Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a game that will not only attract the attention of players who want to consume something with a nostalgic flavor. Quite the contrary, we are facing the reappearance of a video game that not only takes on new life but demonstrates its value beyond a simple premise and solidifies itself with great game mechanics and a remarkable visual presentation.

One of the best Star Ocean sequels ever got a very high-quality remake in 2D-HD style. With its timeless charm and fast action battles, enriched with new graphics and numerous improvements, it is perhaps the best example of how to properly bring back to life a title from the first PlayStation era.

As soon as Star Ocean: The Second Story R released, I was glued to my recliner and I didn’t want to stop playing. Not only is this a favourite gem from my childhood, but this edition is definitely the definitive one. Everything Gemdrops has produced in Star Ocean: Second Story R shows a lot of love and respect towards the original game while making it much more accessible and fresh to newcomers. While I will always cherish my memories of the cheesiness that is PSX edition, the joy I felt replaying a favourite game was strong throughout. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is the best Star Ocean game hands down, and every RPGamer owes themself a chance to enjoy this amazing remake. You won’t be disappointed.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an example of how remaking a classic game should be done. From the overhauled graphics to additional quality-of-life improvements that can make the frantic battle system even more enjoyable, Star Ocean: The Second Story R takes the best game in the series and makes it even better. Gemdrops could have just increased the resolution and called it a day, but instead put in the effort to make a truly worthwhile remake of a classic. This remade version is a must play for Star Ocean veterans, but would also serve as a good entry point for RPG fans who haven’t got around to this series.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is not a time capsule. While many of the key elements of the original are preserved, including the character-driven story and diverse action, the sheer beauty of the harmony of its 2D characters and 3D environments is unquestionably a winning formula. Not only is The Second Story R the best way to experience a classic, it is a fantastic entry point into the Star Ocean series. But if we are lucky, this is the blueprint Square Enix will use to remake the most-wanted list of the many RPGs players haven’t seen in decades.

Star Ocean: Second Story R takes what made the original so great and, instead of reworking it, went out and built a better experience around it. The excellent art design, the fantastic action combat, and the striking visuals come to life in what is easily one of the best RPGs of 2023 and a blueprint on how to make a great remake while keeping the spirit of the original alive.

The best thing about Star Ocean: The Second Story R, ​​however, is how much fun it is. It is hair-raisingly easy to just play a little more, which in this game means at least an hour. It's a fast-paced game that was created for the player who fantasizes about just getting bigger and stronger, and that in a nostalgic fantasy world full of adventure.

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.

Star Ocean: The Second Story was already the best entry in the series by far, and the amazing work done by Gemdrops propelled it further into the Galaxy, turning it into an even better game that is far more enjoyable than the original. As such, Star Ocean: The Second Story R isn't just the best entry in the series but also one of the best remakes ever released, masterfully updating the gameplay where needed without touching what already worked great back in the late 90s.

This remake is clearly a labor of love made by developers who were influenced by the classic game. Gemdrops managed to enhance everything great about Star Ocean 2 while still retaining the aesthetic and feel that was so essential to the original experience. The main narrative still feels a bit slow and underdeveloped at times, but so much has been improved that it hardly matters. Star Ocean The Second Story R truly sets a high new benchmark for how to remake classic RPGs.

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.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a great remake of not only an excellent Action RPG, but one of the best and most influential games from the golden age of JRPGs. With a unique and pleasant look, considerable new features 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.

In summary, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Star Ocean franchise, catering to both newcomers and devoted fans. While the narrative might have its shortcomings, the game compensates with its enthralling customization, eye-catching visuals, endearing character relationships, and extensive replayability. The engaging combat, paired with a splendid soundtrack, adds an extra layer of enjoyment. This remake successfully maintains the essence of the original, cementing its status as a revered title in the realm of JRPGs. Here’s hoping its direct sequel, Blue Sphere, receives similar treatment. Also, for those wondering, yes, the Bloody Armor is here and as broken as ever.

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.

I knew Star Ocean: The Second Story R would be able to rope me back in with little effort, but I was nonetheless amazed by just how much it improves on the original game. Every angle I looked at seemed reformed with care and consideration to make the visuals and sound more beautiful, the combat more tactically refined, and the side jobs rewarding.

With Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a JRPG classic is celebrating a glorious comeback. Thanks to its likeable characters and complex gameplay, this is a game that no fan of old-school JRPGs should miss out on.

If you like RPGs, you need to play this one. It changes only what’s necessary to improve the graphics, and keeps everything that made this title a fan favourite.

Star Ocean: Second Story R comes as a remake that tries to revitalize the player's love for the franchise, bringing an art style that mixes new and old elements without losing its charm. Even if basic, the story has the usual beats of classic JRPGs and can keep you entertained with its characters of varying personalities. The combat is fast and visually appealing, but can be too easy and not too rewarding. The extra content can net you a few more hours of gameplay making the remake worth for the replay factor and the new novelties of UI and mechanics.

This remake of the original Star Ocean: The Second Story picks up well. The updated visual style is pleasant to look at, and the new additions to the combat provide more variety and fun to play. Add engaging characters and an interesting story and you have an entertaining title on your hands. Content-wise, there is little to criticize, although the core gameplay is mostly button mashing and the story is also somewhat cliched, but these are only minor points of criticism.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a master class in how to update an old game while retaining its original feeling. It has a ton of adjustments, changes, fixes and features that completely change how the game plays, while managing to retain the same feeling of playing the game when it originally came out. It looks better, sounds better, plays better, and in general, it's the absolute optimal way to experience Star Ocean: The Second Story.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is the best example of how a game can become a jewel after being forgotten for years. A remake full of changes and improvements that surprises by adapting a niche JRPG and transforming it into a modern classic.

Created with the aim of convincing players to go back to the origins of the saga, Star Ocean The Second Story R is a very careful remake which really allows you to personalize the experience as you wish. The adventure is thus explored in a much less austere manner than in the past thanks to a complete dusting of the fundamentals which succeed in updating the formula without sacrificing its authenticity.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a true delight for the fans of the series, skillfully recreating one of the best titles the franchise had to offer. But if you weren’t a fan of the original game, there's a high chance you won't particularly enjoy this one either. The game features intriguing characters and their relationships, beautiful graphics and a diverse world. Yet, the story lacks depth, and the somewhat clunky combat system is likely to divide the audience into those who love it and those who wouldn’t even want to touch it.

Star Ocean The Second Story R is an excellent remake that strikes the perfect balance between reworking the base material and preserving a proven formula. The 2.5D graphics are a feast for the eyes, the music is mesmerizing, and is facing an effective story, but that can put off at first.

The Second Story R is undoubtedly a great title for all J-RPG fans, young and old alike. It will nevertheless remain a niche game for many other players with the patience to embark on this adventure, which finds its strength in its characters rather than its main story.

It was wonderful revisiting Rena and Claude yet again in STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R and it's undoubtedly the best edition of their grand journey so far. I wasn't expecting to be reminded of as much retro baggage as I was, though, but it's still a great RPG.

The new edition of the JRPG is convincing to the end thanks to a technical overhaul, an unusual combat system and a dramatic story. The combat system seems refreshing, but some elements of world exploration are outdated. Numerous characters and endings ensure a high replay value.

Without spoiling things, Star Ocean eventually devolves into schlocky cliché territory, but by that point, you’re firmly on board, ticket purchased and ready to see its journey through to the end. Star Ocean: The Second Story got the remake treatment for a reason - it’s a classic of the genre with compelling characters, wonderful storytelling, and oodles of satisfying mechanics. R goes to great lengths to streamline the Star Ocean experience and make it more beautiful (the new arranged soundtrack is glorious), and while it might have sustained a bit of the difficulty that made the original a triumph to overcome, it still squarely sticks the landing.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an essential purchase for anyone who loved tri-Ace's masterpiece, as well as an unmissable opportunity for any newcomers to discover one of the best action RPGs of the 90s. By leaving the original plot unchanged and adding new mechanics to its frenetic combat system, the guys at Gemdrops have been able to create a faithful and at the same time innovative remake. The bizarre choice of combining the historic 2D sprites with a three-dimensional world recreated from scratch may not satisfy all tastes, especially those of the new generations, nevertheless we are firmly convinced that this restoration has greatly benefited what fans still consider the best Star Ocean ever.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes an ideal balance between staying faithful to the original game and updating it for modern times. The revamped art style and music make it more aesthetically pleasing while the use of 2D pixel character models adds a certain nostalgic charm. The battle system didn't need a complete overhaul and the developers smartly added new features to make it feel more dynamic--the fights feel exhilarating and fun. Second Story R is jam-packed with content that will last any Japanese RPG fan satiated for hours on end.