Phantasy Star Online 2 is a free-to-play game, but there is a membership option available too. Normally something like this makes gamers skeptical and invokes a pay-to-win scheme, but that's not necessarily the case here. If you don't know what Premium is or are thinking about dropping some cash in PSO2, let's take a look at what Premium adds to help you decide if it's right for you.

PSO2 gives you access to everything you need and doesn't bog down play. Bonuses are regularly available for simply playing the game, and leveling isn't difficult. Just logging in, completing quests, crafting and partaking in events will get you all kinds of EXP, Drop Rate and Meseta Boosters. There are even bonuses from just doing dailies, and these all stack.

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Gameplay items aren't pay-walled, and everyone gets the same drops regardless of status. Items that are pay-walled are almost exclusively cosmetic, and most can be purchased through Player Shops for Meseta, the in-game currency. You get access to 300 character and 200 account storage, 20 Client Order spaces and the regular Mission Pass Tiers, which give items for completing monthly, weekly and daily goals. You even get a small Personal Room your character can decorate, although it only holds five items.

There's no pay-to-win; the game is accessible. There are even other in-game currencies, similar to ARKS Cash or AC, you can get by just playing. FUN is easy to obtain and can buy consumables, boosters and items for your room. Additionally, there are FUN Scratch Tickets, like the AC one, but with less cosmetics and different items. It's gacha style, so what you get is random, and the prize list changes from time to time. FUN is gained by bringing player partners on quests, liking Looks in the Lookbook and giving Kudos and can be bought at the Ex-Cube Shop. However, Premium will let you collect a little bit extra.

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Going Premium has a number of perks if you want to flesh out the game a bit more. If you're a hoarder, you'll get Premium Storage, which adds an extra 400 spaces. Items are still accessible if your subscription ends, you just can't deposit anymore until it's renewed. You can take an additional 20 Client Orders, access Premium drink boosts, extend daily boost effects and gain an additional 50 percent Triboost effect.

Salon and Color Passes are available from certain titles or quests for one time use to change a character's appearance or item colors, but Premium makes them good for an hour. It's handy if you decide something isn't quite right and want to go back and change it. Afterwards, you can use the Premium screen filters and custom lighting in options for the perfect screenshot. You also get little bonuses like additional FUN, extra log-in rewards, more Symbol Art space and Collection Sheet capacity.

Some of the bigger add-ons include access to a larger Personal Room, your own Player Shop, trading, Alliance storage, Gold Mission Pass Tier and Premium Blocks. The Personal Room holds more space if you like decorating, but there is a chance to get a Three-Day Personal Room consumable from FUN Scratches, or you can buy it in the Player Shops. Alliance storage means access to items and the ability to help your team by depositing them. You can sell items to earn more Meseta with your own Player Shop to save for those cosmetics.

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There is a chance of winning a Three-Day Player Shop Pass through FUN, but it's very rare and they sell high in the Player Shops. Being able to trade is huge if you play with friends, as you can help each other out with equipment when you can't normally. Premium Blocks are reserved spaces on the servers so members can always log-in. The Gold Mission Pass unlocks the Gold Tier, which provides additional items and even unique cosmetics which can't be sold or bought. All this is available in one-month, two-month and three-month options.

There are some big bonuses to paying for Premium, but if you don't care about these things, it's not a necessity and won't hinder the game. Many of these perks are also available individually for AC, which may be a better option if you don't want the whole package or only want specific perks. StarGems are a good in-between because you can buy or earn them in-game and use them to purchase Material Storage and lite versions of certain AC goods and cosmetics.

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