Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis is a free-to-play online action/RPG, well known for its unparalleled character customization and battle action which captivated the world.

This update may come as a surprise to those of you who are still playing Episode 3. In Japan, PSO2 recently celebrated its 8th anniversary and is gearing up for the end of Episode 6. Because the game system and graphics engine were created eight years ago, they may seem unrefined to modern players, especially to those of you whose adventures just began with the North American version. This is why the development team is preparing a massive update instead of a new episode—to give PSO2 the renewal it deserves.

We are proud to present this dramatic evolution to you as Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. 

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online, we will be aiming for even greater heights and reshaping the story, game system, graphics engine, and character creation system. PSO2 will be reborn as an open-field online RPG, with a renewed battle system and game system to match!

You can continue to enjoy the original PSO2 even after PSO2: NGS has been released. Accounts that have been playing PSO2 will be able to hop between PSO2: NGS and PSO2. However, because the game system is vastly different, we would like to explain what exactly is changing with PSO2: NGS below.

SEGA announced that Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis's first major update, "Sandstorm Requiem", " will go live on December 15, 2021.

This large update includes a new region, new characters, a level cap increase, new Class Skills, new Elemental Techniques, World Trials, a Title System, and the continuation of the PSO2:NGS story in Chapter 2.

As Chapter 2 unfolds, Crawford will ask players to make a trip to Retem with Aina and Manon to join the ARKS in Retem City. Retem is a desert with sand dunes, rocky terrain, and canyons. Players will notice the weather and vegetation are vastly different from what they're used to in Aelio. There's so much to explore, but watch out for new enemies, Fortos Launcher, Fortos Laser: DOLLS, Lizentos: DOLLS, and Metius: DOLLS! All are equipped with heavy artillery and prove themselves to be formidable foes. The new field, Retem Region, awaits!

The "Sandstorm Requiem" update will increase the level cap of all classes to 35 and every Class will gain a new Class Skill. Three Elemental Techniques will be added to the current Techniques; Wind, Light, and Dark will join Fire, Ice, and Lightning.

• Hunter Class will gain the 'Sword Arts Change Avenger' skill
• Fighter Class will gain the 'Dagger Spin Axle' skill
• Ranger Class will gain the 'Spread Shot Wide Range' skill
• Gunner Class will gain the 'Rising Drive' skill
• Force Class will gain the 'Technique Domination' skill
• Techter Class will gain the 'Overemphasis' skill
• Braver Class will gain the 'Brave Spirit' skill
• Bouncer Class will gain the 'Blade Arts Parry' skill

Show off your skills and achievements to the world! PSO2: NGS will be implementing a Title system. Players can earn titles based on in-game achievements, such as defeating a certain number of enemies, completing Trainia with an S ranking and more.

World Trials are large-scale interruptive events that will occur on all Ships. Unlike normal Trials, they will occur over multiple Sectors for an extended period of time. For example, the objective of the World Trial: Stella Grace Recovery Operation is to collect as much of the Stellar Grace that appears in the Exploration Sectors as possible within the time limit to receive rewards!

Get Ready for Retem! Event

As Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis prepares for the "Sandstorm Requiem" update, which adds the new region of Retem, players can take part in the limited time Get Ready for Retem! campaign to collect rewards until December 14. During this campaign, players can get Monotite, Dualomite, Trinite, an SG 50 Ticket, and more by completing Limited-time Tasks!

Starting December 1, players can join the Retem Pre-Release Mission Campaign and get an N-Augmentation Success Rate +5%, up to 3 SG 50 Tickets, and more! There are also Login Bonuses like a Salon Free Pass, SG Tickets and N-Enhancement Success Rate +10% that can be unlocked each day over the course of 7 days. 

Learn about the rewards and their requirements here.

Christmas in Central City!

Celebrate Christmas in PSO2: NGS starting December 22! Central City will be decked out with the Christmas spirit. Don't forget to search for the Mischief Symbols hidden throughout the city! The new AC Scratch Ticket: Frozen World will let players don Christmas-themed outfits, Dash Motion Changes, and wintery Emotes to add festive cheer all winter long.

Players can play nine years of content in Phantasy Star Online 2 and join the newest entry to the series, Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. Complete Chapter 1 to be ready to play Chapter 2 and experience all the content in the Sandstorm Requiem update! Download and play Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis on PC and Xbox One for free today.

With the new graphics engine comes enhanced character models. In addition to the features present in the current character creation system, you'll now have even more detailed options, like changing the luster of your character's skin. Characters will also be able to move their fingers now! Furthermore, you'll be able to wear more accessories—as well as change their locations—creating even more customized characters. Because PSO2: NGS's character creation system is compatible with that of PSO2, players are free to decide which one they want to use.

Finally, PSO2's core graphics engine will also be overhauled, allowing you to use characters created with PSO2: NGS's system within PSO2 as well. Naturally, ALL character creation info from PSO2 (including items linked to emotes and other previously registered data) will be compatible with PSO2: NGS!

Because PSO2: NGS and PSO2 will have different game systems, some of their respective elements will be incompatible. The following points will summarize what we can announce at this time.

Summary:

• Huge wide-open battlefield environments! Explore a whole new world featuring broad, expansive playfields filled with ferocious enemies waiting for you and your team. Traverse wide-open environments, speed and soar across the giant landscape and skies with new special abilities. Transitioning into a new area is as simple as walking into it -- no loading screens.
• Enhanced character models! Create your identity with any character you can imagine in PSO2:NGS using the powerful creation engine. Adjust every imaginable characteristic to create your one-of-a-kind avatar.
• Redesigned graphics engine! Witness lush environments, amazingly detailed player characters, and monstrous foes in razor-sharp resolution. Watch spectacular new lighting and particle effects as weapons clash with armor. See the world as you've never seen it before.
• New multi-weapon system and abilities! Combine 2 types of weapons for smoother weapon switching. Battle at lightning speed using a variety of weapons and techniques.
• Connects with PSO2! Move easily in-game between PSO2:NGS and PSO2.
• Cross-platform! PC and Xbox One players can play together side by side.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available for Xbox One and PC, and will support Xbox Series X|S in the future.