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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Phantasy Star Universe
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game
Players: 6
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 24, 2006
Summary
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]
Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats
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...
GameBrink
From its huge offline game to its infinite online game, you can spend 100s if not 1000s of hours playing. [JPN Import]
Read Full Review >Play UK
Not so good offline, but for those after an MMORPG, this is essential. [Issue #147, p.79]
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Phantasy Star Universe brings the classic lineage to the PS2 for the first time, in both offline and online modes. [Jan. 2007, p.76]
1UP
It's too early to say whether PSU will have the same level of staying power in an age inundated with online games, but its pedigree makes this one worth watching -- and playing.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Sure, I applaud Sega for attempting to transform the single-player experience into something meatier, but poor voice acting and clumsy storytelling lend the proceedings a cheesy B-movie vibe. [Jan. 2007, p.101]
VideoGamer
Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.
Read Full Review >Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
A solid and substantial attempt at bringing online RPG play to offline gamers, but it lacks any long-term appeal without others. [Christmas 2006, p.78]
Games Radar (in-house)
Phantasy Star Universe, in the end, is 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.
Read Full Review >IGN
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.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
If you're into anime, then Phantasy Star Universe is worth checking out. [Jan 2007, p.88]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
For now, though, PSU’s online half gets a thumbs-up. What made the original PSO a hit is still there – fun cooperative combat, smooth social interaction, and lots of loot to grab.
Read Full Review >PSM3 Magazine UK
A massive waste of an opportunity for Sega to bring us an MMORPG worth shelling out for. Bah. [Jan 2007, p.67]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Emily B. gave it a10:
I have never gotten to deeply into the offline but my boyfriend loves it and i enjoyed the online story mode tremendously! This game has enough things to level (technics, attacks, type, character) to keep the most hard core gamer busy but can also keep someone who wants to play a little here and a little there coming back when they want a chance to save the universe! I love this game and have created quite a friend base on it, so much so that we started a "clan". With the AoI expansion it just made everything that much more fun and exciting! I recommend this game to casual and hard core gamers both!!!
John O. gave it a10:
An MMO that has exactly the right balance of collectibles and coolness to keep up with the most rabid fan -- without sacraficing fun for the casual player. This game will reward you with style points and lets you get as deep as you want into the nitty-gritty mathematical details (you know, the ones that will make you RICH)!
Critico gave it a6:
Story: Three world are in danger when a force known as the SEED attacks. This PS is taken away from the planet Ragol and is now set on Parum, Neudaiz, and Moatoob. Its a little cliche but still a good story. Ethan Waber, the main protagonist, can get annoying. Gameplay: 6/10: It gets very repetitive. The new weapons, bedrooms, character customization and areas are nice but its not enough. Basically its just eliminating, destroying, or killing enemies...over and over. You will get bored after a few days playing offline only. Online on the other hand is pretty fun, but still repetitive. Sound: 9/10: You have to be insane to not enjoy the harmonious orchestra/techno in every area. Its so beautiful, fast pace, rythmatic music in all of phantasy star. This is definetely the highlight of the game. The character voices though are awful. Graphics: 7/10: The graphics are nice, much better than PSO. Many areas are absolutely gorgeous. You might just stare at the screen for hours. Replay: 5/10: Low replay value for offline. Moderate for online. Conclusion: 6/10: I was very dissapointed in this game. I found PSO to have a much better story, replay value, and just all out fun with quests. Despite what people say, PSO is much better than PSU. Maybe next time Sega.
The CHONGO gave it a10:
Have had it for 2 days and logged in 23 hrs on the xbox 360....lvl 21 beast and love it beyond belief. If you played the beta and enjoyed even a fraction pick this up....if not check out other reviews and see the light! GREAT TITLE.
Jonathan B. gave it a10:
The new Phantasy Star is a very refined online game, the navigation and game features are both immersive and convenient when other games make very deep tradeoffs one way or the other. Combat gameplay is smooth and very active. It's not as deep or challenging as Monster Hunter but still nicely varied and well-suited to the environment and opponents.
Sky Shredder gave it a10:
Awesome game! I feel that this will be a great game with all of the new aspects.
