STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R

It's the original game, basically streamlined a little, and it was great fun to revisit. You'll enjoy it if you like a classic JRPG and enjoy the mechanics of the Tales of.. games. The combat system was pretty novel at the time, creating a 3D twist on the side-scrolling combat setup from Tales of Destiny I & II, and it still holds up pretty well even though it's fairly chaotic. Because the combat rarely feels unfair and fights are fast, the chaos tends to work. The story is a little naive but comes through by being surprisingly earnest, with allied characters that are all enjoyable, memorable, and well-voiced. In the original, I experienced both main characters' stories, but I only played through Rena's in this one. The story is largely the same no matter who you pick, you just become privy to a few scenes exclusive to each character and wind up with a few different party members. If you never got to play this the first time around or are hankering for a not overly-corny classic JRPG story, this is worth your while. If you played subsequent Star Ocean games and found them dull or slow, I did too! Give this one a shot, as it's almost unrecognizable apart from the series title.

3A制作组搞rpg系统创新还是有一手，SO2R作为老游戏重置，对比现在的不少游戏，体验依然称得上独特且有趣 SO2R的核心玩法毫无疑问是IC系统，可以理解为简化版的炼金系统和便捷性游戏工具的结合，给予玩家快速跑图、秒杀低等级小怪、迷宫中购买道具等能力，让玩家能制作各式料理、道具、素材，打造武器、防具、饰品，从而搭建起本作的rpg玩法。SO2R的道具类型和料理种类繁多、效果不俗，除了常见的恢复功能外，还承包了本作多数的buff/debuff效果；同时每个角色都有7个装备栏、附加7个因子，除了对数值上的提升外，还有重要的吸血吸蓝免伤等效果，可以说SO2R的高难战斗和中后期战斗几乎都是受IC决定的。可惜的不少因子和道具在高难战斗中效果甚微，导致可选的构筑流派较少，玩法自由度不算高 SO2R的战斗系统就比较素了，四人小队可手控法术的使用，主控角色有平A+精闪+四个技能位+四个突击技能，操作层面上的东西不多。其中精闪能无伤、回蓝、破一格护盾、看着很美好，但缺少取消动作能力，在花哨的技能特效中又很难看清红光，且三个作用都能在rpg系统里找到替代品，从游戏中期开始就用不上了；平A缺少功能性、做好装备后就只剩突进的作用了，因此SO2R后期的战斗就是复读战技、丢四个突击技能。并且角色之间、技能之间的平衡性也不算好，可玩性被进一步压缩。所幸SO2R的战斗节奏还比较爽快，丰富的技能特效配合密密麻麻的伤害数字，看起来是挺爽的，整体来说不会拖后腿 剧情方面中规中矩还行，亮点是星海系列独特的科幻+魔幻的世界观、男女主双视角叙事，并且继承了老游戏的文本精炼的风格，不复杂也不拖沓，剧情节奏推进紧凑，主线体验不差 整体来说SO2R是好玩的，但老游戏的限时支线、限时剧情和角色入队限制设计，对于轻度玩家来说可能会难以接受。通关后能全角色入队就好了，13个角色自由搭配想想就更爽

垃圾，屎中屎 这剧情真是从头吃屎到尾。前期女主一股绿茶小仙女味，动不动就莫名其妙脱队。男主纯舔狗，尤其是比武大会那里，决赛我不能操控男主，眼睁睁看着男主被一刀秒掉，完事后竟然被女主夸差一点就赢了，真的难绷。后期第二个星球的剧情更是槽点无数，流程也恶心，几个迷宫往那里一放，干完十贤者竟然就没了。后来发现自己打的是假结局，又读档把真结局给打了，然后就就几句台词的区别。一周目用的女主，发现男主的好多事情没咋交代，所以二周目选男主看看怎么个事，上来就没绷住，自己不听劝被传送走了，就这还少尉呢，二周目也别打了。 剧情屎中屎，战斗系统更是莫名其妙，既没有回合制的策略性又没有什么操作可言，最终boss就是各种什么神曲大洪水之类的AOE。。。也不知道这个作品为什么被吹得那么高，重制得还那么用心（这点还是要夸一下的，能看出认真做了），难道就因为有点可玩性的IC系统吗。别说什么老游戏就这样，我玩的老JRPG不少，第一次遇到这么烂的，白瞎我149块还有30个小时的时间。

This was an absolute blast! I never managed to finish the original, always got bored, but this remake with ALOT of QoL changes, made it so much more enjoyable but still being faithful to the original. It looks fantastic too. I love how the sprites pop out of the 3D background, it almost looks like a pop-up book. Positives: - Beautiful sprite/3D combo - The new character artwork is one of the best I've seen, with the exception of Bowman, he doesn't look laidback anymore. - Easily breakable in the most fun ways. You can cook some great buffs, create some broken iems, or you can work on your pickpocketing and steal the best armor in the game from your own teammate 20% through the game, and many more ways. - A lot of replayability. There are 11 characters but only 6 free spots, some only join if you started with a different hero, some don't join if you already have someone specific, but this also means... Negatives: - The whole main story resolves only around those 2 main characters, the others mostly just say a sentence here and there once they're recruited, but there are a lot of PA events to give spotlights to those characters, and you get different events depending what character-combo you have. - The overworld has a lot of stutter, mostly when enemies pop-out. The overworld doesn't look that great compared to everything else. - The arranged soundtrack doesn't do it for me, it also sounds like it's lower in volume than the original. Luckily you can switch between the Original/Arrangement easily. Overall this is my favourite remake for quite some while and I wish we'd get more remakes of old-school rpgs looking like this.

很多年前玩过PS版本，可惜是日语的，再一个那个时候PS战斗时人物的跑动优化不是很好，玩了一点就玩不下去了，但心里一直惦记这游戏。有一次看到这个游戏在STEAM上 发布，决心要重玩一次。感觉很好，让我彻底知道了这个游戏的故事内容。简单，没那么复杂。没玩过的值得购买。

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!

Great game made even greater. Play it, enjoy it.

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