There's a reason for fans of the Star Ocean series to be happy. That's because Star Ocean The Second Story is returning as a 2.5D remake under the title Star Ocean The Second Story R. It's coming out November 2 on PC through Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
As part of the announcement, Square Enix also released a new trailer that gives us a first look at what to expect from the game, like the stunning visual direction. The trailer also showed the action-packed gameplay and battle sequences. Then, there's the new character illustrations by none other than series veteran Yukihiro Kajimoto and the beautifully rearranged soundtrack, courtesy of the original composer Motoi Sakuraba.
You can watch the trailer below:
The Remake
The remake revitalizes the original title with 2.5D aesthetic and beautiful 3D environments, along with nostalgic 2D pixel characters. Together, you get a gameplay experience that has the feel of a classic RPG with a modern touch.
That means players can look forward to seeing some of the features which made the original title so memorable. However, they will also experience new gameplay features like the fast-paced and real-time combat and battle mechanics to strategically defeat enemies. There's also the customizable party progression and a wide range of skills like cooking, art, and metalcraft.
Players should also check out these three new difficulty modes:
- Earth
- Provides a standard experience.
- Galaxy
- This is good for those looking for a more satisfying challenge.
- Universe
- For seasoned players looking to put their skills to the ultimate test.
Pre-Order Now
Pre-orders for the standard physical editions are now available for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the standard digital edition are open for PC through Steam and PlayStation. The pre-orders for the standard digital edition for Nintendo Switch are set to be available at a later date. Those who pre-order either editions can get these digital contents as bonuses:
- Pangalactic Federation Longsword
- Forest Knuckles
- Sunrise Ring
- Set of recovery items (Mixed Berries x20 + Resurrection Potion x20)
Collector's Edition
Square Enix is also offering Star Ocean The Second Story R Collector's Edition. This special and limited quantity set is a good addition to the collection of fans of the cult classic and newbies. Besides what's included in the standard edition, it comes with a Collector's Edition goods box containing the original soundtrack, art book, and the Mini Acrylic Stand Collection Box.
What about you? Excited about this remake?
