It’s been almost eight years since the original launch of Sega’s Phantasy Star Online 2, and only recently has it finally come to the West. Initially, this Western release was exclusive to the Microsoft Store. However, as of this week, PC gamers will have a new option to jump into the action when PSO2 comes to Steam.

Set for release on 5th August, Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play online action role-playing game. You’ll explore various locations in a team of four as you battle bosses and complete objectives.

The game’s launch on the largest digital distribution platform on Windows, Steam, will be a massive boon to the player base. As these new Steam players will be mingling and adventuring alongside the existing Microsoft Store player base.

For those looking to play on Steam, Sega has sweetened the deal with a set of exclusive cosmetic items. These cosmetics borrow heavily from Valve’s Half-Life series, a list of which are below:

Half-Life Collaboration Item

Log-in to PSO2 on Steam to retrieve the following rewards from the Visiphone:

• 720: Headcrab Emote from Half-Life
• 5x EXP Earned +50%
• 5x Rare Drop Rate +50%
• 5x Mesta Earned +50%
• 5x Half Scape Dolls
• 1x Unit “Back/Fresh Aura”

Team Fortress 2 and Half-Life: Alyx Pack

Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any quest on Normal difficulty or higher.

• 2x Pyro’s Gas Mask (Hairstyle) from Team Fortress
• 2x Alyx Hair (Hairstyle) from Half-Life: Alyx

Portal 2 and Weapon Camos Pack

Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any two quests on Hard/Hardcore difficulty or higher.

• Evolution Device: Wheatley from Portal 2
• Team Fortress 2 Minigun (Weapon Camo) from Team Fortress 2
• Left4Dead Frying Pan (Weapon Camo) from Left4Dead
• Crowbar (Weapon Camo) from Half-Life

Half-Life 2 Collaboration Item

Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any three quests on Very Hard difficulty or higher.

• HEV Suit (Outfit: Male) from Half-Life 2

Half-Life: Alyx Collaboration Item

Log-in to PSO2 on Steam and complete any four quests on Super Hard difficulty or higher.

• Alyx Replica (Outfit: Female) from Half-Life Alyx

To collect these items you must complete all missions on the Steam version of Phantasy Star Online 2. You can collect all PSO2 x Steam items by simply completing four missions on Super Hard difficulty. You will not need to unlock each tier of items individually.

It’s not been confirmed whether all of these items will carry across to the recently announced Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. Although Sega has implied that they do plan on allowing players to carry across cosmetic items after the new title’s release.

The post PSO2 Comes To Steam – 5th August 2020 appeared first on Retro Ages.

New Genesis is the latest entry in the Phantasy Star Online series, which is also celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year – how time has flown! This is both an update to the existing Phantasy Star Online 2, as well as an entirely new title.

New Genesis will be an ‘open-field’ online role-playing title, allowing players the freedom to roam around the large open environments. As well as new environments, the title is built using a new graphics engine allowing for new effects and lighting. Sega is also going to implement this new graphics tech into the eight-year-old Phantasy Star Online 2. New Genesis will also include an expanded character creation system.

Set around 1,000 years after the events of Phantasy Star Online 2, you’ll face off against new enemies in the form of ‘Dolls’. Little is currently known about these new foes. Although from the short announcement video, they look to be much larger and agile than previous enemies faced.

For current Phantasy Star Online 2 players, you will also be able to carry across your character, much of your equipment, MAGs and Arks Cash. Levels, skills and in-game currency will not carry over. However, you will be able to jump between playing Phantasy Star Online 2 and PSO2: New Genesis whenever you wish.

Although the announcement trailer shows New Genesis coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Windows. Owners of the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 will also be able to jump into the action in 2021.

The post Sega Announced Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Coming 2021 appeared first on Retro Ages.