Rating
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Two worlds, one fateful encounter. In an endless sea of stars, at the edge of the universe, two people who live in different worlds go on a journey to save planet Expel. Choose your path and witness an awakened destiny.
Details
- Released
- November 1, 2023
- Developer
- Gemdrops, Square Enix Creative Business Unit I
- Genres
- Role-playing (RPG) · Adventure
- Publisher
- Square Enix
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Star Ocean: The Second Story R Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Star Ocean: Second Story R takes what made the original so great and, instead of reworking it, went out and built a better experience around it. The excellent art design, the fantastic action combat, and the striking visuals come to life in what is easily one of the best RPGs of 2023 and a blueprint on how to make a great remake while keeping the spirit of the original alive.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is one of the best remakes I’ve ever played. From its polished combat to its lush visuals to its gorgeous sound design, this game has it all. And somehow it manages to make a game from the late 90s feel like a cutting-edge title. I am genuinely in awe of how Square Enix pulled this off.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an example of how remaking a classic game should be done. From the overhauled graphics to additional quality-of-life improvements that can make the frantic battle system even more enjoyable, Star Ocean: The Second Story R takes the best game in the series and makes it even better. Gemdrops could have just increased the resolution and called it a day, but instead put in the effort to make a truly worthwhile remake of a classic. This remade version is a must play for Star Ocean veterans, but would also serve as a good entry point for RPG fans who haven't got aro...
Star Ocean The Second Story R is a fantastic remake for a wonderful, classic JRPG. And it can run great on the Steam Deck!
Star Ocean: The Second Story R recaptures all the otherworldly wonder of its PlayStation predecessor. The rough edges of the original are now smooth to the touch, and the enhanced visuals amplify that classic pixel art aesthetic in a way that few remakes pull off. It’s a thoughtful snapshot encapsulating RPGs of the era, retaining all the passion and whimsy I remember so fondly. I loved this look back at Star Ocean‘s past, and I hope this marks a new beginning for the series’ future.
I knew Star Ocean: The Second Story R would be able to rope me back in with little effort, but I was nonetheless amazed by just how much it improves on the original game. Every angle I looked at seemed reformed with care and consideration to make the visuals and sound more beautiful, the combat more tactically refined, and the side jobs rewarding. It’s a shame the level grind is still here, but at least there are also options to alleviate it. I also wish you could test your battle strategies in some sort of training battle mode. However, outside of these small complaints, I stand by my belief ...
In this science fantasy RPG, choose between Claude or Rena, play through their perspectives, and unlock various endings. Recruit allies and defeat foes in fast paced real-time battles. Switch version reviewed.
Star Ocean The Second Story R is a modern remake that respects your time yet makes me disrespect it anyway by being so damn engrossing.
Star Ocean The Second Story R is a beautiful recreation of a wonderful RPG. It gives players plenty of options and multiple viewpoints to try the story out on. If you’re looking for a classic-style RPG to play, I recommend this one!
Second Evolution is an engaging action role-playing game that's just as enjoyable as its PlayStation forebear.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a product of its time as both a hardcore-adjacent PS1-era JRPG and as a host to several problematic romance mechanics. Its plot is exciting yet generic and is wildly insistent about how certain characters should end up together. But beyond that, you'll find a brilliant and modular character stat-building system, glorious battles, some fabulous character portrait art, and a wonderful 32-bit-inspired world for you to explore.
Much like classic JRPG tropes, their quest to get answers entwines with each other that could affect the fate of the world. While the overarching story might seem predictable, it is full of twists and riveting side stories that cement an emotional bond with party members. In fact, there are 11 party members you can come across during the adventure, each having a side story that adds more life to the overall experience. These are known as “Private Actions,” which give more background about party members and their origins using cutscenes in a town or an area of interest. However, Star Ocean: The...