STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R Reviews

Don't miss out on this game, it is genuinely great. Fun action, lots of skills, so much to craft and level up but in my opinion the story really draws me in. Lots of other reviews will probably say similar stuff but in my opinion one of the strongest points to this game are the party member interactions. You never see this much interaction or personality between party members in most modern games anymore. Not to mention the game has 99 endings...

Really good remake of a game that is both true to the original and updates what's outdated. The counter system is jank but it can be completely ignored to have an almost identical combat experience to the original. If you never played before, it can be cleared in about 35ish hours (at least the main story) and has almost 100 different ending combinations, depending on each character's relation to each other, and more characters than slots available, so there's good replay value. SO2 also belongs to the category of games that let you crack them wide open, but still have really challenging super bosses. You can get -extremely- powerful, but to get through everything you're kind of expected to, which is fun and rewarding. Lots of replayability, good challenge on Universe difficulty, and plenty of post-game content to take a crack at. Can't recommend enough

Solid action JRPG perfect for if you're feeling nostalgic to the mid-late nineties era of gaming.

Épico, tremendos gráficos

I don't usually play JRPG's or RPG's in general. It's my least favorite genre. I have watched my friends play and complete many more than I have ever attempted. The ones I have purchased over the years, I rarely ever finish. However, I loved "Secret of Mana" as a kid. I always kept fond memories of it. This kind of reminded me of that classic. "Star Ocean Second Story R," is a delight. I actually finished the game! Not to mention, doing almost everything and having a great time. The combat system was entertaining and fast paced. Crafting weapons and gear starts out overehelming, as there are a lot of mechanics to play around with and learn. It feels like the game is never going to settle and gel together. However, as you start to better understand the experience, it becomes more manageable. Then, it becomes really satisfying. This title, gives plenty of side goals, with missions and guild quests. Fishing! Many of them have worthwhile rewards. Boss fights, can be challenging. Sometimes, busted until you figure them out. It has awesome post game content. The post game maze was enjoyable to complete. Those gnarly post game boss fights are infuriating, but still satisfying. At least on "Universe" difficulty. SOTSSR, has 13 potential party members. Yet, you can only take 8 throughout your journey. Some won't join if other members are present or aren't present so your choices matter. As once you bring someone along you can't kick them off the team later. The game also has 99 possible character endings. Meaning, you can play to see how different outcomes happen as you develop (or dont develop) the relationships between characters. While, I enjoyed this JRPG. It still had some flaws. The universal story and ending is bittersweet. I was a little unsatisfied. There are some plot holes they never attempt to clean up. Also, the difficulty is childishly easy on normal (Galaxy), Even for a novice JRPG player like myself. I actually restarted my run early on and bumped it to up to "Universe" difficulty. Then, the challenge felt right. The only problem with upping the difficulty was some boss fights where serious diffilculty spikes. Like extremely aggressive! Nontheless, I still recommend playing on "universe" as leveling up and getting cool stuff means nothing on the normal difficulty. Since, you can beat the game with basic starter attacks and all the bosses die in 2 seconds. Which is a waste of time in my opinion. My last gripe with "Star Ocean The Second Story R" is it doesn't support 16:10 aspect ratio. This is for my Steam Deck users. This game is verified and runs very well, but you have black bars at the top and bottom of the screen in handheld mode. Highly annoying! I got use to it after a while, but there is no reason a verified game shouldn't support proper aspect ratio! Wastes a lot of screen real estate. There is a mod for it, but I couldn't get it to work. Therfore, I just played with the black bars unfortunately. Your only other option would be to play at 720p and then stretch the image smh. Botttomline, is this is unacceptable. They need to patch 16:10 as a option. It's not meeting the verified standard of game supporting the Steam Decks resolution. Anways, the game is visually beautiful. SOTSSR, has powerful gear to collect and cool enemies to beat up with that powerful gear. It boasts a enjoyable cast of mostly likeable characters. Great combat. Plenty of post game content. A "new game+" along with plently of QoL. If the ending just gave the satisfaction I was looking for after completion. This remake would have been perfect. Still, this is a great videogame to have and I am glad I play it. This was a great first Star Ocean experience and re-introduction into playing JRPG's at large. This how the SoM remake should have been. Maybe, I would have bought it. "Star Ocean The Second Story R." is a major YES from me!

First Star Ocean game! Would recommend for the skill and level up system among all the different spécialities your characters can attain. You can craft, make art, do alchemy and more. With an abundant number of items that have unique effects, you can even duplicate some of them for some fun and wicked builds. Story and dialogue are a bit juvénile, so I would play this just for the gameplay alone. Bosses are super short which is refreshing. I got into Jrpgs in the x360 era through tales. Going back to these psx remakes really opens your eyes to the complexité and novel ideas the golden age of Jrpgs had.

Amazing story, great VA, visual upgrades are stunning. they may the game easy in a good way. i'm still in post game and have not started my Claude route.

STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is a captivating remake of the classic JRPG that manages to breathe new life into a beloved title while preserving the charm and depth that made the original so memorable. Set in a richly imagined sci-fi universe with fantasy elements, the game follows two protagonists whose paths intertwine as they explore vast worlds, engage in strategic battles, and uncover an intricate story filled with twists, character development, and emotional moments. The remake enhances the experience with modernized graphics, refined mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements, making it accessible to both longtime fans and newcomers to the series. The narrative in STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is one of its standout features, weaving a complex tale that balances personal character arcs with broader themes of interstellar conflict and exploration. Players can choose between two protagonists—Claude or Rena—each offering a unique perspective and slightly different storylines that add replayability and depth. The writing skillfully blends moments of humor, drama, and mystery, and the interactions between the diverse cast of characters create a compelling dynamic that keeps players invested. Side quests and character-specific events further enrich the world, encouraging exploration and offering insights into the backgrounds and motivations of the supporting cast. Gameplay is a fluid mix of real-time combat and RPG elements, providing an engaging challenge that rewards both tactical thinking and quick reflexes. The battle system is dynamic, allowing players to control party members directly or assign AI behaviors for more strategic control. Character customization is robust, with a wide array of skills, abilities, and equipment options that let players tailor their party’s strengths to suit their playstyle. The inclusion of crafting and item synthesis adds another layer of depth, encouraging players to experiment with different combinations to enhance weapons, armor, and accessories. The pacing of battles and exploration strikes a good balance, maintaining a steady sense of progression without becoming repetitive. Visually, the game benefits from significant upgrades compared to the original, featuring detailed character models, vibrant environments, and smooth animations that bring the sci-fi and fantasy settings to life. The soundtrack is memorable and evocative, with a mix of energetic battle themes and atmospheric background music that perfectly complements the game’s tone. Voice acting adds another dimension to character interactions, lending personality and emotion that enhance the storytelling. The interface and overall user experience have been polished to meet modern standards, streamlining menus and navigation to reduce frustration and improve accessibility. There are, however, some aspects that may feel dated or could be improved for today’s players. The storyline, while rich, sometimes follows classic JRPG tropes that might seem predictable to seasoned players, and certain side quests can feel like filler rather than meaningful additions. The real-time combat system, though generally smooth, occasionally suffers from camera angles or AI behaviors that can hinder fluid control during hectic encounters. Additionally, the game’s length and complexity might be daunting for casual players, requiring a substantial time investment to fully experience all content and character arcs. In conclusion, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is a thoughtfully executed remake that successfully modernizes a classic JRPG without losing the essence of what made the original special. Its engaging narrative, dynamic combat, and extensive customization options offer a deep and rewarding experience for fans of the genre. While it may present some challenges and occasional frustrations, the game’s strengths in storytelling, atmosphere, and gameplay make it a must-play for those seeking a richly layered sci-fi RPG adventure with a heartfelt core. Rating: 9/10

This is how all old school remakes should be done. I had an absolute amazing time playing this game!

I love the game, but the saving system is fuc*ed up. I finished my first run in the Sylva Mines, I saved in 2 slots, I play the game again, the saves have disappeared. I then play another run, get to Sylva Mines again and quit, when I get back the game loads this one properly, then today I go back at it from Krosse (one city after Sylva Mines), and I find the save from Sylva Mines of the second run instead? Where are the save slots from Krosse now? What the heck. This remake is so good, but why are you such amateurs when it's about saving a game, and why haven't you fixed it yet? =\