Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Star Ocean: The Second Story R (スターオーシャンセカンドストーリーR, Sutā Ōshan Sekando Sutōrī R?) is a remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Steam. A demo for the game became available on all platforms on September 14th, 2023^[1].

The title was first announced on the Nintendo Direct on June 21st, 2023^[2], showcasing the new 2.5D aesthetic, fusing the 2D pixel characters with 3D environment. Among its features are full Japanese and English voice overs, original and re-arranged music, a fast travel and updated battle mechanics.

Artist Yukihiro Kajimoto, known to the franchise for his work on Star Ocean: Anamnesis and Star Ocean: The Divine Force, created the key visuals and character art. Series composer Motoi Sakuraba returned to create new music and re-arrangements.

Version differences[]

Main article: Star Ocean: The Second Story R/Version Differences

The remake has a number of differences and new additions compared to the original title and its PSP enhanced port. The most notable change is that the scenarios for towns, dungeons and the overworld have been completely remade using 3D models as opposed to the pre-rendered backgrounds from the original game.

The title also revamped the combat by introducing new battle mechanics, such as a Counter System and making so Battle Formations now grant passive effects. Special Arts and Symbology Spells have been refined and revisited, with new effects; players are also able to manually upgrade them as opposed to the older Mastery system, which required repeated uses of abilities.

Much like in First Departure R, players can opt for different voice-overs, being able to choose the following options:

New Japanese voice recordings from the original cast featured in The Second Story.
Original Japanese voice acting from Second Evolution.
Original English voice acting from Second Evolution.

Gameplay[]

Combat[]

Main article: Star Ocean: The Second Story R/Combat

The battle system has been revised while still remaining true to the original game. Players can form a party of up to four characters to engage in fights using Special Arts and Symbology Spells. Players can earn experience points to level up characters, as well Fol (money), BP (Battle Points) and SP (Skill Points) by defeating enemies and winning battles; though these can also be earned through various side activities.

Battles are initiated by touching enemy symbols in the overworld and dungeons, which are represented as ghastly mists, and come in three colors: green (weak), purple (normal) and red (strong). If the player approaches the enemy from behind, they'll gain the advantage and all enemies will be temporarily stunned; in the opposite spectrum, if an enemy clashes with the player from behind, the player party will be dazed instead. If an enemy symbol spots the player, they'll chase them for a few seconds.

Players can perform Chain Battles, which allows to "link" enemy parties by gathering multiple enemies in the overworld or dungeons. Players will then be put against waves of enemies (up to 5), which will accrue increased rewards multipliers (EXP, SP, BP and Fol). There is a visual indication between enemy party links to notify the player. Linking enemies parties can only be done by "baiting" enemy symbols into spotting the player and bringing them closer together.

There are also various new combat mechanics to add more depth to gameplay:

Bonus Gauge System: adds passive effects to the whole party as bonus spheres are collected from slain enemies.
Just Counter System: dodge certain moves to attack enemies from behind.
Break System: enemies can be stunned after their shields are destroyed.
Assault Action System: summon characters in the reserve to perform Arts or Spells.

Music[]

The music will be compiled on a 4-CD set that is set to release with the Collector's Edition, and later on a separate date. Motoi Sakuraba returns as series composer, with original soundtrack available in game, as well as re-arrangements and new themes. In the game, players are able to choose between the classic soundtrack of the original game and the re-arranged music.

The opening movie features the theme song "Stella", sung by Japanese music duo SUIREN, which consists of vocalist Sui and keyboardist / arranger Ren.

Development[]

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Pre-Order Bonuses[]

Those who pre-order the game will be rewarded with:

Weapon for Claude: Pangalactic Federation Longsword
Weapon for Rena: Forest Knuckles

There’s also an early purchase bonus available, for users who purchase the game until November 16th, 2023:

Sunrise Ring accessory
20 x Resurrection Potions
20 x Mixed Berries

Demo[]

A playable demo became available on all platforms on September 14th, with some limitations:

The demo has a 3 hours limit per save file. Players can have up to 3 saves files in the demo.
The demo's story content goes up to acquiring the Ancient Scripture in Krosse Cave and exiting the dungeon.
Some towns and dungeons are limited and cannot be acessed.
Characters can only go up to Level 12, and once reaching it, players will no longer obtain EXP, SP, BP and Fol.
Item Creation and Super Specialty Skills cannot be used, except for those acquired in the beginning of the demo (i.e. Crafting, Cooking, Alchemy and Fishing). In addition, Specialty and Item Creation Skills cannot be enhanced.

Finishing the demo (whether by reaching the time limit or completing Krosse Cave), will give the players the option to save a clear data, which can be carried over to the final release, alongside the progress made in the demo.