Developed by Sega Studios under the guiding hand of series creator Yuji Naka, Phantasy Star Universe promises to bring players epic online and offline gameplay. The solo offline adventure follows the story of Ethan Waber, a 17-year-old cadet who is trying to rescue his sister from The Seed, a force that has consumed the planet on which she lives. Players can expect to experience 40 hours of gameplay with an emotional story played out through cut scenes and character development.

The online component of Phantasy Star Universe will be similar to an MMORPG. Instead of teaming up with a few others in online instances, players will enter a massive world populated with the characters of other players. They can explore all three planets in the Grarl solar system, join other players in squads for adventuring, and develop their customized character into a powerful fighter.