Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Phantasy Star Zero

EMAIL PRINT ds

8.5 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 26 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 27 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Sonic Team

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: November 10, 2009

Summary

Phantasy Star Ø takes place on an alternate Earth 200 years after the Great Blank, a massive war that has reduced the once-prosperous civilization to almost nothing. The sole surviving Humans have worked hard to exist peacefully and have built thriving Cities. The Humans that adventure past the outskirts of these Cities, called Hunters, explore the vast wilderness and hunt dangerous monsters to keep Cities safe. Players will take up the role of Hunters and select from three types of races and different classes, as well as gender for a total of 14 customizable character types. Each character type will play very differently and give players access to a great range of items, armor and weapons. Featuring over 350 unique weapons, gamers will venture out on Earth, combat dangerous monsters to gain experience and meet new major characters. As players explore further, they will unravel the mystery of the Great Blank and discover a dangerous new force that must be stopped. Featuring both wireless and full Wi-Fi multiplayer options, Phantasy Star Ø takes advantage of the touch screen capabilities of Nintendo DS with the new Visual Chat feature. Gamers can now design their own Visual Chat commands that can be used in multiplayer modes. These Visual Chat commands will be displayed as text bubbles above the user’s character, enabling easy and fun communication when adventuring with friends. [Sega]

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Cheat Code Central

Easy online access, fulfilling single-player experience. Fun action with RPG elements makes the hunt for gear in an interesting world a real treat. If you own a DS and you care about quality entertainment, then you need this game.

Read Full Review >

Worth Playing

Aside from that, Phantasy Star Zero is a fantastic RPG on the DS and one of the first that's really nailed a lag-free online experience for four players.

Read Full Review >

Games Master UK

Impeccable online role-playing. Great for fans of the original, simple enough for newbies. [Apr 2010, p.67]

NGamer UK

Succeeds in delivering Phantasy Star Online to DS, but niggling flaws and missed opportunities tarnish an otherwise great online RPG. [Mar 2010, p.62]

Zentendo

Longtime fans of the series will appreciate how much loving care has been put into this product and, if you can find the friends, will provide countless hours of an addicting multiplayer adventure to take with you wherever you go.

Read Full Review >

Everyeye.it

Intriguing and deep, this Action RPG is a perfect tribute to the original Phantasy Star. Visual Chat and multiplayer options make it a damn good online game.

Read Full Review >

Kombo

It is worth it to give Phantasy Star 0 a shot, and it is just hard to recommend across the board.

Read Full Review >

Nintendo Power

It's a shame that the developers squandered the chance to really build upon Phantasy Star Online, but there's no denying that when you have a few friends at your side, Phantasy Star 0 is just as much fun as its grandpa used to be. [Dec 2009, p.82]

RPG Fan

It's not a game for everyone, but those who are fans of "grindfest" games like Diablo will have a blast with this game, especially considering you can play it while waiting in the line at the DMV.

Read Full Review >

GameZone

Phantasy Star Zero is one of those games that some will fall completely in love with while others just won’t get it.

Read Full Review >

Nintendojo

Phantasy Star 0 does have plenty of problems, with the troublesome camera and uninteresting and repetitive single player scenario standing out as the most damning. However, thanks to one of DS’s more solid online offerings and the very addictive nature of seeking newer and better loot, Phantasy Star 0 ultimately emerges as more than merely mediocre.

Read Full Review >

3DJuegos

Phantasy Star Zero is just as much fun as its original version used to be. Longtime fans of the series will appreciate this job.

Read Full Review >

Meristation

Phantasy Star Zero is a good MMORPG for the Nintendo DS. There are some flaws like the camera or the slower combat system, but the game knows its limits, and it fares rather well on the handheld.

Read Full Review >

Official Nintendo Magazine UK

Accessible, rewarding and rammed with action - but only if you're playing with friends.

Read Full Review >

Pocket Gamer UK

While the presentation is somewhat outdated and the single-player element is weak, Phantasy Star Zero nevertheless manages to distinguish itself with some incredibly entertaining multiplayer action.

Read Full Review >

AceGamez

There’s plenty not to like here, but equally, if you’ve got a couple of friends and a few hours to spare then Phantasy Star Zero will serve as a great time multiplayer RPG.

Read Full Review >

Nintendo Life

The inclusion of innovative features such as Visual Chat, the abundance of action, some witty dialogue and the presence of many traditional Phantasy Star elements help to secure this a decent score, and there is a lot to enjoy.

Read Full Review >

Cubed3

Phantasy Star Zero is a great action RPG and uses the DS' online capabilities well in spite of Nintendo's limitations, but it is let down by its inconvenience for portable play.

Read Full Review >

Vandal Online

Phantasy Star Zero is a good roleplaying game with a powerful online multiplayer and a lasting main adventure.

Read Full Review >

1UP

It looks fantastic as far as 3D games on DS go, and I'd rank it among the better loot treadmills currently available for the handheld. Just don't go in expecting a flawless -- or particularly modern -- experience.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Phantasy Star Zero gives DS owners a taste of everything that made Phantasy Star Online great nine years ago--and also what makes it seem dated today.

Read Full Review >

VideoGamer

Phantasy Star 0 doesn’t quite live up to the memory of Phantasy Star Online from 2000, which if nothing else, highlights just how far the genre has come in the last ten years.

Read Full Review >

DarkZero

As it is, Zero is far too hampered by Nintendo’s handheld to be worth a hearty recommendation.

Read Full Review >

Teletext GameCentral

The oldest online role-player on the block is definitely showing its age, particularly on the DS.

Read Full Review >

Gamestyle

It's sad to say that it's just not worth persevering through the tortuous controls. The story is not particularly gripping, and the decisions that affect the progression aren't provoking.

Read Full Review >

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Once those rehashed maps and frustratingly straightforward missions rear their repetitive heads, the limits of Phantasy Star 0 become apparent.

Read Full Review >

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Gatchaman E. gave it a9:
This is a great game! Sure the story isn't all that grabbing and the customization could be a little better. But the gameplay and the multiplayer makes this a very rewarding experience. If u have a DS, this is a must-own!

Callum E gave it a9:
I wish The Onion review would be taken off. It ruins the metascore of a excellent game. It's story is a bit weak but the online mode makes up for this. Great for Phantasy Star fans and it's a nice game for newcomers to start with.

Jesús M. M. G. gave it a4:
Some character customization, a good amount of races and classes, quite decent garphics, an a less than average history, all thos combined with a repetitive gameplay, limited advancement of the classes and a linear gameplay makes his game a BIG delusion for the gamers, I like PSOnline, and tought PSZero was a good choice for my portable console, but in less than 2 hours I had saw it all at the 4 hours I was soooo bored, with the frustrating and linear game, I finished it up in less than a week, between work and free time, and discovered it had sooo litle replayability value a BIG failura in the PStar series, mine is in @bay but I can't blame 'ny one if I cant sell it. Worth just a look in the mall, or a weekend rent if You are a PStar fan.

Jordan L gave it a1:
Almost completely unplayable. I can't tell you how many hundreds of hours I spent on the Phantasy Star series, going back to the original Master System game 20 or 25 years ago... The problems with PS0 are rife... No analog stick makes it hard to control your character. The DS controls are too small for the usual "Right Trigger to view action palette #2." The graphics are bad even for the DS which has never had good graphics. They're a throw-back to the Sega Saturn or Playstation 1. The animated cut scenes are nice, in the style of the Lunar games, but the bits you actually have to play are just terrible. Pass until it gets ported to a real game system.

Seek gave it a9:
The negative reviews are mainly because the journalists need to cater to the general audience. However if you're a fan of PSO or other online dungeon crawler action RPGs that fit the Diablo mold you'll enjoy having this portable version at your side.

bob s gave it a10:
Some of the negative reviews I have been reading about this game surprise me. The reason I say this is most of the complaints are based on them not liking the style of the game. (which lets face it is repetitive grinding, and character customization with friends). And while I can totally understand this type of gaming turning some people off, what I really don't understand is why THOSE people are reviewing the game? I mean shit you would have had to be living in cave to not know what type of game this is before reviewing it...and if you don't like those types of games you sure as shit shouldn't be reviewing it in the first place. Just like I would never review a football game for the same reason. Even if its the best football game ever made, I would still bitch about how bad it is to no end. IF you like the DC style PSO games, you will simply LOVE this game. If for the simple fact you get to play a game as robust as PSO on a portable gaming system like the DS (and being able to play with friends online might I add). For this reason alone it is honestly my favorite in the series right now. Having my grinding addiction with me at all times is simply amazing. There are downsides to this game for sure. The menu system could have really took advantage of some touch screen functionality, and also the online missions with "randoms" limits communications, and missions. But if you play this game using the "friends" mode..it is a blast, and honestly one of the best experiences I have ever had with my DS.

David V gave it a9:
A must have for PSO veterans, and enjoyable for newcomers as well. The storyline in a bit on the weak side, but the fantastic online experience more than makes up for it. Grab a few friends and prepare for hours of fun.

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Phantasy Star Zero

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases