Following the successful release of Phantasy Star Online, veteran developers at Sega's Sonic Team have returned to the studio to design this enhanced version of the multiplayer action adventure game. In addition to all of the features of the original January 2001 release, Phantasy Star Online Version 2 offers new areas, enemies, and quests, and even some new lounge-area mini-games to play while waiting for the party to assemble. This version also includes a new, higher difficulty setting and allows players to develop their favorite characters all the way to level 200. In addition, Phantasy Star Online Version 2 features special accommodations for player-versus-player battles to keep this particular style of play fair and from interfering with the rest of the game.