Phantasy Star Portable is based on the Phantasy Star universe and it features a single player mode, including a Story mode, and a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. The retail version of the game enables the player to import the characters created in the demo version of the game.
The game offers the player a wide variety of options on creating a character. Everything from face model to voice pitch can be customized to the player's liking. Battles take place in third person and are party-based, with a limit of three party members. You advance through the main story by completing different missions. Character statistics increase automatically when you level up. The game also features an journal to keep track of items, enemies, and more you find along the way, providing information on them.