[Updated: 19th March 2005]

Episode IV is Here!!! After a 6 month wait from its initial announcement in July Sonic Team set the release date for Episode IV exclusively for Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst.

On February 3rd 2005, Japanese Hunters (And Import Hunters!) will be able to get their mits on the expansion pack for Blue Burst containing the whole new episode. New monsters, new story, same players!

Set off from the Stern Lux Plateau, and take down the new array of enemies. But what lies at the end is unknown???

Use your already compiled weapons, items, and friends with you on your perilous quest through the newly formed crator pit.

The Expansion pack is being released twice with the Expansion Pack solus and with the original Blue Burst bundled with Episode IV.

The game is also being released exclusively with the accompanying Soundtrack on CD for all to enjoy the new sounds and tunes ^_^

As i've already said, the official release date (Japanese) is February 3rd 2005 and will cost 3,800 Yen (3,990 Inc. Tax).

Roughly that converts into £20.50 (or $37.96).

To play Episode IV online you will of course require a good ol' Hunters License which is as follows:

• 1,200 Yen (including tax 1,260 Yen) for 30 days
• 1,000 Yen (including tax 1,050 Yen) for 1 month

Current Blue Burst Hunters License will be compatible with Episode IV Hunters Licenses, so you dont have to buy a new one just to play the new game!!

Below are the required games specifications:

	Required Specifications	Recommended Specifications
Operating System	Windows 98/Me/2000/XP Japanese edition (In case of Windows 2000, after SP2)	Windows XP Japanese edition
CPU	Above Pentium III 700MHz	Above Pentium 4 1.4GHz
RAM	Above 128MB	Above 256MB
HDD	Above 1.5GB (future patch consideration)	Above 1.5GB (future patch consideration)
Screen Resolution	Above HighColor 640x480	Above HighColor 640x480
Graphics	Direct3D correspondence Above VRAM 32MB	Direct3D correspondence Above VRAM 64MB
Sound	DirectSound (DirectX) correspondence	DirectSound (DirectX) correspondence
CD-Drive	8 time speeds or more	8 time speeds or more
DirectX	DirectX9.0b (Inc.)	DirectX9.0b (Inc.)
Network	Internet LAN - Effective line speed 256kbps	Internet LAN - Effective line speed 256kbps

Now time for some official in-game screenshots!

Weapons

Sonic Team have added to their official Episode IV webpage, with a list of all the new weapons available exclusively to the game! 35 new items will become available in total, 25 of which will only be available during certain times of the year (I.e. Easter, Hallowe'en, and Christmas).

Below are all of them, with a rough translation of their names and descriptions. Details of their stats are currently unavailable.

Picture	Type	Description
	Sword	Daisy Chains Easy to use sword with confusion as its unique attack.
	Rifle	レ オニア Easy to handle rifle, collected compactly and efficient.
	Partisan	March Fang Product Religion arms, for experienced players!
	Launcher	Meteors Rouge Unique attack destroys a quater of any enemies HP. Easy to handle weapon.
	Blade	Village Rains Name derived from the excellent blade which existed one time. Kills instantly using its unique attack.
	Saber	PSO5 Anniversary Commemoration Sword Letters are cut into the blade of the weapon, with a very edged design.
	Partisan	Nice Shots Very proof of the father
	Saber	Ten Hands Most effective when the enemy is being pursued, but the extent of the effect is unclear.
	Unknown	Injector Strange Weapon where appraisal is largely recongized by its user.
	Sword	Hammers Weapon with effective hitting!
	MAG	Cells 502 Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Cells 213 Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Parts of RoboChao Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Heart of Opa Opa Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Heart of the Angel Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Chao Heart Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Heart of Chu Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Heart of Kapu Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Hallowe'en.
	MAG	Heart of Angel Wings Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Heart of Demons Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Bar Moth Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Panther Spirits Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Mark 3 Kit Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Master System Kit Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Mega Drive Kit Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Saturn Kit Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	MAG	Dream Kit Kit of a MAG designed to deform. Only available during Christmas.
	Sword	Road of Art Created by part of 'The Ultimate Beam' which cannot be equipped. Serves destructive power, from which the eye has never before seen. Only available during Easter.
	Dagger	Akiko's Wok Indispensable pot from China which holds the highest combination. The style of Offense and Defense does not allow enemies near! Only available during Easter.
	Rifle	Rocket Fists Rockets that are discharged from the fist in the direction the character is facing. Consecutive attacks are not possible however. Only available during Easter.
	Launcher	Drill Launchers Attacks the enemy using drilling conditions. Tremendous power, especially with androids where a unique attack is performed. Only available during Easter.
	Unknown	Marina's Bag Emergency bags used at the Medical Center. Allows for gradual recovery. Only available during Easter.
	Claw	Panther Claws Female characters may only equip this weapon, a special claw with high accuracy and power. Only available during Easter.
	Bare Hand	Sonic Knuckles Weapon installed to increase spped and attack of 'human bullets'. Absorbs EXP. Only available during Easter.
	Card	Amoré Rose Valuable rose model which grew from nutrients in photons. Only available during Easter.

Exclusive Quest

Episode IV also comes immediately packaged with an all new quest which allows you to exchange any of your unwanted items for brand new weapons!

Heres how it works:

1) Everyone automatically gets 1 'Exchange Ticket' when registering Episode IV. The person wanting to use this ticket enters into the lobby indicated.

This ticket is required to use the Quest.

2) Select your Party.

Speak at the Lobby central counter, and enter an Episode IV game. You cannot enter this quest in Episodes I & II.

3) When entered into the game, approach the Hunters Guild counter. Make sure you have your ticket on you at the time!

4) You'll be asked to present your ticket. Do so by selecting it from your menu.

5) You'll then be taken to the Quest selection screen. Select 'Present'.

6) Select the correct option, and the quest will load.

7) Speak to the nice lady behind the counter. Nicely or she may bite, be warned!

8) Select the item you wish to trade for alongside the item you wish to trade in.

9) Hey Presto! Your brand new weapon. Try it out immediately ^_^

9 simple steps to glory.