Phantasy Star 0 Platform: Nintendo DS Release Date: 11/10/2009 Developer: Sega Publisher: Sega Style/Genre: RPG Rated: Everyone This Sci-Fi RPG begins by allowing you to choose between a Selection of Races and classes. The 3 races you can choose from are Human, Cast, and Newman. Humans are able to fight as Hunters (Close Combat), Rangers (Long Range Combat) and Force (Spellcasters). Casts have the limitation of not being able to choose Force (unable to use spells), and Newmans can't select rangers (unable to use most firearms). The weapons available to use differ from from each class. Swords Spears, Sabers, Double Sabers, Daggers and Claws are the best weapons for Hunters, who focus on Attack Power(ATP). Handguns, machine guns, rifles, bazookas and launchers are meant for Rangers who focus on Attack Accuracy(ATA). And last but certainly not least, Force use either Wands, slicers or rods and focus on Magic power. (MST) Depending on the type of character you choose, the Storyline can go in many different Directions. The Base storyline however, is that your character goes though the story and learns of the 200 year gap in the history of the planet known as "The Great Blank". While progressing through the story, you are asked to finish several quests, discovering and piecing together the reason for "The Great Blank." Through each mission, you gain experience and Side Quests as well as new weapons and spells. As you go through the game, you will fight a lot, and even though there are only 7 different areas, there are many creatures so the scenery may be the last thing on your mind. At the end of every area, there is a portal leading to the boss arena, giving you the option to save or go back to the city. (Similar to the Online PC Game) After each mission is completed, you head back to the city and collect your reward of Meseta (Game Currency) and maybe even something extra . Once you beat the game, you can unlock Hard and Super Hard Difficulties for even more of a challenge! For the hardcore Gamers, there Is a challenge tower with exactly 101 floors with 5 rooms on each floor, meaning over 500 rooms of creatures to eliminate! As a Fan of the Phantasy Star Series, I was very excited to hear that a game was being made for the DS. When It came out, I raced to get a copy and was very delighted with the results. Since I enjoyed playing the online version, I found that's what made this game such an online success. It gets boring always playing with AIs, so if you know someone with the game, and/or have their Friend Code, you can play wirelessly, or over the internet to show off you mad skills and weapons! One of the Fiew downers to this game was that it gets repetitive doing similar missions and mashing the attack button. With the exception to some other DS games, this is one of the better online experiences to date. Graphics 8.0 Though it may look a little "blocky," The graphics are fairly well done for DS requirements. Sound 7.0 Nothing to really brag about, but the music is fitting. The music can change from a calm melody into an Upbeat Battle rhythm when creatures appear. Gameplay 8.0 Reusing the same 7 areas can get a little repetitive, but killing creature after creature never gets old! The Gameplay is smooth online and Off with very minimal lag Presentation 8.5 Not a bad experience for a DS RPG. The Multiplayer option is probably what makes the game so fun. Lasting Appeal 9.5 Local and Wi-fi Multiplayer capability will have you doing missions repeatedly, and over 350 weapons, armors and other cool items to find. Average: 8.2 (41/50)
