The trailer for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis during yesterday’s Xbox X Series Game Showcase looked really good, but it left us confused about what New Genesis really is: an extension? A reform? Fortunately, Sega picked up on our confusion and released a longer follow-up trailer, featuring footage from yesterday’s trailer and some additional gameplay scenes. The most important thing about the new advance is the accompanying text, which provides more detail on what the New Genesis implies.
You can watch the full video above, but here’s what you definitely need to know: Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is a free game, using a new engine and taking place in a new environment, 1000 years after the original PSO2. Sega promises improved gameplay over the original, with a new battle system, new enemies, and an open world where you can run and glide. Character creation seems to have improved a lot on the one hand, and I beg you to stay calm about it, but his fingers are moving now. Characters created in New Genesis are compatible with the current Phantasy Star Online 2.
Some data will transfer between both versions, including weapons, magic, and units, but they may work differently depending on the game you use them in. Meanwhile, your experience points, skills and currency are locked in each respective version of Phantasy Star Online 2. This means that Phantasy Star Online 2 will remain available.
After Final Fantasy XIV introduced non-MMO players like me to the joys of Japanese RPG online, New Genesis looks like it should be next on my list, it really looks fantastic.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will be out sometime in 2021.
