Star Ocean: The Last Hope International

Scifi epic á la Japan is a relic from the 90's. Although the team's love for their game can be seen from all around, it isn't enough anymore. Bioware is breaking boundaries with their games, so when Star Ocean is compared to Mass Effect, the oriental star trek is unfortunately outdated. [Mar 2010]

Despite the well designed battle system, the game doesn't manage to surpass mediocrity. Slow advancement, mediocre graphics, clichéd story and insanely difficult trophies will be a thorn in the side of many a gamer. Only crazed fans of JRPG's will manage to keep themselves busy for hundreds of hours. This part of the audience will definitely get their money's worth.

Even PS3 gamers who would be playing it for the first time should be wary about a purchase. [Issue#203, p.97]

It can be gruelingly repetitive. But it's a game with quirky charm; if you are persistent, you are always compelled to see what happens next, and what the next dungeon looks like.

A solid, well put together RPG that has quality where it counts. It will not appeal to everyone, but existing fans of Star Ocean as well as RPG fans in general will not be disappointed.

Very similar to last years Xbox 360 release, but the new Japanese voice acting allays the worst part of the game - the exceedingly horrid English dub. All in all, the worst entry in the series but still a solid action-rpg.

The new role playing game provides a nice sci-fi setting, but still lacks certain issues.

Star Ocean The Last Hope International is what somehow can be considered as an old school RPG.

But despite the bland storyline there's no denying that Star Ocean: The Last Hope excels in other areas, most notably with its intense and satisfying combat system and a lively and engaging level progression which gives the proceedings a good pace. While certainly not a classic, this JRPG is fun enough and shouldn't disappoint Japanophiles. [May 2010 p77]

Uninspired, boring design with some mildly interesting - but ultimately broken - combat scenarios. [Issue#190, p.75]

Beauty is only skin-deep - gameplay goes a lot deeper...It should have opted for a bit more corrective surgery to go with its cosmetic enhancements. [Mar 2010, p.70]

A solid, above-average RPG. It does little new and doesn't advance the RPG genre any, yet is still good enough and would be a steal with a lower price.

A very slight improvement on the original but this is still a deeply flawed and unlikeable role-player.