Going to space is never a bad choice .
Having spend hours from my adolescent years going through the PSP remakes for the first two Star Ocean titles , I was more than thrilled to review Star Ocean The Second Story universal gas constant , the further - enhanced remake of the form of address released for the PS1 back in 1998 .
Remaking and updating a game to modern standards while keep the unparalleled aspects that made it special would be no easy enterprise . But Gemdrops took the task upon themselves , and I ’d say they did a pretty all-fired good job on that by render us the best way yet to enjoy this classical infinite opera house tale .
A Whole New Galaxy to Behold
With its duple - friend organisation , the adventure follows the tarradiddle of either Claude or Rena . The events unfolded will be mostly the same , with only a few portions disagree according to which one you pick . Both character have their personal journeys , and the stars confine all the answers they ’re attempt . This is the second claim in the serial , but it shares small connexion to its predecessor and can be fully enjoy as a resist - alone adventure .
Star Ocean was one of the many RPG series publish by Enix ( before they merged with Squaresoft ) back in the 90s . The 2nd title ’s PSP remake is the basis for Second storey R , and you ’ll quickly find yourself at home if you played it back in the sidereal day , with a few very welcoming additions find along the way .
The first major departure is in its completely remade looks . The promotion from 2D to 2.5D - style artwork represents both an engine rising slope and the game ’s own goal of settling itself as a “ modern classic ” that hug both tradition and modernness . The game looks good than ever did , and have cool new ambient visuals and character portraits help vastly with that .
Screenshot by Prima Games
There are also many impactful changes , such as usher in degraded locomotion ( the biz would be mete insufferable without it , to be honest ) , revamping the fighting system of rules , and impart excess feature like sportfishing and a appeal of Unique Spots . The biz reckon and feels retro , but introduces all of these modern changes that change by reversal it into an exceptionally enjoyable experience .
Despite the expression , combat is action - based or else of crook - based . But complexity has been added with the introduction of a unexampled dodge button . Enemies ( and the party ) now also have a “ Break ” measure , and depleting it translate the target stunned for a bit . Special Arts and Spells were rebalanced to specifically target an enemy ’s HP bar , Break bar , or both , and almost all power were remade to accompany these changes . Also , no more pausing during piece casts !
These change make fight way more interactional than the usual “ spam strong Spell / artistic production to gain ground . ” Mages are good now thanks to a high price ceiling , and that honest-to-god stain that battle royal belligerent are always respectable is fortunately work . foe have also adjust to this reality , so be ready .
Screenshot by Prima Games
A completely novel VA cast catch one’s breath biography into the encompassing primary casting . But only if you ’re play with Nipponese audio , of course . English voice acting and script are exactly the same as the PSP version . Like , literally the same . you may see it by yourself by compare scenes on YouTube . Fortunately , localisation principle still slap even after all these years , so it ’s not that much of a bummer .
While this technically bollocks up the ( absence of ) new taradiddle subject matter , there are still new activities that were n’t present in any of the plot ’s late incarnations , as well as new unlockable weapons and challenge . Do n’t expect much excess voice acting , though .
Octopath Traveler fans may enjoy it for the similar artistic production style , and the game might also invoke to those who recently play the similarly - named Sea of Stars . And one of the main similarities between all of these titles is found in their character - drive narration .
Screenshot by Prima Games
The promotion from 2D to 2.5D - styled computer graphic represents both an railway locomotive upgrade and the plot ’s own destination of patch up itself as a “ modern classic ” that sweep up both tradition and modernity .
Where Did All These People Come From?
The story is as JRPG - ey as it can get . Claude gets isekai’ed into a new major planet and meets Rena , a girl who does n’t know her literal parent and possesses remarkable healing powers that no one has seen before . The duo ’s journey across Expel ( and beyond ) searching for answers is packed with chance encounters with unique pattern from all across the population .
One of Star Ocean ’s main quirks is crafting your own company as you bid . Claude and Rena are the only required characters , while the 11 other possible member are entirely optional and sometimes command specific sidequests to be recruited . you could only have up to 8 characters at the same time ( include the protag duet ) , so that ’s another point for replayability .
While the tarradiddle revolve around the compulsory duo , throw off newfangled characters into the liquidizer has significant repercussions . You get to see side stories that bring circumstance to future scene , and some scenarios might be immensely unlike depend on who ’s present . fiber are actively switch the world around you and are often more interesting than the chief plot itself .
Screenshot by Prima Games
This is where Second Story R thrives , as ruffle up your party composition in each playthrough unlock different scenarios between the casting . The main story is n’t unfit , but persona interactions are the selling compass point here , specially with so many diverse individuals invariably clash their worldviews with each other . Two playthroughs with completely different characters would n’t be enough to see all possible event .
Events are observe in the course of Private Actions , or PAs for little . They can be triggered in cities and might get you some exclusive items while also providing more characterisation for the cast , as well as alter friendship values between the characters . These values touch the limited “ endings ” you get , another basic in the dealership .
PAs range from having a massive impact on the story to just being some heartwarming , gash - of - life scene between the roll . You have somber events like a kid grieve their parent ’s last to some really out - of - pouch moments when character get more ego - cognizant than they should .
Screenshot by Prima Games
You only use four characters at once , but benched team member also receive experience and can partake in battle through the new Assault system . They might do better in your team as an occasional summon or else of an fighting combatant . This guarantees that everyone commence a vital purpose in your political party , even if it ’s just as support .
Plant Plus Rock Makes a Good Defibrillator
Another of import view of Star Ocean is how deep its systems can get . unlock Modern Abilities with point obtained in battle can unlock Specialties , which can subsequently avail unlock Super Specialties that can also get a boost if your lineament has a certain Talent . They may be capable to develop new Talents with enough effort .
Builds are unproblematic at their inwardness , but Specialties ( the game ’s “ professions ” ) add a whole new layer to them . They ’re unlocked by leveling special Abilities , although the grind can be cut down by making items that now level them . Some grapheme have an well-fixed clock time with sure forte than others , so everyone ’s alone in a sealed way .
Eventually , you ’ll have enough point to max out everything , but most of your early game is teach how to balance Specialties between your cast of characters . A melee physical fighter character is well suited for Cooking since it requires charge the Knife ability , which increase STR , for good example .
Screenshot by Prima Games
Those Specialties go a long way . Some will give you new ways of exploring the world , while others can give you various buffs or even make fresh items . But my ducky is Pickpocketing , which is on the nose what its name paint a picture . No one is safe from your muggy finger . company member , royal family , elder or child , the whole reality is your target . And mugging is actually one of the respectable ways to get good particular early .
When it comes to particular creation , distance is the limit with a seemly infinite myriad of options in your hands . You ’re devoid to create any overpowered weapon / armour piece at any minute in the secret plan as long as you have the correct Specialties and detail . Leveling certain abilities can get you random items , so it ’s only a affair of save scum to get what you need to piece the perfect equipment .
you’re able to easily offend the game with some well - known combining , but finding out new , crazier methods is where the genuine fun is . Specialties can give you some crazy RNG results by combining herbs with other seemingly random material to get the best resurrecting point in the plot or working metallic element so they can become the perfect accessories for your mages . Add a shiny rock to a regular brand , and you might get an unbelievable weapon that carries you for most of the game .
And astonishingly , dedicating some time to those side activities is more enjoyable than it should be . I had a heavy time filling my Fishing Log , for example , and all of those exquisite piece of equipment I got along the way made it even better . It ’s all another grind at the remnant of the sidereal day , but anything goes as long as you enjoy it .
The fact that you may simply disregard those system during a whole playthrough is also interesting , as you may make the biz as much of a challenge as you want . you may choose to do any of the many infinite money methods to gear up for the upcoming conflict or forfend these wholly for a harsher , “ purer ” experience .
It ’s all another pulverisation at the destruction of the day , but anything goes as long as you enjoy it .
A Cozy Adventure Through New Lenses
The overall experience in this deed of conveyance makes it a great comfort championship if you do n’t feel like overthinking . Sure , you may spend hours planning your next steps and crafting the perfect items , but you may just say , “ sleep together it , ” and have some fun by coquet button and killing monster with garish skill . Combat is still relatively simple to pick up , except in the higher difficulty .
And this plot is prospicient . I mean really long . perhaps it drags for too long , but that ’s also proportional . But it highly incentivizes multiple playthroughs , so wait to be here for a proficient while if you ’re really invested . An entire run can last from 60 to 80 hours , depending on your pace , so sit back and take your sentence explore the galaxy . The game ’s as beautiful as ever , so enjoy your drive .
This is more of a personal matter , but as a stager of the previous remake , launch the biz on my Steam Deck for the first meter outright unlocked memories of me play on the PSP on legion afternoon after schooltime . My old 3010 model might not make any longer and has a stuffed battery , but it was my truehearted fellow traveller for years and deserves a belittled shoutout .
A worthy successor
How can I say it ? play it on a portable equipment somehow find like the “ right ” way to do it for me . I ’d belike go for the Switch version if I did n’t have a personal computer or a Deck . peradventure it ’s just nostalgia kicking in , but I enjoyed it much more on the small Deck screen than on my way bigger monitor , and if I were to guess , I ’d say I ’m not the only one who might feel like that .
Second Story R is the pure exercise of an old biz brought to a New age where game are always fighting for your free time and money . It takes everything good from the PSP version and adapts it to the contemporary gaming scene , wee-wee it right smart more approachable for fledgling and enjoyable for oldtimer .
Progress is smooth and faster , but the secret plan is still a authoritative RPG in its ascendent . you’re able to still comminute for hr and discover hundreds of blot out secrets on the run , but the wonky old systems and objectionable restrictions are mostly go , making it stand out as the definitive way of relish this news report . Tryhards and casuals both will love to dump some hours here .
A worthy successor
Be cognisant that repeating and grinding are always around , just like they usually are in those older titles . Do n’t forget the infernal amount of dialogue , too . If that ’s not your thing or you simply do n’t have time for that any longer , there are plenty of other good titles out there , as this is but a cockamamy niche plot . But it ’s worth give it a guessing if you ’re part of that silly ecological niche public .
Second Story R is n’t the holy grail of RPGs , but allow you displume thing like mug your own party members , throw them all detest you , and then give them a Christian Bible that makes them love you again is just invaluable . singular experiences get in many different ways , sometimes in the contour of favorable robbery . All of that hap during an heroic space odyssey .
