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.

Get ready, Arks! You are close to embarking on a new era of Phantasy Star Online 2, as SEGA will be hosting a global closed beta test on PC from May 14 through May 16, 2021.

Players are invited to register via the Xbox Insider Hub App now and reserve their spot to take part in this very special upcoming event. Those who join in to play the Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Global CBT will receive a participation reward, details of which are to be revealed at a later date.

"Since our big announcement last year that Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is in development, the number one question we get from players is asking when they will be able to jump in and play the game themselves," shared Fred White from PSO2 Team Global. "The whole team is excited to kick off the registration today of our extensive beta test which will take place May 14th-16th. Players have responded with overwhelming positivity and excitement for this upcoming development milestone and we can't wait for them to experience the game firsthand."

Experience the vast open world of PSO2:NGS, set a thousand years after the events of PSO2, for the first time as a PSO2 Global player. During this testing period, we will also collect your valuable opinions and feedback to make the game the best experience it can be. We are looking forward to your applications then!

Start Date: 05/14 06:00 PM (America/Los_Angeles)

End Date: 05/16 07:00 PM (America/Los_Angeles)

Platform: Windows 10 PC (Microsoft Store)

Registration Starts: 04/21 10:00 AM (America/Los_Angeles) via the Xbox Insider Hub App

This beta period will have a limited number of applicants who can register at a first come, first served basis, so make sure you sign up quickly once the registration starts!

New Quests and Incentives are Available Now in Phantasy Star Online 2

Phantasy Star Online 2 also welcomes two new quests. Final Battle: Space-time Interstice is a new Ultimate Quest that has players challenge the Primordial Darkness. Only senior-ranking Arks (those above level 90 on both Main and Sub – Class) should attempt this mission, as it is to be done solo.

Fire has broken out in the City Area of the ARKS Ship, and all available operatives must respond, as some citizens remain unaccounted for in the tumult. A rescue effort is being mounted, and the SWIRLING INFERNO ON THE ARKS SHIP must be extinguished to prevent further damage or loss of life. In addition, Officer Cofy will provide you with Rescue Guns; engineered to be more effective against FLAMING DETRITUS, which should be suppressed to ensure the safety of trapped citizens. It is anticipated that there are quite a few citizens in need of aid, so this Urgent Quest will be repeatable. Falspawn and other enemies of ARKS creep amongst the ruins to harass the survivors and further fan the flames. Destroy them and you may find they've picked up a thing or two amongst the wreckage.

This quest is available on Ultra Hard, though only to veteran ARKS who have achieved Level 85 on both a Main and Sub Class. You will have failed this quest should you exceed the time limit of 60 minutes.

Embrace the nostalgia of the Xbox One PSO2 CBT or the Windows 10 launch by using one of these two platforms to connect to PSO2 Global and you may receive special rewards! Participants will receive special rewards when meeting login requirements while using either the Windows 10 or Xbox One platform during the campaign period. Participants will receive special rewards for completing Recommended Quests while using either the Windows 10 or Xbox One platform during the campaign period.

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:

• "Worldview", "Game System", "Graphics Engine", and "Character Creation" have all been completely redesigned.
• Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis features an open world game system, with an updated battle system to take advantage of the new, persistent world.
• Players can move back and forth between "PSO2: NGS" and "PSO2" on the same PSO2 account!
• Empowered by a new graphics engine, "Character Creation" will offer more customization options than ever before. Players can also bring their character created in "PSO2: NGS" to the world of "PSO2". Also, players can share their character data well as lobby actions that obtained in "PSO2" to "PSO2: NGS".

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is in development for Xbox One and PC, and will support Xbox Series X|S in the future. While a Switch and PS4 edition is available in Japan, there is no news/conformation on whether that version will come to the West.