Star Ocean: First Departure

 PSP
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
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  1. IGN
    74
    If you can look at First Departure and understand that it's based on a very old title, you'll likely be able to overlook the problems and get a fair amount of satisfaction from the simple but mildly rewarding gameplay and old-school themes. Otherwise, a bland, awkwardly told narrative and weak characters prevent Star Ocean from being anything more than an amusing tribute to an old hit.
  2. Gamer 2.0
    71
    The game pales in comparison with most other games if you treat it as a new game, but as a standalone first entry, it’s honestly aged a whole lot better than the first entries to games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Suikoden, and other RPG’s.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    71
    A decent remake, but the fights are too easy and there is too much of them. [Feb 2009]
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  5. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    70
    Even so, First Departure has transitioned so smoothly to the PSP that it's definitely worth playing if you're curious about Star Ocean's origins or if you're itching for a charming and portable classic RPG. [Nov 2008, p.80]
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  6. Game Informer
    70
    The gameplay and plot show their age, blending into the sea of modern role-playing conventions.
  7. GamesRadar+
    70
    As long as you don’t mind the shallow real-time battles, Star Ocean: First Departure holds up amazingly well.
  8. Gamer.nl
    70
    Star Ocean is a good game. But nothing more than that. Because of the outdated graphics it will probably never enter the top of the JRPG genre. Nevertheless, real JRPG fans will be drawn by the strong storyline and the unique gameplay elements and will get enough in return for their interest in the game.
  9. Gamervision
    70
    Star Ocean: First Departure is a solid game that has made me want to check out the other installments in the series, but the battle system kept me from really falling in love with it.
  10. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    70
    Great synthesis of styles. [Feb 2009, p.78]
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  11. Armchair Empire
    65
    Star Ocean: First Departure may be full of flaws, but being an RPG from 1996, that shouldn’t be entirely unexpected.
  12. GameDaily
    60
    Turn-based battles are simplistic, repetitive and random, while the one-dimensional story failed to hold our interests. Nevertheless, the game's upgraded 2-D sprites, luscious pre-rendered backdrops and 3-D over world boost the presentation, and the music is, thankfully, timeless.
  13. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    Like an internet date reaching for your hand over a candlelit dinner this feels much older than it looks. [Christmas 2008, p.119]
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  14. GameSpot
    60
    Star Ocean: First Departure's updated presentation fails to disguise its shallow gameplay or limited appeal.
  15. Gaming Nexus
    50
    With a weak story, repetitive gameplay and a little too much backtracking, it's easy to become indifferent to Square Enix's newest portable role-playing game.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best PSP Game of 2008
7
#7 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2008
14
#14 Most Shared PSP Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 46
  3. Negative: 5 out of 46
  1. moonman1994
    Jul 16, 2012
    8
    A well done remake of the first Star Ocean game. The battle system is great and it makes the game play fun. The story is pretty good and thisA well done remake of the first Star Ocean game. The battle system is great and it makes the game play fun. The story is pretty good and this game even has a multitude of optional characters making it fun to play several times. The only down side of the many optional characters is that it's hard to become emotionally attached to some of the characters. Overall Star Ocean: First Departure is a very enjoyable game.… Full Review »
  2. BasilZero
    Nov 19, 2011
    9
    Fans of Squareenix is given another gift from the company as in the form of the Star Ocean series, the cult classic from the SNES era comesFans of Squareenix is given another gift from the company as in the form of the Star Ocean series, the cult classic from the SNES era comes back fully remade with new remixes and a few new additions that were not seen in the original game. The audio improved, gameplay tuned and the graphics incredible for a 2D game, fans will surely be remembering this classic for years!… Full Review »
  3. JaretW.
    Jan 14, 2009
    10
    Very good game, a lot was put into this game that wasn't in the original, and makes the game feel polished. Surprisingly good voice Very good game, a lot was put into this game that wasn't in the original, and makes the game feel polished. Surprisingly good voice acting, and anime style cut scenes really help the story telling along. In my opinion the best RPG on the PSP right now.… Full Review »
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