Possibly a newb?

[Kiten]

Helloes!

So, here I am typing in this forums, without an avatar but with lots of wonders.

I've always been fascinated with Phantasy Star since the DreamCast title, which I never got to play despite of my friend playing on it all day.
And now, after I corageously bought both main game and expansion and started enjoying the offline game as much as I can, I am more and more tempted from the calling of the true Phantasy Star: the online mode.

But, since this is a monthly-fee game, I think I should be sure about what I'm doing. I know I could just pay the fee for the first month and try it out, but it would be reassuring to know the community is active and the online gameplay is actually so much fun before bitin' it, you know.
I'll admit I already read through the forums before registering for a couple of days now... Let me tell you, many and many topics actually scared me off a little. Those topics didn't really appeal me as far as in community, reading about senseless debates over trivial stuff becoming actual arguments instead of silly talk. But that can't be the whole truth, now can it?

Soooo... Call me whatever, hate me, do what you want about the previously posted: here we go with the non-blahblah part of this post =P
... Hopefully.

Does this game need you to work a lot before you get to the cool stuff? I know the game's easy enough anyways, but I don't really enjoy the need for days of grinding when you're still a low-level.

Are the rewards for what you do worth it? I ain't talking about the items or the levels here, but about the satisfaction for actually doing the stuff you need to.

And, mostly: do you guys actually have fun playing this game? I know, silly question, you're here so, duh. But... I don't know, it's just the question I want to ask.

On a sidenote: I'd be joining the GUARDIAN ranks from the PC flank.

Thank you for your time spent reading this patiently, hoping you can forgive my silly english. ^^

[Aeryn Z.]

Hi! If you're familiar with IRC, you should join our channel. All your questions answered there and maybe you could get people to show you the ropes.

Inquire for further details, or look at the sticky.

[essen]

You already want to hang him?

[Talakara]

Helloes!

So, here I am typing in this forums, without an avatar but with lots of wonders.

I've always been fascinated with Phantasy Star since the DreamCast title, which I never got to play despite of my friend playing on it all day.
And now, after I corageously bought both main game and expansion and started enjoying the offline game as much as I can, I am more and more tempted from the calling of the true Phantasy Star: the online mode.

But, since this is a monthly-fee game, I think I should be sure about what I'm doing. I know I could just pay the fee for the first month and try it out, but it would be reassuring to know the community is active and the online gameplay is actually so much fun before bitin' it, you know.
I'll admit I already read through the forums before registering for a couple of days now... Let me tell you, many and many topics actually scared me off a little. Those topics didn't really appeal me as far as in community, reading about senseless debates over trivial stuff becoming actual arguments instead of silly talk. But that can't be the whole truth, now can it?

Soooo... Call me whatever, hate me, do what you want about the previously posted: here we go with the non-blahblah part of this post =P
... Hopefully.

Does this game need you to work a lot before you get to the cool stuff? I know the game's easy enough anyways, but I don't really enjoy the need for days of grinding when you're still a low-level.

Are the rewards for what you do worth it? I ain't talking about the items or the levels here, but about the satisfaction for actually doing the stuff you need to.

And, mostly: do you guys actually have fun playing this game? I know, silly question, you're here so, duh. But... I don't know, it's just the question I want to ask.

On a sidenote: I'd be joining the GUARDIAN ranks from the PC flank.

Thank you for your time spent reading this patiently, hoping you can forgive my silly english. ^^

Well, if you're not shy, and like to meet new people, then it's a great game to play. You do have to watch out for the bad lot, like any other game. It's very social-oriented, and I don't believe it's very much fun without a few friends around :3

Also, if you do start, please PM me on the forums, I'd love to help a new player out ^ ^

[IoraBlue]

I just joined the PC server too! Name's Iora, nice to meet you!

[Talakara]

I just joined the PC server too! Name's Iora, nice to meet you!

Oh? How far along are you? And class you hope to be?

Also, I'll be on PSU in about an hour if you (or anybody else even) would like to do runs.. Since mag2 delay, a lot of my older friends went poof =<

[IoraBlue]

Hi!!

I am a Cast, Ranger, level 12 now. Running around the colony and Parum on some missions :P

What is your name in the game?

[_Amy_]

Helloes!

Welcome to our crazy place! :P

Does this game need you to work a lot before you get to the cool stuff? I know the game's easy enough anyways, but I don't really enjoy the need for days of grinding when you're still a low-level.

Well, this really depends on what you mean by 'work a lot'. PSU is a game, and when you set yourself unreasonable goals, yes sometimes it can feel like work. But those goals are totally optional, and for those of us that set them, it's part of the fun.

To give you an idea of the rate of character advancement, i started a new character about two weeks ago, and started her off with some cheap C rank weapons i bought from other players' shops. She's now level 61, Wartecher level 9, and about half of my playing time over the last week has been spent idling in my room, or chatting with friends in a lobby.

Are the rewards for what you do worth it? I ain't talking about the items or the levels here, but about the satisfaction for actually doing the stuff you need to.

I'd have to say, in general yes they are. You'll always remember your first S-rank (mine was a 26% Lightning Bil De Axe), your first 10/10 weapon (a Magical Wand, for me), etc etc. And if you're like many of us, you'll feel a sense of personal achievement when you attain one of those goals, if you choose to set them.

The only goals that are really tough to attain, are the ones you really don't need to attain - such as getting 50% melee weapons, when 36%+ will do perfectly fine, are quite common, and are very easy to synth/cheap to buy.

And, mostly: do you guys actually have fun playing this game? I know, silly question, you're here so, duh. But... I don't know, it's just the question I want to ask.

Even outside of goal-setting, playing can be great fun, especially if you meet some nice people and make some friends.

Don't worry about people who get really serious about PSU. Many of us do from time to time; Even i have been known to threaten the guys behind the counter at Kesla-Vasla once or twice. But all that means is that we're enjoying ourselves. :P

Since you'll be on the PC/PS2 server, i'll be happy to show you around a bit, if i see you. Just say hi!

[Talakara]

Hi!!

I am a Cast, Ranger, level 12 now. Running around the colony and Parum on some missions :P

What is your name in the game?

Talakara

=< I don't come up with game tags very well, so I just use my name ._.

Anyways.. I should be on in about 20-30 min, I'll pm your forum account when I'm on :3

[Kiten]

Wow, that's some nice responces you have there!

Thank you for your reading 'n answering, you did more than I hoped for. I feel like I can give this game a try.

I'll just wait for the expansion pack to get here (I ordered it off from eBay) before I log in for the first time, since I bet that this way the online experience will be way better. Until then, I'll be testing the game offline-wise- especially now that I cleared chapter 4 and unlocked the extra mode. Wee, building up possible avatar apparences of my future online character!
... Even though I still gotta decide what class to aim for. O well, time n'fun times will tell me that.

Thank you again for posting in this topic, guys. =D

EDIT: I read something really really good... Right here:

To give you an idea of the rate of character advancement, i started a new character about two weeks ago, and started her off with some cheap C rank weapons i bought from other players' shops. She's now level 61, Wartecher level 9, and about half of my playing time over the last week has been spent idling in my room, or chatting with friends in a lobby.

This sounds like "grinding" is not contemplated in this game- at least, not THAT much. That is nice.
Not that I play MMORPGS to get the uber stuff, but I guess it's nice to be able to get to a nice point without a need to play for hours per day.

Mostly 'cause the most of the time, you'll be chattin'. That's awesome!