Square Enix announced Star Ocean: The Second Story R during Nintendo's June 21, 2023 Direct broadcast. The game will launch on Switch on November 2, 2023. Square Enix also confirmed the same release date for PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam.
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The game is a full remake of 1998's Star Ocean: The Second Story. Originally released on the PS1 by Enix (prior to its merger with Square). It uses a new graphical style reminiscent of Square Enix's "HD-2D" titles, blending 2D sprites and 3D environments. The game also appears to use new character art in the dialog sequences.
Like other Star Ocean titles, The Second Story R blends science fiction with fantasy, as the spacefaring Federation officer Claude C. Kenny is stranded on an underdeveloped planet. He meets a young woman named Reina Lanford, who has mysterious magical powers. Players will be able to choose to Claude or Reina to lead the story. This choice, and their actions, will determine which party members they'll encounter and be able to count on as allies. The game will also feature some updates to the real-time battle system, adding more combos and the ability for allies outside the active party to contribute during combat.
This isn't the first updated rerelease Star Ocean The Second Story has received. In 2008 the PlayStation Portable received Star Ocean: Second Evolution, a remastered edition with new endings, skill balancing, a new playable character, and animated cutscenes.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R launches on Nintendo Switch on November 2, 2023. A remake of the original Star Ocean called Star Ocean: First Departure R, is also available on Switch and PS4. Check out RPG Site's official review.
Check out the Nintendo Direct announcement trailer below:
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And here's Square Enix's announcement trailer, which includes different footage:
Press Release
Today Square Enix announced the highly acclaimed second instalment in the Star Ocean series, Star Ocean The Second Story is returning as Star Ocean The Second Story R. First released in Japan in 1998 on the PlayStation console, Star Ocean The Second Story Rwill return as a 2.5D remake, launching on November 2, 2023. The RPG will be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PlayStation 4 (PS4) consoles, and digitally on PC via Steam. Pre-orders are available now.
In a new trailer unveiled today, Square Enix provided fans with a first look at Star Ocean The Second Story R. The trailer showcases the game’s new, stunning visual direction, action-packed gameplay, battle sequences and all-new character illustrations by series veteran Yukihiro Kajimoto, as well as a beautifully rearranged soundtrack by original composer, Motoi Sakuraba.
Star Ocean The Second Story R has been revitalized with a charming 2.5D aesthetic that combines beautiful 3D environments with nostalgic 2D pixel characters, offering players both a classic RPG and modern gameplay experience. Players can expect to find some of the original features that made the original release so memorable alongside brand-new gameplay features including fast-paced, real-time combat and battle mechanics to strategically defeat foes, customizable party progression with an array of skills, including Cooking, Art, Metalcraft, and more. Three new difficulty modes have also been introduced including “Earth” which provides a standard experience, “Galaxy” for those looking for a more satisfying challenge, and “Universe” for seasoned players looking to put their skills to the ultimate test.
The epic story begins with Claude, a Federation officer, who finds himself transported to an undeveloped planet. While searching for a way home, an encounter with a girl named Rena draws them into a quest to save her people, just as an ancient prophecy foretold. Players will begin their adventure with either Claude or Rena, and depending on their choice, the perspectives and the allies' players recruit will change. Players will get to know party members through the unique ‘Private Actions System’, which will allow them to grow relationships and unlock a variety of different endings.
Star Ocean The Second Story Rwill launch with Japanese and English text and voiceover language support, with voiceovers performed by members of the original cast (Japanese). Subtitle support for French, Italian, German, and Spanish will also be available via a software update at launch.
Standard Physical Editions of Star Ocean The Second Story R are available to pre-order now for the Nintendo Switch, PS5 & PS4 consoles, as well as the Standard Digital Edition for PS5 & PS4 consoles, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders for the Standard Digital Edition for Nintendo Switch will be available at a later date. Players who pre-order the physical or digital editions will receive the following digital content as a pre-order bonus:
Pangalactic Federation Longsword
Forest Knuckles
Sunrise Ring
Set of recovery items (Mixed Berries x20 + Resurrection Potion x20)
Star Ocean The Second Story R Collector's Editionis available as a special, limited quantity set made for both newcomers and fans of the cult classic.
Set Contents
Star Ocean The Second Story R Standard Edition game
Collector's Edition goods box
Star Ocean The Second Story R Original Soundtrack Collector's Edition
Star Ocean The Second Story R Art Book
Star Ocean The Second Story R Mini Acrylic Stand Collection Box
*This set is a Square Enix Store exclusive.
Star Ocean The Second Story R will be available for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC via Steam on November 2, 2023. For more information, visit: https://square-enix-games.com
Game Details
About Star Ocean: The Second Story
The second game in the spacefaring RPG series, released for the PlayStation® in 1998 (JP) / 1999 (US) / 2000 (EU). An epic tale of love and courage set in the vastness of the universe, it earned praise as an RPG that influenced the next generation, featuring a Dual Protagonist system, 3D battles, a deep skill system, Private Actions, and multiple endings. As the most popular title in the series, it was adapted into manga and the Star Ocean EX anime series. A direct sequel, Star Ocean: Blue Sphere, was released for the Game Boy Color in Japan. Star Ocean: Second Evolution was released for the PSP in 2008 (JP) / 2009 (US & EU) and is also available (JP only) since 2015 via download for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. The series has been attracting loyal fans for over two decades.
Story
Claude C. Kenny, a young officer in the Pangalactic Federation, is sent to investigate a mysterious dome discovered on Planet Milokeenia on the orders of Ronyx, his father and commanding officer. There he discovers an unfamiliar-looking mechanism. Hoping to demonstrate his courage, he ignores Ronyx's objections and touches it, only to disappear in a blinding flash. Later, Claude wakes up surrounded by lush forest and realizes he's been transported somewhere far away. Trying and failing to get in contact with Ronyx, Claude scouts out the area around him, only to discover a monster just as it's about to attack a young girl. Rushing into the fray, Claude fires away with the Phase Gun his father gave him. Seeing Claude rescue her with this bright, lethal force, the girl—Rena Lanford—mistakes him for a figure from the myths of her homeland, a hero who bears a Sword of Light. In order to properly thank him, Rena takes Claude to the village of Arlia, hoping against hope that he could be the one to save the entire nation...
Main Staff
Producer and director: Yuichiro Kitao
Star Ocean 3 (Battle programmer)
Valkyrie Profile 1 & 2 (Battle programmer)
Art director: Yukinori Masuda
Valkyrie Profile 1 & 2 (Artist)
Crystar (Art director)
Character illustrations: Yukihiro Kajimoto
Infinite Undiscovery (Main character designer)
Star Ocean: Anamnesis (Character illustrator)
Sound: Motoi Sakuraba
Star Ocean and Tales series (Sound creator)
Key Art
Dual Protagonist System
An epic tale of two heroes navigating the sea of stars.
This game features a Dual Protagonist System that lets players choose between two heroes to play as. Each protagonist experiences a different tale, with story events developing in divergent ways and conversations with other characters taking new, unexpected turns.
Characters
Artist Yukihiro Kajimoto has redesigned the illustrations for all thirteen playable characters, as well as the NPCs. His art, based on the original designs, evokes the art's original concepts more clearly than ever before.
Claude C. Kenny
"I want to protect you. And I think that's the reason I've been put here."
A young man with issues about his father, a great hero.
He holds the rank of second lieutenant in the Pangalactic Federation. From early childhood to now, he's always felt his father's shadow looming in the way everyone regards him. It makes him doubtful of his own skills, giving him somewhat of a rebellious streak. By nature, he's a serious-minded, caring person whose sense of justice makes it impossible to ignore anyone in trouble.
Rena Lanford
"I want to know what I really am."
A pure-minded girl with healing powers.
A girl who lives with her mother Westa in Arlia, a village on the far end of Expel. Affectionate and guileless, she is well-liked by everyone. However, she knows that Westa is only her adoptive mother, and considering her unique healing skills, she has concerns about where she truly comes from.
Celine Jules
"If you want to pick a fight, you had best choose your opponents more carefully."
A treasure hunter gifted in symbology.
A symbologist from Marze, a hotbed of the symbolic arts. Far more interested in training and money than love, she regularly goes treasure hunting as a hobby whenever she's free. In battle, she's a powerful presence when providing support from the rear, but lacks close combat skills.
Ashton Anchors
"You have to take responsibility for this! Look at me! I'm permanently disfigured!"
An unhappy swordsman possessed by a two-headed dragon.
A swordsman Claude and Rena encounter as they try to kill a two-headed dragon spoken of in Salva. He fights by mixing symbology with his dual-sword style.
Dias Flac
"I don't really feel like babysitting a bunch of people who're gonna be nothing but a burden to me."
A long swordsmand on a never-ending quest for strength.
An Arlian swordsman who's known Rena since childhood. He's known across Expel as an accomplished sword master, expertly using all manner of cutting and slashing weapons, and he specializes in long-range attacks based on sword arts and magic.
Precis F. Neumann
"Ah, man! Failed again! My dad's gonna laugh at me again, I just know it."
An inventor taking her own path in life.
A young girl who lives with her father in the academically-driven town of Linga. Influenced by her inventor father, she's taken an interest in machine technology, fighting with tools like the Robot Puncher in her backpack and Robbie, a small, transformable robot she developed.
Reborn with the latest visual expression
2D characters are in all their retro pixel glory, will adventure across a charming, 360-degree 3D world.
CGI background is updated by using special shaders to achieve expressiveness that gives an immersive feel to every environment
Fun, thrilling team-action battles!
The real-time action combat allows you to unleash skills with a simple push of a button. Battles have become even more strategic with new elements added to the combat system. These features allow you to stun enemies by layering attacks or to prompt an ally character not currently in your party to perform a follow-up attack. The original effects and animations have been further refined, making combat even more exhilarating.
Thrilling & visually explosive battles! Enjoy fast-paced combats and strategically defeat foes with new mechanics such as "Break" and “Assault Action” dealing massive damage & featuring protagonists from across the Star Ocean series.
Super-flashy and exhilarating! Renewed battle effects. Incredibly rich effects create battles bursting with energy
Cooperate with allies! Stun your enemies to stop them in their tracks and deal major damage with follow-up attacks from your allies. Fight alongside your allies to eradicate the enemy in one fell swoop.
New recordings from the original JP cast. Two voice sets available at any time.
This remake features new voice recordings for all the player characters, allowing for full-voice cutscenes with the original cast, something that wasn't possible in the PS1 version. The game also supports switching between the new voices and the PSP version's cast; you can select which to use on a character-by-character basis in the Status screen at any time, letting you play with the cast of your choice.
The soundtrack energized by new and remixed tunes
The entire original soundtrack has been rearranged by original composer Motoi Sakuraba, with new audio adding a fresh, enriched feel to the familiar music. New music has been created for certain boss battles and other moments, and some tracks were recorded live with a full band. It's as dynamic as ever, and from the world map to the bosses, adds more excitement to the whole game.
