Phantasy Star Universe

Phantasy Star Universe was created by Sonic Team as the successor to Phantasy Star Online, and its PC version was one of the two initial release platforms alongside the PlayStation 2. The game combines a linear story campaign following a member of the Guardians organization fighting against a threat called SEED with online multiplayer missions, in which players can combine different races, classes, and their own robotic companion Mag customized to the player's playstyle, whether melee, ranged, or technique-based combat.

Of all three platforms, the PC release offered the highest visual quality – sharper textures, higher resolution, and a more stable frame rate during hectic battles, where the console versions on PS2 and the later Xbox 360 would sometimes slow down due to lower performance. The controls were designed primarily for a gamepad, just as on consoles, so keyboard-and-mouse players had to deal with a less natural menu interface and combat system, which was not particularly adapted to mouse control, and many players preferred to connect a game controller to the PC version instead.

The online component ran on separate subscription-based servers and was separated from the console versions, so players on PC, PS2, and later Xbox 360 could not play together or share characters. Despite the less comfortable mouse-and-keyboard controls, the PC version remained the technically most advanced choice for players who wanted to see the game in the best available quality and were not tied to a specific console.

The PC release also meant that players without a game console could try Phantasy Star Universe from day one, widening the audience the game could reach right from its Japanese launch. For players who preferred an open platform, the possibility of future control customization, and independence from a specific hardware manufacturer, the PC version represented the most natural entry point into the game's world.

Why play: For players without a game console, who could try Phantasy Star Universe thanks to the PC version right from its Japanese launch – an open platform independent of a specific hardware manufacturer was the most natural gateway in.