This is quite possibly going to be one of the best online games to be released in a very long time. You may or may not recognize the name from the previous game in the series: Phantasy Star Online. (PSO)
PSO is around five years old now, but is still being played by a small amount of people across the Gamecube to the PC.
Phantasy Star Universe, (PSU) is due to be released in...
JP: August 31, 2006
US: Fall 2006
EU: Autumn 2006
However the EU: version is still subject to change, which is typical.
The game itself will run quite simerlarly to PSO, but combos and weapons have been jazzed up around ten-fold, there are some videos of footage and news updates on http://www.pso-world.com/ usually as soon as it becomes available.

For those who don't have a clue what I'm going on about, Phantasy Star Universe is a game that will be available on PC/PS2/Xbox360, any differences in release times in the platforms hasn't yet been confirmed, but PC and PS2 versions are set to deffinately be on the same server link. The Xbox360 verson is likely to be on Xbox live servers by its lonesome. The gameplay will have a one player story mode with a set cast of characters and a seperate online mode in which you can create your own character and play online in a group of up to 6 members.
Online will have several worlds and areas in which to explore and fight with lots of beasties, players can get rare weapons off of these monsters, but usually the chances of a really good weapon are slimer the better it is. (simple really!)

For those who might know a little more, the class system, Hunter (swords) Ranger (guns) and Force (magic) is still very much there, but any player can choose what style of class they wish at any time, and level that class up specifcally, and another a little bit on the side, if that makes sense.
The most recent update on PSO-World website stated the following list of updates that the game will include:

Expert Mode - After reaching a certain point in your character's development, you will have the ability to master two classes (HU, RA, or FO) and use them at the same time.
Online Exclusives - Online mode will have exclusive maps, monsters, and weapons.
Console Compatibility - It was confirmed that you will be able to switch between the PC and PS2 versions of the game and use your online account on both of them. No mention was made about XBox 360 interoperability.
Return of Famous Weapons - Certain famous weapons will be making a comeback in Phantasy Star Universe. No specific weapons were mentioned.

The game itself gives you loads of freedom and plenty of creativity to do what you wish when you want too. If you haven't played PSO before and haven't heard of PSU, look it up a little it might suprise you! I couldn't reccomend it more as a game. I even got Carmen playing PSO!
It's an exciting time for fans of the series, it really does look tiptop.

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looks like a really interesting game.. will have to check it out when i get the chance..


Deano

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