Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
Encyclopedia
is the first expansion of Sonic Team's internationally popular online RPG Phantasy Star Universe
, available for the PC
, PlayStation 2
, and Xbox 360
. Released initially in Japan on September 27, 2007, for PlayStation 2 and PC, subsequent territorial releases followed on November 20, 2007, when North America received the expansion for all three platforms. This date also marked the worldwide release of the Xbox 360 version as it was available for download through Microsoft
's Xbox Live
service. Europe received the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus on January 11, 2008, and finally it reached Australia on February 7, 2008.
Although it is an expansion pack, the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus are standalone and do not require the original game to play. The Xbox 360 version, however, does require the original disc due to the expansion being downloadable content. On June 30, 2010, the expansion became free on Xbox Live. As of July 20, 2010, the expansion is required for users wishing to play online. An updated version was released at this time which contains GUARDIANS Advanced Content.
.
Shortly after the defeat of Magashi and the Endrum Collective, a mysterious group known as the Illuminus have appeared and threaten to exterminate all non-human races. The GUARDIANS themselves are under attack, and Ethan Waber is now wanted for an attempted assassination. Determined to find Ethan at any cost is GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez. As a new GUARDIAN receiving guidance from Laia, the player must search for Ethan and uncover the truth.
A new series of online chapters introduced by the expansion, having completed their training and become full-fledged GUARDIANS, players take the reins as instructors, passing on their knowledge to younger recruits while investigating the evil Illuminus organization. In addition, all of Episode 2 is available in the offline Story Mode on the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of the game and limited edition collectibles are given away as mission rewards, and some are given to your character at the beginning of the game.
While not running missions with other players, GUARDIANS can relax and chat with their friends in some of the expansion's new lobbies. These include Paracabana Coast, a beach front resort on Parum, Shitenkaku, a beautiful shrine at the summit of Neudaiz's Mt. Ohtoku, and Casino Voloyal, a popular casino in the Vio Tonga area of Moatoob.
Phantasy Star Universe
is an action roleplaying game by Sega's Sonic Team for the PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. In Japan, it was released for the PC and PlayStation 2 on August 31, 2006, with the Xbox 360 version releasing on December 12, 2006. Its North American release was on October 24, 2006, available in all...
, available for the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Released initially in Japan on September 27, 2007, for PlayStation 2 and PC, subsequent territorial releases followed on November 20, 2007, when North America received the expansion for all three platforms. This date also marked the worldwide release of the Xbox 360 version as it was available for download through Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
service. Europe received the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus on January 11, 2008, and finally it reached Australia on February 7, 2008.
Although it is an expansion pack, the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of Ambition of the Illuminus are standalone and do not require the original game to play. The Xbox 360 version, however, does require the original disc due to the expansion being downloadable content. On June 30, 2010, the expansion became free on Xbox Live. As of July 20, 2010, the expansion is required for users wishing to play online. An updated version was released at this time which contains GUARDIANS Advanced Content.
Continuing story
Ambition of the Illuminus picks right up where the story left off in Phantasy Star UniversePhantasy Star Universe
is an action roleplaying game by Sega's Sonic Team for the PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. In Japan, it was released for the PC and PlayStation 2 on August 31, 2006, with the Xbox 360 version releasing on December 12, 2006. Its North American release was on October 24, 2006, available in all...
.
Shortly after the defeat of Magashi and the Endrum Collective, a mysterious group known as the Illuminus have appeared and threaten to exterminate all non-human races. The GUARDIANS themselves are under attack, and Ethan Waber is now wanted for an attempted assassination. Determined to find Ethan at any cost is GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez. As a new GUARDIAN receiving guidance from Laia, the player must search for Ethan and uncover the truth.
A new series of online chapters introduced by the expansion, having completed their training and become full-fledged GUARDIANS, players take the reins as instructors, passing on their knowledge to younger recruits while investigating the evil Illuminus organization. In addition, all of Episode 2 is available in the offline Story Mode on the PC and PlayStation 2 versions of the game and limited edition collectibles are given away as mission rewards, and some are given to your character at the beginning of the game.
New Features
Ambition of the Illuminus introduced numerous new features to Phantasy Star Universe including new weapons, Photon Arts, missions, clothing, enemies, and more.New weapons
Four new weapons categories were added with this expansion, giving players an even larger arsenal at their disposal as they continue their fight against the deadly SEED and human supremacist organization, the Illuminus.- Whips are single-handed striking weapons which allow the user to attack multiple enemies within a certain radius. Though not the strongest weapon, whips are excellent for inflicting status effects on enemies. its best used on flying creatures(note: not boss)as it knockes them out of the sky making it easy to attack them and makes the battle shorter.
- Slicers are single-handed striking weapons which allow players to attack from a distance. When swung, slicers launch a photon blade which will home in on its target.
- RCSMs, or ranged combat support machines, are single-handed ranged weapons which hover over their user's left shoulder. Though these weapons share their appearance with MAGs from Phantasy Star Online, RCSMs actually are weapons which automatically fire shots at enemies within range.
- TCSMs, short for TECHNIC combat support machines, are single-handed TECHNIC-casting weapons. As with RCSMs, these weapons have similar designs to certain MAGs from Phantasy Star Online, though they really act as left-handed wands, allowing players to link up to two TECHNICs to them.
New areas
The universe of Gurhal continues to grow as Ambition of the Illuminus has introduced numerous new areas, missions, and lobbies to the system's three planets. A few areas of interest include the Habirao Forbidden District, a mysterious forest on Neudaiz filled with enormous mushrooms and an unusually high concentration of photon in the air, and Old Rozenom City, a once-thriving metropolis that was devastated by the crash landing of the GUARDIANS Colony, an act for which the Illuminus were responsible.While not running missions with other players, GUARDIANS can relax and chat with their friends in some of the expansion's new lobbies. These include Paracabana Coast, a beach front resort on Parum, Shitenkaku, a beautiful shrine at the summit of Neudaiz's Mt. Ohtoku, and Casino Voloyal, a popular casino in the Vio Tonga area of Moatoob.