Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis arrives this summer

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The kinda-sorta sequel completely revamps the MMO's combat and visuals.

Phantasy Star Online 2's massive standalone New Genesis expansion is coming this June, Sega revealed this week.

Existing somewhere between an expansion and full-blown sequel, New Genesis is a complete overhaul of PSO2—introducing completely new gameplay mechanics and a gorgeous visual overhaul. While technically a separate game, you'll be able to transfer characters freely between NGS and old PSO2.

Phantasy Star Online existed as a Japan-only game for eight years before coming to the US. But in a tweet yesterday, Sega announced that New Genesis will hit Japan and the rest of the world simultaneously this June.

You might not even have to wait that long to try out New Genesis. Earlier this month, Sega announced plans to run a closed beta from May 14th through 17th, with entry applied on a first come, first served basis.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is pretty popular in Japan, and has always had a stubborn contingent of western fans who've put up with workarounds to play it. But resident MMO expert Steven Messner reckons New Genesis could be the expansion that finally fix the issues keeping it from being a killer MMO.

Natalie Clayton
Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.