| 90 |
GameBrink
From its huge offline game to its infinite online game, you can spend 100s if not 1000s of hours playing. [JPN Import]
|
| 89 |
Play UK
Not so good offline, but for those after an MMORPG, this is essential. [Issue #147, p.79]
|
| 80 |
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]
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 72 |
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]
|
| 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 |
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]
|
| 70 |
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.
|
| 66 |
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.
|
| 65 |
PSM Magazine
If you're into anime, then Phantasy Star Universe is worth checking out. [Jan 2007, p.88]
|
| 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.
|
| 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 |
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.
|
| 50 |
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]
|
| 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.
|
| 40 |
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.
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