[Hasemo]

OPEN BETA HAS STARTED. CHARACTERS WILL CARRY OVER TO THE RETAIL VERSION.

!!Maintenance incoming. Starting on Thursday at 11AM and ending on Friday, 2PM JST. They're going to add new hardware to fight the lag.!!
MAINTENANCE WILL END ON:
From bumped.org:

THU June 28th @ 11:00 AM ~ FRI June 29th @ 02:00 PM JST WED June 27th @ 10:00 PM ~ FRI June 29th @ 01:00 AM EST Other Time Zones

BETA REGISTRATION (in Japanese)
Registration and a much appreciated registration guide.

CLIENT DOWNLOAD
Link. If you plan on playing, download the client ASAP as updating can take quite a long time.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
OS: Windows XP 32bit | Windows Vista or Windows 7 32bit or 64bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 or above
RAM: Windows XP:1.5GB+ | Vista or Windows 7:2GB+
HDD: 8GB or more
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 7800GT or similar or higher
Direct X: Direct X 9.0c or higher



GAME OVERVIEW
Phantasy Star Online 2 is an online action-rpg, with structure similar to games like Monster Hunter and Vindictus. You select quests and get character specific tasks called Client Orders while on the ship acting as the game hub and then group together with up to 3 other players to play the game. Combat wise, the game varies greatly between the three classes available. Going from hack and slash style combat for the Hunter to Lost Planet style third person shooter combat for the Ranger.

RACES
There are three races in the game, each with their weakness and strenghts (Human's main weakness is being boring) but they all have access to the same classes.

Human

Usual, boring, well-balanced human race. They fit for all three classes available.

Newman

Physically weak elf-like race of photon (magic) users.

Cast

Robot-like man-made race with artificial bodies. They excel in Ability, HP and to a degree in Striking and Ranged Strength. (Thanks to SuperAngelo64 for the correction)

Brand new to PSO2 is the inclusion of FOcast which allows Cast's to finally play as Force characters, a first for the series.

CLASSES
All 3 classes are available for all the races. Switching between classes is possible while in the Arks Lobby and is free. Each of the jobs comes with it's own skill tree which can be advanced at the rate of 1 point per level. All class skills are learned through skill discs and can only be set to certain weapons (excluding the Force class).

Hunter

Close combat warriors who can equip swords, wired lances (blades on wires allowing to throw enemies around), partisans etc. This gives brand new playing styles for every single weapon type, making the game feel as fresh as possible.
Their "dodge move" is a side step. Allowing players to quickly dodge and avoid enemy attacks at will. This combined with Guard is one of your most important assets during boss battles.

Ranger

A ranged class which can enter an over the shoulder aiming mode for better accuracy and breaking specific parts of enemies' bodies.
Rangers have access to three main different types of ranged weapons including: Rifle, Launcher and Gunslash. Gunslash is a unique weapon available for all classes that combine together a ranged weapon with a sword that can be swapped at will.

Force

A powerful magic class using devastating techniques on enemies along with the ability to heal allies.
Forces have a wide range of magic abilities, covering all of the elements in the game along with specific moves tailored to certain styles of play (AOE attacks for example)

MAGs
- MAGs: are raisable pets that follow you in battle and provide usefull assistance such as passive stat boosts, support fire, and healing. Mags will charge up 'Photons' during combat. When the Mags have reached their Photon capacity, Mags can invoke powerful, single-use abilities:


GAME FEATURES
- Real time action combat utilizing a unique, customizable combo system;
- Parties up to 4 people/Player + 3 NPCs;
- You can invite your in-game friend's character to the party as an NPC even if they're not online.;
- Interrupt Events are randomly generated side-quests that can appear at anytime, and anywhere outside of boss areas. Interrupt events are presented in an easy-to-understand way using voiced text that appears over the screen consisting of: "ATTACK", "DEFEND", PROTECT", "COLLECT", and etc.;
- Quest performance grading;
- My Room, which can be decorated and expanded. This gives you an area to invite over friends and team mates with surprisingly robust customization (Cisce's My Room album);
- The ability to switch classes for free while in the Lobby;
- Class-specific skill trees;
- Hard mode available for quests;
- Story, which can be progressed through the "Matter Board" feature after meeting certain conditions;
- You can break specific parts on the enemy's body;



PREMIUM SET PRICING (available in retail):

30 Days = 1300 AC 60 Days = 2500AC 90 Days = 3600AC

PREMIUM SET CONTENTS
- My Room
- My Shop
- Premium Storage Box
- Item Trader
- Premium Block
- FUN Points Boost



IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THE BETA AND THE JAPANESE VERSION
- Open beta characters WILL transfer to the "retail" version of the game.
- No IP block of any kind was present during the previous tests
- Ship 02 is the "official" server for the non-Japanese players
- The game is almost completely in Japanese but an unofficial English patch was released during the previous tests and a new version should be around this time too.
- There hasn't been any announcement of the game releasing in the US/Europe
- Buying the in-game money (Arks Cash) during the beta won't be possible, so My Room and My Shop will be available to all players
- If you took part in any of the previous tests you're all set and don't have to register anywhere

PRE-OPEN AND OPEN BETA CHANGES HIGHLIGHTS (complete notes can be found on the bumped blog along with details about the paid content):
- You can level up your character to Level 30 in Open and Pre-Open Beta.
- You can now obtain a mag at level 5 instead of 10.
- Instead of Level 50, a mag can evolve to its second form at Level 30.
- Hard mode is available for each quest if the character is level 20 or above. However, in order to access hard mode you must complete a specific client order.
- The second matter board was added. The matter board completion screen will also be shown in the camp ship after the quest results screen is shown.
- 16 button gamepads are now supported and configurable.
- Planet Lillipa will be added along with new Robot type enemies and brand new Darkers.
- Using the Aesthetics counter, the following features are free: Eye Pattern, Eye Color, Eyebrows, Eyebrow color, Eyelashes, Makeup Pattern 1&2.
- The Item lab and Tekker shop has moved down a floor.
- To reduce server load, there will be less chairs to sit on in the lobby.



GUIDES AND THE ENGLISH PATCH
- Beta registration guide
- Client Orders
- MAGs
- Closed Beta mini guide
- Controls
- The English patch link will be added after the translation's relese

USEFUL SITES
- Bumped.org blog, the best source of information regarding PSO2
- PSO2 information thread on the PSO-World forum

COMMUNITY IRC AND MUMBLE

I posted this a couple of days ago too but might as well post it here: I currently run a Community Chat for the game on IRC and Mumble, all NeoGAF members are allowed to join and we're willing on IRC to answer any questions you have about the game. Direct link to the web chat/IRC Server and channel for an IRC client: IRC: irc.seraphimlabs.net channel: #pso2 Mumble info: Address: pso2db.com Port: 49572 Password: herptomyderp23 <--- Highlight for password

MEDIA

Videos
TGS 2011 trailer
Closed Beta Trailer
Game intro
Abilities overview

Screenshots

Credits
Thanks to Cisce for helping me create this thread and to Ricardo (author of bumped.org) for allowing to copy some information from his blog, like the system specs, premium set contents and pricing among many more. Be sure to visit his blog, it's awesome.
Also, thanks to everyone who contributed by making a guide, they've been of great help!

Cisce: Special thanks to the Community IRC for moral support, suggestions, and proof-reading

NeoGAF GUILD (TEAM)
NeoGAF team was created on Ship 2. If you want in, get in touch with (Character name - Player name)

Twentytwo - Twentytwo ハセモ - Keii skyy djplaeskool ノエル - Netto-kun

Guide how to whisper to anyone and a guide what to do when invited to the team have been added at the bottom.
You talk to the team by selecting the 3rd option in the chat window - ３．チーム.

OPEN BETA PLAYERS:
List format is GAF name - Character Name. All are on Ship 2 unless stated otherwise.

Cisce - Cisce Keiician - ハセモ twentytwo22 - Twentytwo Gloam - Gloam Kyudo- Kyudo Mastamind - Mastamind Soulstar - Violet hutna - LlamaCASEAL Netto-kun - ノエル Thoraxes - Elynara Mistle- Mistle N.A - Kida Kandinsky - Kandinsky Smashkirby - Anitaki kiryogi - きょり Raide - Raide br0ken_shad0w - Aegea expel - Expel Skyfireblaze - Chiyana DeadPhoenix - Iggins InfiniteNine - マイナ dr. apocalipsis - dr. apocalipsis djplaeskool - KoSynne froliq - froliq Spazznid - Magikarp RyougaSaotome - リエラ＿サオトメ B00TE - Beet Cmagus - Eight Corova ToastyBanana - Mr Pewpewpew desa - Desade Sephon - Sephon Kokonoe - Kokonoe Wario64 - Wario64 Arpeggio23 - Arpeggio wsoxfan1214 - wsoxfan1214 VariantX - VariantX Mr Nash - Justaway Alboreo - Albireo glaringradio - Zektbach Ainaurdur - Naur Shouta - Zena Cheesecakebobby - へたれ チーズケーキ Hitlersaurus Christ - Slash Wyndstryker - Kiriyama thiscoldblack - mztik LiquidMetal14 - liquidmetal14 Lissar - Lissar wwm0nkey - wwm0nkey

GUIDES #2

-Translation of the window that appears after selecting a quest (thanks Jubern):

- Whispering to anyone through the visionphone:

This is a visionphone. There are many of those scattered around the ship. First, select アクスサーチ (Arks Search) Options here (from top to bottom): search by character name, search by team name (we're NeoGAF), search by player name. After selecting the search type, type in the name, click the button under it and when the name pops up, click on it with the LMB and select the first option, which is "Whisper"

-What to do when invited to a Team, plus the team chat mode (by Blueblur2):

Once the invite is sent, you'll see this window pop up. Click the left button. Then you will see this window. Go ahead and close the tutorial text box. Next, click the top option of the two selections to the left. Then click the next top option that appears (as highlighted above). Finally, this final prompt will appear on-screen. Click the left button to complete the team joining process. Chatting with the Team Enter chat mode (by pressing enter) and open the drop down menu above the text input field. Select option 3 to chat with the team. (Pressing O opens the team chat mode - Keii)[/img]

- Interface translations (thanks Skyfireblaze):

Menu Bar: Sub-menus: Party & Quests: Mag: Character Creator: Options: Keyboard:

IMPORTANT
- Bumped.org guide to the beta which includes Mother Board guide, Mag guide, item upgrading guide etc. can be found here

[twentytwo22]

Super excited for this.

Sega had over 40,000 people on during the pre-OBT tonight and the servers were running like a dream. I was really surprised. Every single problem I had with the game client/server during closed beta was gone.

[RyougaSaotome]

Now THIS is something I'm going to sink my teeth into.

Cannot wait for this. LEZ PLAY TOGETHA PEOPLEZ!

[XAL]

so the beta is all in japanese?

[Hasemo]

so the beta is all in japanese?

If a new English patch isn't released - yes.

[br0ken_shad0w]

Just finished the desert quest, so hopefully I get the rifle. But man this is making me itch for a US release or a translation patch.

I love the 360 controller support.

[darkside31337]

Well thats a bummer. Was so excited too :(

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Pre Beta doesn't carry over right? And does it carry over if you buy it from a region other than japan?

[Hasemo]

Pre Beta doesn't carry over right? And does it carry over if you buy it from a region other than japan?

You don't buy anything except premium services, the game is f2p. It hasn't been announced in the West yet, though.
And yeah, the POB characters don't carry over.

[Alucrid]

Are there any decent English guides out there to get started with this? Really want to try it out.

[Hasemo]

Are there any decent English guides out there to get started with this? Really want to try it out.

Added one to the op. There's also a registration guide inside.

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

You don't buy anything except premium services, the game is f2p. It hasn't been announced in the West yet, though. And yeah, the POB characters don't carry over.

Oh shit, it's free to play? That's pretty awesome.

[Emitan]

i missed the pre-open? Nooooo

[Alucrid]

Added one to the op. There's also a registration guide inside.

Awesome, thanks for that.

[twentytwo22]

i missed the pre-open? Nooooo

Not a big deal, it was just two nights of a few hours each. Most companies would call it a "stress test" :p

[Hasemo]

Not a big deal, it was just two nights of a few hours each. Most companies would call it a "stress test" :p

Billie won't get a bouquet rifle. :(

[LiquidMetal14]

I am getting nervous/Steinbrener

[Lissar]

:o Getting my new Windows laptop on the 20th (been on a several year old Mac laptop until now.) I guess it's fate!

[Wario64]

I think I registered a few weeks ago so I should be good I guess. Is it completely free if you want to see everything in the game?

[wwm0nkey]

Game is a lot of fun, hopefully the English patch releases soon after the 21st.

Also they need to announce the NA/EU version already since we know its coming due to the English credits.

[Emitan]

Billie won't get a bouquet rifle. :(

I missed a gun?!

FUCK THIS WORLD

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

I missed a gun?! FUCK THIS WORLD

How did you miss it? Weren't you posting in the pre beta thread?

[dr. apocalipsis]

I think I got the gun ^.^

AFAIK they delayed the closure two more hours, so I got it at the injury time.

[Emitan]

How did you miss it? Weren't you posting in the pre beta thread?

Wait, did I get it? Did I have to do something?

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

I think I got the gun ^.^ I think they delayed the close two more hours, so I got it at the injury time.

I just hate how they don't say something that you achieved it. Or that I can read at least. :p

Wait, did I get it? Did I have to do something?

You had to complete the desert mission from what I understand. I'm just curious how you missed it since you asking for the link to download the client is how I got in the other day. I think that was you.

[Emitan]

I didn't know when the pre open thing was. I was just downloading it to have it installed again.

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

I didn't know when the pre open thing was. I was just downloading it to have it installed again.

Ah, ok. I saw posts by you in the thread so I thought you knew that's why I was surprised you missed it.

[KarmaCow]

So you needed to be part of the pre-open beta to that special item they were hinting at before? Bah, I thought it was just the closed beta. :(

[djplaeskool]

So. Much. Hype.

[Black_Stride]

I missed the Pre-Beta god damn it.....i actually missed it only because i was too lazy to post this image:


Out of curiosity is this the same downloader.exe i would use to download the Open-Beta.
Or is there somewhere else to get the open beta

P.S Between this and Battlefield 3 I think my social life is done for.

[Cosmo Clock 21]

The client between the closed beta and POB is exactly the same. I'm guessing they'll also keep it for the actual open beta.

[Smashkirby]

The gift is by code so I suppose someone could just give Billie a rifle, right?

[Hasemo]

The client between the closed beta and POB is exactly the same. I'm guessing they'll also keep it for the actual open beta.

Btw., do we know how will we get the code? I haven't really been following the POB news at all.

[dr. apocalipsis]

At first it was like:

But then it was like:

So many memories from the closure of US and Japan servers of Phantasy Star Online Dreamcast :'(

[Smashkirby]

Huh. I'm not in either one of those pictures...Oh, I'm right out of view on the second one. About when was the first one taken?

I guess there was that many people that it couldn't even show that all of them were even there.

[Cmagus]

I got an hour or so in today. It's really good and will probably steal alot of free time.Need to make a new character though as I got on late and pretty much took generic guy in just so I could play it in time.

[Hasemo]

I got an hour or so in today. It's really good and will probably steal alot of free time.Need to make a new character though as I got on late and pretty much took generic guy in just so I could play it in time.

Characters from the pre-open beta won't be transferred to the open beta so no worries there.

[ezodagrom]

Not sure if I should have posted this in the pre-open beta topic or this one, but since this is the new topic, I guess it's better here.

So, the Pre-Open Beta is over, it reached a peak of around 41500 concurrent players and there was little to no lag (in the Closed Beta and Alpha 2 tests, the peak was around 23000).

I completed all of my goals for the pre-open beta, which were to reach lvl 10, complete the desert quest and record a video of it, play through the forest free field and get a mag.

Also too a few pictures during the test:

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/74/pso2pob01.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6733/pso2pob02.jpg
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/1788/pso2pob03.jpg
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8661/pso2pob04.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2708/pso2pob05.jpg
http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/7595/pso2pob06.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6197/pso2pob07.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4351/pso2pob08.jpg
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7254/pso2pob09.jpg

Tomorrow I should have a video ready from the Desert area quest.

[Refreshment.01]

So after the 21 everyone should be able to play?

How close is this game to evoke the first PSO in DreamCast? Im talking about the general mood, music and environments.

[wwm0nkey]

So after the 21 everyone should be able to play? How close is this game to evoke the first PSO in DreamCast? Im talking about the general mood, music and environments.

If you liked PSO you will LOVE PSO2.

[ezodagrom]

So after the 21 everyone should be able to play? How close is this game to evoke the first PSO in DreamCast? Im talking about the general mood, music and environments.

Everyone was able to play in yesterday/today's test as well, there were no invitations required.

[Mastamind]

Is the game more suited for gamepad or mouse/keyboard?

[SDBurton]

Was able to play on the first day. It was really fun, but it's probably more enjoyable if you're in a group. Anyone who's down to quest together during open beta let me know!

[UrbanRats]

If you liked PSO you will LOVE PSO2.

What if i LOVED PSO?

[ezodagrom]

Is the game more suited for gamepad or mouse/keyboard?

The game plays well with both.

[twentytwo22]

What if i LOVED PSO?

Life over.

And I'm on JST but would absolutely love to play with anyone and everyone on GAF.

[kiryogi]

I got an hour or so in today. It's really good and will probably steal alot of free time.Need to make a new character though as I got on late and pretty much took generic guy in just so I could play it in time.

Lol eight. Abandoning X|V?

[Schobeleth]

I want to try this out SO BAD but I have like no time anymore. I could only play it on my Vita, and coincidentally, it is still coming to Vita right? Do I have to wait like 4 extra years for that though?

[Cisce]

I posted this a couple of days ago too but might as well post it here:

I currently run a Community Chat for the game on IRC and Mumble, all NeoGAF members are allowed to join and we're willing on IRC to answer any questions you have about the game.

Direct link to the web chat/IRC
Server and channel for an IRC client:

IRC: irc.seraphimlabs.net
channel: #pso2

Mumble info:

Address: pso2db.com Port: 49572 Password: herptomyderp23 <--- Highlight for password

[Kandinsky]

Is this 24/7 kind of deal?, I sure hope so, those 5 hours playtime last beta ended too quick!