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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Phantasy Star Online

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
Cheat Codes & Hints: Adrenaline Vault Cheat Code Central Game Revolution GamePro GameSpot GameSpot Guide Happy Puppy SegaWeb
Also On The Web: Official Game Site
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...
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.
Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
The best console RPG since Squaresoft's "FFVII" on the PlayStation. Get ready for a monster phone bill.
Read Full Review >Hot Games
The best online game on the Dreamcast and will likely keep you awake for days straight.
Read Full Review >Daily Radar
The Bottom Line: Brilliant.
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.
Read Full Review >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.
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >IGN
This is among the best games, visually, across all platforms. There's really nothing that compares to the visual quality of PSO.
Read Full Review >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.
Gaming Age
Like the original "Diablo," the game offers an insidiously addictive style that you'll be hard pressed to pull yourself away from.
Read Full Review >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!
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).
Read Full Review >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.
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Even with its shallow storyline and camera issues, Phantasy Star Online simply manages to be a whole lot of fun.
Read Full Review >Maxim Online
Teams of up to four can then venture to visually stunning alien worlds, solving puzzles and wasting anything that moves.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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!
