Overall: 10
Gameplay: 10
Graphics: 8
Sound: 10
Replay Value: 10
Concept: 10

Phantasy Star Online is an online role-playing game for the Dreamcast, continuing the dynasty of Phantasy Star, Sega's popular sci-fi RPG series. It was the first dedicated on-line RPG for a console utilizing the Dreamcast's built-in connectivity. The plot is tenuous: A lightly manned ship, Pioneer 1, was sent from the dying home world to begin colonization of the planet Ragol. Seven years later, Pioneer 2 arrives with the majority of the population, and as it reaches orbit and attempts to set up communications with the settlement, a huge explosion wipes out those from the first wave. The background plot is then discovering exactly why and how this happened. However, unlike most RPG's, it is not this plot which drives the game but rather the player's drive to define their own character and interact with the rest of the community.

Of course, the online play is the rich and creamy core of the game, but the offline play is a useful addition as well. Most online RPG's only allow you to play online, but PSO lets you complete quests and explore the levels offline to develop your character. There is a sub-plot for offline gaming, so you'll eventually want to free up the phone line and wander around by yourself anyway. In addition, many special items and events are only found offline, and finding some rare items are offline sub-quests themselves.

Once online, instead of being the lone hero in a savage world, you are only one of thousands of others. Log on to the servers and you'll find yourself on a spaceship, in a specific 'block' and 'lobby' section. In the lobby, you can see and talk to other players, and form a team of up to four characters to go adventuring. Having others adventure with you is advantageous because online play is more difficult, with more and tougher enemies. It also adds an element not seen before in console RPG's, where you must work with your team, instead of working as your team. Each character you play with is a real, live person, and they're going to want money, items, level-ups, and fame just like you do. Of course, if you'd like to play solo that's possible too, but that's kind of missing the point!

The gameplay, while it may seem alien to RPG fans at first, is excellent and suits this game perfectly. The control is more like an action game; in battle, attacks and spells are customized to the control buttons, and everything takes place in real time. While this style of play is largely removed from the typical turn-based or 'wait your turn real-time' RPG combat, it works perfectly online because there are no interruptions from entering and disengaging from combat. Even when you check your inventory to use items, the game goes on -- in fact, there is no 'pause' button.

The rest of the game is fairly standard as far as RPG's go. There are three basic classes: Hunters, who use melee weapons; Rangers, who use guns; and Forces, who use techniques (spells). There are three subclasses for each with different strengths and weaknesses and vastly different appearances. There are dozens of weapon and armor selections and hundreds of variations of advantages and drawbacks therein. Even two 'saber' weapons may be totally different depending on their effectiveness against certain types of enemies, so it's worthwhile to examine every item found. Techniques are gained by using 'discs', which are either bought or found, and more powerful discs and weapons require higher character stats before they can be used.

Perhaps the most innovative and interesting play feature is each character's 'MAG', a small symbiote following the character. As you feed your MAG different items, it enhances your character's abilities, adding another layer to character customization. You can have a powerful Force by raising your MAG with lots of power, or a Hunter who excels with ranged weapons by raising agility. While a player can have only one MAG equipped, several can be carried and equipped to instantly change a character's abilities for a given situation.

Perhaps the biggest complaint are the repetitive levels and monsters. Each level boils down to basically the same thing: find switches to unlock doors, and get to the end to fight the boss. True puzzles only exist in quests. Monsters, as well, are very similar from one area to the next. They get bigger and meaner, but many of them seem to just be the same as the ones from the last level, with the same attack patterns. There are some interesting monsters (Nano Dragons attack other monsters to become more powerful; Pan Arms can split into two monsters and rejoin), but the strategies involved don't change much from the beginning to the end.

The visuals are excellent, though the DC can and has done better. Still, while the graphics themselves aren't mind-blowing, the level of detail on the planet will draw you in and engulf you in this world. As you travel through the forest butterflies flutter about and shafts of light pierce the shade beneath trees. The graphics do their job of immersing you in the world of Phantasy Star. Monsters range in size from tiny to gargantuan, so instead of just attacking that dragon, you're really attacking that dragon's ankle. My one gripe is the amount of slowdown that pops up in online multiplayer. It happens rarely, but when it does happen it is really bad and terribly disorienting.

Audio is wonderful. Background music and sound effects blend in with the game and become part of the experience. Every swing of a weapon, crackle of lightning, or grunt of a monster is excellent. There are also many auditory cues, such as your weapon lock-on and item pickup, which help along the way. Unfortunately, there is no voice acting, even in the offline mode and quests, so there is some reading to do.

Not only is replay value high, but play value in and of itself is immense! Especially with online play, one can go about the game for dozens upon dozens of hours, barely scratching the surface of the plot. Many players happily admit to having played hundreds of hours on a single character. Randomized item location and unidentified special characteristics of items make each trip to a dungeon unique. Once you become tired of your character, there are 8 others to try, or at least the two other main classes if the subclasses are too similar for you. Even offline, there is a lot to do, but online is where it's at.

One warning: Once you start the game, you will only be able to use your character on your Dreamcast. Each copy of the game ships with a special code you must enter, which syncs with your Dreamcast and Memory Unit, so that only you can go online with your character. This eliminates piracy, but also means that if you buy a used version you may have to call technical support to get online.

What really makes this game different from other online RPGs is the fact that it still follows the console RPG standards. You have a four-character party, and the game revolves around quests and combat, so it doesn't boil down to a big chat room where people speak in fake Middle English. Also, the lack of playerkilling makes the atmosphere more friendly and fun; any newbie will be able to find a higher-level character who is willing to adventure with them a bit and help them gain a few levels. There is less feeling of community, but more solidarity.

Sadly, The original Phantasy Star Online did have it's share of online woes. Unlike most online games, it was (and still is) free, but with no monthly fees there was little revenue for maintenance. This allowed enterprising players to cheat virtually at will, with some cheats so bad they can actually delete or overwrite your character. Not many people play this game online these days, though limited servers are still up, and you probably will find someone online, though not the thousands of people at any time during its heyday. An add-on for the Dreamcast was released, Phantasy Star Online version 2, and the bundle of the two games was later released for the Gamecube and XBox. Fans of the series should probably check out these updated versions.

Recommended: Yes