I'll admit it: there are times I turn to FAQs for help in getting through RPGs for those times when you just simply can't move forward in the game. Sigh... Recently though, we find that Phantasy Star Universe for the Xbox 360 and PC is no different (particularly because of the non-interactive interface, and the world, and combat tutorials in the 360 demo), so while the honorable player will still insist on earning his level-ups the hard way, he is not as foolish as to ignore some Word from the Wise.

And the Wiseman for today is Ben Harrison, product manager at Sega of America, who comes to us with this multiplayer tutorial video clip which was generously provided by Sega and IGN. He will walk you though the important steps of navigating the world of PSU, from character creation to combat central. Yeah, so it's still as non-interactive as the tutorial in the demo, but unlike the demo tutorial, we can rewind this one or skip forward at will.

Of course, it's also a short tutorial, only a little over five minutes long, so Ben's not going to be holding your hand throughout the entire game. You'll still have to search for FAQs for that, or something, but hey, let's be grateful. Neither Sega, IGN, nor we are charging you for this Word from the Wise, right?

Download: [PSU Multiplayer Tutorial Video]

Dazz informed us on our earlier post that the Phantasy Star Universe beta has been delayed, and this has stopped some gamers in their tracks. Of course, there's also the issue of having to pay US$ 10 for the privilege to play, when it's not exactly an MMORPG in the way World of Warcraft is. All in all, while we're excited for the game, we're wondering about the outcome for this Xbox 360 MMO.

Sega responds to the news, justifying the cost in their own way. In a story on 1Up, Sega of America Product Manager Ben Harrison explained, "With the online mode, we want PSU to be a highly interactive community that is constantly evolving and adapting to player participation."

In other words, the money put down by gamers will help pay for upkeep of the game and additional content down the line. This includes "quests, maps, bosses, enemies, weapons, armor, clothes, Photon Arts, SUV weapons for CAST and Nanoblast attacks for beast characters, My Room items and decor (including holiday themes)," and a host of other items, according to Sega.

While that's nice and all, postponed beta download dates do make a 10-dollar cost seem hard to accept. But, we do hope Sega gets its groove back and comes up with a hit of an online game for the 360 that won't be just a phantasy as well. If you have any ideas for them to keep PSU going strong, now would be a good time to send them some mail, if only to show concern for the games you love. Although... if there's a chance I can turn my room into a miniature torture chamber, I don't mind waiting a little longer for that option to be up.

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Update: According to Phantasy Star Universe's official forums, the open beta will be uploaded to the Xbox Live marketplace this weekend. The download will be up for two days, and you can play to your heart's content till October 18, when Sega prepares for the actual launch of the game. Good luck, gamers, and enjoy the download!