Phantasy Star Online (PSO)

Sorta kinda an MMO but not really, Phantasy Star Online (PSO from here on out) is technically only "multilayer". There is a lobby section where characters/players may interact but the game itself is only 1-4 players.

Solve Unamusement finds this game a bit difficult to classify, though it is mostly Sci-Fi and Fantasy mixed. Dragons, wizards, giant mole... things but there are lasers, "credits/messta" and space ships! The game is a spin off, one would suppose, of the original Phantasy Star for the original Sega Systems. Mostly for the Genesis, however (Where Phantasy Star mostly got its popularity). Seems they were redone for the GBA, as well, if one wishes to check those out.

But back to the game at hand. Released on multiple consoles, the Sega Saturn at first as two different games (A version 1 and a version 2), and later on the Gamecube and Xbox.

Personally, this blogger/gamer started with the Xbox version and until recently didn't even know there was a PC version of the game.

PSO: Blue Burst (PSO:BB from here on) is a direct Xbox port with the addition of an adidtional episode and can be obtained for free with acess to a free, and very dedicated, server. That server and download will be provided a little further down the list. However before that is listed a few things must be let known. The game's install is slightly faulty and requires anyone who can't "fix their own problems" either have a guiding hand (Sorry, no help from Solve Unamusement) learn by trial and error or not play.

The main problem for a majority of installs is that the icon which is created both on the desktop as well in the startmenu does not have the correct target rout. This can be fixed by selecting the icon, right clicking then going to properties. There the "target box" can be found and if install was done with all default settings...

"C:\Program Files\Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst\online.exe"

That may be pasted in the box and everything should work.

• PSO:BB Server Site - SCTHACK
• SCTHACK's PSO:BB Download page
• SCTHACK Forum - Solve Unamusement writter is not a forum goer
• PSO:BB Free Server Drop List

That being that, the game is brilliantly fun (if not having a bit of a learning curve). Unlike other online games, PSO doesn't require a heavy commitment either. Simply need to play the game once every 90 days to keep your characters active on the server.

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