PS0:Phantasy Star ZERO

The Phantasy Star ZERO logo

Phantasy Star ZERO (ファンタシースターＺＥＲＯ, also called PHANTASY STAR 0 in the logo, and abbreviated as PS0) is the latest addition to the long-running Phantasy Star series. It is exclusive to the Nintendo DS and is scheduled for a Japanese release on December 25, 2008. The game takes place in an all-new continuity, albeit one that is heavily inspired by Phantasy Star Online. As such, the game has no meaningful story ties to the Phantasy Star Universe series (or any other existing Phantasy Star game, for that matter).

The official site states the name ZERO is intended to invoke a feeling of 'a return to the origin.' The developers have also said that they chose the abbreviation PS0 deliberately to emphasize the connection to Phantasy Star Online.

Details on the game are currently sparse.

Features

• Has a single-player story mode as well as a 2-4 player multi mode that can be played online over local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Details on how players will meet each other or whether Friend Codes will be used are unknown.
• Players can create their own characters in both modes, choosing from 3 races (human, newman and android) and 14 classes based on classes from Phantasy Star Online.
• Multi mode will allow for communications, where players can draw images or text to send to their teammates via Pictochat.
• Revealed areas include the Glacea Rivine, Riou Snowfields, Ozett Swamp and Dylon City.
• The game will take place on the Earth and its moon.
• Rappies will appear.
• Photon Arts will appear, as well as techniques including Resta and a new tech, Alresta. It appears as though the PP system from PSU will be used, instead of the TP system of PSO.
• The BGM will change when encountering enemies, similar to PSO.

Characters

• Sarisa, a newman described as a "young girl from a forgotten race."
• Ky, a human described as a "veteran Hunter."

Classes

There are 14 classes in PS0. They are similar to Phantasy Star Online in that each class is in reality a combination of race, gender and an archetypical class type (Hunter, Ranger or Force).

H u n t e r	HUmar	Male human.
	HUmarl	Female human.
	HUnewm	Male newman.
	HUnewearl	Female newman.
	HUcast	Male android.
	HUcaseal	Female android.
R a n g e r	RAmar	Male human.
	RAmarl	Female human.
	RAcast	Male android.
	RAcaseal	Female android.
F o r c e	FOmar	Male human.
	FOmarl	Female human.
	FOnewm	Male newman.
	FOnewearl	Female newman.

External links

• [1] [2] - a couple of scans of the Famitsu article first announcing Phantasy Star ZERO.
• A scan of a second Famitsu article.
• The Phantasy Star ZERO official site.