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Phantasy Star Online

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Phantasy Star Online
89
9.7 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 21 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sonic Team

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: January 30, 2001

Summary

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Total Video Games

Explaining the genius and scarily addictive quality of Phantasy Star Online is tricky indeed, it is something that needs to be played and experienced.

100

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

The best console RPG since Squaresoft's "FFVII" on the PlayStation. Get ready for a monster phone bill.

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100

Hot Games

The best online game on the Dreamcast and will likely keep you awake for days straight.

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100

Daily Radar

The Bottom Line: Brilliant.

96

Gaming Maxx

The lastability of this game is endless. Because this game is so much fun, plus is online, you can be playing this for years to come.

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96

Da Gameboyz

As a single player game there is room for improvement but overall the stellar graphics, excellent sound and added touch of the online multiplayer ability make PSO a must have for any Dreamcast owner. The Joystick is way up.

95

Planet Dreamcast

The bottom line is that you must have this game. Even though it has a light story, even though it doesn't have much to offer solo players, PSO is a brilliant game--and what's more, it's a promise of amazing things to come in the Dreamcast's final days and in Sega's new future.

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95

GamerWeb Sega

Insanely fun, strategic combat, a host of interesting missions, more customization than you can shake a photon sword at and top-notch graphics that don't depend on flash to satisfy make this one a no-brainer.

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93

IGN

This is among the best games, visually, across all platforms. There's really nothing that compares to the visual quality of PSO.

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92

AllDreamcast

PSO isn't about the offline experience. It's about taking the game online, which is incredibly fun. The online and offline modes are as different as night and day.

91

Gaming Age

Like the original "Diablo," the game offers an insidiously addictive style that you'll be hard pressed to pull yourself away from.

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90

Spank!

One billion points for single handily dragging online RPGs out of a mire of orcs, beards and dreadful graphics. It's repetitive and shallow (kind of) but it's also amazingly beautiful, addictive and - believe it or not - socially rewarding and instructive!

90

DC Swirl

Gorgeous graphics and that hard-to-explain fun factor that emerges from repeated exposure to its better features (which cannot be easily explained unless you've played PSO online yourself).

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90

CNET Gamecenter

A graphical and technological marvel that offers slick graphics, smooth online play, and groundbreaking communication features. You owe it to yourself to experience it.

85

Playboy

The graphics in Phantasy Star Online are excellent in all respects. Not only is the lighting superb, but the general design of the environments is also both visually appealing and extremely efficient.

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83

Core Magazine

Nice graphics and pleasant music enhance a fairly addictive multiplayer experience-just don't expect much in the way of a traditional single player RPG.

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83

Game Revolution

The story wasn't much of a story at all. So for all you readers out there that are hoping for a whopper of a tale, I hope you can be satisfied with a mere kid's meal.

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82

GameSpot

Even with its shallow storyline and camera issues, Phantasy Star Online simply manages to be a whole lot of fun.

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80

Happy Puppy

Tremendously fun gameplay with an addictive online component.

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80

Maxim Online

Teams of up to four can then venture to visually stunning alien worlds, solving puzzles and wasting anything that moves.

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70

GamePro

It's straightforward, hack-n-slash combat online or off. But you must jump online, however, to get the full experience of what the Dreamcast is capable of doing.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jubei T. gave it a9:
I LOVE THIS GAME! So you ask then why did I give it a 9? Because its got a terrible story just like every other action/adventure (since this no RPG it just RPG elements like most games do) but 3 words sum it all up BUY THIS GAME.

Bob D. gave it a10:
This wonderfully thought out game brings to life the true aspects of how an online RPG really should be. One of the best I've played in a long time.

Brian W. gave it a 10:
This is the best RPG I have ever played. Making new characters and improving them. You can customize your character to all most every race on Earth. Even if you want him to look like a total idiot you can.

Bob D. gave it a 10:
This wonderfully thought out game brings to life the true aspects of how an online RPG really should be. One of the best I've played in a long time.

Jeremy T. gave it a 10:
Brilliant.

Jubei T. gave it a 9:
I LOVE THIS GAME! So you ask then why did I give it a 9? because its got a terrible story just like every other action/adventure (since this no RPG it just RPG elements like most games do) but 3 words sum it all up: BUY THIS GAME!

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