In this title, fans ofPhantasy Starwill once again become Operators for ARKS, this time working for space-faring organization Oracle. InPhantasy Star Online 2, ARKS Operatives need to explore and defend a new star system from the Dark Falz, entities who want to destroy the universe. While the efforts of ARKS succeeded so far, there’s more than meets the eye toPSO2lore.
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With the in-gameNew Genesisoverhaul exploring the adventures of ARKS Operatives of 1,000 years into the future, it’s evident that threats endangering the universe have yet to vanish. Before players venture inNew Genesis, what should they know about the world ofPSO2?
10Does It Have Anything To Do With The First PSO?
In the firstPhantasy Star Online, the planet Ragol becomes the new home of settlers from a ship called Pioneer I. Seven years later, a second ship called Pioneer II is on its way to add more civilians to Ragol’s new population. However, when communication with Pioneer I is mysteriously lost, Pioneer II sends the player to Ragol to investigate.
Those playingPSO2for the first time might wonder – if the game is a sequel, does this mean players need to know what happened inPhantasy Star Onlinefirst? Not necessarily.PSO2happens within its own continuity and timeline. Moreover,PSO2 takes placeacross a wide variety of planets, with more added as the game gets updates.
9Is ARKS Related To The Other Games?
Despite the separate continuity,PSO2remains faithful to the otherPhantasy Startitles with the inclusion of the ARKS Organization. As fans remember, Arkz is also a prominent exploration organization in the previous games. InPSO2, it still remains thepremiere exploration team,but this time for the colony fleet Oracle.
In terms of a timeline connection, however, ARKS remains an individual entity separate from Arkz. Moreover, ARKS inPSO2serves as exclusively a part of Oracle and not anywhere else. This cements the fact thatPSO2occurs in its own timeline.
8What Is This Oracle?
In thePSO2timeline, interstellar travel and space colonization has become commonplace. In this world, Oracle serves as the universe’s definition of a colonial fleet. Oracle sends a lot of ARKS Ships traveling across the universe to explore undiscovered areas.
However, as players will soon realize, the Oracle fleet will soon shift its focus into eliminating the Falspawn threat throughout the universe. In turn, players belonging to ARKS will eventually get more missions that deal with the elimination of Falspawn (throughadvanced weapons) and discovering their true nature.
7What Is Photon?
Players who get past their first few minutes ofPSO2will remember the abundance of flashy lights and the existence of “magic,” despite the sci-fi setting of the game. However, thePSO2universe does have a justification for this concept. Known as Photon, these magical lights are the same as the real world’s version of photons, which serve as the carrying particle of light. The people of the Oracle eventually managed to control Photons to help them travel the universe. They also weaponized Photons to combat the threat of the Falspawn.
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Fans ofPSO2who hear of Photon might remember the same concept from the rest of thePhantasy Starseries. Photons serve as a version of light energy that “forces of good” can use for their cause, be it in the form of powerful Technics ordevastating Photon Arts.
6What Are The Falspawn?
Every MMO needs a “universal threat,” andPSO2has the Falspawn. These creatures travel the universe to corrupt and consume. Even worse, Falspawn have the ability to manipulate space, letting them teleport over huge distances. Their mysterious nature makes them a huge threat for the Oracle, and ARKS are the only warriors that can handle them.
The exact nature of Falspawn remain unknown. However, Falspawn do actively seek and fight the native residents of planets they try to conquer. Sadly, the Falspawn almost always have superior physical skills that dominate those of the natives. In terms of gameplay, Falspawn possess a red core that players can strike to deal more damage.
5What Is The Dark Falz?
Players will soon discover that Falspawn colonies each have their own leader. Known only as a Dark Falz, these leaders all act upon the orders of a mysterious benefactor. Thankfully, Dark Falz are easily recognizable, courtesy of their stylish black outfits and velvet-colored accents.
Gamers who are longtimePhantasy Starfans will recognize the name Dark Falz. Inthe older games, the Dark Falz is also called the Dark Force. This entity served as the primary antagonist throughout thePhantasy Starseries, as the main embodiment of evil in the universe.
4Are Humans From Earth?
Fans who create their characters can select the familiar Human as their starting race. Though they don’t have an original starting planet, the Oracle soon discovered that Humans have a great potential for Photon control. In fact, it’s due to this natural aptitude that Humans became the basis for the other playable races in the game.
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Interestingly, there are Humans that indeed come from Earth. Known as Earthlings, they also have hidden aptitude towards Photon control. However, they also control something called Ether particles. Unbeknownst to them, Humans that tap into Ether can access the world ofPSO2through their avatars. That’s right —PSO2added the real world into their canon.
3What’s So Special About The Newman?
In terms of aesthetics, the Newman serve as the equivalent of the “elf” race in fantasy games. In otherPhantasy Stargames, Newmans have a great aptitude for Techniques and age much slower compared to Humans. They’re evolved from Humans for research, and as such tend to become much smarter than ordinary folk.
2Are CASTs Robots?
CASTs remain an iconic race throughout thePhantasy Staruniverse. Originally known as Androids, they cannot use Techniques. InUniverse, they were originally created as Human servants, but gained self-awareness. However, in the firstOnlinegame, CASTs deemed the word Android offensive and opted to use the term Humanoid instead.
InPSO2, CASTs are also an evolved race descended from Humans, with the goal of capitalizing on Photon control. During their first incarnations, CASTs were originally “new” bodies for people with massive Photon aptitude that their ordinary bodies couldn’t handle. However, when they’re transferred to a CAST body, a person retains organic tissue and can therefore still reproduce.
1Are The Deumans Also Beasts?
At first glance, the Deumans seem reminiscent of the Beasts in classicPhantasy Stargames. After all, Beasts are noted for their immense strength and animalistic traits such as horns and fur. InPSO2, Deumans also possess horns — so does this make Deumans similar to Beasts?
As a matter of fact, this isn’t the case. Deumans are a raceexclusive (so far) toPSO2. Unlike Beasts and Newmans, Deumans aren’t genetically-engineered species; rather, they’ve naturally mutated from humans. This also explains why their special characteristics include horns and dichromatic eyes. In the game’s story, Deumans are actually a temporal anomaly, who came into existence after a timeline change.
