First announced during the Xbox Showcase event last year, SEGA’s new MMO is finally here. Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is the sequel to PSO2, taking place a thousand years in the future and featuring vastly improved graphics, improved storytelling, and open-world battlefields. It’s now available as a free download on Xbox, Windows 10, and Steam.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available either as an update to existing Phantasy Star Online 2 installations (a massive 79 GB update on Xbox) or as a fresh download for new players. Once installed, the client launches directly into New Genesis, though access to the original Phantasy Star Online 2 will unlock after about half an hour of New Genesis story progression.
To start, players will select either an existing PSO2 character or create a new one. The character creation has been massively revamped. After customizing your character, you’ll select from 6 classes (streamlined and reworked from the previous game). Then you’ll hop into the story. The cinematics look great this time, thankfully. Players must complete about 30 minutes of tutorial missions before co-op multiplayer unlocks, so hang in there!
As with most MMO launches, the servers are rather congested at launch. Players are also likely to experience random disconnections during gameplay, but these issues should lessen as the number of new sign-ins steadies out.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis features:
Free to play!
Huge wide-open battlefield environments! Explore an exciting new world featuring broad, expansive playfields filled with ferocious enemies waiting for you and your team. Traverse wide-open environments, speed and soar across the giant landscape and skies with new special abilities. Transitioning into a new area is as simple as walking into it -- no loading screens.
Enhanced character models! Create your identity with any character you can imagine in PSO2:NGS using the powerful creation engine. Adjust every imaginable characteristic to create your one-of-a-kind avatar.
Redesigned graphics engine! Witness lush environments, amazingly detailed player characters, and monstrous foes in razor-sharp resolution. Watch spectacular new lighting and particle effects as weapons clash with armor. See the world as you've never seen it before.
New multi-weapon system and abilities! Combine 2 types of weapons for smoother weapon switching. Battle at lightning speed using a variety of weapons and techniques.
Connects with PSO2! Move easily in-game between PSO2:NGS and PSO2.
Cross-platform! PC and Xbox One players can play together side by side.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is now available to download for free on Xbox, Windows 10, and Steam. The “Start Dash Rappy Pack” DLC, consisting of new rappy (bird) costumes, 1 month of premium membership, and various items, is also available for $48.99 as an in-game premium currency purchase. We look forward to seeing how New Genesis and its massively multiplayer online cooperative experience develop in the months to come!