This content represents a substantial expansion to the core experience of *Phantasy Star Online 2*, transporting players into an entirely new setting. Released in 2017, this chapter shifts the focus dramatically by introducing a world steeped in medieval fantasy aesthetics, contrasting sharply with the established sci-fi environments of the base game. Players are thrust into a dimension accessible through a mysterious black hole, where warfare and strange phenomena dominate the landscape. This expansion is not a standalone title; it requires the base game, *Phantasy Star Online 2*, which operates on a free-to-play model across PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One platforms.

New Narrative and Setting: The World of Omega

The storyline of this expansion follows the player after an attempt to destroy the entity known as the [Profound Darkness] results in their transportation to an alternate dimension called "Omega." This new world is being corrupted by a substance called Ephemera, which is discovered to be a form of the [Profound Darkness]'s corruption. The central quest involves assisting a young girl named Harriet, who is tied to the fate of Omega, in freeing the dimension from this pervasive corruption. The narrative involves encounters with hosts of Dark Falz across Omega's four distinct countries, leading to confrontations with a mysterious antagonist named Elmir, who is manipulating events from behind the scenes. The atmosphere blends high-stakes science fiction elements with traditional fantasy tropes, creating a unique visual and narrative tapestry.

Introduction of the Hero Class

A significant addition to the gameplay mechanics is the introduction of the first advanced class: the Hero. This class is designed as an expert archetype capable of mastering all three combat styles: batting (melee), shooting (ranged), and law (tech/magic). A key feature of the Hero class is that its weapon utilization results in entirely new movement sets and attack patterns compared to existing classes, offering a fresh combat experience even for veteran players utilizing previously acquired weaponry. This class is positioned as a vital asset on the increasingly intense battlefields within this new content.

What gameplay changes accompany this expansion?

While retaining the core hack and slash/beat 'em up action RPG mechanics of the parent game, the focus shifts heavily toward mastering the new class mechanics and navigating the unique challenges presented by the Ephemera corruption. The narrative progression involves absorbing the essences of defeated Dark Falz hosts, suggesting new power acquisition methods tied directly to the storyline progression within Omega. The expansion integrates seamlessly into the existing ARKS structure, providing substantial new adventure content that rivals the scope of major updates in the base game.

Returning and New Characters

This chapter introduces a host of new characters integral to the Omega storyline, including Harriet and Elmir. Furthermore, familiar faces from the *Phantasy Star Online 2* universe, such as Xiao and Sierra, make appearances, often with altered circumstances or appearances, deepening the connection between the new setting and the established lore.

Are there any additional purchases required to access this content?

As an expansion integrated into the free-to-play structure of the parent game, this content does not list any separate DLCs or required purchases to access the story, new classes, or new zones, though the base game does feature optional paid items.