Phantasy Star Portable
| Phantasy Star Portable | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) |
Sonic Team Alfa System |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Director(s) | Tatsuya Nagata |
| Producer(s) |
Satoshi Sakai Tetsuya Sasaki |
| Artist(s) | Akikazu Mizuno |
| Writer(s) | Yasushi Otake |
| Composer(s) |
Hideaki Kobayashi Taihei Sato Kenichi Tokoi |
| Series | Phantasy Star Universe |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation Portable |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Action RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Phantasy Star Portable (ファンタシースターポータブル) is a video game for the PlayStation Portable, developed by Sonic Team and Alfa System, and published by Sega. It was released for the PlayStation Portable in Japan on July 31, 2008, in North America on March 3, 2009 and in Europe on April 3, 2009.
"Phantasy Star Portable" is based on Phantasy Star Universe and its latest expansion, Ambition of the Illuminus. The PSP title includes an all-new story mode with added missions and a multi-player mode that supports local multiplayer cooperative play with up to four players. Two new characters have been introduced since Phantasy Star Universe: Vivienne, a CAST whom the main character teams up with throughout the story. Also new to the PSP version is Helga Neumann, a villain who is responsible for terrorist attacks in the Gurhal System.
The game also received a sequel in late 2009.
Plot
A few months after the events of Phantasy Star Universe, the Gurhal Galaxy appears to be in peace until Vivienne, a new special CAST, and her partner discover remnant SEED are disturbing the peace. Vivienne and her partner go out to save the Gurhal System, and on the way, learn more about humanity. The character which you chose has to play through multiple levels of combat which involves killing creatures that belong only to a particular area. Often there will be bosses at the end of each level you complete. By killing them you complete that particular mission and after killing the boss creatures you are given rewards and then you can return to the city on the planet.
Features
Players can create their own character using the following settings: Race, face model, eye color, eyebrows, eyelashes, ears, head type, body color, proportion, jacket, pants, shoes, voice type, and voice pitch. Character creation is said to go even farther than past games. The retail version includes the option of importing the character created in the demo version of the game as well as two downloadable missions: one allows the exchange of items called "Weapons Badge" for items and weapons and another that consists of a time attack against defeated bosses. At the moment, these two extra missions are only available in the Japanese version of the game.
Characters
- GUARDIAN
The character the player is able to create. The character starts off passing Laia's Training and becoming a GUARDIAN along with Vivienne. The character is very quiet and hardly speaks . The only time the character speaks is with Vivienne and occasionally with Headmaster Nav. The character affects Vivienne's behavior and understanding depending on how the person plays the game.
- Vivienne
Vivienne is first believed to be a special CAST type model that surpasses those of the Lou type, later revealed to be a copy-cast of Helga Neumann. She is very passionate person and is often envious of humans. Depending on how the person plays the game she can be very kind or very cold.
- Helga Neumann
A woman who works with the Illuminus. Although she appears to be in her mid-20's she is actually 43 years old. She said she died and was revived by the SEED. She was the cause of Remnant SEED to spread and the creation of another HIVE.
Reception
The game has sold over 342,000 units within its first week.[1] Phantasy Star Portable was the 14th best-selling game of Japan in 2008.[2] James Mielke of 1UP praised its replay value and gave Phantasy Star Portable an A-.[3]
Sequel
Due to the game's success, Phantasy Star Portable 2 was released on December 3, 2009 in Japan. The sequel is said to have an improved battle system, more voice acting (even though most of it were cut out in the US/EU version of the game), and new chat features. It also includes an Internet co-op feature in addition to Ad-Hoc. The game also features new character models, improved character creation, and different levels and characters.[4] The North American version was released on September 14, 2010, while the European version was released on September 17, 2010.[5]
References
External links
- Phantasy Star Portable Official Site (Japanese)