After an exciting few days of the Western world finally being able to access Phantasy Star Online 2, the IP block that previously kept the West out of the game has returned.
The IP block was removed in order to help alleviate stress on the servers for South East Asia IPs as these regions have been suffering from connection issues and maintenance needed to be done without the IP block to help resolve this. Players in the Western world are now being met with connection errors when they try to access the PSO2 servers.
This is obviously a huge blow to Western fans of the franchise because despite there being this English version of the game available to play for South East Asian IPs, there is still no official confirmation of the game being made available to Western users. The removal of the IP block felt like the first step into this direction but sadly it was not to be.
Hopefully these events have helped SEGA recognise how much of following the franchise still has in the West. All we can hope is that this whole ordeal makes an official Western release even more likely. Always believe!
A massive 12 minute preview of Hez’s Sonic Classic 2 fan game is now available to watch in HD on YouTube. Hez appears to be making huge progress on the game and I personally cannot wait to give it a go:
The original Sonic the Hedgehog Classic is still available to download and play on PC via this link.
SEGA Japan’s YouTube channel has unleashed a trailer for 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the upcoming M2 port for 3DS. If you have a 3D-enabled display you can view the trailer in its intended stereoscopic 3D format. Check it out below:
3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 launches in the West in September this year for the 3DS eShop. It will feature a new Ring Keep mode which halves the amount of rings you lose every time you get hit.
Myself and Titanscreed are embarking on a journey to play some of our favourite retro classics and we return for a new series of us both playing through Earthworm Jim for the Mega Drive. You can watch the first part below:
Tembo the Badass Elephant is due for release tomorrow on PS4, Xbox One and Steam as a digital-only title. The game is SEGA’s second collaboration with Game Freak (creators of Pokemon) and the first since 1994’s Pulseman for the Mega Drive. The game is stylistically similar to the rhythm-based platforming of Rayman Origins.
Hez has released some new gameplay footage of Sonic Classic 2 which features a playable Fang the Sniper/Nack the Weasel. It’s a cool little video that showcases the character’s Yoshi-esque moveset:
Sonic the Hedgehog Classic is still available to download and play on PC via this link. The original is a bit of a rarity among Sonic fan games as it’s actually a complete game and a damn good one at that.
Is this the year of dreams coming true for SEGA fans? The Western IP lock for the English version of Phantasy Star Online 2 has been removed. The game was previously exclusive to South East Asia IPs.
It is currently unknown as to why this has been done so please be cautious while downloading the game. The IP block might be restored at some point but it’s unclear at this time.
Click here to go to the game’s official website and download the game. Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play MMORPG so if your PC can handle it you have no excuse not to give it a try.
Please be aware that because this is the South East Asia version of the game, the English translation isn’t the best. However the game is playable if you can excuse this.
Yakuza 5, Shenmue 3 and now Phantasy Star Online 2. Always believe!
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