off due to the English ROM using the wrong control code.

The first can be found by examining the entrance to Climatrol:

The second, more obscure, text can be seen by examining the entrance to the Uzo Island dungeon:

In the English version, both descriptions are cut off at the second line. This is not the case in the Japanese or Brazilian versions, where the lines are displayed in full.

Development Text

This alternate ROM header is located at 0xD5CA (JP) / 0xD75E (US/EU):

The actual ROM header for the final Japanese release is dated 1988.DEC, making this one month before the game was finished. Similar text also appears in the first game.

Regional Differences

Music

The Japanese version used a very loud snare that was changed for the localizations. In the table below, the upper entry is the sample, and the lower entry is an example song ('Step Up') demonstrating the snare.

Ustvestia's Sexuality

In Japanese Phantasy Star II, the piano teacher, Ustvestia, is much more clearly implied to be homosexual. When a male party member volunteers to be taught the Musik technique by Ustvestia, Ustvestia replies, 'He looks cute.' Ustvestia then proceeds to charge the male party member less for the lesson than he would charge a female party member.

However, in the English Phantasy Star II, Ustvestia simply says, 'He looks smart.' The gender-based disparity in the fee for learning Musik is left unexplained.

Bugfixes

The Japanese version of Phantasy Star II has a glitch that corrupts the player's party by holding Up on the party order screen.

Version Leftovers

The Brazilian release by Tec Toy seems to be based on the English release, and remnants of the English script can be seen in the Brazilian ROM.

Revisional Differences

Genesis

There are two revisions of the (UE) ROM, dated June 1989 and January 1990 in their respective headers. The only difference is that the names of the 'KITEDRGN' and 'FIRE EYE' enemies are switched between the two.

Virtual Console

The Virtual Console version of the game includes a plaintext ASM patch — complete with developer comments in Japanese — that is applied to the game in real-time. The patch changes the cross on the Hospitals to an 'H'.

The patch also has unused code to change the palette of the crosses to grey.

A small red cross on the doctor's suit in a close-up picture is also removed.

Phantasy Star 2 Online

PSO2 returns to expand on the Phantasy Star universe in this sequel. It improves on the previous formula, providing more advanced combat systems.

Fast-action online adventure!

SEGA enhances the free online experience with amazing Japanese role-playing in Phantasy Star Online 2.

SEGA returns with another JRPG masterpiece in Phantasy Star Online 2. It brings back familiar themes, with new features and gaming content. Of course, there is a great emphasis on playing online with friends.

Phantasy Star 2 Maps

PSO2 features an enjoyable combat system with varying new fighting styles. However, this facet is slightly marred by the repetitive grinding that forms part of the nature of online RPGs these days. Furthermore, you may have to wait a long time in the lobby before you can join any of the dungeon-crawling action.

Phantasy Star Online 2 presents great graphics with amazing detail. It welcomes new fantasy settings, bringing new environments for you to face enemies. The only drawback is the menus, which may be confusing to new players. Moreover, the quests become overly complicated with the different types of missions on which you can embark.

Where can you run this program?

PSO2 is available on Windows 10.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. However, PSO2 draws in major fans of the series. Similar games in the online RPG realm include World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Blessed Unleashed, Warframe, and Monster Hunter.

Our take

Phantasy Star Online 2 delivers massive content with stunning graphics. It will certainly keep you busy for months on end with its varying styles and engaging combat.

Should you download it?

Yes. You won’t regret getting involved with this fantasy universe full of magical lore and immersive storylines.

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