• Publisher: Sega Developer: Sonic Team/ Alfa System
• Release date: Out now!
• Genre: Multiplayer Action RPG (ad-hoc only)

Longtime fans and new players to the series will enjoy the original content from Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus.

Phantasy Star Portable players will experience a whole new storyline and meet new characters, while the new record book feature keeps track of over 150 new collectable items

Players can create their own avatar with the rich Character Creation system, or port in their character from the Phantasy Star Portable downloadable demo.

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First of all, PSP can be described as a action rpg focused on getting better loot. Kinda lika a portable multiplayer diablo, if you do not know the recent Phantasy Star games, It does have a singleplayer, but the real meat of the game is multiplayer.

This version of the Phantasy Star series is like a mix between PSO and PSU from what I saw in the demo. It has weapon drops like in PSO, graphics almost like in PSU, faster leveling than PSU and smaller parties like in PSO. Overall it feels like a PSU with fixes to make it feel more like PSO.

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Phantasy Star Portable takes place just after the events of Phantasy Star Universe. Players will partner up with Vivienne, a brand new character to the series, to investigate an outbreak of wild animals that may possess the remnants of a once-powerful malevolent force. Selecting from three class types and four different races, players will be immersed in the intriguing single-player Story Mode and addictive Phantasy Star Universe co-op gameplay.

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2DMention said:

Just a port of PSU with no online?

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• In this game you actually play with the same custom character both singleplayer & multiplayer. You actually get weapon drops here, no ridiculous weapon synthing.
• Much faster traveling, just choose your loaction from a meny and you're set!
• Added offline multiplayer like in old PSO! How I loved these days! Online can be accessed via PS3.

So what exactly is the difference between PSP and PSU?

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Phantasy Star Portable is the first iteration of the popular Phantasy Star series on the PSP. The game features a single player campaign, local ad-hoc multiplayer, DLC updates, and the ability to transfer your PC/PS2 character (JP accounts only) to this game. The US release date is March 3rd 2009.
Gameplay Changes

Phantasy Star Portable (PSP) features quite a few notable changes that makes it more than merely a port of Phantasy Star Universe (PSU): some of the changes makes PSP more like Phantasy Star Online (PSO).

The changes are as follows:

Item Synthesis Removed
The item synthesis gameplay system has been completely removed. This means enemies no longer drop items used for item synthesis but drop weapons, armor and Photon Arts abilities much like Phantasy Star Online.

Player Shops Removed
The ability for players to open their shops has been removed. This was a feature from PSU that existed to stimulate and maintain an economy within its online world.

Drop Rates and Charts Altered
Due to the nature of PSP being a portable game, items drop from enemies much more often than in PSU. Furthermore, the items enemies drop are determined by the party leader's Guardian Type (character class) as opposed using universal drop charts like in PSU. (This is similar to PSO's drop charts being different depending on the party leader's Section ID).

My Room Altered
The the player rooms are no longer spaces a player can move about in. It is now a menu where a player has various new and old options. Players can access their item storage provided by their Partner Machine character, a log of the story events, an encyclopedia featuring enemy information, player stats (including monsters slain, number of player deaths, etc.), and milestones the player has achieved and rewards given (example: beating chapter 2 of the story mode and receiving the TECHNIC Resta for that achievement).

Full Game Rebalancing
The entire game has been rebalanced for easier progression. Characters require less experience points to level up, monsters give less experience and drop a little less Meseta (the game's currency), Photon Arts level up much much quicker, NPC shops sell items for much cheaper prices. All designed to improve the gameplay experience and capture more casual players.

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Q: What is this "Ad-Hoc party beta" you speak of?
A. "It's a way to play PS online via the ps3. Further explained below.

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For Ad-Hoc Party Beta

Originally Posted by mummite:
Make sure you have a wired connection to your PS3

Here is a brief translation to the front end title screen in order from top to bottom, there are only 4 selections and it’s easy to navigate through.

• Start: "Start" is the ad hoc Party portal allowing to select a server called "World" and a meeting area called "Lobby"

• Jump: "Jump" is made for selecting "Friend List" (フレンドリス&#12488 or "Bookmark" (ブックマー&#12463 which allows to directly join a connected PSN friend's Lobby, or to select a bookmarked Lobby.

• Ad hoc : "ad hoc" is used to connect the PlayStation 3 with an activated PlayStation Portable.

• Information page: The "Information page" is the PlayStation 3 built-in web browser restricted online user manual for adhoc Party.

To add to that, after searching around I found this *Taken from the official playstation forums and edited for general PSP gaming*

How to join a game:

Press circle to choose the first option on the Ad Hoc Party screen. You will be taken to and place that says 'World A' you can scroll through the worlds with the L1 and R1 buttons.

Find the World of your choice, now using the left or right analog stick find the lobby of your choice , then press circle to go into the lobby.


You will now see a close up of the lobby, press circle.

Now you may or may not see other people, you can talk to these people buy pressing start to bring up your keyboard. You can also press circle over their name, the first option makes you walk to them, the second option you can talk to them, the third option is 'add to friends list'.

You will also see houses. Each house represents someone hosting a game. Which game are playing? Well you don't really know until you go into the house. Some of the houses are named based on what game they are playing, but not always, so feel free to pop into any open house and ask what they are playing if you cannot tell. To enter a house, use the analog stick and set the target over the house, press circle, then chose the 2nd option. To exit a house press triangle, then chose the first option, then chose the option to the left.

Once you are in a house you can hook up a headset to your PS3 for voice chat.

Start up the PSP game of your choice and go into it's MP mode and search for a host. Make sure your WLAN switch is turned on.

How to host a game:

Use the analog stick to move the cursor find a clear spot in the lobby. Press Circle.

Chose the second option.

Three more options will appear. Press Circle on the First Box to name your house.

In the third box you can set a password.

You are now hosting a game. While hosting a game you can press Triangle to bring up host options:

The first box is to leave your house. Simply press Circle, then chose the option on the left.

The Second box is to set the description of your house, press circle on the second option and a key board will come up.

Third option is to open or close the door. An open door means anyone can come in, a closed door means no one can come in. It is a good idea to close the door if your party is full. The option on the left opens the door, the option on the right closes the door.

The fourth option is to kick the player from the room. It bans them and they cant get back in.

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SecretBonusPoint said:

Is the PSP Party applet out for western PS3's yet? If not, why not.

That seems like a complete requirement for this game and the next Monster Hunter.

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RuneFactoryFanboy said:

I tried the Demo.

It's amazing how certian games can raise your expectations. I was a day-one buyer of PSU, and played for a good couple months. Suprisingly the one of the only things I think PSU did better than PSO, the combat, feels slow and boring to me now.

Thats because I've been playing MHF2 and it feels like the next step for games in this vein. I'll try agian with PS0.

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Wii Will Rock U said:

Originally, I thought this was supposed to be like PSO so to hear that it is PSU makes me kind of upset.

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Symytry said:

Can you go through the story in co-op or is that a strictly single player affair?

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PusherT said:

I have a
-PS3
-PSP
-PS portable demo
How do I do that PS3 party app were you can play PSP games online?

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Where can I get Ad-Hoc Party?
You need to have a Playstation 3, and a PSP. As far as I know, any generation PSP will do. (I personally use a first generation)
You need to make a japanese playstation network account to download it. Once you're done, go to the playstation store, and pick the option with stars around the lettering. You should have two options. One is the Ad-Hoc, and one is a trailer or something I think. Also, you will need to create a connection between your PSP and PS3. Refer to this guy on that.
http://connect-psp-to-ps3.blogspot.com/

I load up Ad-Hoc, but nothing happens when I hit any of the options!
Keep in mind, this is a japanese program. In Japan, they use Circle to select options, and X to cancel.

OMGWTF WUT DO I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO??//?/?.<./?:LL!1!2;!!!!!
1: Pick up a gun.
2: Aim at your head.
3: Pull trigger.

What do I do from here?
From the main menu, turn your PSP on, go into the PSP demo, and go to the point where you can pick to either make a new party, or join one. The differences are pretty self explanatory. We'll go with joinning a game. (I'll explain how to host later down) and select the 3rd option down on Ad-Hoc Party.
Give your PS3 a minute to connect with your PSP first.
After, chose the option on the left. You can then chose a world to join. If there's anyone in that world playing the PSP demo, you will automaticly join that lobby when you select it. You'll be in a green area with you, and probably some other people. The houses represent a party. To join one, move your cursor over the house and select the 2nd option. If you're not playing the same game as the host is, you won't be able to join. (Error message 5007)
The host can't be in a mission for you to join, so wait untill they go to the point where you can join them. You can use the Ad-Hoc to communicate with them either by plugging a USB keyboard into your PS3, or using a mic.

How to host a game
In PSP, chose to create a new party. Wait at that screen for people to join. You'll need to select the first option on Ad-Hoc Party. You then pick a world. Use L1 and R1 to select the world, and move your left joystick to the lobby you want to go to. Hold the joystick there, and hit Circle to enter that lobby. To make a room, move your curser anywhere on the map that doesn't have a house or person on it, hit circle, and chose the 2nd option. You can then pick various options for your party. I'm not entirely sure on all of them, but the first option is the name of the room, and the last is to make the party. Now just wait for people to join, and and have fun!

I get an error (2005) and the only english words in it is Playstation 3 and LAN?
If you get this, there's a simple solution, connect your PS3 via Ethernet. So directly to a modem or router. (My PS3 was in the living room, so I had to move it into my bedroom. It's better because I feel more comfortable hunting in my room, but if i want to play my PS3 games, I have to go back to my living room since thats where the HD-TV is.)

(Special thanks to Kimsey for this one.)

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Mejilan said:

Picked it up today. Still deciding if I want to jump through hoops for Ad-Hoc Party or continue my stubborn stubbornness as a form of protest over Sony's blatant stupidity/laziness.

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Mejilan said:

Wow, that's a pretty big/bold assumption there.
This IS based off PSU, so I'm not sure where "fun" fits into that particular equation! ;p

To actually utilize Ad-Hoc Party, must I be signed in with the JP account, or is that only necessary for the initial download?

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Mejilan said:

Picked it up today. Still deciding if I want to jump through hoops for Ad-Hoc Party or continue my stubborn stubbornness as a form of protest over Sony's blatant stupidity/laziness.

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Gravijah said:

I'm not really one to ask about stuff like that, all I know is, I played the shit out of the de mo and no matter how many hoops I have to jump through, I'll be playing this game online.

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PusherT said:

Do you have adhoc party? If so I would like to play the demo online with you . Once you get comfetable with the Japanese in adhoc party it is easy to set up . The only problem is that Japanese PSP players on it only play MHP2G. If you would like to play the demo online or Metal Gear Acid 2via adhoc party let me know

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Mejilan said:

Wow, that's a pretty big/bold assumption there.
This IS based off PSU, so I'm not sure where "fun" fits into that particular equation! ;p

To actually utilize Ad-Hoc Party, must I be signed in with the JP account, or is that only necessary for the initial download?

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Gravijah said:

I don't currently have broadband where my PS3 is, so I can't use it yet. Once broadband gets set up though I'll definitely be figuring it out.

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PusherT said:

It takes about 5 minutes to create the JP account the Adhoc party app is like 18MB total after all the updates, the update add new game compatability I read on wikipedia that a total of 196 PSP games work on it right now. I only own 5 PSP games and 3 of mine work Metal Gear Acid 2,Darkstalker Chronicle:chaos Tower,Wipeout Pur old ass games. I really want to play the Phantasy Star Portable demo with someone, I will even host a room on adhoc party

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PusherT said:

You only need a JP account for the intial download it is like 18MB total for the program. If I was able to do it then Mejilan you can, I still don't understand how to get custom firmware on my PSP-1000

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M3wThr33 said:

PS3 games keep themselves updated. Every boot it checks for a new version.

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Mejilan said:

That's what I needed to know, thanks. It's not that I COULDN'T do it, it's that I DIDN'T CARE. I was also under the impression that you needed to sign in with a JP account just to use it, and I'm not a big fan of profile-hopping to access different aspects of my content. I can live with creating a JP profile, downloading Ad-Hoc Party, and then killing the profile, though. Thanks again.

Edit - Does the thing keep itself updated, or would I have to sign into a JP account to DL new versions?

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Mejilan said:

Bloody hell, that sucked. Downloading Ad-Hoc Party now, however.

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http://www.phantasystaruniverse.com/community_quests.php?item=psppsuevent

Phantasy Star Portable Launch Event

Attention, GUARDIANS!

Phantasy Star Portable is arriving in the US! On FRIDAY, MARCH 6th, new GUARDIAN recruit Vivienne will appear in the GUARDIANS Colony, searching for an intruder who has been causing some mysterious disturbances . . . Join Vivienne and help her search for the mysterious terrorist Helga – but beware, Helga has some tricks up her sleeve! Next, continue the quest in Phantasy Star Portable! All players who help Vivienne on March 6th will receive two special prizes--see below!

The Event:

At scheduled times throughout the day, Vivienne will appear in Clyez City. She needs your help! A mysterious possible terrorist, Helga, has eluded her capture, and she needs GUARDIANS to help her locate this intruder.

Team up with your friends, find Vivenne, and with clues from her investigation, help her locate Helga.

Helga could be anywhere across Gurhaul, so GUARDIANS will need to work together and use any means necessary to find her--once she has been found, the chase is on! Help Vivienne to locate Helga before it's too late!

GUARDIANS will be kept up to date with in-game banner announcements. The event will run several times during the day. Once each event has finished, GUARDIANS who participate will be given a special phrase to say in game, and will then automatically receive two very special items!

Schedule

The event will start on FRIDAY, MARCH 6th. It will begin somewhere in the GUARDIANS Colony, and will start at the following times / servers (all times are PST):

* 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – PC/PS2
* 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Xbox 360
* 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – PC/PS2
* 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Xbox 360
* 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM – PC/PS2
* 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Xbox 360
* 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM – PC/PS2
* 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM – Xbox 360

Participate all day to help Vivienne, but you only need to complete the event ONCE and say the special phrase in order to get the prizes!

The Prizes!

As an exclusive promotion for the U.S. version of Phantasy Star Portable, GUARDIANS will have a chance at the end of the event to automatically win the following prizes:

* Real Hand Gun+
* Moatoob Collectibel (Room Item)

The Moatoob Collectible will be available to ANYONE who says, at any time on March 6th, the phrase "Phantasy Star Portable Day" (without quotes). You only need to say the phrase once (No spamming, please!) to receive the item at a later date!

The Real Hand Gun+ will be available upon successful completion of the event. Once Vivienne is led to Helga, all players on those servers will be given a special phrase to say. Saying this phrase will automatically earn players the Real Hand Gun+.

Hope to see you there!

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PusherT said:

I noticed people with the retail game and people with the demo "myself" can connect in Adhoc party. I 'm not sure if JP and US games can work though. Once you get your Adhoc party up in running let me know we can play some Metal Gear Acid 2 "link battle"

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Mejilan said:

Wow, that's a pretty big/bold assumption there.
This IS based off PSU, so I'm not sure where "fun" fits into that particular equation! ;p

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Blueblur1 said:

Tailzo, you can take some info from the Giant Bomb page. I wrote it myself.

Link

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bounchfx said:

I'm going to give this a go, but I still think the DS one is prettier. ;p

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Tailzo said:

Awesome. Does it look ok the way I pasted it in?

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Adam Prime said:

I'm an ex-PSO player, and never touched PSU. So I don't know how "better" or "worse" it is than PSU. As far as gameplay goes, so far I've enjoyed them in the following order: PS > PSO > PSZero

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DMPrince said:

There's a data install?

Anyways. if I get some money today I will pick this up.

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Longtime fans and new players to the series will enjoy the original content from Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus.

Phantasy Star Portable players will experience a whole new storyline and meet new characters, while the new record book feature keeps track of over 150 new collectable items

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