Recent reviews by KaraSilverwood

PSO2 and PSO2:NGS, I can say after first starting in the Japanese Server during the launch of Episode 4. I started out alone and with no prior knowledge going into the game. The game itself does what it offers, a vast customization system, flashy but a bit janky combat, expansive skill trees (that you now have to pay AC and SG to fix in the classic version, but completely free in NGS), and a wide array of players from across the global.

The classic version first is very unforgiving if you're a new player as many events and handouts are no longer existing. With most players being veterans who've already completed the game and the final quest HTPD (The Primordial Darkness Hard Mode), Masquerade depth 999, and the time attacks of Rondo to flex with each other on. However on the NGS side you can jump right in and pick up and put down at your leisure. The story will carry you throughout the early progression as you get handouts and things to help you along the way.

Towards the Starless first part quest is when everything in NGS has to offer for you is fully unlocked, so you can skip the remainder of the lackluster story if you want to jump right in to the "endgame". For F2Ps there are things like dailies, weeklies, dext farming, and alnothe farming to be your main source of N-Meseta. However dext farming requires a more specific set up to min/max in which in a good group or a private farm you make 1.5m-2m meseta per hour spent (with either meseta boosters or 100% Rare Drop Boosters + 1 Hour Auto Sell Passes as the drops there adds up to your meseta count when auto-sold.)

I will be real with you though, with the game pushed from the ESRB to T to M, there has always been a slew of extremely lewd and cursed players who are unhinged and ERP in the local town hubs. Central City being the main criminal for that. People can be either toxic or cringe depending on how you approach them, but there are always a good bunch around. Making friends and connections will do you wonders in the game, both Classic and NGS.

Though the game loop is lackluster at best, having friends and making small and big goals helps you continue to want to play this game. I myself have spent 12k hours into this game, yet still find enjoyment despite I am beyond burnt out, fed up with the toxicity and lewdity, and have completed most major content in the game including HTPD in Classic. Would I recommend this game I would say both "yes" and "no". Yes, if you are the fashionista who loves cosplay, looking cute or cool or both, taking screenies with friends, alliances, or yourself, or don't have much time to grind so to do dailies and weeklies then scoot off. No because the game though not completely finished in NGS is brutal when it comes to gearing. As most things boils down to overly expensive augments, preset abilities, and expensive upgrading. Being a loner type will only get you so far as you'll be limited to solo only content or try-harding to the point you drop grands on the game.

My TL;DR if you do decide to play, find your niche, make friends, make a cool unique avatar, and just be yourself. It's both the game I love and hate, and could have been potentially one of the best Anime MMORPGs of its time. But because of sega's greed, monetization, and poor management, the game falls short of what made Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star.