Dream Games is a new weekly column where we explore a game we'd love to see on the PSP. Feel free to check in, and comment, every week.
Phantasy Star Universe
The Phantasy Star Online series has reached almost every platform imaginable: the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Dreamcast and even the Gamecube. While Nintendo stayed away from online support for the GC, Sega dove head-in, even going so far as to make an Episode III exclusively for that platform. With that in mind, a PSP version of this revered franchise doesn't sound any more crazy than Sega's previous efforts.
Why PSP?
The PSP needs a strong online RPG, and PSO and PSU may fit the bill. Portable gamers need something that they'll be able to play offline and on, and that's always been one of the series' highpoints: the flexibility it gives the player. Something as comprehensive as World of Warcraft is most likely not technically possible, nor fun, for handheld play. But the accessibility of PSO and PSU should work on the go.
Is it possible?
Considering how most publishers shy away from Infrastructure support, we may never see an online RPG on our system. Couple that with extensive homebrew use, and publishers may see the PSP too risky: how can they be sure that people are paying their monthly fees and aren't cheating? It won't be worth their effort, but we'd like to see Sega or Sony at least try once.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-22-2007 @ 5:43PM
ONi said...
It would be cool to have it Online with a system a la Monster Hunter Fr., because MHF doesn't make it very well for me, it's too complicated in terms of playability.
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2-22-2007 @ 6:50PM
irun4fundou said...
I'd love to see this as well, myself being a "phan" of the series. However, Sonic Team has already commented that it would be nigh-impossible for Phantasy Star Universe to run to the PSP. Let's face it, the game lags even on the PS2. But ST did hint at a possibility of porting the original PSO (as seen on Dreamcast and Gamecube) to the PSP.
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2-22-2007 @ 7:28PM
Andrew Yoon said...
Don't tell me you forgot that PSP has a headset.
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2-22-2007 @ 8:41PM
Omen_20 said...
Sony is trying. Its called the DC MMO being made for PS3 and PSP.
I would love a little MMO for PSP. Back when I was playing FFXI I dreamed about playing it on PSP. But I quickly realised even if it was possible it wouldnt be very fun because of lack of keyboard. I played with macros and wouldnt compromise on that point.
But it would still be fun to have a MMO like XI that promoted small teams of 4-6 with voice chat support in Party. The game could also be downloadable for PS3 if people wanted to play at home.
Sony should try this with EverQuest Online Adventures they made for PS2.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a62/Omen_20/eqonpsp.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a62/Omen_20/eqonpsp2.jpg
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2-22-2007 @ 8:53PM
Joe said...
I would so much perfer a Phantasy Star game over the MMO versions. I was a big fan of Sega's answer to Final Fantasy. So a real Phantasy Star would be sweet to see over this but if it is this or nothing I would take this.
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2-22-2007 @ 11:56PM
BlackANUS said...
You try chatting with someone online using the PSP software keyboard in any layout, be it cell-phone style or QWERTY and tell me if you'd want to play this game on the PSP.
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2-23-2007 @ 3:19AM
Alien said...
I agrre , a headphone solution could easily solw the typing problem lol
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2-23-2007 @ 11:51AM
Jeff B said...
I would say Final Fantasy XI would be a good addition to the PSP. It is possible to make an off-line component (that's wishful thinking but you never know with Square-Enix). They could also take a leap and add MMO functionality to Final Fantasy Crisis Core. Wouldn't that be interesting?
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2-24-2007 @ 1:08AM
Kade Storm said...
Dude, and MMO-ish game like Phantasy Star would absolutely rock.
PSP needs to capitalise on infrastructure mode in these genres of games, as it really impacts the replay-value.
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2-25-2007 @ 11:35PM
Sean said...
People hack their computers and there's still WoW and such. To play it free you'd need to hack the server as well.
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