Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is an expansion pack for the original Phantasy Star Universe game, which was released in 2006. While the original game had its flaws, this expansion attempts to address some of them and introduces new content to keep players engaged.
One of the highlights of Ambition of the Illuminus is the addition of new story missions. The expansion continues the narrative from where the original game left off, and the story is well-written and engaging. It adds depth to the game's world and lore, giving players a reason to keep playing and exploring. The missions are varied and offer different challenges, from intense boss battles to intricate puzzles.
The character customization options have also been expanded in this expansion. Players now have even more choices when it comes to creating their own unique avatar. The addition of new costumes and accessories allows for greater personalization, giving players the opportunity to stand out in the game's bustling world.
However, despite these improvements, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus still suffers from some of the shortcomings of the original game. The graphics, while serviceable, feel dated compared to more recent games in the genre. The gameplay can also become repetitive after a while, with the same type of missions being repeated with minor variations.
Another issue with the game is its lackluster multiplayer experience. While the expansion does introduce new multiplayer modes, the player base is quite small, making it difficult to find others to play with. This can hinder the overall enjoyment of the game, as playing with others is often a major draw for online RPGs.
In terms of music and sound design, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus does a decent job. The soundtrack is catchy and fits well with the game's atmosphere. The voice acting is solid, although some characters can be a bit cheesy at times.
Overall, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is a decent expansion pack that improves upon some aspects of the original game. The new story missions and expanded character customization options add value to the experience. However, the outdated graphics, repetitive gameplay, and lackluster multiplayer experience hold it back from being a truly exceptional game. If you enjoyed the original game and want more content, it's worth checking out, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.