Phantasy Star Online 2: Closed Beta Trial

My computer had some technical difficulties for like a month. By the time I got it fixed, Phantasy Star Online 2 by SEGA was about to start their Closed Beta Trial. Fortunately, I got invited to participate in this test and sample the game before the release date. I tell you, it was the most glorious 12 days of my life!!!  

Best character creation ever!!

You start the game by making your own character. You can select from 3 races: Humans, Newmans and CASTs. A bit of a letdown was that Beasts and Deumans from Phantasy Star Portable 2 Infinity were not included in this game. Then again, I could understand their decision since this is based on the old PSO and not PSU.

Another shot without the interface.

The character creation is so damn good you could customize just about anything. You can adjust the shape of your character's eyes, nose, mouth, or face. Heck, you could even adjust how big the boobs you want. Unfortunately though, if your character is a woman, you can't have her flat-chested. SEGA requires you to put boobs on women, but you can still make it really really small though, just not flat.

Full body shot of my character.

What I liked about this game is that female CASTs (Caseals) have those delicious robot joints all exposed. You see those exposed parts between her torso and her legs? It's so freakin' hot, man! While female CASTs got some delicious ball joints and cold-steel boobs, the male CASTs population looks so generic that they look like a bunch of Gundams.

She's an NPC named Echo.

This game also implemented the Partner Cards just like in PSU. It allows you to form a party with AI NPCs just in case you don't have any friends online or if you are forever alone. Who needs friends anyway when you have those not-so-intelligent AIs that won't heal you when you're in danger. Or won't revive you when you are dead.

Patty and Tea bumping into my character.

What I enjoyed most about this game is how random the field is. Sometimes you'll randomly meet NPCs, sometimes an enemy boss will just spawn in the middle of nowhere just to ruin your fun and fuck you over. They even appear when you least expect it, like when you are low on healing items or alone on the field. It's quite enjoyable though if you're with a full party and ready to kick their ass.

Most awesome NPC in the game, Lisa.

This is my favorite NPC, Lisa. She talks funny that it almost sounds psychopathic. She is voiced by Kana Hanazawa, the same voice actress who did Ayaka Sajou (Fate/Prototype), Ayase Shinomiya (Guilty Crown), and Charlotte Dunois (Infinite Startos). If you accepted her client requests, she tells you to kill native creatures in the forest using guns and launchers. Isn't she adorable?

Hottest nurse in the game, Philia.

Well actually, she's the only nurse I can remember. I'm sure there are others but I can't remember them. Too bad she's human and doesn't have those delicious ball joints underneath her skirt.

Matoi kinda reminds me of Inori from Guilty Crown.

Now this is Matoi. I'm guessing that she's the Rupika of this game since you'll find her unconscious in the forest and you'll have to bring her back to the ship to save her life. Looking at her dress reminds me a lot of Inori from Guilty Crown. Now, if only this girl could sing something.

Oh, god! My character looks good.

I swear to god that my character wasn't this pale during character creation. I mean, she's really pale but not THAT pale! Now, she looks like she's as white as snow. Not like I have any major problems with it, snow white skin is good too but she kinda looks lifeless.

The Arks lobby.

The lobby looks awesome. With all those tiny monitors up there, I wonder if the population really do read all those stuff. You'll need a telescope to read what's written in those monitors, or maybe really really long legs. Flight might be another option too but making the monitors bigger might be the smartest move..

My character wearing a Rappy Suit.

Have you played one of those scratch-and-win lottery tickets? This game have something similar to that and you have to buy a lot of those scratch cards if you want to win this Rappy Suit. Lucky for me, I've only spent every Arks Cash I have to get them. At least, my character looks cute in yellow.

The last few moments of the Closed Beta Trial.

Like any other good things in life, it just had to end. I can't remember how much sleep I missed or how much dinner I skipped to play this game to the fullest but it was all worth it. I've managed to reach the level cap of Level 20 for each class; Hunter, Ranger and Force. My armors were all upgraded to +10 with Stamina Boost and Stamina II. My weapons were also upgraded to +10 with great effects as well. What I miss the most though was the people who became my online buddies. Thanks guys, I miss you all.

Some copyright information regarding the game:

「画像は『PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2』クローズドβテストにおいて撮影された実機画像です。開発中のため、正式版とは異なる内容であり、今後改良される可能性があります。」

『PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2』公式サイト
http://pso2.jp/

Now in English:

These images were taken from "PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2" during its Closed Beta Trial. Because the game is still under development during this time, future improvements may be implemented and the content may differ from the official release.

"PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2" official website:
http://pso2.jp/

Now that the Closed Beta is all over, I can finally go back to blogging. I apologize for the long absence, I've missed you guys as well. I'll post some videos of the game next time.

Posted in: Games,Phantasy Star Online 2