Sega has introduced a new Sonic crossover event for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis with $100 cosmetics that its community isn't pleased about. Celebrating the release of Sonic Colors: Ultimate, Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis has received a limited-time event where players can unlock a variety of Sonic-themed items for completing tasks. Unfortunately, Sega has received overwhelmingly negative criticism after the announcement, as fans are left in disbelief due to finding out they have to spend $100 to unlock all of the items.
Originally released in Japan in 2012, Sega's long-running free-to-play MMO, Phantasy Star Online 2 made its way to the west in 2020 on PC and Xbox One. Receiving a graphical update, some of its elements had aged so Sega created two versions, one for older players and one called Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. Updating its visuals once again, Sega adding new environments and story content in a separate "shared universe". This new version of Phantasy Star Online 2 was released earlier this summer and has received mixed to positive reviews. Though generally positive, negative reception has been gained from the game's implementation of microtransactions.
Outlining the event on an official news board on the Phantasy Star Online: New Genesis website along with an announcement on Twitter, Sega has introduced the Sonic Colors: Ultimate crossover event. Starting today and ending on September 29th, players can unlock items such as cosmetics, boosters, and rewards for completing different social events such as retweeting on Twitter, speaking in a chat, or joining an alliance. However, there is one set of cosmetics that fans have shown to be highly displeased with. The "Treat Chao'self" series of tasks, require the player to spend 10,000 AC to unlock all of its cosmetics. In other words, to unlock all of its items a $100 purchase is required, along with an additional emote pack which can be acquired for $15. Underwhelmed, fans have taken to Twitter to show their disappointment for the event, calling out Sega and stating that they have been overpowering the need for microtransactions and ruining Phantasy Star Online 2.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate is a remaster of the 2010 Sonic Colors that will feature upgraded visuals and support 4K resolution that comes out next week. Expected to promote the new remaster, the crossover event also allows players to gain unique easy to unlock Sonic-themed stamps, earrings, and shoes by logging in a consecutive amount of days or using the #NGSxSonicCollab hashtag. Sadly, unlocking Tail's tail costs $20 and Sonic's dash with previous rewards in the set requires players to spend $100, which seems ludicrous to fans.
Though no official response from Sega has yet been made public, the limited-time event for Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will run through September 29th. Players who want to grab the free Sonic-themed items can easily log in each day for their rewards without spending a single AC.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is available on PC, and Xbox.
Source: Phantasy Star Online: New Genesis, Phantasy Star Online/Twitter