One thing Sega is good at is creating exciting video games. With this in mind, some of their finer qualities show in Phantasy Star Universe, but some poor qualities show as well.
The story takes place on three planets (Moatoob, Parum, Neudaiz) and the Guardians’ Space Colony. Apparently, some unknown dark force called the “seed” is causing the native animals to turn into brutal, heartless creatures - like we haven’t heard that one before. Sega then added “Ruin Sites,” which are basically ruins from an old civilization. Add all these into a game and you’ve got yourself a bland, unoriginal game. Sega did do something right, having a “real” single-player mode with a story and main character (Ethan). The online mode, however, expands on the single-player story, which includes new missions to play.
Single-player mode, despite its bland story, is entertaining. This mode features no customization to Ethan, at all. You can’t change his face, hair or race. As, the player progresses through the game, he unlocks an extra mode of playing called Extra Mode. Extra Mode is an online adaptation for offline play. Here you can customize you character, and take on numerous missions. This mode of play is greatly inferior to the online play because of the lack of community you get while playing online.
Phantasy Star Universe really shines in its online mode. Sega moved away from the lobbies of Phantasy Star Online and introduces “Universes.” The universes are essentially copies of the single player world. Here you can communicate with the other players and travel to the other planets. The only time when a character splits up from the rest of the PSU community is when players go on a mission, which only allows up to five other people to travel at one time. On special events, the different worlds will be decorated to fit the theme of the holiday.
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