Phantasy Star Universe (2006)

34 out of 56 people found the following review helpful:

The Worst Scenario

Destrudo from Gosport, Hampshire, 26th February, 2007

The story mode is abysmal and as I’ve come to expect, people state that this is an introduction to the online mode; though this is a feeble defence of a product that is both on and offline. I’m beginning to wonder, other than hardcore series fan boys, who else could be playing online after experiencing the hash of the offline story mode. It should have been good; I wanted it to be good, but alas, I can’t lie about this travesty. The game takes an episodic format with a save point at the end of each chapter. Each and every chapter has opening and closing credits. Seemingly in the style of an anime TV series (don’t get me wrong, I love anime). Hours and hours of plot where the only player interaction is to keep clicking through the pointless jabbering to cut immediately to some other scene and do the same thing over again. From the start of one chapter to the point where you actually do something took over 25 minutes (yes it can be skipped, but it takes a long time to do anything in this game). The text is clunky and each text bubble comes with a grinding, soul destroying beep to helpfully let you know you should be reading this. Along the way, you’ll run into some pretty looking characters (some pretty stupid looking); although this is forgotten as you stare in disbelief as to the reason why they’ve all been animated as if they’re stuck on a loop at the local disco. Anyway, all this game gives players is a set of rather basic linear dungeons. Many seem to follow the same path, just with different skins. Combat is basically pressing the same button over and over; or, using your nose to control your player’s movement while trying to heal via the “really easy to use” popup menu. Lastly, AI is very poor. Don’t bother using ranged npc characters if you can help it, the AI seems to make them want to be directly beside you, at which point they can’t fire, because they’re too close. It helps if you can get them to stick behind an obstacle, such as a tree, door, wall or the floor. Chances are, they’re already there. The only time I’d recommend you rent this is if you want to boost your xbox live achievement score. There’s one thousand points for just completing the story mode, this usually 100 per boss with 400 (yes, 400!!!!!) for the final bosses. Its almost as if they’d not given it much thought along with the rest of the game.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Awesome!

A Customer from Warminster, 17th December, 2007

Online mode is far better than story mode. Dont rent, Buy as monthly fees apply. Very addictive!

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2 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Money Money Money

A Customer from Scotland, 26th April, 2007

You need to pay £6.99 to play this game online so not worth renting as the game it self is rubbish except for online play!

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