[Multiplatform] Phantasy Star Universe

Yup, the game is exactly like PSO. Don't buy it. Look for the nearest Everquest clone instead.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I use an Nvidia Geforce 7600GT on my current rig. It's $150 and it'll get you a solid 30 FPS with 16x anisotropic filtering on at 1280x1024 resolution. More than ample for this game.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by GELB-1

You misunderstand and draw stupid conclusions, sir.

I'm not the one that said PSU plays exactly like PSO, sir. While we're at it, let's go ahead and say Street Fighter 3: Third Strike plays exactly like Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior because they both have punch and kick buttons.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'm implying jack shit. I wouldn't have cared if you genuinely didn't like the game, but to go and say

Originally Posted by GELB-1

because it plays EXACTLY like the old PSO

with emphasis on "EXACTLY" (you capitalized it, after all) makes me scratch my head, especially when several core mechanics have changed. When I buy Final Fantasy X, it's not "exactly the same" as Final Fantasy IX just because there's lots of menus and text to read. When I buy Civilization IV, it's not "exactly the same" as Civilization III just because the series is still turn based and has settlers.

Between knocking enemies around in the air with photon arts for crowd control and a crafting system that allows you to create your own equipment, to say that it plays exactly like PSO is total horseshit. If you don't like the game and its gameplay style, that's perfectly fine. Don't let me stop you from moving on to the next game. Just stow the extra baggage.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

It wasn't final code. Sega gave you Xbox 360 users the equivalent of the E3 build. Numerous factors made it apparent, including anything from the total lack of a cinematic boss entrance to the inability to summon NPCs into your party. It was odd to see you guys have so many bugs that weren't present in the closed beta test of the PC version that I got to participate in several months ago, nor the trial version of the PS2 version... the Xbox 360 version is merely a direct port of the PC version.

I'll defend the game, but I won't defend Sega's handling of the Xbox 360 "beta". Granted, beta tests are supposed to involve ironing out bugs, but you're supposed to have access to the latest build for that... what Sega was doing was nothing more than a promotional event for the game, which would have been a good idea if they weren't using an extremely outdated build of the game. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Can't vouch for how the retail release will run until release day, but you'll undoubtedly hear negative commentary if things run like crap.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by ROT-2

I'm pretty sure the only reason there wasn't a cinematic was due to trying to make the download size semi-managable. The damn thing was already an 800-some meg download.

Cinematics != some 100 meg video file. The cinematic boss entrances are about 5 seconds long and use the in-game engine to render them. They're in the same style that was used in Phantasy Star Online. After the loading screen finished, boss flies in, does some intimidating growl or stomp, then the fight starts.

Quote:

Can you PROVE that the game wasn't a final build? There's a difference between a feature turned off for whatever reason (due to, I'm sure, them wanting people to focus on online multiplayer play for ironing out bugs and such) and actual additions, substantial changes, etc.

Seeing how I'm not an employee of Sega, I can't prove anything. But given the bugs that were present in this release that weren't present even in the PC beta from April and small features missing that WERE present in the PC beta from April, it seems a likely conclusion to me. I mean, hell... the framerate drops a bit when you're BY YOURSELF in the Linear Line, for crying out loud. The PlayStation 2 version doesn't have that problem. It is entirely more likely for them to have given you guys a shitty early build of the game for the "beta" like they did the Sonic The Hedgehog demo (what a piece of shit that was) than it is for them to ship 360 owners a broken version of Phantasy Star Universe and charge you $10 more for it.

I guess we'll find out for certain in two days.

Most amazing jew boots

One of the mods at Sega mentioned that the authentication servers are being worked on right now.

FELIPE NO

Just a recommendation, but the RPGFan gang and PSOWorld all hang out at Universe 15. And the server is anything but overcrowded, heh. The more, the merrier I say.

How ya doing, buddy?

There's more stuff to look forward to. The second update on the JP servers introduced some online-exclusive content a few weeks ago.

My only fear is their taking too long to start implementing the update schedule. I hope they move things forward after this weekend.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Tornado Dance is going to be crap in online mode, because the double saber itself isn't very impressive at all as far as stats go. It has the second worst ATP of all the melee weapons, and it has the second worst ATA of all the melee weapons. We're talking over 100 ATA LESS compared to other melee weapons of the same ranking, putting it on par with an axe as far as accuracy goes. But the axe has a 700+ ATP advantage to make up for the reduced accuracy... the double saber has strong PA's and that's it. I posted this on PSOWorld before, but here's a look at the A rank weapons available in the shop that we'll get on next patch:

Figunner-oriented weaponry
Youmei A rank Dual Daggers give 166 ATP, 236 ATA, 348 PP.
GRM A rank Double Saber gives 274 ATP, 92 ATA, 357 PP. (the low ATA is not a typo)
GRM A rank Dual Sabers give 276 ATP, 219 ATA, 306 PP.
Youmei A rank Dagger gives 318 ATP, 245 ATA, 297 PP.
GRM A rank Saber gives 487 ATP, 228 ATA, 255 PP.


Fortefighter-oriented weaponry
Tenora Works A rank Fists give 310 ATP, 287 ATA, 275 PP.
Youmei A rank Claws give 316 ATP, 202 ATA, 326 PP.
Youmei A rank Claw gives 487 ATP, 211 ATA, 275 PP.
GRM A rank Sword gives 598 ATP, 169 ATA, 317 PP.
Tenora Works A rank Spear gives 553 ATP, 253 ATA, 340 PP.
Tenora Works A rank Axe gives 1018 ATP, 84 ATA, 334 PP. (that ATP is also not a typo)

Note that you can't go and buy a Youmei Axe, or a GRM spear for A rank. It seems to be one brand per weapon class from this point on, as was the case when I was on the import, and importers have stated that the situation hasn't changed since then. Double sabers swing slower, are about the same strength, and considerably less accurate than twin sabers... I'm personally skipping out on them until I see something worthwhile from the weapon class, because the shop stuff sucks.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Winter Storm

If A rank spears are TENORA works only like it appears to be in Parns post..I'm not using spears then. I don't like tenora brand weapons. They run out of PP way too fast..

Don't jump ship too fast. For the record, the Forte type classes all get a 20% discount to their photon point usage. Also, all classes except Protranser get a 25% faster photon point regen rate, another exception to Guntecher which gets a 40% faster regen rate on their guns instead.

There's lots of little perks for each class and race to make you really consider things. Protransers get a +50% critical hit rate, Fortegunners and Guntechers get a +30% critical hit rate. Then there's certain job/race combinations that give you bonus stats.

Edit: Regarding the double saber photon art, the first one we get online is the one that Lou uses, if I am remembering right. All looks, no substance if you ask me. The high photon point cost of double sabers along with lackluster stats is a complete turn-off.

Edit 2: Guntecher, not wartecher. Whoops.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Drop a Burn Trap G on Gol Dova, and watch the burn damage.

You'll change your mind about traps really quickly after that.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

The method is actually pretty simple and funny, especially considering that it was something that wasn't possible to do in PSO. I suppose this kind of confirms that PSU was actually coded from ground up, though it doesn't change the fact that it needs to be addressed. Right now, they seem to be trying to buy time with GameGuard updates, though that doesn't address the core problem since each time it's bypassed, a player can resume memory editing. No real way of knowing when they'll actually patch the loophole itself...

On another note, the update has done Sega good. It's restored some faith from the playerbase, and there's considerably less griping going on, now. If they hold true to their word with those consistent updates, it'll be a smooth and enjoyable ride.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The funny part is that all of this began due to a dispute between two guys and their duplicated meseta on Ebay. The one guy was outselling the other, so in spite, the cheat method was made for public viewing, and all hell has broken loose ever since.

The Japanese hackers have been a lot quieter with their taking the client apart, and I kind of wish it would have stayed the same on our side of things. Oh well. Still going to enjoy the game regardless.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I quit worrying about the duplicated meseta thing around the time I noticed that Sonic Team would rather just keep updating Gameguard instead of addressing the actual cause of the meseta glitch, which has been reported to them numerous times, weeks ago even. I love this game, and I'll be playing it for a long time to come, but I've long deserted my ignoring the shop function due to the influx of duplicated meseta. If they aren't going to bother fixing the root cause, then screw it. Not going to go duplicate meseta of my own, but I'm not going to deprive myself an important aspect of the game, that being trading with other people, since the player shops were clearly part of the package since mission rewards are paltry.

Sold off a Del Jagnus, Deljabaner, and other assorted items. After giving a share of my wallet to some friends, I'm still sitting pretty with 13 million meseta, waiting for Friday before I go on a synthing spree on 9* gear.

FELIPE NO

Simply walk into the Subway in the western district in Holtes City. No missions need to be done beforehand.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I've got the 360 version now, but I'll be level 1 and all that jazz. Working on clearing story mode at the moment.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Well, it's 9 AM here and Universe 1 is full on 360, with Universe 4 packing 2 stars. On PC right now, Universe 1 is empty and Universe 2 has 3 stars. I don't know what the population was like before on 360 since I just got online with it.

PC/PS2 population is a slowly sinking ship thanks to the cheating, and I'm making the jump to 360 since it has the higher population, and cheating is not an issue since the last person who tried was caught, got banned, and had his Xbox 360 locked out of Xbox Live, meaning he'll have to fork over $470 to get back on PSU again. On PC/PS2, hackers just spend $10 and get right back on, which is why Sega's ban hammer isn't working out on that side. They really should have packed in serial keys.

Also, the demo on 360 is still running. It's constantly running, with characters reset each month.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Aaaaaaaaand I quit PSU. The JP hackers on PSU were low key for the most part, but they just recently decided to start acting a fool like the US hackers and start creating S rank weapons for the public. Except Sonic Team caught wind and took immediate action to stop it, doing emergency server maintenance and releasing a patch to address it.

Meanwhile, the US servers had problems for the last two months, and Sonic Team did absolutely NOTHING. So fuck 'em. They can keep their game. I'm not going to continue paying them a monthly fee so they can give us second-rate service, bunch of racist assholes. They won't lift a finger until their precious Japanese customers are affected.

Guess this gives me a lot more time to finish Rogue Galaxy and Ar Tonelico...

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Winter Storm

I believe you.

Never play FFXI, is all I can tell you. That game will make you grow a dislike for the japanese. They do not like playing with americans, and they feel they are above the american players, in both skill and intellect.

I played FFXI extensively. I got ninja to level 74 and monk to 72. It's much like the US population... you have a large assortment of jerks and a few "diamonds in the rough" so to speak.

The temptation to return to FFXI is there, though the reasonable side of me suggests I wait for their next-gen MMO. No matter how it turns out, I'll know that I'll be able to play it and not have to deal with Square selectively updating just the Japanese players. Sega can bite me. What they pulled with PSU was the final straw.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

So, several things have been cleared up based on some discussion with someone who used to play PSUJP and is on 360.

As it turns out, PSUJP is not as "hacker free" as some are lead to believe. In fact, it has quite a fair bit of cheating going on. Illegitimate content is being sold on Yahoo auctions Japan, much like what was going on at eBay for the US servers.

Therefore, the fix that Sonic Team applied really did in fact, take them forever to come up with, and that means they aren't racist, they're just really that incompetent. Whichever you think is worse is up for grabs of course, but for me... I can stomach incompetence, but I can't stomach racism. Since it's the former and not the latter, I shall continue playing.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I've had PSU on the backburner for a little while now, and now that they announced this expansion, PSU will remain on the backburner until the expansion ships. This basically tells me that they shipped out PSU Lite and are planning to give us the real game now. It's kind of aggravating, but I'm a sucker and will fork the money over, but I won't be putting any more money toward its current incarnation.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

forest 1 comin lik wut

Sold on the HUmar costume. I also don't recognize the layout shown in that screen, which makes me think it might be an expanded version of Forest 1.

FELIPE NO

Miles posted scans a week ago when it first was announced earlier in the thread.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I've been going at a relatively lightweight pacing with PSU the last few weeks, as I wait for the combat changes to be implemented. It's given me time to mess with other games, if anything. For those that felt that PSU was missing a lot of what PSO had, the expansion is introducing a lot of changes that bridge that gap. Experience point tables are heavily adjusted to be more like PSO's, and likewise with droprates on items. I'm not going to get into all the details, but the expansion is going to make PSU the game it should have been in the first place.

Jam it back in, in the dark.