Phantasy Star Online 2 Announced for PS Vita

Posted By: Michael Lacerna In: Gaming News, Handheld, PSP / Vita On: 12 Mar

I said earlier that I wouldn’t buy a Vita until it had a killer app. I guess I have to buy a Vita now.

Sega announced that they’re porting the previously PC exclusive action-RPG over to Sony’s newest handheld last Friday in Japan. The highly anticipated sequel to one of the Dreamcast’s most fondly remembered cult classics is currently in closed alpha testing in Japan, and the PC version is scheduled to be released in the region sometime before the end of 2012. The Vita version is currently only 10% complete, and Sega says that full development on the port won’t begin until after the PC version is completed. Unfortunately, that means Phantasy Star Online 2 won’t hit Vita’s until 2013.

In a welcome surprise, Sega has announced that both versions of the game connect to the same servers and character data will be interchangeable between the two systems, so you’ll be able to play the PC version at home and take your character with you on the Vita (provided you have access to a wi-fi hotspot.)

Sega also released some new screens from the Vita version. Sega is promising that the Vita version will have visuals on par with the PC version, and that the low-res textures and simple polygon models in these screens are simply place-holders since the Vita version is only 10% complete.

Series producer Satoshi Sakai also hinted that there will be more big announcements regarding Phantasy Star Online 2 in the near future, though it’s anyone’s guess at this point as to what they’ll announce next. Perhaps a PS3 or 360 version? Regardless of what they announce or what platforms the game appears on, I know I’ll be there day 1 to play PSO2. The original Phantasy Star Online was one of my favorite games of all time, and I’m hoping that Sega has finally gotten their shit together will deliver us a true sequel worthy of the PSO name. (Yes, I’m still bitter about the crapstravaganza that was Phantasy Star Universe…)

Source: Andriasang