Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, or PSO2:NG, developed and published by SEGA, is a free-to-play, action MMORPG specializing in customization to the nth degree. PSO2:NG Version 2 is the game’s first significant update since it was released two years ago.
Creative Space
Developers have created a ton of new features and improvements for this game, but the biggest by far is the new Creative Space feature. Players are given access to their own personal island that they can customize to their heart’s content. This is an upgrade from the Personal Quarters players were given in the first version.
Creative Spaces can be accessed on any Ryuker Device found while players are out exploring. Players get automatic access to Creative Space once they have completed chapter one of the main storyline. Like the main game, Creative Space will be free to access without a premium pass, but as with all games, the premium pass will provide extras. Players with the Premium Path get access to a second Creative Space, and developers also allow players to purchase additional Creative Spaces.
Once there, players can use Build Parts to design their island however they desire. This sounds a lot easier than it actually is. Developers took their love of customization and set it free in the Creative Space, allowing players to completely lose their minds with the sheer amount of control they can have in their designs.
While Build Parts are labeled for “floor” or “ceiling,” any piece can conceivably be used as anything else. The scaling feature means players can create their tiny dream home or their very own mountain fortress, a la the Symphony of Sorcery in Disney’s Fantasia. Build Parts are gained just by playing through the game. Completing the Creative Space tutorial will give players access to many of the free-to-play parts that have already been released.
Developers have big plans for future Creative Space Build Parts and are creating Build Part packages that would allow players to create a temple to their favorite SEGA game, such as Sonic the Hedgehog. It is a little unclear how players will get access to the future Build Part Packages. The plan is to want to keep much of the game free to play, with players gaining access through task completion. Players will complete tasks and earn Star Gems and Genesis Points, which can be exchanged for Build Parts. Right now, though, there is a limited amount of information on what kind of tasks, how many tasks, where tasks will be located, etc. And with the sheer number of Build Parts, it seems like developers have planned, I can’t help but imagine the need for hundreds of tasks playable over hundreds of hours. But I don’t mind that the devs are dreaming big, especially because, from what they have already released, they can put their money where their mouth is; I mean,…they can build their house where their Creative Space is…
Two of the most exciting aspects of Creative Space are the options for collaborative builds and the Connect System. The Connect system allows players to make their builds interactive with switches, doors, and anything else players can imagine. For example, players can install a button that has to be pushed to open a door. But it can get more elaborate than that. Players can hide that door button in an invisible cat which will only appear if players stack a purple box on top of a green box. Once I started learning the capabilities of the Connect system, I immediately started imagining the virtual geocaching possibilities. I couldn’t help but picture players creating their own puzzle dungeons and then opening them to the public so anyone could come to try their luck. The potential of the Connect System takes an already beloved game feature, building, and turns it up to eleven.
Quality of Life Updates
In the two years since PSO2:NG was released, developers have learned a lot about players’ wish lists.
For example, PC players will no longer need to download the massive 114 GB game data, which includes both the PSO2 and the NG game data. Now gamers can choose to just install the NG data, which means players won’t have to delete every other save file from their laptop just to log in (seriously, I had to delete four games off my laptop to open up enough space for my test play-through).
Other upgrades include new skills for all classes, new ticket types, and the option for Cel Shading for even more character customization.
Conclusion
The main focus for this massive update has been to give players the power to let their imaginations run wild, but there are also features to improve gameplay for the casual gamer who isn’t interested in recreating Adventure Time’s Dungeon Train episode in minute detail.
Overall, the updates look amazing, and being free-to-play means there is no reason not to check it out.
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis update will be available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox June 7th.
For more information, visit: https://pso2.com/agegate/players/
Related: Reviews by Michelle Jones
I'm a completionist gamer who just needs to find that one last object and clear that final dungeon. I love all video games, from open world sandboxes on a console to a mindless match three on my phone. In addition to gaming and writing, I am a graduate student working on a thesis about the ancient Icelandic Sagas. Feel free to ask me anything about Vikings.
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