Phantasy Star Universe

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
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  1. GameBrink
    90
    From its huge offline game to its infinite online game, you can spend 100s if not 1000s of hours playing. [JPN Import]
  2. Play UK
    89
    Not so good offline, but for those after an MMORPG, this is essential. [Issue #147, p.79]
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  3. 1UP
    80
    It's too early to say whether PSU will have the same level of staying power in an age inundated with online games, but its pedigree makes this one worth watching -- and playing.
  5. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    Phantasy Star Universe brings the classic lineage to the PS2 for the first time, in both offline and online modes. [Jan. 2007, p.76]
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  6. Gamer 2.0
    78
    Universe is a strong and worthy sequel to the 2000 Dreamcast classic, but key absences – specifically the offline multiplayer – make a very good case for waiting.
  7. Worth Playing
    75
    Gameplay is paramount, and I would say that PSU is a better game than the original, but not necessarily up to the same level of quality.
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Sure, I applaud Sega for attempting to transform the single-player experience into something meatier, but poor voice acting and clumsy storytelling lend the proceedings a cheesy B-movie vibe. [Jan. 2007, p.101]
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  9. GamesRadar+
    70
    Phantasy Star Universe, in the end, is just more of the same thing: simple dungeon crawling. It's fun online; it's not fun offline. This is a hard one to rate, as it's pretty convoluted.
  10. VideoGamer
    70
    Even clearly noticeable repetition and developer laziness can't fully erase what is in essence an almightily addictive and emergent base structure.
  11. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    A solid and substantial attempt at bringing online RPG play to offline gamers, but it lacks any long-term appeal without others. [Christmas 2006, p.78]
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  12. IGN
    66
    Simply adding new weapons and techniques, changing the environments and adding a few extras such as the bedroom isn't enough when the online RPG has become a fully blown phenomenon.
  13. PSM Magazine
    65
    If you're into anime, then Phantasy Star Universe is worth checking out. [Jan 2007, p.88]
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  14. Game Informer
    60
    The missions have a shocking lack of variety, mostly just forcing you to do the same handful of things, but with stronger foes.
  15. G4 TV
    60
    For now, though, PSU’s online half gets a thumbs-up. What made the original PSO a hit is still there – fun cooperative combat, smooth social interaction, and lots of loot to grab.
  16. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    60
    The single-player is a fun new addition but is plagued by frustrating design choices and idiotic AI, while the multiplayer is very hard to justify paying £6.99 a month for, especially as the game doesn't even come with a free trial period.
  17. PSM3 Magazine UK
    50
    A massive waste of an opportunity for Sega to bring us an MMORPG worth shelling out for. Bah. [Jan 2007, p.67]
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  18. GamingExcellence
    49
    Nothing has been improved in the six years since PSO. Worse still, PSU actually managed to take steps backwards (level design, story, online play, mission counters, equipment, mags, etc) and ruin the memory of the Phantasy Star legacy.
  19. GameSpy
    40
    A disappointment of near-epic proportions. Sega ripped out the very heart of PSO's legendary addictiveness, replacing it with a repetitive, tedious grind that shows no signs of ending.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best PS2 Game of 2006
67
#67 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
55
#55 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 32
  3. Negative: 3 out of 32
  1. Haku76
    Aug 7, 2020
    9
    Phantasy Star Universe is a fun game and one of my earlier RPGs, The story was okay, the gameplay was fun and I loved the weapon variety, thePhantasy Star Universe is a fun game and one of my earlier RPGs, The story was okay, the gameplay was fun and I loved the weapon variety, the music was great, and the characters were entertaining. I never played online but I still had fun making my own avatar even though it was separate from the story.… Full Review »
  2. shootingstars99
    Aug 29, 2019
    7
    Once you get to the part where you can create your own character and go on quests with them is when this game truly starts to shine. You haveOnce you get to the part where you can create your own character and go on quests with them is when this game truly starts to shine. You have plenty of freedom to design your character and experience all the quests and action as your newly created avatar.… Full Review »
  3. FFallen
    May 2, 2013
    7
    Cool game and idea, making a MMORPG style game for Ps2 and with online, I never had the chance to play online, but the story mode was veryCool game and idea, making a MMORPG style game for Ps2 and with online, I never had the chance to play online, but the story mode was very well done, and I liked the free mode where you could make your own character, made things interesting and gave it a change of pace, the missions can kind of get repetitive at times though.… Full Review »
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