Phantasy Star Online 2 Free to Play on the Vita

[Gahars]

For fans of the upcoming MMO looking to play on the Vita, this might be some phantastic news.

Sega is hard at work portingPhantasy Star Online 2 to anything with a processor and a screen. Versions of the popular PC MMO will be available on iOS and Android by the end of 2012, with a version for PlayStation Vita set to launch in early 2013. According to a press release translated by PSFBlog, the Vita version, like its PC counterpart, will be free-to-play. It will also feature partial cross-compatibility with the PC version.

Players of the portable edition of the game will be able to play with PC players on certain servers. Players can also access their characters and progress on either system. The game will only be available online and will be completely free to download and play. The iOS and Android version of the game will be a separate, simplified game that focuses on social elements.

The Escapist

While the PC will be hitting North America and Europe next year, there has yet to be a confirmation for the Vita version (along with the i0S and Android ones, but whatever). As far as we know right now, it is Japan only.

So, could this game propel the Vita like a rising star, or should Sega just learn how to use word check already?

 

[Just Another Gamer]

I'm actually really looking forward to it now sadly I don't know if I have enough money to be able to get a copy.

 

[pokefloote]

I'm actually really looking forward to it now sadly I don't know if I have enough money to be able to get a copy.

"will be completely free to download and play"

Does that mean it's a free download for Vita users?

 

[Deleted-236924]

Might be worth checking out if it's a free download.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

I'm actually really looking forward to it now sadly I don't know if I have enough money to be able to get a copy.

"will be completely free to download and play"

Does that mean it's a free download for Vita users?

Well that is kinda what "free to play" entitles.

 

[narutofan777]

does anyone know if it has an offline mode for story mode like the ones for the psp? would I have to stay online to play?

 

[EMP Knightmare]

I don't know about the Vita users getting it for free, but I've been playing PSO2 since July on PC and this game was worth the wait. It would be interesting to see what elements of the game would be cross-platform knowing that a Vita wouldn't be able to run PSO2 as a PC would so I'm sure the co-op features will be limited.

 

[pokefloote]

I'm actually really looking forward to it now sadly I don't know if I have enough money to be able to get a copy.

"will be completely free to download and play"

Does that mean it's a free download for Vita users?

Well that is kinda what "free to play" entitles.

I meant to type "doesn't", not "does" to show him it won't cost him money. Oops.

 

[EMP Knightmare]

OK Just read that upon release on the PSVita it will be in the Playstation shop for free

 

[MelodieOctavia]

US and EU will most likely not be seeing this for a while. We have to wait for the inevitable Japanese first release, and then god knows how long that's going to take to get localized, seeing as the PC version is still relying on fan translation patches.

 

[Rydian]

does anyone know if it has an offline mode for story mode like the ones for the psp? would I have to stay online to play?

The PSP ones were Phantasy Star Portable, a different series (in the Phantasy Star Universe series that started on consoles and PC). PSO2 is likely to be like the later release of PSO, online-only... unless they make you have totally different characters for offline and online.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

does anyone know if it has an offline mode for story mode like the ones for the psp? would I have to stay online to play?

The PSP ones were Phantasy Star Portable, a different series (in the Phantasy Star Universe series that started on consoles and PC). PSO2 is likely to be like the later release of PSO, online-only... unless they make you have totally different characters for offline and online.

After playing the Japanese beta(on PC), I can say with certainty that, no, there is not an offline mode. Those that have play-tested the game on the Vita are saying that it's pretty much the same thing as the PC version.

 

[EMP Knightmare]

US and EU will most likely not be seeing this for a while. We have to wait for the inevitable Japanese first release, and then god knows how long that's going to take to get localized, seeing as the PC version is still relying on fan translation patches.

The English patch out right now isn't half bad for what it's worth

 

[dgwillia]

Ugh, I wish using different accounts on Vita didnt require a complete wipe, otherwise I'd be downloading this from Japan day one. Also wish my PC wasnt a piece of trash, it'd probably explode just from trying to run a speed test.

Hope we get it sometime this decade, I loved Universe and Portable 1 and 2. This game is pretty high on my hype list, right after Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy XIV.

 

[Deleted_171835]

So, could this game propel the Vita like a rising star, or should Sega just learn how to use word check already?

No because PSO2 requires an internet connection. A game that pretty much requires an internet connection to play on a handheld won't be the "killer app".

 

[MelodieOctavia]

US and EU will most likely not be seeing this for a while. We have to wait for the inevitable Japanese first release, and then god knows how long that's going to take to get localized, seeing as the PC version is still relying on fan translation patches.

The English patch out right now isn't half bad for what it's worth

No, it's not bad at all, but we will most likely need to see a "real" translation by the dev team before any real progress is made towards the US Vita version.

 

[LightyKD]

Great news for Vita owners. I'll be grabbing the Android version once it's available.

 

[ferofax]

I for one wish this succeeds. I wanna see a 3DS version though, but if it's unannounced, it's probably not coming. I hope Sega has a Phantasy Star 0-2 in the works though. Zero was awesome, and a snazzy 3DS version/sequel of the game would be awesome.

 

[Kioku]

So, could this game propel the Vita like a rising star, or should Sega just learn how to use word check already?

No because PSO2 requires an internet connection. A game that pretty much requires an internet connection to play on a handheld won't be the "killer app".

Now a days people have smart phones with tethering abilities. It may tear through data, but the Vita also has 3G. Plus with WiFi connections spreading like wildfires? I see nothing wrong with this.

 

[Zarcon]

So, could this game propel the Vita like a rising star, or should Sega just learn how to use word check already?

No because PSO2 requires an internet connection. A game that pretty much requires an internet connection to play on a handheld won't be the "killer app".

Now a days people have smart phones with tethering abilities. It may tear through data, but the Vita also has 3G. Plus with WiFi connections spreading like wildfires? I see nothing wrong with this.

Not saying it won't be nice, but a game that requires a constant/reliable internet connection to even play won't be the game to make a Vita a must have.