I'm probably slow off the mark here, but PSO2 is coming to the west. The windows version is out in Japan and there's an ios and android version mooted for late 2012 with NA and the EU getting the windows version in early 2013.
Watching the flash trailer on the website it looked reasonably good. Similar world design, I remember the yellow chickens and even the music bore some likeness to PSO's theme.
Then some of the player characters come into view and just no. Not for me.
Got my Sega ID, password. Downloading client. 3 hours to go, but I'll be amazed if it works as Sega PC games don't usually like my laptop GFX card despite the fact that it runs FFXIV. We shall see. Damn my lack of willpower.
No details on when this is coming out for PS Vita, then? That's the platform I think will suit this best. Buttons for combat/exploration, touch screen for item management/menu navigation.
Out of interest, what platform are people thinking of going for? Android, iOS, Windows or Vita? Oh, and does anyone know if every platform plays together?
For those with an open mind, wonders always await! - Kilton (monster enthusiast)
I'm waiting for my family to bugger off out. Got the Japanese client downloaded and patched up. It's currently on the title screen staring at me. Windows, android and Vita for me.
Given it about 30 minutes and it floats my boat so far. I've gone through the tutorial and made it to the first multiplayer hub. Worth a download to see some shiney PSO finery if nothing else.
I need to peruse the translation files in more depth, but I presume that custom emotes and triggered phrases are possible.
I get what Nexx is saying about the graphics. They're not top notch for a PC game, but they do look better when the models are moving about, jumping and firing. I'm presuming that I can tinker with the GFX settings too but there's only so much Japanese deciphering I can take in a day. Getting the game working was laborious enough, but I hope to add some polish in the next few days. It looks better than the PSP version and that certainly is more shiney than the DC original.
Character customisation was detailed enough for me. As Brooks mentioned there's a lot more effort put into face customisation than the body, but I was happy with what I could create. I usually go for a tiny Newman Force and I got what I envisaged.
I'll read up a bit more and have a stroll around the opening hub, hopefully I'll get a few more hours in soon. Failing that I'll crack having to look at translated menu screens whilst trying to log in and just wait until the western launch.
After a few sessions on PSO2 I've uninstalled it. Not because I don't enjoy it, more down to the fact that I enjoyed it a tad too much and I have unfinished business in FFXIV and PSP2. Funking around with Japanese menus is too painful for me and, as it's coming out in the West, I'll wait.  Speaking of which PSP2 is a top game and I've just hit level 60 (Newman Force) and the joys of A Rank missions.
Got a really cool wand to drop the other day that makes hearts appear around me when I cast any type of spell. Marvellous. Online community still active.