Phantasy Star Portable 2

 PSP
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Sep 13, 2010
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 22, 2010
    84
    Basically, if you've enjoyed this type of RPG before and have the time to get into a new one, Phantasy Star Portable 2 is pretty much a must-buy.
  2. IGN
    80
    After many hours, and many unsuccessful boss fights, I'm still enjoying Phantasy Star Portable 2.
  3. TotalPlayStation
    80
    This game is definitely recommended if you liked any of the previous online Phantasy Star games, with nostalgia aplenty. Newcomers may be less forgiving, and their enjoyment will be determined by their propensity for enjoying action RPGs in general.
  5. Games Master UK
    Dec 25, 2010
    78
    A refined experience, moving away from forgettable grind to a worthy adventure. [Issue#231, p.91]
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  6. Meristation
    75
    Phantasy Star Portable 2 is better than the previous game, and it improves at many levels. Despite not being perfect yet, it's a fun, long, compelling and very interesting experience. Both one player or multiplayer game modes are great, as there are so many things to do in this universe.
  7. GamingXP
    72
    Fans of the franchise should check this one out, but RPG fans who can't cope with frustration should consider other games.
  8. GameFocus
    71
    If you're going to play alone, you will have to deal with some noticeable camera issues and hours of grinding. If you're planning on playing with friends or strangers, you'll still have to deal with the same problems, the amount of content available may make up for it.
  9. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 13, 2011
    70
    "Quotation Forthcoming"
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  10. Eurogamer Spain
    70
    Better than the first game for the PSP, this is a Phantasy Star that Dreamcast fans will love.
  11. GameZone
    70
    Although Sega really hasn't gone to great extents to attract casual players with Phantasy Star Portable 2, long-time fans will no doubt enjoy the gameplay tweaks and online features – not to mention leveling up to around 200. If that's your thing, have at it.
  12. GameSpot
    70
    Robust customization and full multiplayer support make this interstellar adventure worthwhile.
  13. Gamereactor Sweden
    70
    Finally, a Phantasy Star-game for the PSP that actually gives the player the chance to play online. Clunky menus aside, it delivers great fun.
  14. Pocket Gamer UK
    70
    A vast improvement over its offline-only predecessor, Phantasy Star Portable 2 is a worthy challenger to Monster Hunter's crown, but isn't a game to be taken lightly as its depth and complexity is considerable.
  15. PALGN
    70
    A refreshing take on the RPG genre. Your preferences will decide how much enjoyment you gain from it, but as it stands, Phantasy Star Portable 2 is an accessible adventure for every PSP owner.
  16. Eurogamer
    70
    At its best, it's arguably the most accomplished Phantasy Star yet, and undoubtedly the new king of loot-hoarding on the PSP. We just hope next year's Sega-developed Phantasy Star Online 2 does more to reinstate this classic series to its former glory.
  17. 3DJuegos
    68
    Phantasy Star Portable 2 improves the gameplay of the previous game, but the visuals are still a little far of other similar games like Monster Hunter on PSP. Sega offers a better IA, a more solid world, and a nice multiplayer online mode, what will attracts the fans of the franchise. But we still think the franchise can offers better experience and to take more advantage of the hardware.
  18. Play UK
    68
    It's text heavy, combat can be clumsy and the premise for this RPG is hardly original, but JRPG fans are going to love Phantasy Star Portable 2 regardless. [Issue#197, p.98]
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  19. PSM3 Magazine UK
    Jan 13, 2011
    67
    "Quotation Forthcoming"
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  20. SpazioGames
    Jan 5, 2011
    67
    A user friendly and long action adventure, a real must buy for the ones who can play it online, a bland alternative for the ones who cannot. Overall, an average offer to the PSP owners.
  21. Extreme Gamer
    65
    Phantasy Star Portable 2 is a decent RPG, but one sorely in need of a genre update. Its online multiplayer is a welcome addition to last year's PSP predecessor, but suffers from the sparse functionality, community the portable is known for. Even Phantasy Star fans will find its story mode, camera angles lacking.
  22. Armchair Empire
    Feb 3, 2011
    60
    Simply put, if you're not a fan of the genre, then Phantasy Star Portable 2 isn't for you. If you have been a fan for this long, then the good news is that there's more missions and loot for you to spend the next few weeks collecting, as well as a fully online multiplayer that's both functional as well as free. Whether you'll find an audience of fellow PSP players connected at the same time, however, is almost as uncertain as the universe itself.
  23. Metro GameCentral
    60
    The fundamentals haven't changed from the Dreamcast days but the new online mode and other refinements make this the best Phantasy Star for some time.
  24. Worth Playing
    60
    In short, this is a game for the Monster Hunter crowd. Most other folks will struggle to find the appeal.
  25. 1UP
    58
    Phantasy Star Portable 2's appeal ends with the multiplayer, however. The exceedingly dull single-player, frustrating boss fights, and dated combat system prevent this latest Phantasy Star from being anything more than just that.
  26. Digital Chumps
    58
    Phantasy Star Portable 2 meanders in mediocrity while trying its absolute best to pass itself off as a fresh product.
  27. Gamer Limit
    Jan 13, 2011
    55
    Phantasy Star Portable 2 is a bare bones dungeon crawler with little appeal beyond the Phantasy Star fandom.
  28. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Oct 28, 2010
    50
    Fighting other players online might be new to the portable series, but too much of the game just feels old. [Dec 2010, p.79]
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PSP Game of 2010
10
#10 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2010
16
#16 Most Shared PSP Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. venom5150
    Sep 20, 2010
    10
    This is now one of my favorite games on PSP now. I cant put it down and my hands hurt from the constant play on the PSP. (I wish theseThis is now one of my favorite games on PSP now. I cant put it down and my hands hurt from the constant play on the PSP. (I wish these handhelds were a little more ergo.) It took me back to the Dreamcast days of playing PSO online but actually plays better. I never picked up the 1st PSO portable due to the lack of the online component and I was not too into the PSO Universe although I passed it and played a little online. This one is the best PSO since the Dremcast/Xbox days.… Full Review »
  2. ttocs
    Sep 20, 2010
    9
    An extremely robust game for the handheld. Even if you didn't like the first one, there is still hope for you liking the second. TheAn extremely robust game for the handheld. Even if you didn't like the first one, there is still hope for you liking the second. The mechanics have been adjusted, story more thoroughly fleshed out, and bells and whistles a plenty in this engrossing handheld game that has about as much content as an MMORPG. It's dungeon crawler loot based gameplay with a side of armor customization and anime style storyline. It's a great game that will keep you occupied for hours with all of it's nuances and deep content.… Full Review »
  3. burningranger01
    Sep 18, 2010
    10
    Easily one of the best or the best action dungeon crawler made to date. Touting innovation after innovation, Sega nails it! From a previouslyEasily one of the best or the best action dungeon crawler made to date. Touting innovation after innovation, Sega nails it! From a previously well established character generators to well defined combat system that is deep but accessible to new players. The pace of the game is fluid with enemies keeping the player on their toes and deeply interested with such well implemented features like blocks, rolls and counters. The game is already doing what many of us have always wanted as kids and is delivering features that even colossal games like Diablo 3 will not have. Being able to go into first person and targeting enemy weak spots or doing a timed 5 hit combo with customized weapon to your liking are only things that will be seen in this dungeon crawler.

    The multi-player is great and offers new modes of game-play like "VS" mode. Sega has gone out of their way to make playing worth other members easy and with great thought out user preference system, it really takes teaming up or meeting with players to a whole new level.

    Design and sound wise it is AAA, with well designed areas and bosses the game sure shows a great level of polish and easily one of the must have portables of all time.

    Sega really listened to its fan-base and fixed all the old issues the previous version suffered from and is on its way to push the dungeon crawler once again.

    graphics and design-A+
    Sound and music-A
    Gameplay-A++
    Replay value-A+++
    Narrative-C    … Full Review »
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