Star Ocean: The Second Story

 PlayStation
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 75
  3. Negative: 7 out of 75
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  1. VendonJura
    Jun 15, 2018
    10
    Star Ocean The Second Story is in my opinion by far the best RPG ever made. This game here is just godlike. It has an amazing story, it has billion hidden explorations you can enjoy. Many hidden characters, the skills get stronger and some of them changes how they look like as more you use them (best skill system), it has 2 different worlds and muuuuuch more. You also can start the game asStar Ocean The Second Story is in my opinion by far the best RPG ever made. This game here is just godlike. It has an amazing story, it has billion hidden explorations you can enjoy. Many hidden characters, the skills get stronger and some of them changes how they look like as more you use them (best skill system), it has 2 different worlds and muuuuuch more. You also can start the game as a girl Rena Lanford or the Boy Claude Kenny and both of them has different sequences you can get. Like if you start with the boy then you will not be able to get Dias in your party but if you start with the girl then you will be able to. This game has so much to offer it's just amazing. This game feels like several games in one that's how big it is in Playstation 1 times. It has some unlockables like sounds. Every word, every sound the character say in battle is unlocked untill you have a hidden picture which is made by these sounds you've unlocked. As more you unlock as more you can see what this picture is. You also will unlock several difficulty modes and much much more. This game is for me the number 1 of ALL RPG games of all time followed by Lufia 2. I so wish to have this game as a Remaster HD for PS4 with Welch.… Expand
  2. ArkonBlade
    Dec 30, 2010
    10
    if you are wondering why sqaursoft is held in such high regaurd even though now adays most of there RPG;s are half assed all you have to do is look back at the PS1 era RPG's they did and you will find alot that are of the highest qaulity and this game is among them . the story telling is top notch , great charicters . a fun new combat system that moves away from turn based (not like theresif you are wondering why sqaursoft is held in such high regaurd even though now adays most of there RPG;s are half assed all you have to do is look back at the PS1 era RPG's they did and you will find alot that are of the highest qaulity and this game is among them . the story telling is top notch , great charicters . a fun new combat system that moves away from turn based (not like theres any thing wrong with turn based combat) . lots of side quest and a intresting new way to get charicters in your party that are effected by your decisions . great boss battles and some nice challanging ones and a real tough final boss battle that actaully made me feel i had to put some real effort into it . alot of differnt endings which give this RPG alot of replay . a deffinite must play for any RPG fan.… Expand
  3. Wolfie1987
    Mar 27, 2014
    10
    The greatest Star Ocean game, the last good Star Ocean game, a true RPG classic. I love the complex "private actions" mechanic which allows the player to influence relationships and thus which ending you'll get. There are over 86 possible endings, setting a benchmark.
  4. jmstew3104
    Apr 18, 2017
    10
    Soooooo good, couldn't appreciate it until after the final boss fight but it's on the same wavelength as Chrono Trigger. If you played that game back in the day and liked it, go for this.
  5. RPGKing4
    Mar 11, 2012
    10
    This is my favorite game of all time. Absolutely amazing. Great combat system, lots of interesting characters, good story. This game is a pleasure to play through.
  6. WilliamA.
    Dec 24, 2004
    10
    To me personally i think the game kicks ass. granted controlling so many characters is difficult but after a while it becomes normal. also the gameplay is smooth and the story is solid (and funny depending on who is with you) the private action is a novel idea more rpg's should try to include this feature in their games as well. i couldn't really begin to truly praise this gameTo me personally i think the game kicks ass. granted controlling so many characters is difficult but after a while it becomes normal. also the gameplay is smooth and the story is solid (and funny depending on who is with you) the private action is a novel idea more rpg's should try to include this feature in their games as well. i couldn't really begin to truly praise this game and that's a lot from me considering i'm almost a straight squaresoft fan been playing since final fantasy for nes.… Expand
  7. ChrisP.
    Nov 11, 2005
    10
    Absolutely amazing. The combat has tossed aside the boring turn based system for a more challenging free movement system. The storyline has a few cracks but nowhere near as much as other RPG's and it more than makes up for that with the ability to tinker with how your characters feel about one another. The Private Action system allows you to actually interact with your characters and Absolutely amazing. The combat has tossed aside the boring turn based system for a more challenging free movement system. The storyline has a few cracks but nowhere near as much as other RPG's and it more than makes up for that with the ability to tinker with how your characters feel about one another. The Private Action system allows you to actually interact with your characters and learn more about their past, and... well your main characters past. The music, composed by Motoi Sakuraba is some of the best music you'll hear anywhere. Do yourself a favor and try this game out. It might be challenging at first, but the payoffs later on will become so very apparent.… Expand
  8. AlienSpaceBats
    Jan 25, 2014
    5
    I found The Second Story too mired in archaic JRPG conventions that made the game impossible to enjoy. I wanted to like it, and I did for a few hours, but the prospect of having to grind (and grind some more) to proceed, ridiculous difficulty spikes, content hidden to all but psychics (suffers from "how was I supposed to know that!?" syndrome) ensured I cancelled my adventure 6 hours in.I found The Second Story too mired in archaic JRPG conventions that made the game impossible to enjoy. I wanted to like it, and I did for a few hours, but the prospect of having to grind (and grind some more) to proceed, ridiculous difficulty spikes, content hidden to all but psychics (suffers from "how was I supposed to know that!?" syndrome) ensured I cancelled my adventure 6 hours in. Unexpectedly weak.… Expand
  9. Rafa_Vyr
    Apr 3, 2023
    10
    simply one of the best jrpg games with action or underwear of all time To watch two is very top right There are several a huge sign of weapons in the game is very good difficulty very good right for veterans I recommend young man played one of the best games in the world Playstation is undoubtedly much better than today's youth
  10. VidM.
    Nov 9, 2004
    7
    Loved the first world. Hated the second. First twenty hours or so are awesome, but by then the game has played itself out.
  11. thej_16
    Dec 22, 2013
    7
    The battle system is the best thing about this game, it was fun and made grinding a lot easier then other RPG's you come across. story wise however i found that it was left wanting as it slowly built up to an anti climatic finish which seemed premature given events prior to it. The battle system was enough that i kept playing and item creation plus other special abilities kept it fun.The battle system is the best thing about this game, it was fun and made grinding a lot easier then other RPG's you come across. story wise however i found that it was left wanting as it slowly built up to an anti climatic finish which seemed premature given events prior to it. The battle system was enough that i kept playing and item creation plus other special abilities kept it fun. overall it was good but lacking in some areas especially story line.
    graphics 8/10
    game play 8/10
    story 4/10    … Expand
  12. Recke
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    I love this game, between it's different paths, multitude of interesting characters, the private action system, the side content that only expands the game for fans of it, the combat system and some of the visuals of attacks, the story, and how vast it feels sets this up as potentially my all time favorite game. The only negatives I can actively think of is that being a PS1 game, it's aI love this game, between it's different paths, multitude of interesting characters, the private action system, the side content that only expands the game for fans of it, the combat system and some of the visuals of attacks, the story, and how vast it feels sets this up as potentially my all time favorite game. The only negatives I can actively think of is that being a PS1 game, it's a bit outdated for new players, and although solid music, not as memorable as a few other PS1 competitors.… Expand
  13. Lufia
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    This is by far the best RPG I ever played. 20 years later and there is not even 1 game that comes even close to this legend.
  14. ShinyShinii
    May 30, 2021
    10
    This is one of the best JRPGs ever made.
    Crafting (cooking, smithing, etc), relationships, recruiting specific characters, private actions, and exploring are all fun!!!!!!!

    Combat is great and balanced!!!

    Do yourself a favor and play this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  15. Darkspawn677
    Jun 6, 2022
    10
    Star ocean hqs to be like an rpg it is already like an rpg but it has to be more like an rpg
  16. zaozabot30
    Feb 26, 2023
    7
    Could've been a great game. Combat is chaotic and unresponsive, would've been better if it was turn based. Crafting mechanics is a gimmick and not that fun to use. Grinding is a must. Inventory management is horrible, especially in combat.
    Pixel characters look fine, but nothing special. Some prerendered backgrounds aged poorly, others are gorgeous. World is fun to explore, each city is    Could've been a great game. Combat is chaotic and unresponsive, would've been better if it was turn based. Crafting mechanics is a gimmick and not that fun to use. Grinding is a must. Inventory management is horrible, especially in combat.
    Pixel characters look fine, but nothing special. Some prerendered backgrounds aged poorly, others are gorgeous. World is fun to explore, each city is unique and each dungeon has a style. Music is there.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PS1 Game of 1999
20
#20 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. PSM Magazine
    80
    Delivers an engaging adventure for an instant role-playing classic.
  2. Just RPG
    96
    I would have to say the single feature that most caught my attention would have to be the emotional points. Started in the original Star Ocean game, it has been honed and perfected in the sequel (I am told it's better in the next in the series).
    Read full review
  3. PSX Nation
    90
    The problem I found here is that swithcing between characters in your party and trying to control them all at once is pretty hard. It's nice that Enix and Tri-Ace added the option to choose but we feel that the standard is the way to go.
    Read full review
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