Phantasy Star Online 2

Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) is a free-to-play online action-RPG developed and published by SEGA, launched in Japan in 2012 and later released in other regions, including a long-awaited Western release in 2020, across PC, consoles and mobile. The successor to the genre-defining Phantasy Star Online, it continues the series' blend of sci-fi and fantasy, casting players as members of the ARKS, an interstellar exploration and defence organisation, who undertake missions to varied planets to battle the corrupting force known as the Falspawn. PSO2 emphasises fast, action-oriented combat across multiple weapon-defined classes, cooperative multiplayer in instanced 'quests', deep character customisation and an enormous range of cosmetic options that became central to its identity and free-to-play monetisation. It supports drop-in cooperative play and large-scale 'Urgent Quest' events. Hugely popular in Japan, where it sustained a massive, long-lived player base across more than a decade and a major engine upgrade in PSO2: New Genesis, it was praised for its satisfying combat, generous free-to-play model and extensive customisation, even as its Western launch arrived years late. PSO2 stands as one of the most enduring and beloved online action-RPGs, carrying forward the legacy of the pioneering original Phantasy Star Online. A major engine upgrade, PSO2: New Genesis, later relaunched the experience for a new generation of players.