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The Heroes and Races of Phantasy Star Universe
Get to know the major players in SEGA's forthcoming online RPG.
by IGN Staff
July 15, 2005 - SEGA's straightforward take on the multiplayer RPG market will be coming to a head next year when the long-awaited Phantasy Star Universe finally hits store shelves all over the world. But there's still a long time to wait between now and then, several bits of info to cover as well. To make the journey a little more bearable, your pals here at IGN have joined up with Sonic Team and the rest of the guys at SEGA to let you in on some of the more important aspects of PSU, the characters and their backgrounds.



Highlighted below is a closer (and official) look at the many races of Phantasy Star Universe, followed by detailed descriptions of the game's main protagonists. And just because we like you that much, we've thrown in plenty of new screenshots and artwork for good measure. We hope you enjoy the feature, and urge you to check back with us again next month for even more exclusive PSU goodness.



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The Races


Human
Humans are the most flourishing Race in the Graal solar system and are the root of everything that happens within it. They are the same as human beings on Earth in all aspects, including physical performance, lifespan, and versatility. Most humans live on Parum, and can generally be described as average.

Across the board, humans' attack, defense, mental, accuracy, evasion, and technique abilities are considered average. However, this can be considered a good thing, since they have no real weakness, and can be any occupation that likewise has no significant weaknesses.

Cast
Casts are machines created by Humans. Eventually, these machines evolved and developed free will, which lead to equal rights issues between the two life forms. At the end of the Casts' struggle for independence, a system to control Human society by Cast was established.

Being machines, they are rationalists. They excel at managing things, and strictly follow established rules. Cast to not improvise readily.

Cast have powerful defense and attack power that are beyond Human capability. They normally live on Parum, and their strength is in their ability to use guns. However, their ability to use techniques is limited. Essentially, their attacking strength and ability to evade are good, their defensive power and accuracy are strong, and their mental and technique abilities are weak.



A common Cast


Your typical Human


Newman
The Newman race was born as the result of the Humans' attempt to create their own superior breed. Humans drastically enhanced elements related to mentality in this new breed. Subsequently, Newman abilities are several times better than a Human's in reaction velocity of nerves, thinking power, memory, etc., but their physical performance is more limited.

Although they excel in Techniques due to their high spiritual strength, they have no advantage over other Races in physical strength, and are somewhat weak to damages.

Newmans normally live on Neudaiz. Their attacking power is poor, their defensive power is average, but their mental and technique abilities are very strong. The ability to evade and hit (accuracy) is good.

Beast
This is a race whose genes were altered so that they would serve as a labor force, mining resources in harsh natural environments on resource-mining planets. Beasts are normally calm, but if they go berserk, they can be quite dangerous. However, they are warm-hearted. Have a strong clannish spirit, and have an in-group, out-group mentality.

They are the most physically powerful race and have a special ability to transform into Beast-Man.

Beasts mainly live on Moatoob. Not very good with guns, Beasts do excel in melee combat. They have strong attack power and evasion skills. Their defensive abilities are good. However, their accuracy is only average, and their mental and technique abilities are considered poor.

Casts and Beasts also have the advantage of a special attack that humans and Newmans do not have.



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The Heroes



Ethan Waber
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: A 17-year-old who lives in Guardians Colony that gets caught up in the attack of SEED, as he came to see the ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Tripartite Ally along with his sister Lumia. In the wake of his action at the time of the first SEED attack, he becomes a trainee of a planetary private security organization, "Guardians," and works hard at training under Karen.


Karen Erra
Race: Newman
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: She has a three-year experience in actual fighting as Guardian, and serves as Ethan's instructor. Due to the experience of her mother being killed by native creatures when she was a child, and to the handicap that she can use no "Technics" despite being "Newman", she has been cautioning herself more than necessary and living stubborn as she strains herself, trying to be strong...


Hyuga Ryght
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: A "Guardian" who entered "Guardians Training School" in the same year as Ethan did. Hyuga is Ethan's rival and they have always been competing for the first place in "Fraballu Tournament (All-G Colony Championship Tournament)". Being a devoted adherent of Communion of Gurhal, he makes a move on girls, saying, "all encounters some from divine guidance," but he is of a smart-type and fairly serious-minded at heart.


Leogini Santosa Berafort
Race: Beast
Gender: Male
Age: 31
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: Goes by the name of Leo. He met Ethan when SEED came flying in for the first time, created an opportunity for him to participate in battle, and invited him to join Guardians. A good brother figure who watches Ethan, who easily gets hot at once. Although he has strength and sternness that suit his tough appearance, he cares about his partners and family much more than ordinary people do. Has a wife and a three-year-old son in Guardians Colony.


Mirei Mikuna
Race: Newman
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Affiliation: Guardians

Bio: Divine Maiden" who symbolizes Communion of Gurhal. A girl full of compassion and affection, even when she is away from the position as "Maiden," With her charisma and beautiful appearance, she offers mental and spiritual sustenance for people in Gurhal System.

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From PSO-World

The world is being overtaken by Casts, which were originally developed and created by humans. Eventually, they went out of their master's control and the casts were working on controling the human society. PSU seems to follow PSO's style. It's been said that everything is incredibly detailed, right down to the pixel. Swaying bushes, moving clouds.

The name of the solar system you will be in is called the 'Gurhal Solar System'. It will feature 3 planets within, all which you will eventually visit on your quest. The three planets are not very content with eachother, 100 years ago, the system ended the war that had been going on, and had a treaty that meant peace among the planets.

As for the story, in the beginning, a ceremony is going on for the 100th anniversary of the end of their war. (the treaty described above). Ethan was at the ceremony with his sister, Lumia during this event. As seen in the video, a fleet of Guardian ships are destroyed by several meteors just outside of the planet. During this, everything around Eathan suddenly catches fire, as SEED, an alien life form has declaired war on them. Lumia is stranded in the rubble, this is where you must come in and save her.

As how it compares to PSO, it seems to be the same form of gameplay, but more freedom. You still need to level up, fight bosses, and play with other characters, but you'll be playing real time with many other players. The lobbies are said to be massive, and able to hold many people within. PSU will also feature server side saving, and the game will be patchable if need be. There will be regular content updates along with events. SEGA has commented that they will support PSU for many years after it's release. Also, mags are apparently being replaced by another form of it, and not much is known otherwise.

The online element of PSU will be completely different than that of the single player adventure, plus it will get it's own updates. Expect to see similar events that PSO offers, such as celebrations for holidays.

PSU will be offered on two platforms, PC and Playstation 2.

I've heard alot about that, i just wish it was coming out before Christmas, but its not...gotta wait till Febuary >.<..

What system is it for?

Hmm...I don't have a PS2...but I do have a PC!!!! I need that game! twisted

How much memory does it take?