I agree, which is the reason why I am worried the health of Phantasy Star Online 2 in launch is going to be bad, because it is a timed Xbox One exclusive. Until we get a PC release, it could be months following Xbox release. The PC launch is able to revitalize Phantasy Star Online 2 to keep it alive, assuming the Xbox launch is Phantasy Star Online 2 Meseta as dead as I envision it being. Perhaps Ido not know Xbox userbase sufficient and'm being too pessimistic, but I really don't watch Phantasy Star Online 2 with multiple thousand users after launch, on US Xbox One gamers only.
If you're itching to play with it, there is no reason not to go play it right now and get the fan translations. You will get banned for logging in from so that you do not need a VPN, someplace that's not Japan. The translation covers most up everything to chapter 4 so you dont have to know any Japanese at all. Phantasy Star Online 2 is in a fantastic place right now and it's fun though it is not at all like the original PSO (theres a good thing for the most part). It's free, so you have nothing. Dont get too invested since you will not have the ability to transfer progress.
Some things require 12+ people to conquer, but an extremely large chunk (maybe the majority) can be played. Grantedwe only ever played Super Hard, and not the Ultra Hard manner (all quests have difficulty alternatives, so technically if you would like to solo stuff you could just play everything on easy lol). In terms of grind, I really don't understand the western release is right now, but PSO2 is kinda in the Sunset phase. A few more years of service likely. Therefore, they are boosting the hell out of players, passing out millions of EXP and Meseta (cash ). Near all gear can be bought for in game cash, or you may complete missions for certificates which give you high end equipment.
It's definitely grindy, and your definition of"solo friendly" depends on your definition of solo. That being said, if you are not joining a team you are doing it wrong, and will be effectively punished for it as there are lots of bonuses and rewards that have handed out to being on a staff.
I played PSO 1&2 on Phantasy Star Online 2Cube. Solo. Or my own brother and I'd play. We have over lvl 100, I think we had been doing everything on the hardest mode (supreme? Please recall ) at one stage, I found it interesting how at a certain difficulty all of the stages shifted (or at least I remember there being adjustments, perhaps it buy PSO2 Meseta was only the supervisors ). I was being dumb and flipped Phantasy Star Online 2 away while conserving though. Ruined my rescue never moved back.