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Game Information

Game Title: Star Ocean The Second Story R

Platforms:

• PlayStation 5 (Nov 2, 2023)
• PlayStation 4 (Nov 2, 2023)
• Nintendo Switch (Nov 2, 2023)
• PC (Nov 2, 2023)

Trailer:

• Star Ocean The Second Story R - Claude C. Kenny Trailer
• STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R - Announce Trailer
• STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R - Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch

Developer: Gemdrops
Publisher: Square Enix

Review Aggregator:

Metacritic - 87 average based on 15 Critic Reviews

OpenCritic - 86 average - 94% recommended

Written Critic Reviews


Atomix - Alberto Desfassiaux - Spanish - 90 / 100

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is much more than a visual remake of the PlayStation classic. Gemdrops reworked a lot of the gameplay system and also aded tons of quality of life improvements that resulted in a better game than the original. A 2023 surprise, no doubt.

CGMagazine - Chris De Hoog - 8.5 / 10

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a lovingly-crafted remaster of a golden age RPG that offers a replayable and approachably complex adventure.

Checkpoint Gaming - Charlie Kelly - 8.5 / 10

Star Ocean: The Second Story R serves as a reminder from Square Enix that this is an RPG property not to be ignored. On offer is one of the most enjoyable of its genre I've played in some time with a heartfelt story, colourful cast, and a wonderful fusion of both fantasy and science fiction goodness. The quality doesn't end there, though. Deep leveling and specialistion systems make for meaningful refining of your party, becoming more self-sufficient the further along you get. This complements some battle encounters that are deeper than many other RPGs on the market, always keeping you on your toes. One or two quality-of-life additions that could've been better implemented aren't a worry for long when you also consider how gorgeous the world of Expel really is, with its characters popping off your screen. A killer title to convert newcomers and satiate longtime fans, this remake is one for all and all for one. Star Ocean forever.

Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - Essential

Star Ocean The Second Story R is what a remake should be — a project that finely tunes and updates the original. The attention to detail, the upgraded environments, and the changes to the combat deliver an incredible experience.

GameSpot - George Yang - 8 / 10

Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes a good balance of retro and modernity with its throwback visuals and new combat mechanics.

GamingTrend - David Flynn - 70 / 100

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a wildly inconsistent package, with the ending portions falling off greatly in quality, but still a mostly fun game. Battle and its surrounding systems can have a lot of variation depending on your party and how you choose to play. However, it lacks polish in many areas making it very difficult to want to finish.

Hey Poor Player - Kenny McKee - 4.5 / 5

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a true treat for both series veterans and newcomers alike, going far beyond the scope of traditional remakes and bringing The Second Story to a brand-new, and completely wonderful, level.

Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Leo - 80 / 100

Coupled with an inviting HD-2D look that combines pixel art and 3D graphics that really invites you to play/replay it for copious amounts of time, this Star Ocean remake is worth diving into. If you crave 90s JRPG action with a lot of unlockables and power-up options, optional party members with backstories to uncover, and fast-paced combat, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a no-brainer that will get you into its scifi hooks.

Nintendo Life - Mitch Vogel - 9 / 10

In a year overflowing with outstanding new RPGs, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is among the very best of them. This revival of a PlayStation classic does a thorough job of mixing modern game design and artistic elements with old-school sensibilities to make for one of the most impressive RPG releases of 2023. A lengthy, player-driven story, thrilling combat system, gorgeous new visual style, and remixed soundtrack all come together to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make to any RPG fan. If you're even vaguely interested in picking this up, we'd encourage you to do so as soon as you can; Star Ocean: The Second Story R is comfortably the best entry in this series.

One More Game - Chris Garcia - Buy

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a superb remake that takes an already content-heavy game and further improves the adventure with meaningful additions that enhance the experience by a wide margin. From simple quality-of-life conveniences to added crafting and customizing depth, Star Ocean The Second Story R does not disappoint.

Despite launching in between big releases, Star Ocean The Second Story R is a fantastic RPG experience that shouldn’t be overlooked. Fans of the original will be pleased with the breadth and scope that the remake offers, while newcomers can use this as a stepping stone to dive further into the series.

PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 90 / 100

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a great remake not only of an excellent Action RPG, but of one of the best and most influential games of the golden age of JRPGs. With a unique and pleasant look, considerable novelties in its gameplay that will keep even long-time players engaged, and several quality-of-life improvements, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a must-have for fans of the genre.

Press Start - James Mitchell - 9.5 / 10

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a tremendous remake. It gives the original game a visual overhaul that is simultaneously modern and nostalgic. But it doesn't stop there. It breaks open the mechanics to offer much more depth without destroying the spirit of the original. It's far and away the best way to experience one of the best Star Ocean games and one of the best RPGs ever made. If you're a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to check out The Second Story R. It's an absolute gem of a game that's endlessly playable and effortlessly stylish.

Push Square - Robert Ramsey - 8 / 10

Star Ocean The Second Story R is exactly what it needs to be: a faithful remake of a classic PS1 RPG that greatly enhances the experience for both new and returning players. A wonderful visual overhaul combined with numerous quality of life improvements and expanded battle mechanics make this a borderline must-play for anyone who's looking for an old-school adventure. Although the underlying PS1-era design does still have some rough edges - particularly in the storytelling and combat balance - it's hard to knock such a well crafted revival.

RPG Fan - Izzy Parsons - 92%

I can't think of a remake of a game that feels more definitive than this one. All fans of the original deserve to play Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and so does everyone else.

Siliconera - Jenni Lada - 9 / 10

Star Ocean The Second Story is among its best games in the series, and I believe the R release cements its role as the strongest entry.

Sirus Gaming - Conrad Huang - 8 / 10

With everything said and done, I believe that this game is something worth getting on any console, especially on the PlayStation 5. My recommendation for those who wish to experience what it is like to play JRPG games during the early 2000s, they should get the demo first and if they are comfortable with it, get the full game as soon as it is released.

Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 8 / 10

Seeme like Square Enix has finally found a way to give value to its enormous catalogues of great JRPGs: after Live a Live and Tactics Ogre Reborn, Star Ocean Second Story R marks the third successful entry in this newfound current of remakes. A great journey for both veterans of the genre and newcomers.

Wccftech - Francesco De Meo - 9 / 10

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is, hands down, the best entry in the series, and one of the best remakes ever made. With the excellent combat reworking, massive slew of quality of life improvements and impressive 2D-HD visuals that make the game's simple yet engaging story and charming characters even more enjoyable, Gemdrops has set a very high bar for classic JRPGs remakes that will be very difficult to top.

Video Reviews

 

[Zheph]

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

RPG Fan: 92

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review | RPGFan

1999 — Star Ocean: The Second Story is my entire identity. I argue with anyone on the playground that it is the best game ever made, and my notebooks fill

www.rpgfan.com

Gamespot: 8

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review - Back to the Future

Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes a good balance of retro and modernity with its throwback visuals and new combat mechanics.

www.gamespot.com

Noisy Pixel: 9

Star Ocean The Second Story R Review - Reviving JRPG Magic

Explore the enchanting world of Star Ocean: The Second Story R in our comprehensive review. Discover how this remake rekindles the JRPG magic, captivating both newcomers and die-hard fans. Dive into the revamped gameplay, captivating story, and stunning visuals of this beloved classic. Uncover...

noisypixel.net

Looking real good!

 

[Zheph]

Star Ocean The Second Story R Review | RPG Site

Star Ocean: The Second Story R has brought a cult classic into a new era. It’s been thoughtfully retooled, but it’s still packed with all the heart and soul of the original. Graphically, it’s gorgeous, and the new quests and features range from fair to fabulous. It’s one of my favorite video...

www.rpgsite.net

RPG Site : 9
Star Ocean: The Second Story R has brought a cult classic into a new era. It’s been thoughtfully retooled, but it’s still packed with all the heart and soul of the original. Graphically, it’s gorgeous. It still sounds sublime, subjective song preferences aside, and the new quests and features range from fair to fabulous. It’s one of my favorite video games in even finer form.

 

[Hudo]

RPGSite gave it a 9/10:

Star Ocean The Second Story R Review | RPG Site

Star Ocean: The Second Story R has brought a cult classic into a new era. It’s been thoughtfully retooled, but it’s still packed with all the heart and soul of the original. Graphically, it’s gorgeous, and the new quests and features range from fair to fabulous. It’s one of my favorite video...

www.rpgsite.net

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

OP has been updated. Really good start so far!!

 

[Needlecrash]

CLAUDE HAS ADVANCED FORWARD.

These are some STRONG ass scores! Love to see it!

 

[Punished Miku]

Definitely tempting, but I will have to wait for now.

 

[Methos#1975]

Preloaded and ready to go

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Oh damn now I’m even more hyped, I really expected this to get around 82.

JRPG of the year for me. This makes up for Final Fantasy XVI

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Day -1, as my copy should arrive today.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Well now I'm even more excited that I got my copy €15 cheaper than MSRP lol.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Well now I'm even more excited that I got my copy €15 cheaper than MSRP lol.

Same I got a nice discount, absolute bargain.

£36.85
RRP: £44.99. You Save: £8.14

Hit UK

UK based online retailer of video games and accessories. Run by the team that brought you dvd.co.uk and base.com. Great deals on the latest and future releases. Free UK Delivery

www.hit.co.uk

 

[LiquidMetal14]

We up in this bitch culero

 

[darth.shrimp]

I actually know next to nothing about this series, other than it exists. It looks like the combat is in real-time, similar to the Tales games?

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

I actually know next to nothing about this series, other than it exists. It looks like the combat is in real-time, similar to the Tales games?

Each game is standalone for the most part. 2 is considered the best by a lot of fans and this remake sounds really good. So it's a good place to start if you're interested.

Regarding the similarity to Tales, listen to this timestamped segment.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

OP has been updated with additional written reviews. I've also put newer snapshots with the OC and MC score.

 

[Sojiro]

Oh nice, reviewing a bit higher than I figured it would (I guessed 83 in the poll thread). Regardless of the reviews I was picking this up unless there were some huge issues with it. Best Star Ocean game, can't wait to play it again since it's been a long time.

 

[Hudo]

the thing about Star Ocean is that every time I try to play one of these games, I find myself longing for a new, proper Phantasy Star. And then I go back to play Phantasy Star 4 instead...

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Oh man these reviews!!! I loved the demo, and i just finished Callisto Protocol last night. This seems like it would be a perfect pallate cleanser to move on to.....something fun, lighthearted and great! VERY tempted......

 

[Labadal]

Not that reviews had any sway on my buying dceision, since I had it pre-ordered, and the physical PS5 copy sitting next to me, but it's good to see the game being awarded with high scores.

 

[SantaC]

How can this score worse than sea of stars

 

[Fake]

Looks good on my book.

 

[Zheph]

How can this score worse than sea of stars

good indie games tends to score super high for differents reasons
I enjoyed Sea of Stars but it should never be at that score for a "JRPG" imo

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

How can this score worse than sea of stars

Maybe if the devs posted blogs like “I love Chrono Trigger and I grew up with Chrono Trigger and I wanted to make a game that looks like the games I played when I was 12 years old (such as Chrono Trigger).”

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Game is going to be amazing. I knew right away I'd love it from the demo.

 

[Mister Wolf]

If we keep supporting remakes like these maybe they'll give us remake of Xenogears in the same style.

 

[Deerock71]

I will own this eventually. Incredibly high scores.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

How can this score worse than sea of stars

Indie review inflation. Either way it sounds like they've done a very good job remaking what was one of the best RPGs on PS1.

 

[neoism]

If we keep supporting remakes like these maybe they'll give us remake of Xenogears in the same style.

yes that then trigger please i would seriously be soo happy. this style they did is just chef's kiss

 

[Arsic]

Will definitely cop this when I have the funds next week.

Seems like they did one of the best games of all time true justice.

Too bad Konami won’t give us this kind of love for Suikoden 2.

I didn’t realize this SO2 will have new quests!? Any other new goodies ? Aside from parry in battles.

 

[Spukc]

if i had time i would have bought it

 

[F0rneus]

Ah fuck me. I wanted this to review poorly cause I didn't want to pay but...

Also I'll die on the hill that SO2 is the best JRPG ever. Damn you Wonder for slicing into my wallet but I couldn't skip it.

 

[Shut0wen]

I hope they remake blue sphere next, probably wont get anymore remakes after that, cant see square giving to shits about the ps2 game

 

[Needlecrash]

I hope they remake blue sphere next, probably wont get anymore remakes after that, cant see square giving to shits about the ps2 game

If SO2R sells well and we speak up, Blue Sphere has a good chance of getting a re-release.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

If SO2R sells well and we speak up, Blue Sphere has a good chance of getting a re-release.

Xenogears would be a dream. Chrono too.....

 

[Neon Xenon]

Was playing the demo on Steam and halfway in, I decided to grab it from GMG for $39.99.
This is actually my first Star Ocean game, but it felt very nice to play this style of JRPG again.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Was playing the demo on Steam and halfway in, I decided to grab it from GMG for $39.99.
This is actually my first Star Ocean game, but it felt very nice to play this style of JRPG again.

Welcome, 1-3 are all great in different ways.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

If SO2R sells well and we speak up, Blue Sphere has a good chance of getting a re-release.

Man I’d love that, but AFAIK all these “they might do Blue Sphere next if this one does well!!!” rumors came from this interview:

Star Ocean The Second Story Sequel 'Blue Sphere' Localization Requires Fan Support, Says Director - Noisy Pixel

In an interview with Noisy Pixel, Star Ocean The Second Story R director Yuichiro Kitao said that the possibility of Star Ocean Blue Sphere coming west depends on fan support.

noisypixel.net

AL: Are there any plans to also bring Star Ocean Blue Sphere west? In this series, this game acted as a sequel to Star Ocean 2 but was never localized.

YK: I’m not officially a member of the Square Enix company, although my company, Gemdrops, is the developer. That being said, I do want the Star Ocean series to continuously succeed into the future. However, in order to achieve that, I think it’s important that we hear the voices of support from our players and fans. So it would be appreciated if we can get your support.

Then all the clickbait sites translated that into “Second Story R developer says Blue Sphere remake could be next!!”

 

[Mercador]

How it runs on Switch? I guess I should try the demo at least... But scores are higher than expected.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

How it runs on Switch? I guess I should try the demo at least... But scores are higher than expected.

Ran fine for me on the demo, and the youtube reviews I watched scored it high in performance.

 

[bodine1231]

Man I really want it on PC for the 4k 120fps, its so smooth. However I'll probably have to play through it on switch if I ever want to finish it. I can get an extra couple hours in at work, that adds up. Wish I had a steam deck.

 

[NeoLed]

Too bad Konami won’t give us this kind of love for Suikoden 2.

Suikoden R

 

[Arsic]

Suikoden R

Oh no I know it exists, but based off MGS1 collection, this will be a turd compared to the efforts done here in SO2R.

 

[Shut0wen]

If SO2R sells well and we speak up, Blue Sphere has a good chance of getting a re-release.

I think it will 100% get rereleased, cant say i have much faith in the 3d games, maybe a "hd remaster"

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Oh no I know it exists, but based off MGS1 collection, this will be a turd compared to the efforts done here in SO2R.

Konami are tragic.

 

[Needlecrash]

I think it will 100% get rereleased, cant say i have much faith in the 3d games, maybe a "hd remaster"

If Blue Sphere is made in the same style as SO2R or even 1st Departure/2nd Evolution, I'd be satisfied for sure.

 

[Northeastmonk]

Oh no I know it exists, but based off MGS1 collection, this will be a turd compared to the efforts done here in SO2R.

If you own a PS3/Vita buy the PS Classic version of Suikoden 1 and 2. It’s fantastic. I am interested in the QoL features they add to this.

 

[Shut0wen]

If Blue Sphere is made in the same style as SO2R or even 1st Departure/2nd Evolution, I'd be satisfied for sure.

yeah i know itll be in the same vain just doubt the 3d games will get the aame treatment

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

yeah i know itll be in the same vain just doubt the 3d games will get the aame treatment

Heck, I’d want the 3D games to get a de-make in the same style as Second Story R. Now that would be cool!

IMHO SO3 looks like ass and it needs way more than just some improved textures and lighting. Might as well do a full remake and pattern it after the best-rated game in the series.