What a great find!!!

[Neo48]

I have finally found Phantasy Star Online Ep. III. It cost me $10

Time to finally continue the story...

[BenoitRen]

I thought you didn't like the game, which is why you didn't buy it before.

As fate would have it, I started playing again yesterday.

[Neo48]

I was and still am bitter towards a change of formula. Ep. I & II seemed like the perfect RPG for me at the time.

I also still have a distaste for turn-based RPGs. Don't get me started about Dragon Quest 9...

However, over the years I've grown older and wiser...and a while ago I decided I would try to find this game in order to see how the story unfolds first hand.

[Wing-0]

I was offered this game... But then the guy backed off... Bah...

[Neo48]

Well, upon first impression four hours in...

It definitely is still PSO. The music and art style is no different. In fact, the world is so similar that it almost feels like it could be tacked onto Ep. 1&2. Unfortunately, I feel detached from the locations...they don't seem to hold any specific purpose other than provide a battle grid for each quest (which is pretty much text based).

In one instance I did get some story provided through animated stills...but I think this was because I caught on to Ino'lis wanting to battle with Kranz. Is this the only way to achieve these moments? I feel they are good for story progression but missing out on them would be very disappointing. I've noticed other people suggesting preferences (e.g. Kylria wanted to start off with an escort mission) but when I search for them in the quests I can't find any matches. Once I finish some quests their speech bubbles change and I'll never know if I missed out on some extra story.

The card battle works I guess. I only lost my first battle once because I didn't know what I was doing. I did the tutorial and now everything seems easy (I'll never understand why ATP became Action Points and AP became Attack Power, haha. Talk about confusing on my first fight!). I assume the difficulty will pick up though.

If anyone can clarify the story thing for me, that would be great. Unfortunately the game didn't come with the instruction booklet.

[BenoitRen]

In one instance I did get some tory provided through animated stills...but I think this was because I caught on to Ino'lis wanting to battle with Kranz. Is this the only way to achieve these moments?

Yes, pretty much. With Kranz it's even worse because he has cut-scenes with Ino'lis and Kylria.

Something I didn't catch on to on my first playthroughs is that there are extra quests you can get from an NPC on each side. Furthermore, there are two sets of quests you get from them, and which one you get depends on which quest you do when you're forced to choose between two urgent ones. Finally, several cut-scenes are only available through these quests...

I haven't seen all of the cut-scenes myself yet because of not knowing this sooner.

Once I finish some quests their speech bubbles change and I'll never know if I missed out on some extra story.

Each character always has up to three dialogues with you in each tier. Talk to them several times in a row.

Each tier, with the exception of one, has one important quest that moves the story along. The other quests are optional and don't move anything along, but you'll want to do them anyway for more experience points, cards, and in some cases back story or cut-scenes.

[Neo48]

Yikes....I may start all over again and use a FAQ while I play. Seems like there is strategy in winning battles and in finding the story.

[BenoitRen]

You shouldn't need a FAQ to find the story now that I told you about the extra quests. Characters will mention they want to team up with someone when you can get a cut-scene out of it. It should also be obvious which characters always like to team up, which can also lead to cut-scenes.

As for battle strategy, you should learn as you go. There's a character on each side who will lecture you on the finer details, too.

[Neo48]

Ya, I suppose you're right. Kranz made it pretty obvious today that he wanted to team up with Kylria and she was already in a quest.

Battle strategy doesn't seem to intense yet. My favorite character to use so far is Kranz, he has a nice balance of power/range. Although being able to pump up a Force character can be devastating.

I find it hilarious that my only rare melee weapons are Flowen's Sword, Diska of Liberator and Braveman. Some things will never change.

I am really appreciating the music in this game. I think the theme for the Tower of Caelum has surpassed my old favorite of the Temple theme (no battle).

I'll continue on marching through the game...

[BenoitRen]

Kranz' Fixed Range ability is a boon. You can use attack-enhancing cards without your range changing.

Computer-controlled players in general have bad defense to Techniques, so if you're having some trouble, you can exploit that.

As you don't have a manual, I'll tell you about the 4 card stacks you can choose from after a battle. From left to right:

• Stack 1: higher chance of items (weapons, shields, Mags)
• Stack 2: higher chance of creatures
• Stack 3: higher chance of action and assist cards
• Stack 4: equal chance of every type of card