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Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis

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Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis cover
Developers
Sega Sapporo Studio
Publishers
Japan and Global Sega
Taiwan and Hong Kong Gamania
Southeast Asia and Thailand Asiasoft
Release dates
Windows July 4, 2012
Reception
OpenCritic 72
IGDB 77
Taxonomy
Monetization Free-to-play
Microtransactions Boost, Cosmetic, Currency, Free-to-grind, Player trading, Time-limited, Loot box
Modes Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres ARPG, Gambling/casino, JRPG, MMORPG, Open world
Art styles Anime
Themes Fantasy, Japan, Sci-fi, Space
Series Phantasy Star
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis on HowLongToBeat
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis on IGDB
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis on MobyGames
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis on Wikipedia
Phantasy Star
Phantasy Star Online 2001
Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst 2004
Phantasy Star Universe 2006
Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus 2007
Phantasy Star II 2012
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom 2012
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium 2012
Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis 2012

Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis (PSO2 NGS and NGS for short), formerly known as Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2 for short) is a multiplayer real-time third-person open world MMORPG game developed by Sega Sapporo Studio (then-known as Sega Online R&D) and published by Sega. It is part of the Phantasy Star series.

The game was released in Japan on July 4, 2012. An Asia version of the game for Asian territories was released by Asiasoft on May 29, 2014, but was shut down on May 26, 2017. Gamania had also released the game in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but was also shut down in 2017. It would be three years before Sega, in collaboration with Microsoft, released the game globally on May 27, 2020 via Microsoft Store. The game was also later released on Steam on August 5 of that year. There was also a PlayStation Vita version of the game exclusively released in Japan, but support for the platform ended in September 2020.

The game later received a big update on June 9, 2021 in the form of Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis, in which a completely new world setting with open-world gameplay was released and is completely separate from the original PSO2. Since the June 7, 2023 update, PSO2 was separated from the game and is available as a free DLC.[1]

As an online multiplayer game, PSO2 NGS receives new updates almost every week. The original PSO2 can be accessed after clearing the Prologue in NGS, and can be accessed from the Character Select menu or via the Ryuker Device after activating it from Central City. The game supports cross-play with Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players in the Global server, and with PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch players in the Japanese server. Do note that the Global server and the Japanese server are separate and players on one server cannot play or interact with players on the other.

Key points

The Global server is region locked in Latin America.[citation needed]

General information

Official Japanese Support page
PSO-World.com Forums
PSO2 Tweaker (English patch for Japanese server)
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Japanese server
Download
Windows
Official website
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Japanese server.
Cross-platform multiplayer with PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
Windows
Epic Games Store
Epic Games Launcher
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Global server.
Cross-platform multiplayer with Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Windows
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Global server.
Cross-platform multiplayer with Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Xbox Play Anywhere.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Global server.
Cross-platform multiplayer with Xbox One and PlayStation 4.[2]
Windows
The Global server allows for account linking between Xbox One/Microsoft Store, PlayStation 4, Steam and Epic Games Store through the Account Link feature.
Account linking on the Global version is not possible if a new character is made before an account is linked on either Xbox One/Microsoft Store, PlayStation 4, Steam or Epic Games Store.[3]
A SEGA ID, a Twitter account or a LINE account is required to access the Japanese server. The latter two supports linking to a SEGA ID.

Monetization

Type Notes
DLC Includes several time-limited starter pack DLCs, and a free PSO2 Data DLC.
Free-to-play The game is a free-to-play title, with microtransactions in the form of the premium AC currency that can be brought with real money. Some scratch ticket pulls requires the use of AC currency.
Subscription While not required for playing PSO2 and NGS, the Premium Set has numerous premium perks. The validity of Premium Set ranging from 30 days, 60 days and 90 days.

Can only be purchased in-game using AC currency.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
PSO2 Data A free DLC that is required for accessing the original PSO2.
Windows

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\SEGA\PHANTASYSTARONLINE2\user.pso2
Epic Games Launcher %USERPROFILE%\Documents\SEGA\PHANTASYSTARONLINE2_NA_EPICGAMES\user.pso2
Microsoft Store %USERPROFILE%\Documents\SEGA\PHANTASYSTARONLINE2_NA\user.pso2
Steam %USERPROFILE%\Documents\SEGA\PHANTASYSTARONLINE2_NA_STEAM\user.pso2
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1056640/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Epic Games Launcher
Save files are stored in the game's server.
Steam Cloud
Save files are stored in the game's server.
Xbox Cloud
Save files are stored in the game's server.

Video

Graphics settings (NGS; October 5, 2022 update)
Graphics settings (NGS; October 5, 2022 update)

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Aspect ratios narrower than 16:9 are letterboxed in pre-rendered cutscenes.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
In-game cutscenes when in aspect ratios wider than 16:9 are pillarboxed, while pre-rendered cutscenes are stretched to the aspect ratio wider than 16:9.
4K Ultra HD
Game auto detects resolution when using borderless option.
Field of view (FOV)
Can increase FOV during boss fights with "Boss Camera Controls" option.
Toggleable on or off.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Referred to as "Virtual Full Screen Mode".
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Referred to as "Texture Filter".
Options for 4x, 8x, and 16x.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Options for FXAA, TAA, and TAA + FXAA.
High-fidelity upscaling
DLSS 2.2, FSR 1.0
DLSS and FSR support added in the February 9th, 2022 update.[4]
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Proper Vsync support added in the December 15th, 2021 update.[5]
Has two options, "On" and "Compulsory On".
"Compulsory On" forces Vsync regardless of processing load.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Choice between 30, 60, 90, 120, 144, 165 FPS or Unrestricted.
Cutscenes and Live Concerts are capped at 60 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
Added in the October 5th, 2022 update.[6]
Can be accessed by enabling HDR in System > Display in Windows Settings.
Has adjustable sliders for "Reference White Level", "Maximum Luminance", and "Saturation".

High frame rate

Instructions[7]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location, and open user.pso2 with a text editor.
  2. Change the FrameKeep = xxx value to the desired framerate cap.
  3. Save the file.
By default, FrameKeep= xxx is set to "60", but can be completely uncapped by using "0".

Input

Camera and interface settings (NGS)
Camera and interface settings (NGS)

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Keys can be completely rebound for Standard View, Over-the-Shoulder View, windows, shortcuts, and emotes.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Referred to as "Mouse Rotation Correction".
Can be adjusted separately for Standard View and Over-the-Shoulder View.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Referred to as "Camera Rotation (Up/Down)".
Can be inverted separately for Standard View and Over-the-Shoulder View.
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
A keyboard and mouse is required to input characters and access the external launcher.
Controller remapping
Controls can be completely remapped for Standard View, Over-the-Shoulder View, and windows.
Controller sensitivity
Referred to as "Camera Rotation Speed".
Can be adjusted separately for Standard View and Over-the-Shoulder View.
Controller Y-axis inversion
Referred to as "Camera Rotation (Up/Down)".
Can be inverted separately for Standard View and Over-the-Shoulder View.
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Set "Control Display Type" to "Letters" in System/Support Menu > Control Settings.
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
Requires a third-party wrapper.
PlayStation button prompts
DualShock button prompts. Set "Control Display Type" to "Symbols" in System/Support Menu > Control Settings.
Light bar support
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes Wired, Wireless (Bluetooth)
Generic/other controllers
Button prompts
Input settings icon - Generic Controller.svg
For generic prompts, set "Control Display Type" to "Numbers" in System/Support Menu > Control Settings.
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Added in New Genesis update.
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Sound settings (NGS; August 8, 2022 update)
Sound settings (NGS; August 8, 2022 update)

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sliders for BGM, Sound Effects, Voice (Player Character and Other Characters replaced the Voice volume setting in the August 8, 2022 update), and In-Game Video Playback.
Can be changed both in-game and from the external launcher.
Surround sound
Plays up to 5.0.[8]
Toggleable both in-game and from the external launcher.
Subtitles
Cutscenes and voiced NPC quotes only. Cannot be disabled.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Referred to as "Global Focus Sound". Can be toggled on or off.
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language settings (NGS)
Language settings (NGS)
For the Global version, an option to use the Japanese server's UI fonts for both PSO2 and NGS can be found here (both games), here (PSO2 only) and here (PSO2 only). PSO2 Tweaker is required to use these mods.
Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Southeast Asia server only.
English
Global server only.
English
Unofficial translation of the Japanese server.
Traditional Chinese
Taiwan and Hong Kong servers only.
Japanese
Japanese and Global servers only.
Thai
Thai server only.

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
Online play
32 According to the August 3, 2022 update, the maximum possible players the game can load in high detail is 32 in exploration sectors in NGS and 50 in PSO2 and lobbies in PSO2. Solo and story quests are single player only, up to 4 people in single party areas and single party quests, up to 8 people in some multi-party quests and combat sectors, up to 12 people in multi-party areas and most multi-party quests, up to 24 players in certain limited-time multi-party quests, up to 32 people in exploration sectors.
Crossplay is available in the Global server between PC, Xbox One and PS4 players, as well as PC and PS4 players in the Japanese server. However, cloud blocks in the Japanese server may have crossplay between PC, PS4 and Switch players.

Connection types

It is impossible to play cross-region. Region transfer of account data is also impossible.

VR support

3D modes State Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D

Issues unresolved

In-game FPS does not match specified FPS

Due to how the game handles its FPS setting, capping the framerate at, for example, 120FPS will actually result in a framerate cap of 100FPS.[9]
The unofficial English launcher is able to automatically partially-compensate for this.

Achievements not unlocking when using the Account Link option from the Xbox One or Windows Store

When using the Account Link option to transfer progress between versions, achievements won't automatically unlock based on in-game progress.[10]

Issues fixed

Cannot enable the Steam Overlay

Without launching the game directly from pso2.exe, the Steam Overlay will not appear in-game.
Bypass the launcher[citation needed]
  1. Exit from Steam.
  2. Open the properties by right-clicking on Steam.exe.
  3. From the Compatibility tab, check the Run this program as an administrator option.
  4. Launch Steam.
  5. Click the Games menu, then choose Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.
  6. Click on BROWSE... and select pso2.exe from the list of programs.
  7. Click on ADD SELECTED PROGRAMS.
  8. Right-click the added pso2, and choose Properties. Rename it to Phantasy Star Online 2.
  9. Then, click the SET LAUNCH OPTIONS..., enter +0x33aca2b9 -reboot -optimize, then click OK.
  10. Open the control panel, then select System.
  11. Click on Advanced system settings, and then click Environment Variables....
  12. Click on the New... in the "System variables" section. Enter -pso2 to the Variable name, and enter +0x01e3f1e9 to the Variable value.
  13. Click OK.

Notes

Even with this fix, using the game's launcher to receive the latest updates is still required.
This fix is unnecessary if the unofficial English launcher's "Steam Mode" is being used.
This fix is also unnecessary with the official Steam version of the game.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Since the Feburary 2021 update, 32-bit executables are not longer available for the Japanese version of the game.[11] The Japan-only cloud client of the game still support the 32-bit OS.

Global version only has 64-bit executables.[12]

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio CRI ADX2, Vivox Vivox was added with the New Genesis update for voice communication in the Japanese version. It was implemented in the Global version.
Cutscenes CRI Sofdec2
Multiplayer Xbox Live, Steamworks, Epic Online Services Global version only.
Anti-cheat GameGuard

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i3-4150
System memory (RAM) 8 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 65 GB (With NGS data)
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GT 430
AMD Radeon HD 5570
DirectX 11 compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0c compatible
Other Broadband Internet connection
1280x720 display
A 64-bit operating system is required.
Windows 7 and 8.1 are able to run the game, but are not officially supported. [11]
With the New Genesis update, the AVX instruction is required as well. [11]

Notes

  1. File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/1056640/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (1056640) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

  1. Regarding the data for PSO2 being released as DLC on 6/7 - PSO2 official site - last accessed on June 14, 2023
  2. "(...) #PSO2 will be cross-play and cross-progress with Steam, Xbox One, and Windows 10!" - Phantasy Star Online 2 Official Global Twitter Account - last accessed on 9 June 2023
  3. PSO2 ON STEAM: HOW TO LINK YOUR ACCOUNT - last accessed on 2020-08-04
  4. "2/9 (PST) Update details (Updated 2/28/2022 (PST))" - SEGA Games, via Official PSO2 Website - last accessed on May 2023
  5. "DECEMBER 15 UPDATE DETAILS (UPDATED DECEMBER 22, 2021 (PST))" - SEGA Games, via Official PSO2 Website - last accessed on May 2023
  6. "10/5 Update details" - SEGA Games, via Official PSO2 Website - last accessed on May 2023
  7. Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-08-05
    Fix found by looking through config files.
  8. Verified by User:MasterBlaster on 2021-06-12
    Tested in 7.1 using Orban Loudness Meter in conjunction with Razer Surround.
  9. Arks-Layer - last accessed on 2020-06-16
    "- New code to account for SEGA's weird and wonky code for FPS values. Long story short, any values that are set for the FPS over 59 are approximate and become wrong very quickly. For example, the JP launcher sets 60 FPS in the config for 60 FPS. But the engine actually locks it to 59 FPS. Setting the config to 90 locks the game to 85. Setting it to 120 locks the game to 100. Crazy. Even crazier is that the higher your FPS is, the faster the game loads. - In order to change the FPS to what we actually want, the Tweaker will now set the FPS in the config to the closest approximation it can. This means that, in the config, the Tweaker will set the following values: desired value -> what it sets in the config (max FPS possible) 60 FPS -> 60 (max: 59) 90 FPS -> 101 (max: 92) 120 FPS -> 136 (max: 125) 144 FPS -> 160 (max: 144)"
  10. Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-08-05
    Checked both Steam and Xbox Live achievements when using Account Link to transfer progress from Xbox One/Microsoft Store version.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Regarding the change of system requirement planned in mid-February - PSO2 Japanese official site (Japanese) - last accessed on June 15, 2023
  12. Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-08-06
    Checked if the Steam version used 64-Bit executables by using task manager. GameGuard (the anti-cheat being used) also uses a 64-bit variant.