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.

SEGA today shared a new Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis Headline with information on current operations, future updates, and campaigns.

Today's Headline outlined the August updates, including the next Part of the Main Story, Alliance Spaces, new weapons, limited time quests, and more.

Chapter 6 Part 2

Chapter 6 Part 2 of the Main Story will be available on August 2! In a meeting of region leaders, Crawford announces Manon's return. Aina is happy to be able to fight with Manon again, but what kind of future awaits our three main characters? Mini Episodes will be coming along with the Main Story. Watch them all to see how each character reacts to what they learned from the battle on Leciel.

Alliance Spaces

Alliance Spaces, a new type of Creative Space for use by Alliances, are arriving soon. These are available as separate Spaces from the player's own personal Creative Space. They will be available for Alliances with four or more members. Alliance Spaces are fun places for communication; an Alliance Bulletin Board can also be set up as a handy way for Alliance Members to communicate with each other.

There will also be a new Retem theme! Changing the theme will change the appearance of the island from the previous Aelio look to a Retem motif, including Build Parts to help players recreate the atmosphere of the Retem Region. Build Parts can be purchased with Genesis Points.

In addition, Build Parts ported over from PSO2 Furnishings will be added to the lineup available for purchase with SG. One of these, the Conveyor Belt, is a unique element that allows players to move along the floor!

Leciel Exploration

Leciel Exploration—new large-scale standing content—can be played by up to eight players and is set on the floating island of Leciel that is visited in the Main Story. In this quest, there are special Ability Buffs to give players an edge! The objective is to acquire as many Ability Buffs as possible within the time limit, so get buffed up and defeat the boss enemy that awaits at the deepest level. Boss enemies are also strengthened with various abilities, so it is important to acquire these Ability Buffs to have the advantage in battle! Ability Buffs can be obtained by completing the conditions set for each room. Players can see available Ability Buffs on the radar map, so keep an eye out and collect them!

This quest is a random map that requires a different strategy each time it is played, and the key to success is mutual coordination and cooperation among friends. The difficulty level is slightly higher than regular quests, but even if you fail to defeat the boss enemy at the deepest level within the time limit, you will be rewarded according to the damage you inflict, so do not give up and challenge through to the end! The bosses Ruine Ragne and Ruine Hyunal wait at the deepest level. Both bosses are the new Ruinus enemy type and have distinctive visuals that may look familiar to ARKS who have played PSO2.They unleash powerful attacks, so stay on guard!

Verschmelz Series

A new series of 9-star-Rarity weapons will soon be available —the Verschmelz series. Verschmelz series is easier to obtain, and the Potential is an effect that always generates a critical attack. Explore the best combinations of Preset Skills and Augments!

In addition, the 8-star-Rarity unit Octo Armor also makes its debut! Plus, a new item, Growthment, will drop for Leciel Exploration. These can be exchanged for the 9-star-Rarity Verschmelz weapons and the 8-star-Rarity Octo Armor unit. Players can trade for these at the Growthment Exchange at Item Traders. Gather some Growthment to get great gear! In addition to being a Leciel Exploration drop, players can also get their hands on Growthment through Daily Task rewards.

Daily Tasks and Title Tasks will be added along with a new quest. Players can obtain the Weapon Camo Verschmelz Almati by completing the quest or defeating the boss at the deepest level, so be sure to give it a try!

Blazing Battle

Take on the Limited-time Quest: Blazing Battle, set on Kanai Isle in the Aelio Region! Up to four people can accept this quest, and the objective is to destroy all the enemies that appear across multiple Waves within the time limit. Players can increase the time limit by defeating a certain number of target enemies. The enemies will appear at various locations around the island, so use Sky Lifters and other field mechanics for maximum efficiency.

Quest: A Ruins Interception

Play the new 24-player Limited-time Quest: A Ruins Interception! In this quest, you'll face the Megalotix versions of Crocodylis Vera and Ams Vera in the Belugana Ruins. The boss enemies will be backed up by other enemies during combat, so split up to take them on while watching out for the boss enemies' super-powerful attacks.

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.

Key Features:

• Free to play!
• 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, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 players can play together side by side.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available for PS4, Xbox One (will support Xbox Series X|S in the future) and PC with cross-platform play.