April Thrills in Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

As I’m fervently spending Seasonal Points earned during the Spring Event on Star Gem tickets so I can net an N-Bunny Suit from the latest SG Scratch Ticket collection, I can’t help but think about all the great upcoming content for Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. The game is constantly evolving with new features and skills as well as quests. April 6 is only the first stop of the adventure. There are many more to come: a raise in the level cap to 45, Compound Techniques introduction, new Ranks of Combat Sectors, new Weapon Series inspired by DOLLS, long-awaited quality of life enhancements, and much, much more. If you’re already playing, read on for more information about what’s in store for you. If you’re not playing, you’ll want to be by the end of this article!

More power

What’s better than eliminating DOLLS? You can do it! FasterYou can blast them with more firepower. And if you weren’t lucky (or rich) enough to net a Relik and haven’t saved up your Photon Scales to upgrade the Potential on your Cinque weapon, you can still increase your Battle Power by gaining some levels. This shouldn’t be too hard, as there’s a new round of Limited Quests and a new rank of combat sectors, as well as a new DOLLS-inspired, 5-star Rarity Weapon Series. The Kukuhroziat (the weapons are much easier to wield than their name is to say) Weapon Series were inspired by the look of DOLLS and have a unique Weapon Potential that’ll come in handy for future game content. Oh, and did I mention there’s a color-variant form?

Skills that are more valuable

Assuming you are adept at executing Photon Arts or successfully releasing Techniques, you’ll be able to dispatch DOLLS with greater finesse. The ARKS instructors are hard at work developing new Photon Arts and Compound Techniques to allow you to directly use Photons. I’ve been making it rain on my enemies as a Gunner (i.e., using the PA Aimless Rain) for quite some time, but with Infinite Ricochet coming out, I may be spraying Photon Bullets with that soon. Or I’ll be switching to the Force class and combining elements to blast baddies with Barantsion or another Compound Technique. Though since you can wield all weapons and play as any classes on the same character, I’ll probably do both. Even better, I might even consider trying out the Fighter class. I will slice and dice with Twin Daggers to be able to use the Limber Figure Photon Art. There is nothing that says danger more than a swirl of blades. An area of effect will prove to be even more useful as there are new enemies called Equalizers. With the ability to defensively buff nearby enemies, it’s a good idea to focus fire on them – and there’s no better way to do it than with a powerful new Photon Art or Technique!

Encore!

PSE Bursts are just one of my favorite things about NGS, because nothing says enemy panic like getting beamed by a horde of enemies because you’re just destroying them too fast. If you played PSO2You will then experience the joy of listening to Cross Burst, or One More. SecondPSE burst occurs, which allows you to continue killing enemies while earning loot or Exp. I’m happy to say that the DOLLS of NGS are adopting this field tactic – and you’ll be up to your ears in enemies after the April 6 update. This new update includes PSE Bursts that can be used to farm PSE Bursts within the new Rank 3 Combat Sections.

It’s easy to go adventuring

This update includes some new content, however there will be more. Sega created the Party Recruitment system to make it easier for party members to join. You can recruit players in the same room by using the Communication menu. Here you can set your purpose and the requirements for joining. Others will be able to identify that you’re recruiting by the special icon that appears above your character and then they can select the appropriate option from Nearby Characters in the Communications Menu. You can also use the Photo Room to get rid of any photo-bombing DOLLS or capture the perfect shot. Even the weather and time can be changed to fit your artistic vision. Perhaps most notable for content creators, this update includes a Streamer Mode, which will disable Chat while you’re sharing your screen. For Phashionistas, there’s now an option to show or hide your Innerwear. So, if you want to equip a skin-baring Basewear but have only full-coverage Innerwear, your fashion snafu won’t be noted.

There’s a bunch more included in this update, so the best way to learn more is to play Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis – for free – by visiting the Xbox store and downloading the game for PC or Xbox.