Disclaimer: Review code for Star Ocean The Second Story R was provided to Nova Crystallis by the publisher Square Enix before launch. Star Ocean 2 is a game that’s sort of in an interesting situation. It certainly feels like the one game that Square Enix likes to bring back around now and again – what with the PSP remaster in 2007 and now a brand-new release in the way of Star Ocean The Second Story R. The R of course, stands for remake and is not to be confused with the former release. Certainly, at first I was somewhat perplexed as to why this game needed another redo, but here we are with a proper remake all the way down to its very core. Because Star Ocean The Second Story R not only has a visual overhaul well beyond that of a simple remaster, it’s got some new systems too and they stack up in a way that adds a lot of contemporary design to its gameplay. As someone who never really dabbled in the original PlayStation release or the PSP remaster, suffice to say that the streamlined nature of Star Ocean The Second Story R surprised me. In some ways I feel

Set to release on November 2nd, Star Ocean The Second Story R is a full remake of the second title in the Star Ocean series, which originally launched on the PlayStation in 1998. A remastered version Second Evolution was developed by Tose for the PlayStation Portable in 2008. This version of the game features newly built 3D environments while retaining 2D sprites for characters and enemies. You can select between Claude or Rena as your protagonist and recruit many other characters to your party. Side events can be initiated with these characters that will impact the game's ending depending on your choices. The also game features a fully re-arranged soundtrack by the original composer Motoi Sakuraba. A new feature called "Assault Action" will allow you to use reserve party members in battle, and even characters that cameo from other Star Ocean titles including Roddick (Star Ocean: The First Departure), Fayt (Star Ocean: Til the End of Time), Edge (Star Ocean: The Last Hope), Fidel (Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness) and Raymond and Laeticia (Star Ocean: The Divine Force). Star Ocean The Second Story R will release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. A free demo is available now, which lets

Star Ocean The Second Story R is set to release November 2 for Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Today, it gets a free demo that you can download and carry over any progress to the retail version. A remake of the second game in the Star Ocean series that originally released on the PlayStation, this version features all new visuals that blend 2D sprites and 3D environments. The game will include flavor text to give players a more realistic sense of journeying with a party, and that text can also be viewed in the party menu. In the fields, symbols will appear that represent enemy encounters. Maneuvering around them can help you avoid battles or chaining them together can be useful for training. Unique spots are sprinkled throughout the map and can help you discover items and experience points. Powerful enemies called "raid enemies" can also appear - and while they're very difficult they will drop powerful items. Fishing has been added to the game at various waterfronts. Fish you catch can be recorded in a fish encyclopedia and can be exchanged for rare items. Battles now have a 'Just Counter' system, where performing a backstep at the

Square Enix has shared a new animated opening movie for Star Ocean The Second Story R, releasing to Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch this November 2nd. The animation features the protagonists and antagonists of the game doing battle, and was animated by Yostar Pictures and Albacrow. The theme song "stella" is written and performed by SUIREN. Rebuliding the game with a 2.5D aesthetic, meaning 2D pixel sprites on a 3D background, the game will also include all-new character illustrations by Yukihiro Kajimoto and a rearranged soundtrack by Motoi Sakuraba. Check out the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvgyvARKP9w

Star Ocean 2 joins the 2.5D remake aesthetic with the announcement of Star Ocean The Second Story R, coming to PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch worldwide on November 2. Priced at $49.99 with both a digital and physical version available, Star Ocean The Second Story R is a full remake that includes everything from the original while adding new elements too. That means that things like things like dungeons, towns and the world is now depicted in 3D graphics along with 2D pixel characters. The combat has been upgraded too with new mechanics that will let you strategically defeat foes. "Break” by continuously dealing damage and order your allies to follow-up with an Assault Action to deal massive damage. Catch the initial announcement trailer, including a look at gameplay, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzePrvWIT04 Screenshots

According to a report by RPGSite, a logo for 'Star Ocean The Second Story R' has surfaced on a Square Enix support site, though has since been taken down. Square Enix has yet to announce a game with this title, but it appears that the second game in the Star Ocean series may be due for a remaster or remake with a forthcoming reveal. Star Ocean: The Second Story originally released on the PlayStation back in 1998 followed by a worldwide release in 1999 and 2000. In 2008, a remastered version came to the PlayStation Portable as Star Ocean Second Evolution and also released worldwide the following year. In 2015, Second Evolution was ported to PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4 — but only in Japan as a digital only release. It's the first game in the series that uses dual protagonists like the recently released sixth major title in the series: The Divine Force. The game features 3D areas and pre-rendered backgrounds with characters drawn as 2D sprites. Players can recruit from a large pool of characters depending on the choices they make, and combat features random encounters with manual control over characters' attacks, though skills and items are

A new update for Star Ocean The Divine Force landed this week, and includes various quality of life upgrades as well as some tweaks and balances. Perhaps one of the more niggling annoyances was that your accessories would be unequipped by characters that leave the party. As a situation that happens frequently, having to re-equip accessories to your party and remembering your specific setups was a bit of a pain. Another big update is being able to use DUMA's scan action while moving. This feature is most commonly used to find treasure boxes hidden within the world, and having to stop for several seconds to initiate the scan felt a bit unintuitive. A rather infamous battle versus Sampati, the Holy Bird has been tweaked so that it's a bit less brutal, as it's also something of a tutorial for the Vatting system, which allows for super attacks against a target. You can check out the full list of updates below, and while you're here, read our review of the PlayStation 5 version of the game. Version 1.0.3 Update ■ Retention of equipment and accessories equipped by characters who leave the party　・It has been changed so that accessories which characters currently have equipped are not removed when

Star Ocean is a strange series with a strange history. 1995’s original Star Ocean did not reach the West for over a decade, but its 1998 sequel, Star Ocean: The Second Story, made it overseas just fine. People loved, and continue to love, that game. It felt like studio tri-Ace took the ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ approach to game design — here was a Japanese role-playing game with an outstanding degree of depth in its every core mechanic. It is a brilliant RPG, from its characters to its combat to its wealth of choices. The franchise has had a decidedly checkered reputation since. Many, including myself, mostly adore the third one. Its late-game plot twist, however, has seemingly left a not-inconsiderable subset of the fandom with narrative-related trust issues ever since. The fourth entry marries an excellent battle system to one of the most disastrous casts of characters to grace the gaming medium, and when the fifth arrived six years ago, it was so mediocre that I feared Star Ocean would be put on ice indefinitely. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, a sixth Star Ocean was announced — subtitled The Divine Force — with what appeared to be a

The opening for Star Ocean The Divine Force has been shared by Square Enix and features the song 'Pandora' by HYDE. The collaboration was announced last month, at which HYDE shared that “PANDORA has beautiful, melodious vocals that and an aggressive sound that combines movement and stillness. Just as the gods gifted Pandora to humanity, this song is a gift from HYDE to music lovers.” Set to release on October 27th, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Steam, a free demo is available now. While you're here, check out the fifth and final briefing on two new characters that will join your party - halberd-wielding navy captain Theo, and katana-wielding robot J.J. Check out the movie below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcdCI1dJQBg

The final Star Ocean The Divine Force mission report has been posted, and includes more information about the game's plot, new allies that you can control in combat, and characters you'll meet. We also get a look at how to handle boss fights, the Den'mohr Delve dungeon, and some final battle tips. Star Ocean The Divine Force will release on October 27th, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Steam. A free demo is available now. Check it out what's new down below. Elsewhere you can watch the Tokyo Game Show trailer and check out Marielle & Malkya character introductions. New Allies & Characters In the vast reaches of space, on the underdeveloped planet of Aster IV, the war between the Kingdom of Aucerius and the Vey'l Empire rages on. The incursions of the Empire are pushing the Kingdom to its very breaking point. Meanwhile, the intentions of the emperor remain shrouded in mystery. Yet amidst this torrid conflict with the empire, Laeticia reunites with her dear cousin, whom she regards as a brother. This conflict on a backwater planet soon festers into monumental chaos that will shake the entire galaxy to its core. As our heroes make their way through