Phantasy Star Portable 2 review

Phantasy Star used to be the defining name in online multiplayer RPGs – except, er, it was sooo long ago we can barely remember what it was like. With Capcom’s Monster Hunter now the default choice for grind-loving, team-based RPG fans, Phantasy Star’s servers have shut down. But Phantasy Star Portable 2 could change that as, unlike the first Portable installment, it makes co-op scrapping against giant space monsters – as you’d hope – fun.

There are more customization options, with more avatars to choose from. The levels are more lively with old favorite enemies making comebacks. Words sometimes get in the way of the fun, both in the story mode’s verbosity and the clunky chat input system on PSP.

In all honesty, there’s little new here bar some tweaks like the ability to dodge roll or use physical shields. Oh, and photon points are now character specific. If this makes sense, then you’re most likely a Phantasy Star veteran who pre-ordered a long time before the game’s release. For everyone else, you have a somewhat above-average JRPG that hasn’t really changed in 22 years. Still, as handheld multiplayer monster-mashers go, it’s the perfect filler until Monster Hunter Portable 3.

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Oct 25, 2010