Phantasy Star Online 2, SEGA's latest installment to the action-RPG series, will be free to download and play, the company revealed.
According to Andriasang, Phantasy Star Online 2 will use a item transaction system that will have players pay real cash for in-game items.
SEGA allegedly also revealed PSO2 will have a smartphone version which will be released on iOS and Android devices. The smartphone version will be different from the PC and PlayStation Vita counterparts in that it won't offer cross platform plan. The smartphone version will just share data with the two other versions. Other differences for the smartphone version include:
- Simpler character creation
- Simpler control experience
- A more "personal" and "simple" experience compared to the PC and Vita versions
SEGA has plans to hold the closed beta test in "late April" for Japan where players get to sample story elements from the game.
Phantasy Star Online 2 will arrive on PC first in "early Summer". Following that will be the smartphone version in Winter 2012. The PlayStation Vita version is expected in Spring 2013.
