Star Ocean gets the remake treatment with Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Square Enix has confirmed that Star Ocean: The Second Story, the second game in the Star Ocean sci-fi JRPG franchise, is getting a 2.5HD remake on modern platforms. Called Star Ocean: The Second Story R, the game will receive a substantial graphical overhaul, new soundtrack and other additional gameplay features.

Star Ocean: The Second Story follows Pangalactic Federation officer Claude finding himself on an isolated and underdeveloped planet of Expel. He then ends up embroiled in a high-stakes quest alongside Rena, a young woman who lives on Expel, to save the world and fulfil an ancient prophecy. Not unlike the more recently-released Star Ocean: The Divine Force, you can choose to play as either Claude or Rena, and your choice of protagonist impacts which party members you recruit and from whose perspective the narrative follows.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is no mere port to modern platforms. This version takes the 2D sprites of the 1998 PlayStation original and places them in HD 3D environments to create a style reminiscent of the gorgeous visuals in Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. While you are still limited to four active party members at a time, this version allows you to summon your allies who aren’t in your active party to unleash follow-up attacks to compliment your own chain attacks. Players can choose between a new reorchestrated soundtrack or the music from the original game. All event scenes are also now fully voiced by the game’s original voice cast in English and Japanese. In addition, the dialogue from the 2008 PSP remake is also included and can be selected.

For those eager for a modern update for this classic title, it’s in our near future. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is heading to Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC via Steam on November 2nd 2023.