A Phantasy Star Online Reboot? While PSO2 NGS is Still Active?

As of late, there have been whisperings of a reboot/remaster for the original Phantasy Star Online. I guess we'll have to wait and see if this actually happens.
Source: comicbook.com/gaming/news/seg...
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Phantasy Star Online 2 (c) SEGA
#PSO2 #NGS

[@VixyNyan]

I was always on the thought-process that if Sega took the existing PSO2 Base or NGS game engine, and then work on a PSO1 reimagining/reboot from there. It would save a bunch of time and all the content that we love from PSO1 would remain intact, it will be done through those modern game engines with higher level of customization and quality of life options.

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

If so... I hope it's just a Remake and not trying to pull off two MMOs at the same time. NGS is already too slow with updates. Now... I can see it as a stand alone DL, but linking it to NGS because of the same Game Engine, makes the process much better. Because it will all add up for a union of Phantasy Star games under one massive "Mother Account".

[@mickbotcast]

Would be interesting idea really, if they use PSO2 account as a based for their Phantasy Star related MMORPG from now and we can keep bring our characters to next game.

[@tanooki_terminator]

Fans would go bananas if that happens

[@Zeomantic]

I'm sure they would

[@TogameRosecraft]

I need a remake of the original so badly right about now.... 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Zeomantic]

Would be fun to see

[@15kalas15]

Imagine pso1 itemization, level design, boss design, etc, with ngs movement fluidity and modern graphics

[@Zeomantic]

That would be dope

[@yesteryearr]

Give me Phantasy Star Universe!

[@Zeomantic]

That seems like the "sweet spot" in terms of gameplay.

[@YetiMusicCity]

While waiting we have , Ephinea , Eden (PSO) , and Clementine for PSU .

[@nitropenguinz]

I think the direction of a PSO remake/remaster will become more clear once other Sega reboots come out. Until that happens we can only speculate. While we're here to speculate I'll chip in, I can only really see 2 paths: the 1st being a simple port maybe updated graphics and other visual effects, maybe cross platform multiplayer and some other new features but that's it, much less effort and mostly just a cash-grab but it seems to be a popular trend in the industry right now. I also think a PSO remaster wouldn't really compete with NGS for revenue which is what Sega would prefer, but I think it would mean private servers getting nuked which would be tragic because they do amazing work. The 2nd option is a full blown remake from the ground up. I think this option isn't totally out of the question but to me it seems like its a much higher level of execution and if you fuck it up fans will be furious. PSO has some of the best visual presentation and aesthetics, sound design and music, a lot of really good rpg mechanics especially loot, the story while not being a focus is still very intriguing and mysterious. The combat is quite outdated and modern audiences wouldn't like it so it has to be scrapped but everything else is exceptional. I think with the right team it could be an amazing game, maybe the best entry in the franchise, but with how Sega has handled NGS so far it would have me quite concerned for how well it would turn out. If this path is chosen I could see private servers for the original game staying up because the remake would be so radically different, just for this fact alone I hope this is what they do even if I think it's unlikely. A PSO remake has to happen at some point, if it's being worked on now I just really hope they put time and effort into it.

[@Zeomantic]

Would be interesting to see for its 30th anniversary. We might all be living in 200 square foot apartments eating bug chips by then.

[@SgtTankDempsey]

I would rather have a reboot of the original Phantasy Star series 1-4

[@Zeomantic]

I'd be down for that.

[@ripmxrcus]

no one's gonna play that

[@andysnyder3844]

I would

[@theoaremevano3227]

The main PS RPG series deserves a chance for another single player RPG. :)

[@forren2955]

Hoping they do this instead.

[@beardalaxy]

The only way I can see this working is if they incorporate it into NGS. Kind of like how you can travel back and forth between PSO2 and NGS, being able to hop into PSO would be kind of cool too. One PSO account to access all the PSO games. It probably would require quite a bit of work on SEGA's part though, but I can sort of seeing it creating an interesting solution to the NGS content problem where they could reuse old content while working on new stuff. Old content still needs a lot of work to actualize, especially in a new engine, but not nearly as much as new content does probably. I'm not opposed to it to be honest, but I also don't think it's going to happen. Zippo, despite the article claiming he's a good source, has also gotten tons of stuff wrong. Trusting most leakers is more like trusting a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy's uncle who said something is in consideration. Not very reliable.

[@YukikoTsuki]

I feel like if they did it, it *won't* be an MMO. If it happened, I'm just imagining it'd be a one-and done singleplayer game with a multiplayer option - like Phantasy Star Portable 1 and 2 were, so they can keep NGS up alongside it for the MMO experience. Eh, scratch the one and done thing actually, this is the modern games industry, and they JUST did it making The Answer for Persona 3 Reload into DLC - They'd probably make Episode 1 the main game, and the others into DLC. If it happened though, I wonder if they'd just leave out Episode 3, update it card game and all, or remake it as a normal combat game like the other episodes instead to make the full story experience available for those that don't want to play a cardgame for the full plot - Episode 3 was indeed polarising like that

[@Zeomantic]

Would make for an interesting "Ragol Reborn" scenario, though I don't think they have the capital or the belly fire to do such a thing. They could always do what the Sonic Frontier crew did to get the money they needed. :P

[@HippyDipps]

I see this as being a win for the series if they actually go all out on it. It would bring new young fans to the franchise, and also bring the age rating back down to Teen as it was before. I really do not like a lot of the weird things inserted into PSO2 while it was stuck in Japan for the longest time, such as some of the costumes and accessories (though not all).. Updating PSO to feature PSO2's style of combat system would be a match-made in heaven!

[@Zeomantic]

PSO's world and story with PSO2's combat and customization (minus the more absurd stuff) would be great! I imagine that's something the original devs wanted to make, but couldn't due to the tech limits of the time.

[@ArkumaPSO]

this has me very hyped and worried for the private server at the same time

[@guybeleeve]

It’ll probably be an add on kinda like what they did with NGS. The story to NGS can go anywhere, since you’re a clone of the hero in vanilla PSO2, plus they’ve already established a multiverse with the PSU event quest. Or it could be a prequel to PSO1 which has you as the crew from pioneer 1. Or maybe the starless is what’s causing the destruction of planet Coral. I’m pretty sure that Sega can pull this off.

[@Zeomantic]

Yeah the story is quite malleable at this point. I could see some of that.

[@jezen0227]

I would come back if they do! 😅

[@AzariusR]

If they actually did it and make it just as another instance and you can transfer by teleporter to PSO2/NGS, that'll be like the first ever live service with 3 version of their game. Hopefully its a faithful remake like how Final Fantasy 7 remake/rebirth could be, and just update it to current era.

[@Sypaka]

Phantasy Star Online Ultimate? I am in. Don't forget, SEGA made PS:Nova while PSO2 was running.

[@Zeomantic]

Would be fun to see how such a thing pans out

[@theoaremevano3227]

I figure they're more likely to go all-out, given the description, if they do it. I've always wished we could see some of those older monsters in a game with a PSO2+ combat system. Delsabers and Il Gils would be a heck of a fight. :) Not sure how they'd adjust the 'drone' type enemies in each area to a more action-based system, but there are ways I'm sure. The bigger question to me is if they'd try to run it as a new, fully live service game, since there are a couple reasons for them not to. One being they're still doing NGS, and the other being the popping of the live service bubble. Seems like they'd benefit from making it a bit less update-dependent, given they've got the material for the full game's content already.

[@AfriKenJedi]

I teally hope its true

[@AfriKenJedi]

Really*

[@Zeomantic]

We shall see!

[@kiergantyrloc6777]

I still have PSO for Dreamcast and Gamecube sitting on my game shelf. To this day I still play PSOBB with friends as well. If Sega does it right and just updates the engine they can take my money! I'd love to play PSO with better controls and an updated engine online with others. My fear is that it'll be turned into a gatcha game with new gameplay mechanics. That would ruin the game for me and many others...

[@Zeomantic]

I still have my copies too. I even have that goofy keyboard controller for the GameCube in a box somewhere.

[@maddworld2544]

honestly, I just want a re-release of the original pso I then, kinda like classic wow, go to episode II, then Blue Burst. that's all I would want.

[@Zeomantic]

Not sure if they would want to invest the money to maintain those servers. Some of the AC revenue could be used for that though.

[@Kocha_qizlari_Ni]

Need this to be true PSO would be soo good again like please bring back PSO2 or PSO1 I’m begging the lord 😭😭

[@briansmith2739]

Hopefully, we get Offline mode.

[@Zeomantic]

I don't see why they wouldn't in some form

[@doomsmack3963]

The combat really is much better than the newer games, graphics and effects aside. It actually mattered, getting hit mattered, positioning and avoiding enemies and such. The idea was to not get overwhelmed... it a way its like dealing with slow moving (walking) zombie hordes type of gameplay... its that 'dungeon' style gameplay ppl ask for that you cant properly get with the newer grind/farm based stuff.

[@Zeomantic]

It was nice for its time.

[@kalonem5719]

Interesting, very interesting

[@Zeomantic]

Very!

[@Zeomantic]

Very!

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

I don't know PSO1 so based on NGS graphics etc. There are three possibilities... 1) You can play PSO1 through NGS from the Ryuker??? Device. Just like how Base PSO2 is now. (Optional DL) 2) It's a stand alone MMO. However, given NGS right now. Well, "it could only be great", I guess. 3) It's just a Retail version. Pay $30 or more, then play a Light MMO Retail version of PSO1. (It's not a full MMO and all this is, is to give out a classic game from its time. So no major updates beyond the original version + bug patches. As to not conflict with NGS.) 4) (???) PSO1 Reboot could be after Sega drops NGS years from now. Which... I mean... Cool for Classics but it's very disappointing for NGS. When Base PSO2 is a good foundation to launch from. Although... If most Phantasy Star games are designed with the NGS Code Engine. Then, imagine all of the Cosmetics that can be transferable between different Phantasy Star Titles. But I know that's extremely unlikely because technology will outdate this Phantasy Star: Legacy Collection. But if it is done. Then, there can be a Critical Urgent Quest that requires the Arks Defenders to travel around the different Remake games in order to discover what's been colliding entire worlds through dimensions. Perhaps, even a "Phantasy Star Genosis" Weapon Series can be crafted by obtaining Star Genosis from different Phantasy Star games.

[@Zeomantic]

Interesting ideas.

[@Karma20XX]

I have some serious doubt they will reboot PSOBB in the way I would want, with the full detail of drops and everything.

[@vltimate-lavncher-orev]

Phantasy Star Online: Episode VR - 25th Anniversary

[@ftgyhujdftyhurftyh]

I just want base pso2 back or a successor of it. I don’t think we’ll get a pso or psu remake but who knows. I think a lot of people are upset because of pso2 globals Nostalgia bait posting on social media too

[@ftgyhujdftyhurftyh]

Tbh I’d be down for a new single player/online play instanced pso game set in either pso2s, pso, or psus universe

[@Fade2BlackSS]

I feel the same way I do about SE making remakes as I do with Sega making them. I don't trust them. Im curious what they'll do with combat. Im curious and worried about what they'd do to the story and the gameplay loop. I'm VERY worried about how the game will be monitized considering the state NGS is in. Combat in PSO was definitely it's weakest point. But the atmosphere, the mystery behind Ragol, the story and questing, Rare Hunting with friends...all of those things are what made PSO so memerable for people. If anything, I'd love to see a legit PSO3 that takes a lot of inspiration from the first game instead and combines them with some of the advances NGS has taken for the franchise.

[@Zeomantic]

No nostalgia can be a dangerous dual-edged sword. It's fun to look back on days of yore but it can also stifle innovation.

[@raevenent751]

I'm a little skeptical about this being real to be quite honest, not a whole lot of other places, or reliable sources talking about it other than a leaker going "Trust me bro", and also all it being close to April Fool's. Which if that's the case... I'm gonna need more convincing. Although say if they do remake it, idk how PSO1 was done(My only experience with PS as a whole are quite literally global PSO2 and NGS only), but unless it was a one and done game with multiplayer being added on, they might do that again while PSO2/NGS is for those who want the MMO experience. If they tie it to NGS as a optional download where it's on the same engine as NGS and what not, and you can bring your character over(Leave gear behind in their own games, that *should not* carry over. At all. And it was one I don't agree with when NGS launched) and it's cosmetics to the other game, and back and fourth like we do with NGS and Base, it'd make things interesting, but I can't help but think that might not be good on the backend of things...

[@Zeomantic]

I'm in the "x for doubt" boat as well for the same reasons but it's still fun to speculate.

[@LoneKuroRaifu]

Id love that pso reboot. I could actually experience it with all the possible friends i couldve made in the 90s. Also id prefer bad combat over bad loot and grind tedium from ngs

[@Zeomantic]

Everyone gotta take their shots at "current game" these days. Fair enough. Thanks for watching.

[@LoneKuroRaifu]

@Zeomantic feel like everyone's became hyper sensitive when it comes to opinions on NGS. If it makes you feel better I'm glad they didn't completely ignore Fighter for buffs even if it's still practically shafted compared to slayer even with its lower defense than all melee classes.

[@themoguntian4917]

I loved PSO and I would give it a go for sure!

[@Zeomantic]

It would introduce a new generation to the game

[@Ultra_DuDu]

This better not be an April Fools! T___T

[@Zeomantic]

It's easy to write this off as "April foolery" but the story was published last week, and I first heard about it the other day when a friend of mine shared it with me on Saturday. I didn't get around to making this video until yesterday. Might be a while until we hear anything "straight from the hedgehog's mouth" on this one.

[@ElComanche]

Omg. I would LOSE MY MIND if this was true

[@VonRikk]

Happy April fools! 🎉

[@Zeomantic]

That might be the case if this article wasn't published a few days before

[@silo1991]

Remakes of the OG saga , hell yeah . Remake of PSO1 , not sure about it :/

[@indianabones415]

Dreamcast best rpg is reportedly getting a reboot Me: Oh snap they're gonna reboot Skies of Arcadia!?

[@Zeomantic]

I wanted to get into that one back in the day, but the sheer number of random battles coupled with the loading times made it a real slog.

[@patrickkeefer8678]

PSOBB was awesome. Just update the game engine and graphics, don't screw with the story.

[@Zeomantic]

Yeah BB was peak PSO1.

[@Aes_Saru]

Honestly I probly wouldnt want it. like we can do alot with blue burst and I kinda dont want sega to take that away from us.

[@Zeomantic]

The fan servers added some excellent quality of life features that didn't exist in retail

[@sebastianstyles9750]

The fact that it’s not already rebooted, in HD, with a new class, weapons, level cap (300) and world or episode (5) is.. crazy. Imagine playing it on a handheld like the switch, online. Old and new fans alike would love it. Then once it dies down. (Which would be never) they could drop PSU reboot. I’m already over New Genesis. Feels like “new crap” to me.

[@Zeomantic]

I'm sure it would, but chasing the dragon constantly isn't healthy for developers and gamers

[@solblackguy]

I'll stick with Ephinea. I don't trust Sega with anything Phantasy Star related after what they did with PSO2 NGS

[@YetiMusicCity]

I was going to say the same , Ephinea , Eden , and Clementine for PSU

[@Zeomantic]

Fair enough. I've messed around on Ephinea here and there.

[@TheAlphaOmegaX3]

PSU remaster now Sega! I want different planets to visit just like PSU had but more with enhanced graphics.

[@o_mighty_thunder]

If NGS doesn't close soon, the brand will have suffered so much PR damage that the next PSO will evidently be a Japanese exclusive. That being said, NGS is a failed product and badly needs to be re-approached with a proper focus and a better development team. Cool idea, fashion and combat system-wise. But the overall package is not only dead but rotting. We won't be getting a future PSO after this, so enjoy the build-a-barbie Mario Party chatroom while its still here to carry the PS name.

[@Zeomantic]

I'm probably going to ride this all the way, as there's no train to "Pivotsville" for me. At least "Pivotsville" doesn't lead anywhere for me as far as content creation goes. I thought Blue Protocol would be it, but here we almost a year after JP launch and radio silence from Amazon.

[@Gillian_FFXIV]

NGS, a failed product?? By whom? Where are you getting this information from? I'm very curious, because last time I checked (last fall) NGS was in SEGA's top 3 most profitable video game titles right behind their Hatsune Miku mobile gacha game according to the SEGA Sammy financial report back then. Even if the game has fallen off a bit it would still most likely be top 5 at the very least. You and anyone else can see more of this via the Sammy financial reports free viewing online. So, where is your info coming from, exactly? I'd like to see player numbers from not just Steam, but also Xbox, PlayStation, Epic Launcher client. Microsoft Store client & the Tweaker. Do you have all of those? Again, I am just curious since this is something being thrown around in the community yet I have never once seen a single person back any of those claims up with evidence.

[@o_mighty_thunder]

@@Gillian_FFXIV lol the Sammy fiscal reports are for PSO2 as a whole; including in the East where it is a billionaire dollar franchise. Grow a brain? That also includes any and all media sold under the "PSO2" brand. Anyone that plays NGS every day, all-day can see that this game definitely does not have anywhere near 2k total players. Of the few hundred players whaling Scratch to dress up their build-a-Barbie, do you honestly believe a handful of people, regardless of how much they spend on Scratch each week (I'm aware some people pour hundreds of dollars into gacha) are fairly representing the results of that report in its entirety? Let's not forget SEGA sells PSO merchandise, had a huge orchestra last year and the series is still played throughout Asia. The brand is worth money. Not NGS

[@Gillian_FFXIV]

@@o_mighty_thunder My oh my, so defensive & hurt! Did I strike a nerve simply from my curiosity and questions alone? Yet you still failed terribly to show any type of evidence or reports at all to back up your silly claims. What a sad boy you are, unfortunately. All I see is a whole lot of yapping & not a single shred of proof - just like everyone else who is spouting the same nonsense over & over again, but when someone approaches you with genuine curiosity about your claims,? Then you become defensive & hostile. It's the fact that you are unable to bring me or anyone else actual concrete numbers to the table to defend yourself with that would actually be credible. Of course a few hundred players would not suffice in bringing in large revenue for SEGA.. so couldn't that mean that oh, iunno... more people are playing the game than you would think? Gasp! You just set yourself up! Oh, dear. Sad. The typical response from your average depressing, miserable PSO player LOL just another disappointment! I miss the 2001 days when PSO players were full of passion and care for one another. Instead, I am met with the misery of a saplings like you who can't even back up their claims~

[@pluse697]

@@o_mighty_thunder COOKED HIM

[@pawoofz]

So SEGA decided to drop the support on base PSO2 for this?.. jesus... As much as I love the first pso, really Sega

[@Zeomantic]

We have yet to hear anything straight from the hedgehog's mouth on this. Might be a thing, might not. Sounds like this thing might be a ways out.

[@Azella_]

Probably the PSP versions

[@Zeomantic]

Wouldn't mind seeing something for those, especially Infinity

[@ArrowgaP]

Bring Zero and Portable to PC.

[@Zeomantic]

That would be nice

[@rustycutepyro233]

dude. if they have the budget and the man power to do this, make NGS or the base pso2 better first, then think about brining back PSO... my opinion btw...

[@Nytrusdeathcyde]

if a pso is rebooted it beter not have mtx im always afraid of reboots in this day and age because it will just be ruined by greed

[@Zeomantic]

Yeah microtransactions are a blight on the industry and they have exposed the avarice of these companies.

[@chewcab8008]

If they modernize it, it will be shit. They need to keep it somewhat true to the original, make amazing models and graphics and more social features and bigger rooms. The combat is mostly fine, with enhancements. The problem with pso2 is it's too much, they added too much and it's clumsy and just nowhere near as good because of it.

[@Zeomantic]

Can't really argue with that.

[@TheMyn00ts]

The pso2 global page just posted a video of them stacking up pso1 copies. No context, no information on why, etc. This might actually happen!

[@Zeomantic]

Yeah I saw that.

[@shaece798]

they could get the originals to reboot the original pso2 but they had to unload pso2 ngs onto a team that doesn't know how to do anything right to turn that into a slop of a game.

[@yasunakaikumi]

As an OG PSO1 player, it would be a nice thing, but also a horrible thing, I stopped playing PSO2 because of how they turned the game from fun to playing with your Dolls buying more gacha clothes in disguise with a boring plot and gameplay. and im sure Sega will be redoing the same crap of what theyve done with PSO2 to PSO1 so I have low hopes

[@Zeomantic]

It really does sound like a dual edged sword. Thanks for watching!

[@Seganintendo]

Make PSO2 separately from NGS

[@Zeomantic]

Not a bad idea, if anything for preservation's sake. Would be a shame for it to become lost media.

[@MaximillianGreil]

The word "active" does a lot of work in the title.

[@Zeomantic]

It certainly does!

[@mikejonesnoreally]

It's also a VERY imaginative stretch. Active, but no one cares, least of all, and MOST obviously, SEGA. This ain't Virtua Fighter.

[@unlimitedslash]

I don't wanna a reboot of PSO, NG is bullshit and it's a manifestation of EVERYTHING that's wrong with the industry, and if we get a reboot now it will be another gacha hell P2W BS RPG that will be forgotten in less than a month. The last good Phantasy Star was Online 2, and that's where the franchise died, it's gone, now let's go play Clementine for F sake.

[@Zeomantic]

Fair enough. Thanks for watching.

[@foxshoot3138]

IDONT hope more out of sega >:/ afther they made creatybe azembly make a shoter , lose millions and then disasemple the team meanwhille ignoring in the golden cow of the niche but stable market of historic strategic games ( look ho manny dlc the hoi4 people buy ). they just dont hit anithing.. in the contrary i have a fear for them to just mess up the legasy of pso original ........

[@Zeomantic]

We shall see

[@mikejonesnoreally]

Sweet Lord man! Back on thy meds! xD

[@user-ww9dh4mw1j]

I'd rather everyone go back to base PSO2, it's way better than NGS.

[@Zeomantic]

Not too many die-hard "basers" out there. I don't have any reason to be there myself apart from obtaining a few of the NPC emotes that I had on JP.

[@user-ww9dh4mw1j]

@@Zeomantic That speaks volumes about the community then, lots of squirrels. It's mythical to find anyone with commitment to grind levels on base.

[@raevenent751]

I liked base don't get me wrong, but I prefer the fluidity that's in NGS, makes it kinda hard to go back

[@user-ww9dh4mw1j]

@@raevenent751 "fluidity"? What's that stupid shit? Anyway base is way better, people are just brain dead to not see that.

[@raevenent751]

@@user-ww9dh4mw1j The classes move more smoothly, movement feels better. That's not even up for debate, play both and actually revisit one and the other.