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.

Today SEGA revealed the title of the summer update, new Limited-time quests, new level cap, new Line Strike cards, and more. The Realm of Awakened Phantasies is coming this summer; keep an eye out for all the phantastic content coming to spice up PSO2:NGS!

Coming June 4 – New Mini Episode, Limited-time Quests, Level Cap, and Animatics Face!

A new Mini Episode debuts on June 4. With Vael defeated, Halpha experiences a brief moment of respite. This episode depicts the feelings of each of your comrades as they reckon with the past and prepare for the future. Players can watch this episode by completing their Main Tasks.

A new Limited-time Urgent Quest: Shadow of the Fallen Star is coming next month. In this progressive quest, you are tasked with investigating the Crimson Realm which has suddenly emerged throughout the entire Retem Region. Pharia has been appointed as the operator to guide you through this quest. The energy readings from here are the strongest detected thus far. Don't let your guard down! Limited-time Tasks will also be added along with this quest. Complete the Tasks to obtain rewards such as 500,000 N-Meseta, Add Preset Skills Lv. 1, plus the Urien Body and Bior Body CAST Parts.

Next month, there will also be a new Limited-time Quest: The Citadel in the Forest. This is a revamped version of the previously released The Fortress in the Forest quest, this time featuring different enemies, enemy levels, and mechanics. Additionally, the field mechanics and enemies in this quest will change on June 11th. If players clear it in the first week of release, try giving it a shot after this date for a fresh experience. There will also be Limited-time Tasks and Title Tasks for this Limited-time Quest. Complete these Tasks to earn rewards such as Titles, the Hagith Hair hairstyle, accessories like Metal Claw L and R, and Smith Goggles!

The level cap for all classes will be raised to 105! In addition, the Enhancement Cap for weapons and armor will be raised to 100. This also means that the number of affixable Augments will go up to 8. The new 12-star Rarity Progre Armor series is also on the way! It boasts a +7% Potency Increase for your weapon and high stats befitting its higher Rarity! In order to acquire the new C/Ultia Domina Augment, you need High Domina Augment Capsules and C/Joindia from quests that will be releasing on June 4th. After taking on various quests and gathering the necessary materials, players can craft their own C/Ultia Domina at the Item Lab using Augment Capsules as Exchange Enhancement Materials.

12 new cards are coming to Line Strike! This fifth wave of cards will include characters from the Gurhal star system featured in Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Portable 2. Some of these new cards have serious centerpiece potential for new decks, while others bring fresh strategies to the table for existing decks. Be sure to check them all out. New cards will also be added to the Card Scratch Ticket lineup. Additionally, direct exchanges for fourth-wave cards and Line Strike cosmetics—such as card sleeves and playmats featuring Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Portable 2 box art—will be added to Card Recycle.

A new starter deck focusing on fifth-wave cards will also be added to the AC Shop! This new beginner-friendly starter deck focuses on using the "Buff Support" skill to boost the values of "Buff Ally" skills and protecting buffed characters using barriers. Following this update, Unranked Battles will support All-Ship Matchmaking. Many new rivals await. Engage in fierce battles that transcend Ships!

A new Face Option is coming – Animatics Face! Like the already-released Animatica Face, the Animatics Face lets you enjoy anime-like expressions. The new Face Option is geared toward creating characters with a cool, mature vibe. Players will also be able to toggle Big Canine teeth on and off/ Along with this new Face Option, PSO2: NGS is also holding a "Use the Salon to your heart's content! Campaign!" so players can see all the cool things they can do with the Animatics Face.

To celebrate the release of Animatics Face, players can partake in the Slay to Slay Campaign. Play eligible Limited-time Quests to get CAST Parts and special-edition Outfits! There will also be Pre-announced Urgent Quests, so don't miss out on your chance to pick up some amazing Outfits!

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 and PC with cross-platform play.