Star Ocean 2 receives the definitive remake that every classic PS1 RPG deserves.
Square Star Ocean Enix has recently been revisiting beloved RPGs from the original PlayStation era, with varying degrees of success. However, none of these attempts truly did justice to the source material until the release of Star Ocean The Second Story R. This remake, which will be available on PS5, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch from November 2, sets a new standard for PS1 RPG remakes, offering a visually enhanced version of the classic game alongside a host of quality-of-life improvements and intriguing gameplay tweaks.
READ: Q&A: Developing a Tool for Identifying Cancerous Cells Based on Their Membranes
Star Ocean The Second Story R, developed by Japanese action-RPG studio Gemdrops, revitalizes Tri-Ace’s 1998 blend of sci-fi space exploration and medieval fantasy themes. The game features updated visuals, newly introduced voice acting, and several gameplay enhancements. Playing it again has rekindled my love for the original, demonstrating that a retro remake can elevate the source material while preserving the essence that made it special initially.
Star Ocean
You can choose to play as either Claude, a starship captain’s son stranded on the medieval planet Expel, or Rena, an elf-like orphan with magical powers. Together, you investigate a mysterious asteroid known as the sorcery globe, whose impact unleashed monsters across the land. As you traverse the world and even journey to a futuristic sister-planet, you can recruit various characters such as a three-eyed bounty hunter and a swordsman haunted by demon dragons to join your party. While the storyline may not always be memorable, it leads to some truly bizarre and intriguing destinations.
The game boasts over a hundred distinct endings depending on your recruited characters and relationship statuses with them. In addition to the standard dungeon crawling and button-mashing combat, the game incorporates secondary skill systems that allow you to engage in activities ranging from crafting weapons to participating in an orchestra. The updated version retains the essence of the original game while presenting a more streamlined and engaging experience.
Star Ocean The Second Story R preserves the original game’s sprite pixel art, now enhanced with an HD touch-up for characters, NPCs, and enemies. The environments and backgrounds have been overhauled with a stunning new 2.5HD look reminiscent of Octopath Traveler. The new English voice acting varies in quality across characters but succeeds in enlivening the game’s verbose script. The soundtrack, rearranged by original composer Motoi Sakuraba, now features real string instruments and live band performances, offering a warmer and deeper sound compared to the original’s tinny tracks.
Combat in the remake has also received significant attention, with random encounters now appearing as small floating clouds on the map. You can choose to surprise attack or bypass these encounters altogether. The real-time battles retain their chaotic nature, but the addition of new gameplay mechanics such as staggering enemies with consecutive hits and executing timely dodges adds layers of depth to the combat experience. Moreover, defeated enemies drop orbs that grant temporary modifiers, encouraging players to approach battles more strategically.
One standout feature is the ability to chain multiple fights together in the overworld, multiplying the rewards for consecutive battles and making grinding less of a chore. These enhancements, along with the game’s visual and gameplay improvements, contribute to an overall more immersive and enjoyable experience compared to the original.
