Episode IV info

[JonathanF]

ST made an official press release concerning episode 4 today.<p>1. A demo license will remain Episode I & II only, up to level 20 for 15 days.<p>2. on the 30th, ST will launch a page for purchasing an activation code for the download edition to add Episode IV, at 3000 yen (about $30) <p>3. The music cd will not be included with the download edition. (I'd suspect that things would still be in .OGG tho, so just get winamp and convert them to .wav)<p>4. Only 1 activation key can be linked to an account, and once activated, can not be used on any other accounts.<p>5. You can continue to play Episode I & II without purchasing an activation key<p>6. Purchasing either the retail version or the download version activation keys will give the player a new rare item. 150 new items are being added to episode IV, and they will be recognized even with players who don't have an activation key.<p>7. February 3rd ST plans a maintenance to activate Episode IV. Please do not connect at this time. The maintenance and game reactivations have no set ending time so please be patient.<p>Episode IV is Blue Burst only at this time. Blue Burst is PSO Episode 1 & 2 for Windows 98+. <p> http://psobb.jp <p>[size=small][Edit by JonathanF on [TIME]1106078096[/TIME]][/size]

[LaconianShot]

I think I'll wait this out until I can be sure of no console release. Besides, I feel somewhat betrayed by ST... they shun their loyal console supporters by offering it exclusively on the PC, and what's more, make no new additions to the gameplay besides one "new" area that includes "new" monsters... in reality, they will behave no different then their equivalents. Lastly, 150 "new" rares is nice, but I can't help but be skeptical towards ST... seems to me like BB is just a cash-in, also made to silence all the "purists" (that's a pretty dangerous word, but I use it nonetheless) who cried about Ep.III being a card game.<br>Ho ho, I'll catch a lot of heat for that one. Yes indeed. Features that will decide whether I buy it or not are: offline play (I haven't the time to play online all of the time) and whether ST actually put some effort into this, or whether they treat it as a rehash... which is what I've seen evidence of.<br>

[ROMeo]

The gameplay and creatures are the same with different textures from what I've seen, but storywise it seems BB is the end of PSO in order to make way to PSU as the cinema teasers show what looks like the destruction of the Pioneer 2.<p>I wanna play it for the story, if only Sega received my credit card. ;_;

[JonathanF]

Actually its more than one area. There were 2 playable in the closed beta I was in.

[Lord Khyron]

Pioneer 2 was never destroyed. Episode 3 proves this.<p>Why don't you play it and find out? Instead of not knowing?

[LaconianShot]

Actually, BB is a <b>prequel</b> to Ep.III. Ho ho. Not many people will be pleased by that.<br>I will play for the story, oh yes... because I have enough money to shovel loads of it into my furnace for entertainment...<br>Eh, enough of my cutting sarcasm for tonight. Let's leave it at this: if ST impresses me (hey, it's happened before), then I will play it. Oh, and an offline mode is a must.

[HuBBsDoctor]

This is episode 4 we are talking about Khyron. Thats AFTER episode 3 sillyhead.

[LaconianShot]

Once again, it is a prequel. Just because it's Ep.IV doesn't mean it takes place after Ep.III, chronologically. Ah... Khyron, you posted some info about Ep.IV (including the time it took place after Ep.II)... would you mind digging it up?<br>

[Lord Khyron]

Hubbs, Episode IV is a prequel to Episode 3. If you look on the official japanese site, and watch the video, and get the translated intro, Episode IV is after Episode 2. <p>It is before Ragol was developed, the area is Mortis Fons.<p>It is even before Blue Star Memories I believe.<p>Look at Xenogears Hubbsy.. Xenogears was EPISODE V in the official bible works published. <p>Xenosaga is Episode 1, Xenosaga is Episode 2.. Episode V is still Xenogears and it came first!<p>Episodes don't need to be chronological<p>Hubbsy.. the official chronology for PSO is:<p>Prelude<br>In the year 3063, a meteor plummeted to the surface of the planet Coral. The scientific team dispatched to explore the crater found that the meteor contained a valuable energy dubbed 'Photon'. <br>Years later, an unmanned craft stumbled upon the planet that spawned the meteor. The government named the planet Ragol and quickly sent the colony ship Pioneer 1 to terraform the surface. The goal of this Pioneer Project was to secure productive land and further the progress of Photon research and technology. <br>The Pioneer 1 landed on Ragol in 3077. The colonists immediately began full-scale operations, beginning with the construction of a central dome that would act as their base of operations. While the colonists were busy trying to make a new life for themselves, another party was secretly excavating the site of an ancient civilization. As the excavation progressed, a powerful form of photon energy was detected deep within the ruins. Engineers decided that obtaining this energy would greatly help Photon research, and it was soon marked as a priority of the government. <br>Episode I<br>With the success of the Pioneer Project, a second ship, Pioneer 2, was sent into Ragol's orbit in 3083. As Pioneer 2 was opening a communication link with the Central Dome, an enormous explosion shook the planet's surface. The shock waves collapsed the Central Dome, effectively stranding the Pioneer 2 in orbit. <br>The chief officer of Pioneer 2, Principal Tyrell, ordered a private organization (Hunters) to explore Ragol's surface. Those that made contact with the colonists vanished -- the only explanation was an attack by the planet's native creatures. <br>All was thought to be lost until a young hero/scientist/daughter of Principal Tyrell, Red Ring Rico, began her own investigation of Ragol. As she searched the planet's surface, she left capsules behind her that would lead fellow Hunters to the secret behind the explosion. As she delved deeper into the ruins, she discovered a powerful being known as Dark Falz. It absorbed Rico's body into its own, gaining near infinite strength. The team of Hunters trailing Rico stumbled upon this abomination and met it in battle. Eventually, they emerged victorious. <br>Episode II<br>Even though Dark Falz was defeated, all was not well on Pioneer 2. In 3084, the ship was thrown into turmoil because the mysterious creatures of Ragol appeared to come back to life -- which fueled concern about the remains of Dark Falz. The Hunters sent to investigate failed to return. The government was quickly loosing control. <br>As the situation worsened, Pioneer 2's lab (which was in charge of overseeing Photon Technology) began an investigation of its own on the order of Chief Natasha Milarose. In the midst of an investigative probe, the team intercepted a message from an officer from Pioneer 1, Heathcliff Flowen. <br>The communications origin was the lone island Gal Da Val, which was located in the sea adjacent to the Central Dome. According to the government on Coral, Flowen, who was the vice commander of Pioneer 1's military, had died during the construction of the Central Dome. Hunters were immediately dispatched to investigate the island. <p>On Gal Da Val, the Hunters discovered a large experimental facility that was partaking in unethical research and development of Photon Technology. Scientists were creating their own breed of animals, which eventually turned against their creators. <br>A handful of Hunters bravely fought off these creatures, and unearthed more messages from Flowen. As they delved underground, they discovered that Flowen had been wounded in the battle with Dark Falz and was taken by force to Gal Da Val with other life forms. Once there, he was absorbed by a bio-weapon known as Olga Flow. Olga Flow was able to take on the appearance of Heathcliff Flowen, but the Hunters saw through his ruse and were able to destroy him. <br>Episode III<br>In 3090, Principal Tyrell was supplanted by Dol Grisen because Tyrell had been unable to explain the destruction of Pioneer 1. Under Grisen's dictatorial rule, Pioneer 2 declared its independence from Coral. Grisen, in his lust for more power, allocated the majority of the ship's resources to the military -- primarily towards the development of cloning Technology. <br>As Pioneer 2's scientists researched cloning in accordance with Grisen's mandate, they discovered an energy source that rivaled Photon in power. This technology, dubbed C.A.R.D. Technology, is able to seal the world's phenomena into cards. These cards can hold anything from animals and weapons to skills and techniques, which can be instantly materialized at the whim of the user. To increase the development of C.A.R.D. Technology, Pioneer 2 began the colonization of Ragol. <br>A group of Hunters on Pioneer 2 are allowed to use this experimental C.A.R.D. Technology to help carry out the requests of scientists, who are directly under Grisen's command. Most requests are to counter the acts of a rebel group known as Arkz. The Arkz have learned how to replicate C.A.R.D. Tech and have managed to apply it to the creatures of Ragol. With their new found power, the Arkz fight against the development of Ragol by Pioneer 2's government.<p>

[Lord Khyron]

ADDENDUM FROM THE OFFICIAL SITE:<p>"So far, it introduced as a "new episode", but long title decided in "episode 4"!<p>As for episode 4 several months later of episode 2.<br>Collision to ƒ‰ƒOƒIƒ‹ of the meteorite is all starts.<p>As for ƒnƒ“ƒ^

[Neo48]

To me, it seems like something to look into buying, console or no console. Why is that..because I am a purist!!! Haha. But its not my fault, I didn't get what I needed ut of Ep III.

[Benoit]

<blockquote><i>Originally posted by Lord Khyron</i><br>Episode I<br>[...[<br>All was thought to be lost until a young hero/scientist/daughter of Principal Tyrell, Red Ring Rico, began her own investigation of Ragol. As she searched the planet's surface, she left capsules behind her that would lead fellow Hunters to the secret behind the explosion. As she delved deeper into the ruins, she discovered a powerful being known as Dark Falz. It absorbed Rico's body into its own, gaining near infinite strength.</blockquote><br>That is horribly wrong. Rico Tyrell was from Pioneer 1, not Pioneer 2. Her investigation started shortly before the explosion.<p>Irene:<br>-Well, let me brief you on your mission.<br> Once you're on the surface of Ragol, check the status of the residential area.<br> Checking the status of the Central Dome is a good idea.<br> A transporter was launched earlier. You can go down to Ragol directly from the city.<br> It may be a little risky, so please be careful.<br> That's all.<br> ......<br> Um, excuse me...<br> Oh, sorry..., no, nothing. I wish you the best of luck.<br>-This is just between us, OK?<br> The principal's daughter was on Pioneer 1.<br> After that explosion, he's been constantly worrying about her. He can't even sleep.<br> This is a personal request. If it's possible...<br> Find out what happened to her.<br> He isn't in a position to ask you such a personal favor.<br> Red Ring Rico...<br> A famous hunter and a top scientist on Pioneer 1.<br> Rico's his only daughter.<br> Please, look for her!<br>-Red Ring Rico is the principal's daughter.<br> I hope she's safe...

[Neo48]

Yeah...everyone knows that. %)

[LaconianShot]

Yes, thank you Khyron.

[Lord Khyron]

<blockquote>Red Ring Rico, began her own investigation of Ragol. As she searched the planet's surface, she left capsules behind her that would lead fellow Hunters to the secret behind the explosion. As she delved deeper into the ruins, she discovered a powerful being known as Dark Falz. It absorbed Rico's body into its own, gaining near infinite strength. The team of Hunters trailing Rico stumbled upon this abomination and met it in battle. Eventually, they emerged victorious</blockquote> <p>There is nothing in that statement contradicting anything in the plot dialogue of PSO! O.o<p>Rico did her own investigation, she left capsules. She ran into DF..<p>Rico saw the damn explosion! So that means she was on Ragol before you even get there.<p>Nothing in that summary is false.<p>Most of Pioneer 1 was made into central dome. It's plausible RICO was far enough away to escape the explosion. HELL! Even in Episode 3 it's confirmed what the explosion did, erasing all remnants of Pioneer 1 ship wise and all it's people!<p>P.S. Didn't you realize that the whole opening movie of PSO episode 1 is a lie? Pioneer project was for Photon and D-cells, Not for damn relocation.<p>P.S. And we see proof that the hunters following Rico were absorbed by Dark Falz. "FROM THE DEPTHS" quest anyone? That doesn't say Rico was from Pioneer 2 at all. <p>God, stop attaching things not specified!<p>[size=small][Edit by Lord Khyron on [TIME]1106186015[/TIME]][/size]