Phantasy Star Zero Update
Phantasy Star Zero is set to make Christmas very merry for Japanese DS owners (the game arrives in Japan on Christmas day!). To find out just how jolly everyone's going to be, we checked the latest issue of Famitsu, which offers a new update on the game.
While the magazine has already covered the basics, most notably the visual chat system, the new issue shares first details on the game's storyline. PS0 is set on the planet "Earth" 200 years after a great war destroyed all civilization. Only the race of humans remains. As they build cities and attempt to revive their past, however, enemies attack from all around.
To defeat these enemies, humans make use of ancient weapons that they've unearthed. These weapons run on an energy called "Photon" and are wielded by Hunters.
While the storyline has humans being the last remaining race, you'll actually have access to three races: human, numan, and caster. Combined with the various jobs and male/female varients, and you'll find at least fourteen unique types that you can select from when creating your character.
Also mentioned in the story is the term "Photon." This energy form plays a direct role in the game. Players make use of "Photon Points" to perform charge attacks with their weapons and techniques (magic). In the case of weapons, using your photon points results in the weapon performing a special attack known as Photon Arts. With techniques, photon points can expand upon magic, turning, for instance, a solo heal spell into a group heal spell.
Outside of the photon point techniques, the magazine also reveals a new evasion move. Pressing the evade button on the action palette sends your character dashing in the direction that you're pressing at the time on the d-pad, allowing you to avoid attack and get behind your enemy for some easy damage.
Phantasy Star Zero will be playable in Sega's booth at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, offering players a chance to face off against a giant dragon. We'll be sure and let you know how this particular series translates over to the touch screen.
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