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A brand new title in the Phantasy Star series was just announced by SEGA. Entitled Phantasy Star ZERO, this will be the series' first outing on the Nintendo DS. ZERO is said to be a completely new game, though it will borrow heavily from the Phantasy Star Online series. This new title will feature a single-player story mode as well as multi-player online through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and local area networks (both up to four players). Multi modes will allow for communication through visual chat, which allows players to draw their own artwork or write their own text for their teammates to see. Keeping in touch with its apparent predecessor, Phantasy Star ZERO will have the return of many race/job combos from Phantasy Star Online. This includes ones such as RAcast, FOmarl, HUmar and HUcaseal, but a few newcomers have also been revealed like the HUnewm and HUmarl. Furthermore, this new title will feature many new areas and lobbies to explore. Three such areas include the Glacea Ravine, Riou Snowfields and the Ozett Swamp. Information is a bit scarce on this new title, but we can expect to see more details in the coming months, as ZERO is slated for a Japanese release this winter.
An interview with Satoshi Sakai, producer of Phantasy Star Universe and now Phantasy Star Zero, was published in the September 20 issue of Nintendo Dream. Fan site Shougai PSO posted a synopsis of the article which you can find translated here. For quick reference, here is a list of new game details Mr. Sakai revealed. * Phantasy Star Zero is a completely new title set in a brand new world. * Zero's gameplay mechanics will be based heavily around PSO's. But despite this, the developers hope that the unique style will attract more fans to the series, even those who have never touched a previous Phantasy Star title. * The Nintendo DS was selected as the platform for this title to help broaden the age range of players. * Zero was selected as part of the title to invoke thoughts of a new beginning for the series. * You will be able to play with people you've never met over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. No details were given on if or how Friend Codes will be used, however. * PS0 will not support voice chat or vibration functions. * PSO's word select system is a possibility, but has not been confirmed. * PSO's symbol chat will not return for this game. It is being replaced by visual chat, allowing users to draw their own pictures using the stylus. * Many common item and technique names will return from PSO. * The developers hope that, despite this game taking place in a completely new world, it will still bring out feelings of nostalgia and other fond memories.Stay tuned for more information on Phantasy Star Zero. We expect to see new details rolling in more quickly as we approach the Japanese release of this title in three short months!
According to a recent homepage update, Sega will be releasing Phantasy Star Zero to Japan on December 25th of this year. That's only three months away! Compared with PSP, the announcement and ship dates for this title are quite close.
Does want very muchly so.
