Sega is in a strange position at the moment, having shutdown a couple studios and claiming they’re only going to focus on their big-named franchises. Apparently, this means Phantasy Star still has a presence in the West as Sega has announced that PSO2 will be released in North America and Europe in 2013. The Japanese version, the first new PSO in ten years, was released last week on the 4th of July and took the country by storm. Containing fast, strategic based third-person combat and a futuristic setting, get ready to plug back into the Phantasy Star universe.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play MMO that has a strong emphasis on team-based combat, obviously, and now micro-transactions. It contains massive worlds to explore, filled with bug-like creatures and many threats to your very existence. The Vita and mobile version have yet to be confirmed, unfortunately. For more on the game, check out their teaser site here.