Pioneer 2 finally completed it's long voyage to the new home world. But as the ship entered orbit, an enormous explosion shook the entire planet, and all contact with the thousands of people already there was lost. Now, in the first worldwide online console RPG, players from around the globe must unite to discover what has happened. Phantasy Star Online continues in the tradition of one of the most popular series of all time, and becomes a revolutionary and truly global gaming experience in an online, persistent world.

The story of Phantasy Star Online is unrelated to the original Phantasy Star series,[10] and is less substantial.[8] Threatened by the imminent destruction of their home planet, thousands of refugees arrive at planet Ragol aboard the spaceship Pioneer 2. As they establish contact with colonists sent ahead on Pioneer 1, an enormous explosion shakes the planet. Adventurers from Pioneer 2 land to investigate the explosion and search for Rico Tyrell, daughter of the head of Pioneer 2. They discover the planet overrun by monsters, and follow messages left by Rico leading to an ancient evil, Dark Falz.