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How Metascores Are Calculated
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4 Elements
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Phantasy Star Universe offers two complete RPG experiences - a single-player action adventure spanning multiple planets, and a robust online multi-player component. The game offers long-time fans the epic experience they have been clamoring for. The solo adventure features more than 40 hours of gameplay, an emotionally engaging story, traditional cut scenes, and strong character development. The title's hero is Ethan Waber, a 17-year old cadet intent on saving his sister, who is living on a planet under siege by mysterious life forces called THE SEED. In Online Mode, players are given the opportunity to create their own characters from a range of races, and they get to explore all three planets in the Grarl solar system. Fans can travel with a squad of other adventurers, enter urban sprawls teeming with hundreds of other players, and build their avatars into powerful warriors. [Sega]
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... 85
Game Chronicles
What the original Phantasy Star Online lacked in terms of a solid single player story mode, Phantasy Star Universe makes up for it in spades. With its well written story, good voice acting, frequent cut-scenes, and addicting, yet simple gameplay, there’s no denying that this game is a full fledged action RPG that doesn’t have to be taken online this time to fully appreciate.
 80
1UP
A throwback to the good ol' days of "Diablo 2"-style dungeon exploring, PSU is a value-packed, worthwhile action-RPG that finds its biggest challenge not in its modern-day peers, but in escaping the shadow of its predecessor: "Phantasy Star Online (PSO)."
78
Gamer 2.0
Universe is a strong and worthy sequel to the 2000 Dreamcast classic, but key absences – specifically the offline multiplayer – make a very good case for waiting.
76
GamingTrend
At the end of the day, PSU is probably destined to be in the same niche as Phantasy Star Online was to begin with.
75
Worth Playing
Gameplay is paramount, and I would say that PSU is a better game than the original, but not necessarily up to the same level of quality.
70
VideoGamer
Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.
70
Games Radar
Just more of the same thing: simple dungeon crawling. It's fun online; it's not fun offline. This is a hard one to rate, as it's pretty convoluted.
68
GameZone
The single-player game is not that deep or compelling and the network portion is repetitive without a lot of variation in either missions or environments.
65
PALGN
Phantasy Star fans will adore the new title, but after Phantasy Star Online the development of the series isn’t as groundbreaking as the aforementioned title, and often leaves you questioning whether the time and money is worth spending when other titles provide much more.
63
PC Format
If you want an RPG or an MMO, you can do better. Greater focus might have saved this shambles from total mediocrity. [Feb 2007, p.62]
60
Game Informer
The missions have a shocking lack of variety, mostly just forcing you to do the same handful of things, but with stronger foes.
60
Jolt Online Gaming UK
The single-player is a fun new addition but is plagued by frustrating design choices and idiotic AI, while the multiplayer is very hard to justify paying £6.99 a month for, especially as the game doesn't even come with a free trial period.
55
IGN
Not enough was done to the Phantasy Star Online formula for this newest title in the series to feel fresh. Simply adding new weapons and techniques, changing the environments and adding a few extras such as the bedroom isn't enough when the online RPG has become a fully blown phenomenon.
50
GameSpy
A disappointment of near-epic proportions. Sega ripped out the very heart of PSO's legendary addictiveness, replacing it with a repetitive, tedious grind that shows no signs of ending.
49
GamingExcellence
Nothing has been improved in the six years since PSO. Worse still, PSU actually managed to take steps backwards (level design, story, online play, mission counters, equipment, mags, etc) and ruin the memory of the Phantasy Star legacy.
49
PC Gamer UK
Spoiled by repetition and muddle. [Jan 2007, p.100]
48
PC Gamer
With about 5 more updates, PSU might be capable of holding one's attention. [Feb. 2007, p.72]
40
Computer Games Magazine
Put aside the dated mechanics and grossly clumsy interface, and you're still left with a fairly half-assed port of a Playstation 2 game, barely gussied up for the big show. [Mar 2007, p.66]
37
PC Zone UK
Phantasy Star Universe is nothing more than the laggy, repetitive tranvestite cousin of "Zelda." Avoid this like a Paris-Hilton-borne strain of bird flu. [Feb 2007, p.78]
Kaleb M. gave it a3: Adam D. gave it a9: Bob G. gave it a9: James L. gave it a10: Daniel G. gave it a9: |
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