KentaRawr!
05-09-2006, 08:56 AM
I'm pretty sure this is my 3rd information thread on PSU. >_> W/e. On with the info!
Character Creation is used to make characters for the Network and Extra modes of the game. There are 4 races to choose from. Human, Newman, Cast, and Beast. Once you choose a race/gender, you decide what your character actually looks like. First, you create a face for your character. You can customize multiple facial features. To select your characters' outfit, you choose between Jackets, Pants, and Shoes. You are also able to decide your characters' proportion by moving a cursor along a grid. Depending on where you put the cursor, your character will have a different amount of Height, Muscle, and Fat. To decide eye color, you move a cursor along a large grid of colors. Depending on where you put the cursor, your character will have a different eye color. Also, something I find interesting. You will be able to select a voice type for your character. This voice type can be fine-tuned using a voice-pitch slider.
(The following description is quoted from www.pso-world.com)
The character creation process for a Cast is a little bit different. Based on the shape of your face and color of your skin, you will be able to select from different helmets and clothing. After that, you will be able to choose from the following three categories: arm, body, and legs. Based on your choices, you will be able to make your cast look very human-like or very robotic in nature.
Here is a tiny "guide" from www.pso-world.com showing you which races have what Character Creation choices. o_o
Beast: Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit Skin Color, Proportion, Voice Type
Cast Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Helmet, Skin Color, Armor Plating #1, Armor Plating #2, Proportion, Arms, Torso, Legs, Voice Type
Human Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit, Skin Color, Proportion, Jacket,Pants, Shoes, Voice Type
Newman Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit, Skin Color, Proportion, Voice Type
As you can see, my description of Cast Creation in my last topic was completely wrong. >_> Anyways, on with the info.
Something a tad bit different from PSO is the fact that during character creation, you don't choose your class. You actually adjust your character job abilities based on your fighting style. As in PSO, the three main jobs are Hunter, Ranger, and Force. By changing your job, you change the weapons and abilities your character can use. You will be able to switch your job at the type-selection counter.
(Due to me not being able to state it any better, the following descriptions are quoted from www.pso-world.com)
You will earn job-level points by completing missions. The number of points you earn will depend on the mission you play and the circumstances under which it was cleared. After collecting a certain number of points, your job skill will level up. As you achieve level-ups in a particular category, you will be able to use a wider variety of weapons that are associated with that category. For example, if you level-up your Ranger abilities, you will be able to use a larger selection of gun-type weapons. Please note that your job skill level is independent of your character level. Also, you will have a job skill level for each profession. Any points you earn from a mission will be applied to your current job.
Depending on the job you choose, you will be receive certain bonuses and use certain weapons. For example, Hunters will receive increased HP and ATP and be able to use most melee weapons. Forces will have low HP, but will compensate for this by having a high mind stat and the ability to use techniques. Whenever you switch jobs, you lose the perks of your old one. Do not worry though, you can always regain them by switching your job again.
A new mode to the game is the Extra Mode. As you play through the offline story mode, the Extra Mode will become available. What this allows you to do is form parties with people you met in the story mode and go on adventures with them. I think this is supposed to be similar to an offline simulator of the Online Mode. In Extra mode, you are able to do whatever you like. Since it's not a story mode, there is no ending. You just go on adventures.
For every character you create for the Online Mode, you recieve a room for that character labled "My Room". You will be able to shop for items that change the way the room looks, and also invite 6 friends over for a chat. Moghouses just got PWND! :cool:
In Phantasy Star Universe's online mode, lobbies no longer have a limit to about 10 players. In lobbies, you are able to buy/sell items and chat with many other players at once. Also, a notable piece of information quoted from www.pso-world.com:
All of th eplanets will be represented as lobbies. Each lobby is a multi-tiered structure capable of hosting hundreds of players.
:)
Cut-In-Chat is like symbols for PSU. Bye pressing a certain key sequence while typing a message, you can select from a number of pre-set emotions. This is the "Avatar on the left-side of the screen" thing I was yapping about before. o_O
Partner Cards are just Guild Cards for PSO. Once you have someones Partner Card, you can Search for them and invite them to join your team. Each Partner card includes your character data and a description of some sort. Also, while playing through the story mode, you will get partner cards from NPC's that you can use to assemble parties in the Extra Mode.
Gameplay in PSU's Online Mode is focussed around Quest-Play. To create a game, you will first have to find some people to play with and invite them to your team. Once you have your team together, you will be able to choose from multiple missions. Each quest has a description attached to it telling you the Difficulty, how many members are allowed, what the actual requirements are, what level the enemies are, and what the mission "costs".
Another PSO world quote. :P
In Network mode, you can have a party with up to 6 people. When you are in a party, you can use the Team Chat function to communicate, even if you are on different planets. The party will still exist, even after completing a mission. Also, the leader will be able to invite NPCs to join the team and perform various actions, such as transferring team leadership and disbanding the team.
In both Online and Offline play, you will be able to customize the clothing of your character(s), like in PSO. However, unlike in PSO, there are clothing shops spread across the solar system. :O In the online mode, you will be able to buy accesories and change facial features. (Plastic surgery?)
Also, Techniques are now called Technics. :P Sega didn't feel like spelling.
In Phantasy Star Universe, Mags are replaced with (!!!) Partner Machinery (:O). Partner Machinery manages your items you can't carry with you. They normally stay in your character's room, but you can take them with you on adventures. (No Mag on an adventure? FOR SHAME!) Something pretty cool though: You give your Partner Machinery Items and Weapons to help it's stats grow, and once it's stats are high enough, it can create better items with the synthesis mode (Explained later), and after a little while, can follow you on your adventures and actually fight by your side. There is also a synthesis mode (Which I mentioned 2 seconds ago) that allows you to make many items based on your Partner Machinery's stats and the recipe you chose.
Something interesting about PSU's weapon system is that each weapon has a variety of skills you can use during battle. Also, there are some new weapons to choose from. (I am comparing this to PSO, by the way.) Some new weapons are the Bow and Arrow, Axe, and Machine Gun. Also, some weapon types from PSO are now entirely seperate, rather than just having different names. Like spears and bow staves. o.o All the weapon types from PSO are available here.
While using Long Range weapons, you can switch to a first person view to take out the enemies.
Due to the fact that I couldn't have said it better myself, quote from PSO World!
The word "Photon Arts" refers to a group of special attacks that can be binded to weapons. The name that photon arts goes by will vary depending on the type of weapon you are using ("skill" for combat weapons, "bullet" for shooting weapons, and "technic" for technique weapons). On melee weapons, you will be able to use photon arts after your normal attacks to create a longer combo.
Every weapon in Phantasy Star Universe has a PP gauge. If you use a Photon Art, the meter will decrease. If you run out of PP, you will be unable to use the Photon Art anymore. PP recharges at a slow rate while you have the weapon equipped. Also, you can recharge your PP between missions by using special recharging cubes.
Each weapon has its own set of Photon Arts. Ranger weapons typically have three Photon Arts from which you can choose. Melee weapons usually only have one. In the case of Ranger and Hunter weapons, only one Photon Art can be binded to a weapon at a time. Force weapons can have up to four techniques binded at one time. To illustrate the process of binding Photon Arts, consider the following two pictures. On the first picture, the player has the option of either using Burning Bullet or Frost Bullet on a handgun. For the second picture, the player is seen associating a technique with a staff-type weapon.
You will be able to buy Photon Arts by visiting any number of specialty stores throughout the Graal system. As you use the Photon Art in battle, it will start to level up. Leveling up a Photon Art will increase its strength. In the case of melee weapons, you may also be able to an additional Photon Art hit to your combo!
Unlike in PSO, to improve your weapons, or "Grind" your weapons, you will have to have a specific improvement item and access to a weapon shop. If the grind fails, your weapon is dubbed useless. >.>
I am SO over-using quotes from PSO World...
The Action Palette is intended to replace Phantasy Star Online's quick menu system. Using the palette, you can register different combinations of weapons/items and quickly switch among them. You will be able to customize the palette to accomodate one-handed and two-handed weapons. For one-handed weapons, you will be able to use technique and melee weapons in your right hand, while the left is reserved for handguns. Two-handed weapons will take up an entire palette slot. The action palette can be changed on-the-fly using the game's menus.
While you are setting up your action palette, you may notice that your weapons have different-colored icons. These icons correspond to an elemental type as seen in the Photon Energy guide.
The offline mode of the game is supposed to be much more story-based than the other online PS games. It is expected to be from 40 to 50 hours long, and takes place in a brand spanking-new universe called the "Gurhal Solar-System", which consists of three planets. 100 years ago, there was a great war, but a peace treaty was made then, thus ending it. Now, 100 years later, Ethan is going to the festival with his little sister, and disaster strikes...
Also according to IGN, the game is supposed to have many references to other Phantasy star games. The story will be non-linear in nature, contains over 3 hours of voiced-over cut-scenes, and can be enjoyed even without the online mode, just as an offline RPG.
My main source of info is (wait for it...) www.pso-world.com (You guessed it.). I highly recommend going there if you want more info on Phantasy Star Universe. They explain things WAY better than I do.
Screenshot Section
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_00.jpg
o_O This looks more and more like PSO every day.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_16.jpg
Oh... That was his reaction... :(
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_17.jpg
This is the lobby. :)
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_14.jpg
This is that one situation where you can't win. >_>
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_48.jpg
o_o It's a cut-scene! SHHH!!!
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_03.jpg
The look on that thing's face will truly make me feel guilt when I kill it.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_15.jpg
It's evil. Trust me.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_29.jpg
"Dr. Freeman I presume?"
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_33.jpg
Yucky face! >_<
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_26.jpg
Don't talk to robot strangers! >=O
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_24.jpg
Normally screenshots make a game's character look cool. This doesn't.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_43.jpg
Master-Sword much?
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_60.jpg
The first thing you think is "VEGA!" but Vega didn't have 2 claws. >_>
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_49.jpg
Your team-mate is still obese.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_72.jpg
Doom never looked so happy.
Videos
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9231&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the battles of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9229&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the online mode of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=8560&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the story mode of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9286&type=wmv&pl=game - This is another video I found at Game Trailers showing the story mode of PSU.
http://www.pso-world.com/downloads/psu/trailers/WorldOfCharacterOf.mov - This is a video I found at PSO-World describing the Story of PSU. (Note: It's in Japanese.)
javascript:popSizedWinProtected2('http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps2/article/612/612111/psu_051805_wmvlow.wmv?wu=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ps2.ign.com%2Fmedia%2F683%2F683215%2Fvid_1114069.html%3F mu%3D%3CURL%2F%3E','1114069',60,530,490,0) - This long URL links to a video from IGN that pretty much sums up what the game is like.
Character Creation is used to make characters for the Network and Extra modes of the game. There are 4 races to choose from. Human, Newman, Cast, and Beast. Once you choose a race/gender, you decide what your character actually looks like. First, you create a face for your character. You can customize multiple facial features. To select your characters' outfit, you choose between Jackets, Pants, and Shoes. You are also able to decide your characters' proportion by moving a cursor along a grid. Depending on where you put the cursor, your character will have a different amount of Height, Muscle, and Fat. To decide eye color, you move a cursor along a large grid of colors. Depending on where you put the cursor, your character will have a different eye color. Also, something I find interesting. You will be able to select a voice type for your character. This voice type can be fine-tuned using a voice-pitch slider.
(The following description is quoted from www.pso-world.com)
The character creation process for a Cast is a little bit different. Based on the shape of your face and color of your skin, you will be able to select from different helmets and clothing. After that, you will be able to choose from the following three categories: arm, body, and legs. Based on your choices, you will be able to make your cast look very human-like or very robotic in nature.
Here is a tiny "guide" from www.pso-world.com showing you which races have what Character Creation choices. o_o
Beast: Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit Skin Color, Proportion, Voice Type
Cast Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Helmet, Skin Color, Armor Plating #1, Armor Plating #2, Proportion, Arms, Torso, Legs, Voice Type
Human Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit, Skin Color, Proportion, Jacket,Pants, Shoes, Voice Type
Newman Face, Eyes, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Ears, Hair, Body Suit, Skin Color, Proportion, Voice Type
As you can see, my description of Cast Creation in my last topic was completely wrong. >_> Anyways, on with the info.
Something a tad bit different from PSO is the fact that during character creation, you don't choose your class. You actually adjust your character job abilities based on your fighting style. As in PSO, the three main jobs are Hunter, Ranger, and Force. By changing your job, you change the weapons and abilities your character can use. You will be able to switch your job at the type-selection counter.
(Due to me not being able to state it any better, the following descriptions are quoted from www.pso-world.com)
You will earn job-level points by completing missions. The number of points you earn will depend on the mission you play and the circumstances under which it was cleared. After collecting a certain number of points, your job skill will level up. As you achieve level-ups in a particular category, you will be able to use a wider variety of weapons that are associated with that category. For example, if you level-up your Ranger abilities, you will be able to use a larger selection of gun-type weapons. Please note that your job skill level is independent of your character level. Also, you will have a job skill level for each profession. Any points you earn from a mission will be applied to your current job.
Depending on the job you choose, you will be receive certain bonuses and use certain weapons. For example, Hunters will receive increased HP and ATP and be able to use most melee weapons. Forces will have low HP, but will compensate for this by having a high mind stat and the ability to use techniques. Whenever you switch jobs, you lose the perks of your old one. Do not worry though, you can always regain them by switching your job again.
A new mode to the game is the Extra Mode. As you play through the offline story mode, the Extra Mode will become available. What this allows you to do is form parties with people you met in the story mode and go on adventures with them. I think this is supposed to be similar to an offline simulator of the Online Mode. In Extra mode, you are able to do whatever you like. Since it's not a story mode, there is no ending. You just go on adventures.
For every character you create for the Online Mode, you recieve a room for that character labled "My Room". You will be able to shop for items that change the way the room looks, and also invite 6 friends over for a chat. Moghouses just got PWND! :cool:
In Phantasy Star Universe's online mode, lobbies no longer have a limit to about 10 players. In lobbies, you are able to buy/sell items and chat with many other players at once. Also, a notable piece of information quoted from www.pso-world.com:
All of th eplanets will be represented as lobbies. Each lobby is a multi-tiered structure capable of hosting hundreds of players.
:)
Cut-In-Chat is like symbols for PSU. Bye pressing a certain key sequence while typing a message, you can select from a number of pre-set emotions. This is the "Avatar on the left-side of the screen" thing I was yapping about before. o_O
Partner Cards are just Guild Cards for PSO. Once you have someones Partner Card, you can Search for them and invite them to join your team. Each Partner card includes your character data and a description of some sort. Also, while playing through the story mode, you will get partner cards from NPC's that you can use to assemble parties in the Extra Mode.
Gameplay in PSU's Online Mode is focussed around Quest-Play. To create a game, you will first have to find some people to play with and invite them to your team. Once you have your team together, you will be able to choose from multiple missions. Each quest has a description attached to it telling you the Difficulty, how many members are allowed, what the actual requirements are, what level the enemies are, and what the mission "costs".
Another PSO world quote. :P
In Network mode, you can have a party with up to 6 people. When you are in a party, you can use the Team Chat function to communicate, even if you are on different planets. The party will still exist, even after completing a mission. Also, the leader will be able to invite NPCs to join the team and perform various actions, such as transferring team leadership and disbanding the team.
In both Online and Offline play, you will be able to customize the clothing of your character(s), like in PSO. However, unlike in PSO, there are clothing shops spread across the solar system. :O In the online mode, you will be able to buy accesories and change facial features. (Plastic surgery?)
Also, Techniques are now called Technics. :P Sega didn't feel like spelling.
In Phantasy Star Universe, Mags are replaced with (!!!) Partner Machinery (:O). Partner Machinery manages your items you can't carry with you. They normally stay in your character's room, but you can take them with you on adventures. (No Mag on an adventure? FOR SHAME!) Something pretty cool though: You give your Partner Machinery Items and Weapons to help it's stats grow, and once it's stats are high enough, it can create better items with the synthesis mode (Explained later), and after a little while, can follow you on your adventures and actually fight by your side. There is also a synthesis mode (Which I mentioned 2 seconds ago) that allows you to make many items based on your Partner Machinery's stats and the recipe you chose.
Something interesting about PSU's weapon system is that each weapon has a variety of skills you can use during battle. Also, there are some new weapons to choose from. (I am comparing this to PSO, by the way.) Some new weapons are the Bow and Arrow, Axe, and Machine Gun. Also, some weapon types from PSO are now entirely seperate, rather than just having different names. Like spears and bow staves. o.o All the weapon types from PSO are available here.
While using Long Range weapons, you can switch to a first person view to take out the enemies.
Due to the fact that I couldn't have said it better myself, quote from PSO World!
The word "Photon Arts" refers to a group of special attacks that can be binded to weapons. The name that photon arts goes by will vary depending on the type of weapon you are using ("skill" for combat weapons, "bullet" for shooting weapons, and "technic" for technique weapons). On melee weapons, you will be able to use photon arts after your normal attacks to create a longer combo.
Every weapon in Phantasy Star Universe has a PP gauge. If you use a Photon Art, the meter will decrease. If you run out of PP, you will be unable to use the Photon Art anymore. PP recharges at a slow rate while you have the weapon equipped. Also, you can recharge your PP between missions by using special recharging cubes.
Each weapon has its own set of Photon Arts. Ranger weapons typically have three Photon Arts from which you can choose. Melee weapons usually only have one. In the case of Ranger and Hunter weapons, only one Photon Art can be binded to a weapon at a time. Force weapons can have up to four techniques binded at one time. To illustrate the process of binding Photon Arts, consider the following two pictures. On the first picture, the player has the option of either using Burning Bullet or Frost Bullet on a handgun. For the second picture, the player is seen associating a technique with a staff-type weapon.
You will be able to buy Photon Arts by visiting any number of specialty stores throughout the Graal system. As you use the Photon Art in battle, it will start to level up. Leveling up a Photon Art will increase its strength. In the case of melee weapons, you may also be able to an additional Photon Art hit to your combo!
Unlike in PSO, to improve your weapons, or "Grind" your weapons, you will have to have a specific improvement item and access to a weapon shop. If the grind fails, your weapon is dubbed useless. >.>
I am SO over-using quotes from PSO World...
The Action Palette is intended to replace Phantasy Star Online's quick menu system. Using the palette, you can register different combinations of weapons/items and quickly switch among them. You will be able to customize the palette to accomodate one-handed and two-handed weapons. For one-handed weapons, you will be able to use technique and melee weapons in your right hand, while the left is reserved for handguns. Two-handed weapons will take up an entire palette slot. The action palette can be changed on-the-fly using the game's menus.
While you are setting up your action palette, you may notice that your weapons have different-colored icons. These icons correspond to an elemental type as seen in the Photon Energy guide.
The offline mode of the game is supposed to be much more story-based than the other online PS games. It is expected to be from 40 to 50 hours long, and takes place in a brand spanking-new universe called the "Gurhal Solar-System", which consists of three planets. 100 years ago, there was a great war, but a peace treaty was made then, thus ending it. Now, 100 years later, Ethan is going to the festival with his little sister, and disaster strikes...
Also according to IGN, the game is supposed to have many references to other Phantasy star games. The story will be non-linear in nature, contains over 3 hours of voiced-over cut-scenes, and can be enjoyed even without the online mode, just as an offline RPG.
My main source of info is (wait for it...) www.pso-world.com (You guessed it.). I highly recommend going there if you want more info on Phantasy Star Universe. They explain things WAY better than I do.
Screenshot Section
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_00.jpg
o_O This looks more and more like PSO every day.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_16.jpg
Oh... That was his reaction... :(
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_17.jpg
This is the lobby. :)
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_14.jpg
This is that one situation where you can't win. >_>
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_48.jpg
o_o It's a cut-scene! SHHH!!!
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_03.jpg
The look on that thing's face will truly make me feel guilt when I kill it.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_15.jpg
It's evil. Trust me.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_29.jpg
"Dr. Freeman I presume?"
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_33.jpg
Yucky face! >_<
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_26.jpg
Don't talk to robot strangers! >=O
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_24.jpg
Normally screenshots make a game's character look cool. This doesn't.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_43.jpg
Master-Sword much?
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_60.jpg
The first thing you think is "VEGA!" but Vega didn't have 2 claws. >_>
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_49.jpg
Your team-mate is still obese.
http://www.pso-world.com/images/screenshots/psu/universe_72.jpg
Doom never looked so happy.
Videos
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9231&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the battles of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9229&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the online mode of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=8560&type=wmv&pl=game - This is a video I found at Game Trailers showing the story mode of PSU.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=9286&type=wmv&pl=game - This is another video I found at Game Trailers showing the story mode of PSU.
http://www.pso-world.com/downloads/psu/trailers/WorldOfCharacterOf.mov - This is a video I found at PSO-World describing the Story of PSU. (Note: It's in Japanese.)
javascript:popSizedWinProtected2('http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps2/article/612/612111/psu_051805_wmvlow.wmv?wu=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.ps2.ign.com%2Fmedia%2F683%2F683215%2Fvid_1114069.html%3F mu%3D%3CURL%2F%3E','1114069',60,530,490,0) - This long URL links to a video from IGN that pretty much sums up what the game is like.