After eight years of waiting PSO2 Meseta, Phantasy Star Online 2 is finally available in North America--though not without some launch issues. Following a narrative intro and a couple of tutorials, PSO2 stops holding your hand and you're left to figure out everything. That would not be so bad, but since PSO2 is free-to-play, so sure things like resetting your ability tree cost money.
Luckily, this PSO2 manual is filled with tips to help newcomer's find their feet (or their jetpack legs) and avoid expensive mistakes. As soon as you've worked through the tutorial and are dropped at the Arks Lobby, in which you are free to roam around and visit shops, check out the hints below for some helpful advice about what to do--and, more importantly, what not to do. Like a lot of folks, you might have some issues trying to install and play PSO2. When many players are getting in just good, many others are operating into obscure and difficult to diagnose problems because PSO2 employs the Windows Store, and it is a messy, buggy program in the best of times.
If this does not help, try out this thread which also has loads of useful fixes to different issues, such as in-game stability and framerate. Players have rounded up a substantial collection of fixes for a whole lot of the most frequent difficulties, and until Sega and Microsoft start fixing some of those bugs, this is your best bet.
Following eight years of updates, PSO2 is getting a sprawling, unruly MMO with dozens of complex progression systems, items, and monies. You're going to feel overwhelmed by all the nuances and choices available to you. However, before you get lost googling every fresh proper noun you encounter, ride the narrative to the point where you're directed to talk to your bud Afin (introduced through the prologue) who can be found wandering right next to where you spawn from the Arks Lobby.
Now, you'll unlock Client Orders, a type of sidequest offered by many of the NPCs found in the principal player hub, including Afin. Luckily, all Afin's initial customer orders walk you through different systems like equipment, skills and methods, and more. These quests can answer most of your queries, giving a non-judgmental minute of clarity into several of PSO2's obtuse systems.
Do not dismiss Cofy's Client Orders, either. Any time Cofy or Afin possess a Client Order, you should prioritize doing them to buy Phantasy Star Online 2 Meseta since they'll often give you some helpful info or unlock something new to play. Client Orders from different NPCs continue to be rewarding, but not mandatory.