Dream Games: Phantasy Star Universe
Dream Games is a new weekly column where we explore a game we'd love to see on the PSP. Feel free to check in, and comment, every week.
Phantasy Star Universe
The Phantasy Star Online series has reached almost every platform imaginable: the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Dreamcast and even the Gamecube. While Nintendo stayed away from online support for the GC, Sega dove head-in, even going so far as to make an Episode III exclusively for that platform. With that in mind, a PSP version of this revered franchise doesn't sound any more crazy than Sega's previous efforts.
Why PSP?
The PSP needs a strong online RPG, and PSO and PSU may fit the bill. Portable gamers need something that they'll be able to play offline and on, and that's always been one of the series' highpoints: the flexibility it gives the player. Something as comprehensive as World of Warcraft is most likely not technically possible, nor fun, for handheld play. But the accessibility of PSO and PSU should work on the go.
Is it possible?
Considering how most publishers shy away from Infrastructure support, we may never see an online RPG on our system. Couple that with extensive homebrew use, and publishers may see the PSP too risky: how can they be sure that people are paying their monthly fees and aren't cheating? It won't be worth their effort, but we'd like to see Sega or Sony at least try once.
