Game InformationDeveloper: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Release Date: TBA 2003
Genre: Card Battle RPG
Also On: None (so far)
Website:PhantasyStarOnline.com
Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution expands the Phantasy Star Online (PSO) universe, offering a new style of strategic combat. Combining the excitement of card collection and deck settings with team-based battle tactics, PSO Episode III allows users to chat in the lobby about status upgrades and tactics, and then journey to the planet surface to engage in strategic combat using a turn-based Card system. The game continues the story arc of the previous PSO games, as players once again become Hunters and explore the mysteries of the planet Ragol. Featuring both online and offline play, as well as multiplayer modes, PSO Episode III adds new content and players to the ever-growing PSO community.
Continuing the storyline begun in past series installments, the current title otherwise breaks completely with tradition. While you can still play online, meet folk from around the world, and hunt down monsters, the way battle is handled is wholly different than before. Borrowing inspiration from varying card battle games, the combat system now revolves around card collection and team-based battle tactics, looking more like something culled from Magic the Gathering than a standard console RPG. Curiously, up to four players can get in on the action, once divided into teams, and accordingly must vary their respective tactics to reflect this fact.
Key Features
- Play online and interact with Hunters from PSO Episode I & II in the lobby
- Engage in offline team battles for up to four people, where players are divided into friends and enemies
- Choose from either the Item Deck or the Enemy Deck, depending upon whether you will fight as a member of the Hunters or the Arks (enemies)
- Collect an enormous number of weapons, gear, and items to create an original deck with your character
- Use Action and Assist cards to compose a powerful deck, supported by Hunters and Items or Bosses and Enemies
- Position your characters on the battle field and move them as the battle unfolds to take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses
- The next chapter in the PSO universe continues the story of PSO Episodes I & II
Err ummm Phantasy Star has some cuties huh?
Outlook…
The jump from the Action RPG genre to Card battle RPG is a drastic one. But it’s a step I’m willing to take with the series. After being the Ranger Genocide on Dreamcast twice, then on GameCube, soon on Xbox. I’m more than ready to go this route. Plus as a fan of many Trading Card Games (Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh) so a chance to experience that style of playing games makes me very excited. A mix of Phantasy Star Online plus Yu-Gi-Oh with a little Lost Kingdoms can’t go wrong. PSO C.A.R.D. Revolution is so far looking like a innovative title from our friends at Sonic Team. Now all we need is a solid release date!
~ditto~
