| Hunters Gazette - October 15th 2004 |
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Episode IV has been long awaited for all who play Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst on PC. Announced during its BETA testing stage, fans across the world began to jump with joy, and in this issue of the Hunters Gazette, we take a dip in the deep end and reveal all we know about Episode IV officially so far...
Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst is currently only available in Japan (Officially Anyways!) however many PC gamers grabbed a copy at the first chance they had and imported the game A.S.A.P! And why shouldnt they? Its obviously a HUGE online game with a growing and never ending community and its a game they all know and love, except enhanced for PC! Aswell as being the standardised versions of Episodes I & II, Sonic Team also added many extras to make the game perfection! No corruption saving, no (well, less) cheating and hacking of items and weapons, and new team game modes.
This however is not enough for the typical Japanese PC gamer, and Sonic Team answers their prayers with a brand new episode, to the style of Episodes I & II (I.e. Not cards!).
Episode IV uses weapons, items, and characters already being used for Episodes I & II in Blue Burst, but in a whole new context and scene. Episode IV is set in the 'Stern Lux Plateau'. A previously populated place until a huge meteor struck down creating layers and crators for hunters to play in, and its your job to search the leftovers. Many screenshots have been released of this Episode, some artistic impressions of the final result, and some the areas of production... 
Also officially known are some of the enemies that can be encountered throughout the Episode. Below, artists impressions, and again the final pieces! 
Another aspect will be new weapons! These will vary from creature to creature but drops will be made, and new weapons can be found in the form of Sabers, Double Sabers, Slicers, and Handguns! Below was an official release of Sonic Team: 
The Episode will hopefully be fully up and running soon for all Blue Burst players to get to grips with! It is yet to be known whether the new Episode will be released for retail in shops as an expansion pack, or whether it will be online downloadable content for players to install. A sturdy release date is also unknown at this time but is thought to be either around christmas time 2004, or early spring 2005! Episode IV will also keep many aspects of Episodes I & II in Blue Burst including Team game methods and information. However it has not been announced whether or not there will be any extras for the Episode such as Challenge Mode or Battle, but obviously would be pretty darn cool! Thats all for this segment of PC goodness unfortunately though, as the end of the official information highway has been reached... although before we depart, there are many more amazing images which can be seen and a magnificent trailer for Episode IV! Links Below... For all the latest Blue Burst Announcements, keep it on Ragol.co.uk! On another note, it is being taken into consideration to hold a first ever Ragol.co.uk Phantasy Star Online, Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution League. Basically what would happen is people sign up, and battles are arranged, fought, and then names are organised in a league tables listing. If you like the sound of such a league then please give me feedback either via. E-Mail or on the Ragol.co.uk Forums! (Links Below). Hunters Gazette - October 15th 2004 - Credits |
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Hunters Gazette Edition by: Lee-yoshi
Images: Lee-yoshi from Sonic Team's PSO: Blue Burst Website
© Ragol .co.uk
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