Games SEGA DREAMCAST PHANTASY STAR ONLINE User Manual

Thank you for purchasing Phantasy Star Online. Please note that this software

is designed only for use with the Dreamcast console. Be sure to read

this instruction manual thoroughly before you begin playing.

Note: “Phantasy Star Online” will hereafter be referred to as “PSO.”

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -02
BASIC CONTROLS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -03
SOFTWARE KEYBOARD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 04
SAVING - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 04
STARTING A GAME - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -05
CHARACTER CREATION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -05
CHARACTER TYPES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 07
MODE SELECTION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -08
ONLINE NETWORK STRUCTURE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -09
THE WORLD OF PSO ONLINE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10
A TOUR OF PIONEER 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -13
PLAYING PSO - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -16
GAME DISPLAYS AND MENUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -19
OPTIONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27
ACTIONS USED IN PSO - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -27
WEAPONS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -29
ARMOR & SHIELDS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- 30

PSO requires a memory card [Visual Memory Unit (VMU) sold separately]. 15 blocks are
required to save the main game file and 30 blocks are required to save the guild
card file. Additional blocks are required to save any downloaded files. This game saves

automatically when you quit. While saving or loading data, never turn the Dreamcast power OFF,
attempt to remove the memory card or disconnect the controller. For details about saving, see p. 4.

1

PROLOGUE BASIC CONTROLS

Faced with the imminent dest ruction of their home wo rld, a large-scale evacuation plan known as
the Pioneer Project was established to find a new home planet. Unmanned probes sent into deep
space discove red a habitable planet th ey dubbed Ragol and the fi rst inte rstellar tra n s p o rt ship
Pioneer 1 was sent to establish a colony. After confi rming Ragol was suitable, the initial colonist s
b e gan pre p a ring the planet sta rting with const ruction of the central dome.

7 ye a rs late r...
Pioneer 2 comp l eted its long voya ge

w i th the main wave of re f u gees aboard
but just as th ey ente red orbit and opened
a communications link with the Central
Dome, an enormous explosion occurred.
All contact with the men and women
of Pioneer 1 was lost .

E xa c t ly what happened on Ra g o l ?

What is PSO?

PSO is a net wo rk RPG. Online you will meet a va ri et y
of people from all over the wo rld. Ove rcome language
b a rri e rs by using the fi ve language “wo rd select”
fe a t u re that enables communication with users whose
l a n g u a ge is diffe rent from your own. Organize a te a m
to play the game online or embark on Hunte r’s Guild
qu e sts, all the while chatting to exch a n ge info rmation.

Of course you don’t have to be online to play PSO.
T h e re is also an offline mode that enables ga m e p l ay.
Online or offline, we hope you will enjoy the exc i t i n g
wo rld of PSO.

PSO is a one-player game (fo u r- p l ayer when playing online). Connect the controller to be used to Control Po rt A.

Never touch the Analog Thumb Pad or
the Triggers L/R while turning the
Dreamcast power ON. Doing so may
disrupt the controller initialization
procedure and result in malfunction.

To return to the title screen at any time

during gameplay,

simultaneously press

and hold the A, B ,

X, Y and Start Buttons.

CAUTION

ANALOG THUMB PAD

DIRECTIONAL PAD

START BUTTON

TRIGGER L TRIGGER R

Insert a memory card (sold separately) into

Expansion Socket 1 of the controller.

X BUTTON
Y BUTTON
B BUTTON

A

When using the Jump Pack (sold

BUTTON

separately), always be sure to

insert the Jump Pack into

Expansion Socket 2.

It is not possible to play PSO without a memory card so be sure to insert one before starting gameplay.

TITLE SCREEN/

GAME MENUS/

SHIP SELECTION SCREEN

ANALOG THUMB PAD SELECT MOVE CHARACTER

D I R E C T I O NAL PAD (D-PA D )

L

TRIGGER

R

TRIGGER

A

BUTTON

B

BUTTON

X

BUTTON

Y

BUTTON

START BUTTON

NOT USED ROTATE CAMERA
NOT USED NOT USEDROTATE CAMERA TOGGLE ACTION PA L E T T E

GAME START RETURN DISPLAY THE MAIN MENU

CHARACTER

SELECTION

SELECT SELECT

ENTER

CANCEL
NOT USED
NOT USED D I S P LAY SOFT KEYBOA R D / WORD SELECT (TOGGLE = X)

V I S UAL LO B BY /

WITHIN THE CITY

CAMERA VIEW (Reset to behind character)

ENTER USE LOWER ACTION PA L E T T E

CANCEL USE RIGHT ACTION PA L E T T E

DISPLAY INFO USE LEFT ACTION PA L E T T E

IN BATTLE

2 3

SOFTWARE KEYBOARD STARTING A GAME

Use the software keyboard to chat with other players while playing PSO or connect a Dreamcas t
Keyboard (sold separately) to Control Port B, C or D.

SOFTWARE KEYBOARD

D-PAD/ANALOG THUMB PAD - - - - Select Characters

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Enter (to display text)

ENTER

B BUTTON - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Delete 1 Character

B S or

X BUTTON - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Toggle Screens
Y BUTTON - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Close Keyboard

EXIT or

TRIGGER L/R - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- Toggle Symbols

SIGN or

SAVING

A memory card is required to save PSO game data. 15 blocks of free space are required to save the
main game file and 30 blocks are required to save the guild card file. Additional blocks are required to
save any downloaded files. To save your game data, select “Quit Game” from the main menu. Never
attempt to turn OFF the Dreamcast power, remove the memory card or disconnect the controller while
saving. Also, the data may not save correctly if the memory card is removed/re-inserted during gameplay.

SAVING ONLINE

When playing online, select “Quit Game” from the main menu. To confirm
disconnection from the Network, use *@ to select “YES” or “NO” and press A to
enter and save your game. If you are playing with a team, you will disband from the
team. At this time, any experience points gained in battle or items collected, etc. will be
saved. If you disband from your team while on a quest and should the team complete the quest without
you, the entire team may not be eligible to receive the reward unless all members go to claim it together.

SAVING OFFLINE

When playing offline, select “Quit Game” from the main menu. You will be asked if
you wish to save. Use *@ to select “YES” or “NO” and press A to enter.

CAUTION

main menu)or if for any reason you are disconnected from the server while playing online,
any items or money (Meseta) held, left in the city or game field will be lost.

If you quit the game without saving properly (via “Quit Game” on the

TITLE SCREEN MENU

Once the title screen appears, press the Start Button to display the title screen
menu. Use *@ to select a mode and press A to enter your selection.

NEW GAME

save the main game data. Only one main file (one character) can be saved to
any one memory card. If a PSO file already exists, you will be asked whether to
overwrite the older file. Also, it is not possible to save game data without a memory card.

CONTINUE

*@$ ^ to select the memory card containing the PSO file you wish to play and

press A. A mini-menu with the options “OK” or “DELETE” will appear. Select load
(“OK”) or delete the file. Press B to cancel.

OPTIONS

WEBSITE

Select to begin a new game starting from character
creation. Select the memory card to which you want to

Select to continue playing a previously saved file.
Once the memory card selection screen appears, use

Here you can modify the various game settings.
See p.27 for details.

Use this link to access the official PSO website
or the SONICTEAM homepage.

CH A R ACTER CREATION

You will need to create a character whenever you start a new game.

SELECT A CHARACTER TYPE

Use $ ^ to select the type of character (see p. 7) you wish to use and press A
to enter. A brief summary is displayed under each profession/species header
alongside a graph indicating the attributes (see p. 6) of each character. Press A
again to proceed to the CHARACTER CREATION screen or press B to cancel
and return to the previous screen.

CHARACTER DATA

4 5

CHARACTER CREATION

CHARACTER TYPES

MODIFY YOUR CHARACTER

To customize the appearance of your character, use *@ to select a modification
item (see below) and press A. Then use $ ^ to select a style for that item (the
available settings will vary among different character base types). Use L/R to
rotate the character. Press A or B to return to the previous screen. Note that if
you press the Start Button while on the CHARACTER CREATION screen, all of
your settings will be erased and you will return to the CHARACTER SELECT
screen. Once you press OK your character will be assigned one of the 10 available SECTION IDs. Press

A to continue. (It is not possible to cancel after entering OK.)

MODIFICATION ITEMS

FACE

HEAD

BODY COLOR

HEAD

Use $^ to adjust the color with the RGB bars.

COSTUME

SKIN

The character attributes graph will give you a general idea of the strengths
and weaknesses of each character type for the following attributes:

HP
Hit

TD

Select a facial type.
Select a head type.

(Androids only)

Select a body color.

(Androids only)

Select a hair (or hat) style.

Select an outfit color.
Select a skin color.

Health Points availability.
Accuracy rate when attacking.
Technique Damage - rate at

which TP decreases when used.

PROPORTION

Use *@ to adjust the height and $ ^

to adjust the body size.

CHARACTER NAME

Input a name for your character.
Press A to display the software keyboard. After
inputting a name, press A again to enter. Note that you
can not select OK to proceed without inputting a name.

AUTO

Press A to automatically create
a character at random. Press A again to create a
different character, and so on.

Select to enter the character modifications.

OK

CHARACTER ATTRIBUTES GRAPH

Technique Points availability.

TP

Armor Class - level of defense

AC

against enemy attack.
Attack Damage - level of damage

AD

inflicted upon enemies.

CHARACTER PROFESSIONS

In the world of PSO each of the nine character types is one of three
species (human, newman or android) whose profession is either
Hunter, Ranger or Force. While members of each profession start
out with the same equipment level, the attributes of each character
vary according to their species.

Proficient with blade weapons,
we excel in close-range combat.

HUnewear

Hunter+Newman

My TP is higher
than HUm a r’s so
I have a much

b et ter balance
b et we e n
te ch n i que usage

and close-ra n ge
combat skills.

I n te rm e d i a te
o ri e n ta ted.

Proficient with gun-type weapons,
we excel in long-range combat.

HUcast

Hunter+Android
Among all the

characters I have
the highest HP. As
Hunters go, I have
the most attacking
power, and can
use a variety of
different weapons.
However, I can’t
use any techniques
because I have
no TP.

RAcast

Ranger+Android

I am famous fo r

my opt i m a l

a c c u racy ra te. I

can use all

weapons but no

te ch n i ques. I have

m o re atta ck i n g

p ower than any

other Ra n ge r.

HUmar

Hunter+Human
I am we l l - ve rsed in

c l o s e - ra n ge
combat, have a
balanced grow th
p otential and can
handle some
re c ove ry and
a t ta ck te ch n i qu e s .
Beginner ori e n te d .

RAmar

Ranger+Human

Though shooting is

do some atta ck and
re c ove ry te ch n i qu e s .
My grow th pote n t i a l
is the most balanced

of all the Ra n ge rs .

HUNTER

RANGER

my speciality,

I can also

I n te rm e d i a te

o ri e n ta ted.

FORCE

Proficient with
techniques, we
are best suited

for combat

support.

RAcaseal

Ranger+Android

I too am famous

for my optimal

accuracy rate

and can can use
all weapons but

no techniques.

While RAcast

may have more

attacking power,

I have the best

defense power.

FOnewm

Force+Newman
I can use all

te ch n i ques and am
p roud to have th e
h i g h e st TP level. Once
I learn a va ri ety of
te ch n i ques, I can
become a leader
on the battlefi e l d .
Ad vanced ori e n te d .

FOmarl

Force+Human

I am able
to handle

techniques

quite well

and I have

the most

balanced

growth

potential

as a Force.

FOnewear

Force+Newman
My TP level and

technique usage

is the same as

FOnewm’s but

I have more

defense power.

My slightly

lower HP makes

me a bit weaker

in close-range

combat.

Advanced

oriented

6 7

MODE SELECTION

After you have created your character you will proceed to the mode selection
menu. Use *@ to select whether to play PSO online or offline and press A. The
content and how to proceed will vary according to which mode is selected.

OFFLINE MODE

GAME DIFFICULTY

After you clear the game at this level, this screen will appear the next time you play.
Use *@ to select either NORMAL or HARD and press A. Press B to cancel. Clear
the game in HARD to earn the right to attempt VERY HARD.

OFFLINE PLAY

qu e sts for you to embark upon in the offl i n emode in addition to the main sto ryl i n e .
E s s e n t i a l ly you will proceed th rough the scenario alone. Howeve r, th e re are a number of NPCs (Non Playe r
C h a ra c te rs) with whom you will inte ract. You can also use the offl i n e mode to build your ch a ra c te r’s ex p e ri e n c e
and then make your debut online.

As with the online mode, th e re are a number of Hunte r’s Guild

ONLINE MODE

SERIAL NUMBER & ACCESS KEY

key from the label that was included inside your PSO package. Use *@ $ ^ to
select each character and press A to enter. Press B to cancel. Enter the serial number
as it appears on the label and select the enter key, then do the same for the access key. When you have
input both the codes, select ENTER and press A. This information will then be sent to the PSO server and
once verified, will be saved to the main file in your VMU so that you won’t need to input the serial
number and access key every time you connect. However, it is very important that you do not lose

these numbers or allow a third party access to them before you can register with the PSO
server. You must use the same Dreamcast to play PSO in the online mode.

CHARGES FOR ONLINE PLAY

You will need to pay for access time from your Inte rn et

S e rvice Provider (ISP) and any additional phone ch a rge s

needed to connect to your ISP’s access point.

The NORMAL level is automatically
selected the first time you play PSO.

The first time you connect to the PSO
network to play online you must input
the unique serial number and access

Inquires

S E GA Customer
S e rvices Depart m e n t
I n te rn et: www. s e ga . c o m
Telephone: 1-800-USA- S E GA

CONNECT ONLINE

SHIP SELECTION

Move to
Another

BLOCK

Move to Another SHIP

SHIP

SHIP

Once you have organized your team, you will be transpor ted to the city Pioneer 2 to begin play.
Here you and your team members can equip yourselves at the shops, etc. to prepare for your
expedition. When your team is ready, proceed to the main transporter within the city. Once inside,
select a destination on the planet Ragol (the game world) and your team will be transported there.

In the event you are felled by an enemy (p. 18), etc. you will be transported back to the city.

ONLINE NETWORK STRUCTURE

Each SHIP is comprised of various
BLOCKS from which the city can be
accessed. It is possible to move
between BLOCKS or to a different
SHIP via the BLOCKS and join a
team within the same SHIP.

SHIP (p. 10)

BLOCK (p. 10)

V I S UAL LO B BY (p. 21

INFORMATION

COUNTER (p. XX)

TRANSPORTER

(p. 10)

TRANSPORTER (p. 11)

ORGANIZE TEAM

(p. 10-11)

C I TY (PIONEER 2 - p. 13 )

PLANET RAGOL (Game Field)

Proceed to the main game story.

Embark on quest missions from
the Hunter’s Guild (p. 15)

Move to
Another

VISUAL

LOBBY

8 9

THE WORLD OF PSO ONLINE

Whenever you connect to the network via the ONLINE mode, the SHIP selection window will appear.
Consider this screen to be your gateway into PSO.

SHIP & BLOCK SELECTION

Use *@ to select the SHIP you wish to join and press A. To see how many
players or teams there are on a SHIP, select that SHIP and press X. After
selecting a BLOCK, you will be transported to the visual lobby there. You
can move between SHIPS and/or BLOCKS by selecting TRANSPORT from
the information counter. Use the transporter located in the corner to move
between visual lobbies within a BLOCK.

Another feature available on the SHIP selection menu is a quest downloading service which you can use
to download and save new quest missions to your memory card. Select “Download_Server” to display a
list of the available quests. Use *@ to select a quest to download press A. If there are not enough free
memory blocks available, a message will appear and you will automatically return to the previous screen.
For details on accessing newly downloaded quests, see p. 15.

CREATE A TEAM

Input the team name and password required for entry (if preferred) and set the
difficulty level. Once you enter the information, your team will be created and you
will be transported to the game field city. Other players can now join you. (Note
that if no password is set, other users can join simply by selecting the team name.)

A maximum of 4 players can join your team. Once 3 other players have joined,
the team will become automatically locked. Provided that any one member is still
connected online, that team will remain available for play. However, if all
members of a team return to the visual lobby or disconnect from the network, that team will disappear.

TEAM NAME - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Input a name for your team.
PASSWORD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Set a password to limit access to your team.
DIFFICULTY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Set a difficulty level of NORMAL, HARD or VERY HARD.
BATTLE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Set ON/OFF to enable/disable friendly fire damage.

Select this to create your own team and become its leader.

THE WORLD OF PSO ONLINE

TRANSPORTERS

V I S UAL LO B BY INFO R M ATION CO U N T E R

Once inside the visual lobby you can move around and chat with other users
within the same block in real time. Visit the information counter and select
“Organize TEAM” when you wish to create a new or join an existing team.
Select “Transport” to move to a different SHIP or BLOCK. Use *@ to select
menu items and press A to enter your selections. Press B to cancel.

TEAMS

JOIN A TEAM

BLOCK. Display information about the members in each team by pressing X.
Select and enter a team to join in and you will be transported to the city in
the field where that team is currently playing. A lock mark will appear next
to teams that require a password to join. If you do not know the password,
you won’t be able to join that team.

You need to belong a team in order to investigate
the planet of Ragol. To do so you can either join
an existing team or create one of your own.

Select this to display a list of the teams available in this

Use the transporters to move between SHIPSor BLOCKS to interact with PSO
users located in other lobbies. Use *@ to select a destination and press A.

CH AT T I NG IN THE VISUAL LO B BY

The visual lobby is where you can interact with other players of PSO. You can chat with anyone who is in
the same visual lobby. When playing the game or while on quests you will only be able to chat with those
players on your team. Another form of communication called Simple Mail is also available (see p. 26).

TOGGLING MENUS

display the software keyboard. With the software keyboard displayed, press X
to display the Word Select menu and then press X again to display the Symbol
Chat menu. Press X once more to toggle back to the software keyboard.

Press Y at any time during gameplay to

10 11