A fresh yet nostaglic remake for an amazing classic!
Star Ocean Second Story R is an excellent remake. Was I happy that Square Enix and Gemdrops remade this game? Yes. Did I expect this remake to be so modernized and polished? No. Square Enix and Gemdrops have created a masterpiece of already amazing classic.
Graphics
The first thing you notice about Star Ocean Second Story R is the graphics. The prerendered graphics of the original Star Ocean have been replaced with a 2.5D style. The 3D visuals bring new life to the game’s environments.
Biomes, cities, and the World Map look stunning in this new style. Not only did I stop to marvel at this new eye candy. But I wanted to explore every nook and cranny of these environments.
At first, it took some time to get used to the pixel sprites and the 3D environments. But the fusion of these two styles provide a combination of nostalgia and modern graphics. And sprites have a certain charm which is absent from a lot of modern RPGs.
Battle
Break
When I played Second Evolution back in PSP era. The battle system did not age well. However, the battle system has been overhauled. And it is for the better.
The game has a new Break system. This new feature involves breaking the shield gauges of enemies. Once an enemy’s shield is depleted. They will be dazed and helpless to your attacks.
Dodging
In addition to the Break system, you can now dodge enemy attacks. Dodging an enemy attack at the right time bestows two advantages to you. The first advantage is that you rush towards an enemy’s back. Allowing you to attack them from behind. Second, you recover MP for successful dodges.
Item Creation
One element that Star Ocean is known for item creation. Item creation is the game’s crafting system. There are a variety of item creation activities you can execute. You can cook food, craft accessories and weapons, create healing and battle items and much more.
In the original, you have to raise your characters’ item creation levels high to create successful items. This is not the case anymore. Second Story R allows you to make items from level 1 and up. This provides a lot of utility as you can create healing items, dishes, battle tools and accessories early.
Item Creation has always been a vital component for Star Ocean. It’s huge that Gemdrops revamped this feature. Besides the battle system, this is another big quality of life that elevates the remake further.
Story
The game’s story is still same. Square Enix pledged that the original game’s story would not change. The only change that was added to the story was extra dialogue. Since the voice performances were re-recorded which makes sense.
For those new to Star Ocean 2, the game has two protagonists: Claude and Rena. You choose one of the two protagonists at the start. While, it is the same overall narrative for both characters. There are major story bits that are unique to both Claude and Rena individually. Lastly, there are certain characters that only Claude and Rena can recruit themselves.
Dual Premises
Claude is an Ensign of his father ship. His father being the hero, Ronyx J. Kenny. While investigating a mysterious device in Milokennia. The device activates which warps Claude to the planet of Expel. Claude meets Rena in the Sacred Forest.
As for Rena, her adventure starts in the her home village of Arlia. Rena visits her favorite place: the Sacred Forest. However, this visit turns into a dangerous one as Rena is under attack by a monster.
Claude saves Rena by wielding his Phase Gun to dispatch the beast. Rena comes to perceive the Phase Gun as the sword of light belonging to a hero of legend.
Unfortunately, Claude admits that he is no such hero to Rena and her fellow villagers.
Although, disappointed by the news, Regis, the major of Arlia, asks Claude to investigate the Sorcery Globe. The Sorcery Globe is the fallen meteorite responsible for the disasters befalling Expel.
Claude agrees to the quest as it is his only lead to return space. Rena also joins Claude as his guide. However, her main reason is to find her birth mother. And discover the origins of her powers.
The Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Star Ocean games are known for their blend of space sci-fi and Fantasy elements. Claude represents the space side of Star Ocean. And Rena acts as the fantasy side of the game. But Star Ocean nails this fusion the best out of all games in the franchise.
Free Demo
If you are curious about Star Ocean Second Story R. And would like to experience for yourself. Square Enix has a free demo for you to try.
The demo is the first three hours of the actual game. So if you become more intrigued after demo and want more. Your progress will be saved and once you buy the full game. You proceed where you left off from the demo.
This is all for my first impressions of Second Story R. I started with the demo first which led me to buying the full game. And I am having a blast revisiting my childhood. Meanwhile, the remake provides fresh and exhilarating experience. It’s like a whole new game.
Have you played Star Ocean Second Story R yet? Are you intrigued by the remake? Let your comments below!
Played on PS5
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