Phantasy Star Online 2 Officially Out for Xbox One, Launching for PC Next Month

Just shy of a month after its open beta test kicked off on the Xbox One, the long-awaited Western release of Sega's Phantasy Star Online 2 is now official. With the beta caveat taken care of—you won't need to redownload it if you're on Xbox One—Sega and Microsoft have also announced that the MMORPG will come to the PC in "late may."

For now, this Springtime launch for PSO2 is limited to just the Xbox One and PC via the Microsoft Store. In Japan, the game is also playable on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft's Phil Spencer has said that it'll be available on "all platforms" later on. Though fans noticed a mention of Steam in the manual during the closed beta, Microsoft's service is currently the only confirmed place to get PSO2 on PC.

Starting today, you'll be able to reap the benefits of a daily log-in bonus for a week. Every day, Sega is providing players with free Half Scape Dolls, automatically applied consumables that revive players when they become incapacitated. Seems like a nice safety net for newcomers who're just starting on their PSO2 journeys and for players who're already tackling some of its harder content after a few weeks of playtime.

On Xbox One, Phantasy Star Online 2 is free-to-play, but there are optional in-game purchases and you will need an Xbox Live Gold account before going online.

USG Reviews Editor Mike Williams spent some time with PSO2 during the closed beta and found plenty to like, but also concluded that it's time for a follow-up built on modern tech. Hopefully if Sega ever does plan to launch a PSO3, it won't take close to eight years to come to Western audiences. Surely, if this launch of PSO2 goes well, that'll be more incentive to keep North America and Europe in the loop next time around.

Thanks, Forbes.