High in the list of longest running video game franchises by 33 years and change, Phantasy Star has touched the lives of many and inspired a huge following. And that journey will continue. Today we’re excited to announce that our action-RPG Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is coming to PS4 on August 31. If you’re new to the series, I’ll give you a brief introduction.

A Brief History of the Futuristic RPG Series

Phantasy Star has changed over the past three decades, but some concepts remain the same. Originally developed for the Sega Master System in 1987, these single-player RPGs eventually became a quadrilogy and, while mostly set in the same galaxy, each could be enjoyed as a standalone adventure. The addition of sci-fi and classic fantasy-themed aspects made these games unique at the time, as players traveled across multiple planets, explored dungeons and battled terrifying enemies. The four titles were critically acclaimed for their gameplay and visuals.

In 2000, the series inspired one of the first console games with online multiplayer: Phantasy Star Online. Its party-based systems and battle-based PvE games made it one of the first pioneers of online gameplay in the console market. The 2006 Phantasy Star Universe would continue the series’ penchant for having each entry a new setting and story, while evolving its signature sci-fi infused combat. Finally, in 2012, Phantasy Star Online 2 launched its own amazing journey to the stars.

A new Genesis

August 31 marks the launch of Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis on PS4. It’s a huge update, as the game system and graphics engine have been completely overhauled, and exploration has changed from hub-based to a true open world, as well as a new story and cast of characters set more than 1,000 years after the events. from PSO2 play.

New Genesis players will still be able to explore PSO2 content with their character by using an in-game device and teleporting to the original world at their leisure. This makes New Genesis the perfect starting point for newcomers, as they have access to both games. And all this is F2P, as a Playstation Plus subscription is not required to play the Playstation 4 version of New Genesis.

New Genesis: Fight and Explore, Alone or with Friends

Like its predecessors, New Genesis is built around immersive, story-driven missions and intense real-time battle scenes as you make your way through the landscape of the planet Halpha.

While best engaging as a solo adventure, New Genesis is also fun with friends and others, as players can form groups of up to 4 and play in the exploration sectors – where up to 32 players can be at once. There are also Urgent Quests, where stronger enemies and bosses reside, in which up to 2 parties or 8 players in total can participate.

When it comes to party dynamics, this isn’t your typical healer, tank and two damage classes. No, none of that is necessary here. While some classes have the ability to support others’ play (such as damage or defense buffs or area-wide healing), there are no strict roles in NGS.

Plus, you don’t get any skill points or abilities by simply leveling up. To place points in your Skill Tree, you must earn them by visiting Trainia and Cocoons, where you defeat enemies and solve puzzles in simulated environments. These can be done in a party and are repeatable for in-game currency and experience (but no extra skill points after the first completion). You can also create on-demand parties for Urgent Quests, also known as Trigger Quests, which can be accessed through a Quest Counter in one of the three cities.

Finally, parts of New Genesis are segregated into blocks and rooms, allowing you to teleport to a block in a sector or city where your friends are or create a private room that only you and your friends can access. Up to 32 players can be played in Exploration Sectors and up to 8 in Combat Sectors.

Dynamic interactions and missions in NGS

While quests are available from NPCs in the three main cities, much of the experience players earn in NGS comes from dynamic interactions that take place in the field. Emergency Trials often spawn, and these may require the defense of downed planes against enemy hordes, the destruction of a strong enemy along with other players, or other scenarios. Storms can ravage the landscape and cause particularly strong enemies known as Gigantix to appear. You’ll need the help of quite a few players to take them out. Rewards for defeating enemies can include in-game currency, experience, weapons and armor (some powerful or otherwise rare), and expansions to improve your equipment. Some enemies in certain locations can even drop cosmetic items to further customize your character.

A class up

You can choose from nine main classes and select a subclass that supports a player’s individual play style and goal. Prefer to keep your enemies close? Try a Fighter/Hunter class combination. Like throwing spells at a distance? Check out a Force/Techter combo. Are you considering switching it? Just visit the class counter in a big city and change class at will. There are 17 weapon types available in the game, and all classes except one (the newly released Waker) have their pick from a small handful. The Skill Trees for each class also allow you to customize your active and passive skills to match your playstyle and favorite weapon type.

New Magic in New Genesis: Photon Arts and Techniques

Players can use Photon Arts (PA) or Techniques, giving them an arsenal of options in battle. Photon Arts depends on the player’s weapon choice and the weapon choice depends on the player’s class.

Change weapons during battle to make your gameplay really interesting. Do you feel like throwing the perfect uppercut after knocking down your enemy as a Fighter? Save some Knuckles and use the Thousand Blows PA. Enemy still alive? Just switch to your Double Saber and spawn a tornado with Quick Gash. As a Fighter class, you can use Partizans, Double Sabers and Knuckles and have up to 6 weapons on your Weapon Palette to quickly switch to in the heat of battle.

Some classes use Techniques instead of Photon Arts, and some can be hurled out of safety, while others target enemies at close range. As a Force, players can use the Rod of Talis to cast techniques, all of which have some sort of elemental affinity.

Use the Grants technique with a rod and summon swords of light on your opponent, then follow it with Gimegid to splash dark photons on enemies coming at you. Casting Elemental Techniques has another advantage besides dealing only damage, in that many enemies have elemental weaknesses. Target an enemy with a technique that matches the element they are weak to, and you can inflict an Elemental Down, which is a special downed state where the enemy doesn’t react for a while. Inflicting Elemental Downs will make you popular with other players as they can freely damage the enemy during that time without fear of retaliation. Physical destruction of enemies is also possible, and these can be achieved by attacking an enemy’s weaknesses, where damage is increased.

Have fun in Halpha

PS4 players will discover that there are 3 regions of planet Halpha that are ready for exploration: Aelio, Retem and Kvaris.

Aelio is lush and green, filled with picturesque peaks and valleys, as well as enemy-infested lab ruins and Mount Magnus.

The Retem region is a rugged desert landscape. The drifting sand surrounds a massive pyramidal structure, with a large mountain to the southwest. Several Tames, or passive beasts, inhabit the region and tend to congregate around the few oases found in the area.

In direct contrast to the desert heat is the frigid cold of the Kvaris region, which players have been exploring since June 2022. The presence of the snow offers players a new mode of transportation, that of the floating board or snowboard, and the region is dotted with alternating jump and acceleration paths. To the west of Kvaris is the deadly Rayjord Gorge, an area that challenges players by not only sheltering dangerous enemies, but also subjecting them to frigid temperatures that can be deadly if not properly considered. The most dangerous enemy, Ancient Enemies, will occasionally appear and players will need the help of others (up to 32) to deal with them. If players can survive the environmental effect and powerful enemies, the potential rewards of exploring this region are quite desirable.

There’s so much more to discover about this game, so bookmark your calendar and take some time off if needed to experience Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis on Playstation 4 when it comes out on August 31!