Phantasy Star Online 2 es, the mobile version of Phantasy Star Online 2, is now in open beta on Android, with the iOS version to follow soon. The mobile version is set in the same world and period as the online game.
The open beta is also hoping to be a short one, in a good way. If there are no big problems arising within the open beta, the game intends to transition to full service soonest possible. The smartphone version connects with the regular online version on your Vita or PC—you’ll be able to import your online character into the mobile version, and some items found or experience gained within the smartphone app will transfer over to your main character. You’ll also be able to use your own character within the app itself.
While the game intends to mimic the Phantasy Star Online 2 experience as best as it can, there are a few changes. Don’t panic if you’re seeing what appear to be cards in the above photo, which reminds social game players of the staple collectible card mechanic found in most smartphone titles.
These are “chips”, which you’ll bring into battle set into hotbars to use as a fast and easy way to access them, such as weapons or healing items. You can get more such “chips” either in battle, or as part of scratch cards, and they’re capable of being synthesized into stronger variants. Some of these chip cards will require you to activate them with chip points, while others will activate when their conditions are met.
The game also runs on an energy system, which replenishes itself over time. You’ll be able to get items to replenish it if you want to keep playing though, and each quest you embark on will cost a certain amount of energy. Ok, so that’s totally a regular social game mechanic.
As part of the launch of the open beta, both new characters and those imported from the online version will get a new katana called Harisen, while linking accounts gets you even more stuff.
Phantasy Star Online 2 es is in open beta on Android right now, with iOS expected to follow soon.
