Seven years ago, Sega has gone on quite a bold experiment by giving the famous role-playing series Phantasy Star in the direction of multiplayer fun. This is understandable: Sega eager to demonstrate to everyone the possibility of online-Dreamcast. However, after the untimely death of its console is now a multiplatform publisher to attempt to draw attention to the Phantasy Star avid fans of online battles, preferring not to hear requests from former fans. So pleased to find that the new Phantasy Star (now Universe) ruthless Sega went to some concessions in hopes of reconciling the "oldies" with the harsh reality. Let us now try to figure out what came of it.
Except as provided in story assignments, the game has an optional mission - a sure way to earn extra money, experience and items. In contrast to the scene, these jobs typically do not require the presence of companions: if you want - Call them with you, do not want to - go in splendid isolation.
 | |  | Cities, though, and look picturesque, small. Besides shops there can hardly find anything interesting. | | In his own cabin, the hero can rest, save the game and chat with a robot companion. |
Compromise Scene mode no longer served as a hastily concocted addition to the multiplayer-campaigns, more than that - can boast of a good (although largely secondary) plot, spiced with colorful videos and scenes on the engine, as well as amusing characters - though not talkative. The narrative is divided into chapters, each episode concludes with a brief announcement of future events (as is customary in the anime series). Very quickly, your character will be a real specialists, master of his art, which only need - to get acquainted with another job so to fill a backpack that is surrounded by friends to go to some planet to meet the dangers. Meet: the protagonist Universe - a young man named Ethan (Ethan), a typical desperado, ruffian, and a good soul. Together with friends he served in the Guard (Guardians), which protect order and justice in the planetary system Gara (Gurhal). But the role of universal evil writers at this time identified a mysterious alien infection SEED. That's it you'll have to deal with most of the time. And although the mission can be very different (from a study of old ruins and search for missing persons to accompany an important person), in fact all the "publication" are reduced to the usual cleaning of the territory from anything that has the audacity to move and stretch tentacle to arms.
Countless destroy the villains and monsters have not only for the sake of gaining experience, skills and items, brandishing a sword and pulyaya blaster, you also get the keys necessary to move towards the target. And it is precisely for this reason that Universe is a game to be extremely straightforward, and eventually too monotonous.Because the number of plot level is very high: not everyone will have enough patience hour after hour, hacked through the crowds of bored monsters from one door to another.
Beginning with the third chapter of the players have the opportunity to change the class of character - if the default class Hunter you something is not satisfied. However, Hunter is proving to be the most balanced, while others, improving some characteristics of the men, significantly degrade others.
 | |  | Large sword hero inflicts more damage to the enemy, but it remains vulnerable to counterattacks. (Xbox 360) | | Search contagion have with binoculars! (Xbox 360) |
Opportunity to go hiking alone Ethan falls rarely - usually, he will certainly impose one or two assistants, and even more. You can not manage - that privilege went to AI. Which, alas, not always does its job well, we would like. No, computer-controlled fighters squad do not get stuck in the corners. But they can safely stand on the sidelines during the fight with the boss, not making the slightest attempt to get closer to the enemy, or at least defend themselves.
Battles in Universe are in real time, and the numerical superiority of the traditionally happens on the side of the enemy. Mind the monsters do not shine (yes from them that no one needs from the time of Diablo), preferring brute force to crush. Well Ethan with his comrades, too, do not miss. In the arsenal of the Guards there, and laser swords, and various blasters - in a word, a monster not to be envied. In addition to conventional attacks, the hero can "cling" to guns and special techniques are far more powerful, but require periodic recharging. And a couple of words about the "real time". Guided by unknown causes (probably affect the online past and what really there, this game), the developers have deprived us of the opportunity to put the game on pause. Even when we delve into the settings or equipping your character, life around is still in full swing. And, as usual, everything strives to head for an appearance on the screen every Item menu and the System menu deprives our ward every opportunity to fight back - although navigation in selected menus and control your character by separate buttons.
 | Gemini |
Working on Phantasy Star Universe, Sega predictably focused on the version for PlayStation 2. Therefore, the options for PC and Xbox 360 looks a little different than from it. Of course, the picture is there a better, but still not much difference - the colors brighter, sharper textures and fine details anymore. In short, a true "graphomaniacs" there is nothing to catch.
 | |  | Some special attacks are quite beautiful. Although we have seen, and better - at least in the same Final Fantasy XII. (PC) | | The drawers can find many valuable! Break down boxes! (PC) |
In the backpack As in any action-RPG, variety of subjects, including weapons, armor and special gizmo that improves the performance of the character in the Universe given special attention. Something of this kind can not win on the battlefield, something - in the shops or manually assembled from found materials by means of a robot companion. In addition, weapons and armor can and must improve - it is necessary to visit into a special workshop. Modernization amenable only rare and homemade items of equipment. And here is some simple sword production easier to throw.
 | |  | PlayStation 2 | | PC |
Hint Of course, Universe does not return to the Phantasy Star series of classic RPG, which is likely, someone is still waiting. On the other hand, Sega honored to create a long-awaited "real" story mode, while online-component, as well as its technical realization, no radical changes are not subjected to (more details - see the sidebar). Because of this, the final impression of the game is quite controversial - like, and then, and not another. In general, someone like the Universe - and it has something to show and what to bring - and who will prefer it to another game - brighter, posobranney, fun. Fortunately, those in our region are found.
| In the vast web |
Times when Phantasy Star Online was considered on the consoles just eh not a revolutionary phenomenon that is long gone. And as the network mode of Universe from its predecessor is not too different, then catch the veteran series are nothing special. Limit of six people on the team, not crowded (quite the contrary) of the server, only three character classes and bounded (by the standards MMO) set of missions - a set that is likely to enjoy the novice consolers, but it hardly warms the soul habitue World of Warcraft. In addition, the game is obviously created with a focus on user PlayStation 2, which almost guarantees the absence of any future additions such as new maps, characters, objects. And keep in mind: a multiplayer mode in Phantasy Star Universe - entertainment very, very off-budget. I do not know where Sega saw these prices, but the monthly fee now stands at $ 10 per month or 50 - for six months. Given the low popularity of Universe, these appetites, to put it mildly, unwarranted.We are waiting for lower prices?
|
