Phantasy Star Portable expands PSP's repertoire

Early in 2009, Sega plans to expand the Play Station Portable's slim pickings of role playing games by releasing Phantasy Star Portable.

This game will allow gamers to go on vast adventures with local friends via the Ad Hoc Mode of the PSP, which enables players to connect to another PSP without having to set up a wireless access point. Players simply insert the disc, select the Network Mode, and then join others who are within range.

Phantasy Star Portable takes place in the same game galaxy as the previous series installment, Phantasy Star Universe.

The game largely focuses on some interstellar chaos that must be stopped.

The plot is barely there, but the Story Mode is merely one aspect of the game. Where Phantasy Star Portable stands out is within the Network Mode.

Players can create their own characters; race, gender, proportion, clothing, and various facial features are all fair game to be tweaked accordingly. Gamers are also encouraged to experiment with the wide variety of different jobs available within the game.

A player can be a Fortefighter that specializes in inflicting heavy damage with close combat weaponry such as laser swords.

A Guntecher is another job option, whose skills include expertise with magic spells as well as ranged weapons like dual handguns.

Hardcore fans of the Phantasy Star series may think that Phantasy Star Portable is merely a rehash of Phantasy Star Universe due to the same graphics and interface, but that is not the case.

Phantasy Star Portable is filled to the brim with new features, particularly the Milestone Achievements, which are granted to gamers upon meeting certain requests.

In the end, Phantasy Star Portable is a deceptively addictive RPG that allows gamers to travel with their friends across an exciting futuristic galaxy.

It may not go boldly where no other game has gone before, but it is still a must-have for PSP users looking for something worth playing.