Phantasy Star Portable 2 is coming...

duckroll · (08-02-2009, 08:49 PM)

On 8th Oct 2009, Sega will be releasing the budget priced Phantasy Star Portable. It will come with a Video UMD, containing a 3 episode story feature which covers the PSU story called Phantasy Star Universe Chronicle. Said Video UMD will also include the opening cinematic for Phantasy Star Portable 2, due to be released this Winter. The Video UMD has a runtime of 63mins in total.

DMeisterJ · (08-02-2009, 08:54 PM)

What was the consensus on the first? I know it sold reasonably well in Japan (500-600k right) so I guess they're going to give this another go. I will hold off on my purchase of the first in case this comes over to the states.

dragonflys545 · (08-02-2009, 08:54 PM)

The first one was so much fun, I am a loot whore so day 1 for the second one.

Haruspex · (08-02-2009, 08:58 PM)

Not to invade the thread but I was quite looking forward to PS0 on DS, what happened to that? Is it any good?

ANd I really wish my brother didn't sell his PSP, the little blighter.

kassatsu · (08-02-2009, 08:58 PM)

Will probably play when I get tired of Monster Hunting.

duckroll · (08-02-2009, 09:00 PM)

Man, judging by the lack of replies, maybe I really should have gone with my original plan and made the title "PSP2 CONFIRMED".

Jangaroo · (08-02-2009, 09:01 PM)

Originally Posted by kassatsu:

Will probably play when I get tired of Monster Hunting.

Never, that's blasphemy worthy of ten thousand floggings. On a related note, I did enjoy Phantasy Star Portable. Sunk a good 50 hours into it and it was pretty fun. Phantasy Star Zero is also pretty good, and is actually reminiscent of Phantasy Star Online.

Lan_97 · (08-02-2009, 09:06 PM)

I liked it, but it was still doesn't touch PSO. PSP/U is devoid of the subtle story and atmosphere that made PSO interesting to play.

Kuran · (08-02-2009, 09:07 PM)

I really did not like the character design in the first PSP.

Aru · (08-02-2009, 09:09 PM)

I hate PSU/O/P, but if it can help SEGA to bring more games to the PSP, then I just wish it sells well.

Blueblur1 · 09:16 PM

Oh man, they're never going to make a proper PSO2 at this rate. I wish they'd leave the PSU games behind and work on more PSO or PSZero games.

jaydogg691 · (08-02-2009, 09:12 PM)

I really enjoyed PSP, had fun times with my friends. Eventually my friends stopped playing it and the fun wore off. By the looks of the picture, is there going to be connectivity between the first and second game?

duckroll · (08-02-2009, 09:14 PM)

Originally Posted by Blueblur1:

Oh man, they're never going to make a proper PSO2 at this rate. I wish they'd leave the PSU games behind and work on more PSO or PSZero games.

Why would they make a PSO2 when for all intents and purposes PSU -is- PSO2?

pje122 · (08-02-2009, 09:14 PM)

Originally Posted by duckroll:

Man, judging by the lack of replies, maybe I really should have gone with my original plan and made the title "PSP2 CONFIRMED".

Haha you definitely should have.

SecretBonusPoint · (08-02-2009, 09:14 PM)

PSPo was really good. GAF plays dropped off a bit and I don't think it did very well in it's western release, probably because of the stigma attached to it with PSU.

It was really good, if perhaps a little too eager to please. You didn't have to put many hours in to get a truckload of awesome weapons being forced upon you at every turn, and no lobby system and just menus was kinda lame. So hopefully the sequel will focus more on being a Monster Hunter experience than a portable PSU experience complete with it's shit anime single player story in the way of what made PSO so great.

Controls were really great though. Some of the evenings spent blasting through with Teknoman and kassatsu were cool stuff.

So yeah, I'll be pretty hyped for this, even though I seem to have not played the original since for whatever reason.

Kyoufu · (08-02-2009, 09:15 PM)

Good news for crap game buyers.

TheSeks · (08-02-2009, 09:15 PM)

Originally Posted by DMeisterJ:

What was the consensus on the first?

PSO with PSU elements. Not too bad. Then again I'm not one of the haters of PSU so...

I do hope they bring the second one to the US, as the first was a good outing. It just needs a freaking INFRASTRUCTURE MODE.

goldenpp72 · (08-02-2009, 09:16 PM)

does it have real online?

Mrbob · (08-02-2009, 09:16 PM)

When is Sega going to make a real PSU sequel on consoles?

I have to admit I did enjoy the first one for awhile, but I'm burnt out on it. My friend wants me to get back into it, but the game is just so damn linear for an online pay game I need more content to explore.

I've been hoping Sega would have had a real sequel by now, and just expand upon everything.

farnham · (08-02-2009, 09:17 PM)

nice move sega

but still not interested in Phantasy star online games (i didnt even like episode 1 and 2 on GC)

anyway..

why was PSU hated so much..?

because of the expanded singleplayer options.:?

Mejilan · (08-02-2009, 09:17 PM)

Never did finish the first. While it did restore some good things from PSO, thus mitigating some of the worst changes made to PSU... it's still too PSU for me, in some respects.

Xiaoki · (08-02-2009, 09:18 PM)

PS Portable was a change in the right direction for Universe and it was a pretty good dungeon crawler.

I hope this is a true sequel and not some kind of expansion pack cash in.

TheSeks · (08-02-2009, 09:18 PM)

Originally Posted by Mrbob:

When is Sega going to make a real PSU sequel on consoles?

Ambition of the Illuminati wasn't the sequel you were looking for?

Blueblur1 · (08-02-2009, 09:20 PM)

Originally Posted by duckroll:

Why would they make a PSO2 when for all intents and purposes PSU -is- PSO2?

I mean in terms of storyline and/or mechanics. PSU is a very different game. Phantasy Star Zero is more of a sequel than PSU is. I know PSU was intended to be the successor to PSO but it's many differences make it feel like a spin-off of sorts.

PSZ is supposed to come stateside this fall and I find the combat and general mechanics fun and much better than the PSU/PSP games as it takes the best parts of PSU's combat and combines it with PSO's combat. Also, with each PSU expansion/sequel the developers basically recycle the environments, art, enemies, characters and animation. New enemies, weapons and environments are palette swaps with different movesets and stats. And the game mechanics are much more complicated than PSO/PSZ and consists of leveling up like 10 different things to make a decent character. Aside from that, the visual design isn't very good and the lore is even worse; it's basically as bad as any cliché anime.

This new game is probably going to continue the Sonic Team trend of recycling old content and throwing some new textures in to make it look new. Do not want. :(

Jangaroo · 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by SecretBonusPoint:

PSPo was really good. GAF plays dropped off a bit and I don't think it did very well in it's western release, probably because of the stigma attached to it with PSU.

It was really good, if perhaps a little too eager to please. You didn't have to put many hours in to get a truckload of awesome weapons being forced upon you at every turn, and no lobby system and just menus was kinda lame. So hopefully the sequel will focus more on being a Monster Hunter experience than a portable PSU experience complete with it's shit anime single player story in the way of what made PSO so great.

Controls were really great though. Some of the evenings spent blasting through with Teknoman and kassatsu were cool stuff.

So yeah, I'll be pretty hyped for this, even though I seem to have not played the original since for whatever reason.

I'm a bit upset that they never brought over the downloadable missions for the NA release. It's as if Sega knew the game wasn't going to sell well or something.

tiltnkirby · (08-02-2009, 09:26 PM)

Originally Posted by Mejilan:

Never did finish the first. While it did restore some good things from PSO, thus mitigating some of the worst changes made to PSU... it's still too PSU for me, in some respects.

After finishing "story" mode, I had no drive to finish leveling my character at all. It wasn't really fun and found myself falling asleep during the missions, much to my dismay. I wanted to enjoy it and maybe to a point I did, but it didn't last too long, at least not long enough for me to notice it at first.. Kinda surprised hunter was the least boring out of the 3 classes for me, always liked forces in PSO.

Blueblur1 · (08-02-2009, 09:26 PM)

Originally Posted by Jangaroo:

I'm a bit upset that they never brought over the downloadable missions for the NA release. It's as if Sega knew the game wasn't going to sell well or something.

They went as far as to completely remove the coding required to download and use the DLC missions in the US version.

digita1alchemy · (08-02-2009, 09:26 PM)

Yes! I am extremely excited about this. Since the first game had pretty much everything from the console game I can only guess that the sequel will have tons of all-new areas, missions, weapons, ect. Awesome news. I think Sonic Team should just hand over Phantasy Star Online development to Alfa System after the job they did with PSP.

Core407 · (08-02-2009, 09:27 PM)

I wish they'd do a PSN/XBLA version. I miss this game more than any other game.

Jangaroo · (08-02-2009, 09:29 PM)

Originally Posted by Blueblur1:

They went as far as to completely remove the coding required to download and use the DLC missions in the US version.

The only positive thing that I could say about this shitty decision is that most of the DLC weapons/armor ended up as random drops from most endgame bosses albeit having ridiculously low drop rates.

Mrbob · (08-02-2009, 09:32 PM)

Originally Posted by TheSeks:

Ambition of the Illuminati wasn't the sequel you were looking for?

:(

SecretBonusPoint · 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kyoufu:

Good news for crap game buyers.

Back up your claim, troll :P

I hated PSU, really was the ruination of the brand in my opinion. The slow fumble from Sega to rectify the game's release with locked off worlds, crazy item synthesis and a multitude of problems all while people were paying their Hunters Licenses thinking "hang on, I played a better game than this for free on the Dreamcast in 2000...". Then, admitting almost complete failure the Expansion pack sought to drag back old fans with retro PSO outfits and locations, but PSU had already been defined as "shit" so that was that.

PSPortable however, is the only iteration of PSU I've enjoyed. Everything cut down, streamlined and focussed more about the weapon collecting and level missions. Quick menus which are great for portable play, and some great fluid combat with crazy moves always available. PSPo is the reason I find it hard to go back to Monster Hunter Portable, because it just isn't as fun.

I suppose thats why I'm interested in God Eater as well. Some people point to the lack of weight as a negative, but I kinda like it. I've never liked playing as heavy "tank" characters in games, and MH basically enforces that. PSPo however I had this crazy Drill Technique combo that I was absolutely in love with, seeing me spiral through swarms of enemies. Was bad ass.

Blueblur1 · (08-02-2009, 09:33 PM)

Originally Posted by Jangaroo:

The only positive thing that I could say about this shitty decision is that most of the DLC weapons/armor ended up as random drops from most endgame bosses albeit having ridiculously low drop rates.

I'm sure they will do the same thing with the sequel. Just like with the original game and the MH games, there's no need for online play so this is probably going to be an expansion of sorts. Sonic Team doesn't do "sequels"; they make expansions (see Phantasy Star Online: Episode 1 & 2, Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst, Ambition of Illuminus and Phantasy Star Portable [yes, it's basically a port/mini-expansion]).

Haruspex · (08-02-2009, 09:33 PM)

Originally Posted by Jangaroo:

Never, that's blasphemy worthy of ten thousand floggings. On a related note, I did enjoy Phantasy Star Portable. Sunk a good 50 hours into it and it was pretty fun. Phantasy Star Zero is also pretty good, and is actually reminiscent of Phantasy Star Online.

That's all I needed to hear!

FishSquared · (08-02-2009, 09:35 PM)

Originally Posted by dragonflys545:

The first one was so much fun, I am a loot whore so day 1 for the second one.

This. Thank you OP for posting this news, great news indeed.

Blueblur1 · (08-02-2009, 09:36 PM)

Originally Posted by Haruspex:

That's all I needed to hear!

PSZ is a lot like PSO. Techniques are not tied to weapons, the combat is the same as PSO's combat with some enhancements (Photon Arts from PSU) and classic PSO sound effects and items return (mags, monofluids, difluids, telepipes, etc.).

Jangaroo · (08-02-2009, 09:38 PM)

Originally Posted by Haruspex:

That's all I needed to hear!

Don't forget the online multiplayer!

SecretBonusPoint · (08-02-2009, 09:46 PM)

I couldnt get into PS0 at all. I liked that it was back to basics and more PSO, but hideous DS 3d graphics...I just can't tolerate them for too long. Clean designs like DQ9's work, but PS0 was trying to overachieve and the DS was clearly holding it back.

Instead I opted to play some Blue Burst on the PC after playing it really!

Burai · (08-02-2009, 09:50 PM)

You know what I'd like?

PSO Blue Burst ported to XBLA/PSN.

Blueblur1 · 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by SecretBonusPoint:

I couldnt get into PS0 at all. I liked that it was back to basics and more PSO, but hideous DS 3d graphics...I just can't tolerate them for too long. Clean designs like DQ9's work, but PS0 was trying to overachieve and the DS was clearly holding it back.

Instead I opted to play some Blue Burst on the PC after playing it really!

That's why I want a console PSO or PSZ game. After Monster Hunter Tri was announced, I was hoping Sega would try to compete and start work on a new one for any of the consoles but no dice. I'm not going to continue hoping for something that probably won't happen. Knowing Sega, they would just port the PS2 version of PSU to the Wii at the most. :P

Jangaroo · (08-02-2009, 09:53 PM)

Originally Posted by Blueblur1:

That's why I want a console PSO or PSZ game. After Monster Hunter Tri was announced, I was hoping Sega would try to compete and start work on a new one for any of the consoles but no dice. And I'm not going to hope for something that probably won't happen. Knowing Sega, they'll just port the PS2 version of PSU to the Wii at the most. :P

Why does your pessimism make so much sense :(

rainer516 · (08-02-2009, 09:53 PM)

Originally Posted by Burai:

You know what I'd like?

PSO Blue Burst ported to XBLA/PSN.

This would be a day one purchase for me.

animlboogy · (08-02-2009, 09:54 PM)

So... What is this game? Is it a sequel or just content from PSU made less shitty again?

SailorDaravon · (08-02-2009, 09:54 PM)

Originally Posted by Burai:

You know what I'd like?

PSO Blue Burst ported to XBLA/PSN.

THIS

I've been saying this forever, it'd be a license to print money. That aside, as someone who dropped a lot of time into PSU after dropping thousands of hours into PSO I/II, PS Portable is a definite improvement over PSU. It's essentially PSU but they drop a lot of the bullshit. I was waiting to pick it up cheaper, but at this point I'll probably wait to see if they put 2 out over here now.

Lain · (08-02-2009, 10:04 PM)

Considering I never played multiplayer with the first one, I was disappointed by the party retarded AI.
I hope they'll make the second better in that regard.

Jangaroo · (08-02-2009, 10:07 PM)

Originally Posted by Lain:

Considering I never played multiplayer with the first one, I was disappointed by the party retarded AI.
I hope they'll make the second better in that regard.

I ended up not playing with the AI since they were nothing but meat shields. Hell they even get stuck behind walls and doors.

SecretBonusPoint · (08-02-2009, 10:08 PM)

PSO XBLA/PSN would be... bad news for me I think

I loved the game but...I don't think I could stomach playing through it again as is. Also there'd have to be no Hunters License. To be blunt, Blue Burst and the servers that run on the PC today would ensure I wouldn't bother. Teknoman has a cool thread for people if they really want to start up PSO again though.

I'd rather see a PS0 inspired console effort though, yeah. I think Sega has sort of learned (or at least I hope?) nobody really wants shite anime storylines in a PSO title, thats not what people are after. Monster Hunter's success should really spell that out to them.

I'd certainly like to see that Shining Force Cross game make it to XBLA/PSN. Wouldn't be too hard to forgo the touchscreen stuff really I don't think, and seems like a great PSO fill in.

TheSeks · (08-02-2009, 10:09 PM)

Originally Posted by Burai:

You know what I'd like?

PSO Blue Burst ported to XBLA/PSN.

Drop the Lobby System/make it use PSN to find four other players/friends and you're good to go.

Too bad it won't happen.

Core407 · (08-02-2009, 10:10 PM)

Originally Posted by SecretBonusPoint:

PSO XBLA/PSN would be... bad news for me I think

I loved the game but...I don't think I could stomach playing through it again as is. Also there'd have to be no Hunters License. To be blunt, Blue Burst and the servers that run on the PC today would ensure I wouldn't bother. Teknoman has a cool thread for people if they really want to start up PSO again though.

I'd rather see a PS0 inspired console effort though, yeah. I think Sega has sort of learned (or at least I hope?) nobody really wants shite anime storylines in a PSO title, thats not what people are after. Monster Hunter's success should really spell that out to them.

I'd certainly like to see that Shining Force Cross game make it to XBLA/PSN. Wouldn't be too hard to forgo the touchscreen stuff really I don't think, and seems like a great PSO fill in.

Just take the PSO formula and make some new stages and pickups. I'd be all over that!

distantmantra · (08-02-2009, 10:12 PM)

I loved Phantasy Star Portable, but I kind of doubt we'll get the sequel in North America.