Editing Phantasy Star Online (section)

==Gameplay==
[[File:Phantasy_Star_Online_screenshot.png|thumb|left|A player battling enemies in the forests of Ragol with three other players]]
''Phantasy Star Online'' is an [[action role-playing game]] primarily played with other players cooperatively over the internet. Players take on the role of adventurers sent to explore Ragol, an uncharted planet.<ref name=":403" /> To create their character, they choose between a handful of races and classes, which define their abilities and statistics; for example, some types are better with "techniques" ([[Magic (gaming)|magic spells]]) while others are more skilled with ranged or melee weapons.<ref name=":38">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/phantasy-star-online-review/1900-2680252/|title=Phantasy Star Online Review|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=January 30, 2001|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=June 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161150/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/phantasy-star-online-review/1900-2680252/|archive-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

Players can play either online or offline. Online, players are brought to a lobby where they can chat and organize teams of up to four.<ref name=":39">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phantasy-star-online-hands-on/1100-2675449/|title=Phantasy Star Online Hands-On|last=Stahl|first=Ben|date=May 17, 2006|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143446/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/phantasy-star-online-hands-on/1100-2675449/|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref>{{Efn|The high player population in this part of the game has led some sources to label the game as a [[MMORPG|massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG)]]. However, other sources have explained that the main portions of the game are not massively multiplayer, only the lobbies.<ref name=":6"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fahs|first=Travis|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-dreamcast?page=5|title=IGN Presents the History of Dreamcast|date=September 9, 2010|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|language=en-US|access-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717032240/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/10/ign-presents-the-history-of-dreamcast?page=5|archive-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref>}} Team members can communicate by typing using a physical or onscreen keyboard,<ref name=":38" /> even when in different environments.<ref name=":39" /> Preset phrases are automatically translated between languages, and custom [[emoticon]]s are also supported.<ref name=":38" /> Players can also exchange "guild cards" to exchange private messages and see when the other is online.<ref name=":38" />

After organizing a team, players are transported to their own [[Instance dungeon|instance]] of the hub spaceship ''Pioneer 2'', where they can buy and sell items, store money and items, heal, and browse quests.<ref name=":39" /> At any time, they can transport to Ragol, where combat and exploration take place.<ref name=":39" /> The four environments '''''–''''' forests, caves, mines, or ruins<ref name=":39" /> '''''–''''' comprise winding passages and large areas where enemies spawn.<ref name=":39" /> Players fight enemies in real time, using weapons and techniques and collecting items.<ref name= ":21" /> Attacks can be [[Combo (video gaming)|chained]] for more accuracy and speed.<ref name=engadget/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Sonic Team |title=Phantasy Star Online: Episode I &II Plus ''instruction manual'' |date=2002 |publisher=Sega |location=North America |pages=37}}</ref> Typically, all the monsters in a room must be defeated to advance.<ref name=":38" /> Each environment ends in a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss battle]], which rewards the team with a large sum of [[experience point]]s.<ref name=":39" /> Quests, taken on ''Pioneer 2,'' task players with specific challenges; once completed, the team returns to ''Pioneer 2'' to collect their reward.<ref name=":39" /> Higher difficulties reward players with more experience points and better items. Some items can be used to feed the player's mag, a small creature that follows the player character and aids them in battle.<ref name=":39" />