Each time I revisit my earliest RPG loves, I usually discover that the thick fog of ’90s nostalgia does extra hurt than good. I’ve spent far an excessive amount of time fondly recalling the way in which I noticed sure video games as a child with an enormous creativeness, solely to understand a few of these adventures don’t fairly measure up in the identical methods now.

As a lot as we wish to ask for remakes of beloved classics like Chrono Set off or Last Fantasy IX, the considered such remade experiences makes my jaw reflexively clench. Messy remakes not solely muddle fond reminiscences, they often blunder the wonders and themes of the originals. And whereas I’ve embraced extra remasters and devoted from-the-ground-up rebuilds over the previous couple of years, I all the time really feel a tiny pit of hysteria looming when RPGs I adored roll again into the highlight.

Fortunately, Star Ocean: The Second Story R completely bucks that pattern. Forward of its November 2 launch, I’ve spent ample time with Star Ocean 2’s formidable remake, and the journey stays a delight greater than 20 years later. The truth is, The Second Story R is a uncommon journey down reminiscence lane that modernizes the unique recreation whereas retaining all of the qualities I liked a lot as a baby.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R (PC [Reviewed], Change, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5)
Developer: Gemdrops, Inc
Writer: Sq. Enix
Launched: November 2, 2023
MSRP: $49.99

A story of two worlds

Whereas I’m admittedly a fan of all issues Star Ocean — sure, all issues — The Second Story on PlayStation stays my favourite to at the present time. The 1998 sequel didn’t invent each system the space-faring sequence follows, but it surely definitively raised the bar for Motion RPGs. The 2023 iteration in Second Story R is simply additive, sharpening away the imperfections that always include decades-old concepts.

Within the spirit of a brand new journey into the unknown, I performed as Claude C. Kenny in my preliminary playthrough, and, whoops, that’s one thing I ought to’ve executed again within the day. The Second Story R nonetheless sports activities its dual-protagonist system, and although I used to be endlessly devoted to Rena’s Dias-exclusive route ages in the past, I see how Claude’s introduction could higher set the tone for anybody unfamiliar with a few of Star Ocean’s twists and tips.

Both manner, decide who you need. The Second Story R stays simply as full of the identical allure, drama, and existential musings as its ‘90s and early 2000s RPG contemporaries. You’ll dabble just a little within the moral dilemmas posed by area journey, struggle otherwordly beasties, save the universe, and nonetheless find time for late-night angst on the inn. After I say it’s bought the staples of the greats, I imply that in each regard.

Brilliant and bloomy

Claude, Rena, and the remainder of their gang can be nothing with out the unique’s enchanting static backgrounds and expressive sprites. Regardless of adoring the appear and feel of recent throwbacks like Octopath Traveler 2, I had my reservations about how that 2D-HD aesthetic would have an effect on a world already so endeared. I’ve been burned too many occasions seeing timeless pixel artwork ruined with blurry abominations and painfully performing ports.

Nonetheless, if the current had been to apologize to the previous, I reckon the apology would look one thing like The Second Story R. These overly animated sprites and eccentric environments added a lot soul to ’90s RPGs, and Star Ocean utterly retains these qualities. Quite than repair what isn’t damaged, it as an alternative merges that stunning artwork fashion with 3D landscapes crafted fittingly to reminiscence. The cleaned-up dialogue and translation definitely assist on this case, too.

If you happen to recall an NPC there and a city right here, likelihood is Second Story R remembered it, too. It’s definitely no one-for-one journey, however the huge items all stay. Frankly, if I hadn’t pulled up maps to match this remake in opposition to the unique, I might’ve informed you they’re each the identical content-wise. Fortunately, my recollection of the world map aided me via my second go, which is healthier served by new designs, lighting, and animations.

Higher served isn’t any exaggeration, both. Whereas I really like a few of these previous, open-world maps from manner again then, the brand new look makes retreading the identical handful of locales much less of a slog. There’s water refraction! And clearer particulars within the distance dotted with outlined landmarks! There’s additionally sufficient bloom to gentle the world for miles, however truthfully, I dig the heavy-handed lighting. It’s one other layer to the fantastical right here, which makes each body of these introspective or thrilling story moments pop much more.

That stated, just a few of these moments don’t hit fairly the identical as they did once I was a child. That resounding thud my coronary heart makes because it hits the ground after one dramatic, early story sequence isn’t as loud now because it was again within the day. Maybe it’s due to the bitterness of age, or perhaps these PlayStation graphics simply made the state of affairs look much more dire than it was. Thankfully, this wasn’t an issue I usually encountered. Second Story R’s makeover stays faithfully beautiful general.

Third Evolution

In the meantime, Second Story R spares no expense in modernizing its mechanics. And although I’ve a coronary heart for these authentic visuals, you’ll discover no sentimentality from me in terms of negotiating these drained and trodden methods. For instance, somebody, someplace, requested why we spent 5 to seven enterprise days shifting between cities and dungeons within the authentic recreation. Because of this, the remake wastes no time providing you the means to move wherever with Quick Journey. Don’t fear — the Bunny Name stays. If you realize, you realize.

My delight doubles whenever you couple Quick Journey with The Second Story R’s new map markers and the unique recreation’s Non-public Motion (PA) system. Star Ocean’s PAs are mini cutscenes between occasion members, with some solely out there underneath sure circumstances. If you happen to aren’t cautious, they’ll disappear for those who transfer the plot alongside too far. That all the time felt punitive contemplating there are ending cutscenes locked behind triggering dozens of those occasions, with no clear indication of how these moments influence your occasion members or their relationships with one another. If you happen to weren’t following a information again then, these methods had been purely vibes-based.

Now, as an alternative of anxiously exploring for these secrets and techniques between story beats, the Quick Journey map flags sub-events and Non-public Actions in your consideration. They aren’t cleverly disguised or ambiguous; scenes gated by deadlines are introduced in clear, simple instructions that don’t activate my struggle or flight from litter. Moreover, you’ll be able to freely toggle out and in of Non-public Motion mode now. On the PlayStation, I keep in mind leaving and reentering cities between every cutscene — praying I’d exhausted any sequences within the zone earlier than I used to be locked out.

An RPG of Second Story’s scope was, and nonetheless is, a number of trial and error. However whenever you take away limitations that really feel extra like mean-spirited time sinks, the error a part of that equation doesn’t irritate or demoralize its participant into begrudgingly shifting on or hitting reset with a sigh.

In with the brand new

Up to now, I’d by no means advocate taking part in the unique PlayStation incarnation of Star Ocean 2 with out an arsenal of decades-old information tabs cluttering your browser. Nonetheless, I’m completely comfy recommending Second Story R with out an encyclopedia of assets now. Certain, chances are you’ll miss out on some min-maxing, however I fumbled my manner via Claude’s story with the hazy reminiscence of Rena’s marketing campaign lighting the way in which. My run even included simply recruiting two occasion members — Opera and Ernest — that I didn’t even know existed within the authentic recreation. I notice there are 20-something years separating the event, however let’s chalk it as much as streamlined designs.

High quality of life tweaks lengthen past the broader world and into character menus too. I can double-check occasion member relationships between occasions with helpful coronary heart indicators, giving me a transparent signal to reload once I’ve upset Celine once more. The remainder be damned, I’m simply making an attempt to make her and Opera completely satisfied.

I didn’t discover any adjustments to recruitment paths or occasion capability. Nonetheless, there’s a brand new system to implement sidelined characters via support-like features referred to as Assault Actions. If you happen to’ve ever performed a combating recreation that allows you to tag in a second character for an assault, it’s a lot of the identical right here.

Assault Actions assign slots to occasion members you’ve retired, offering a strategic serving to hand on a restricted cooldown. Alongside the way in which, I picked up just a few key objects, unlocking guests from different entries, too. They didn’t influence the world past battle, however I do love being a man named Claude C. Kenny summoning one other man named Fayt Leingod to again me up — very Star Ocean.

Maintain the fluff

Maybe the affair may have felt a lot shorter since Gemdrops’ tackle Second Story streamlines content material with out main sacrifices. However the developer and Sq. Enix added to its bulk, too. Merchandise Creation and Specialties — the sport’s plethora of particular crafting methods and different extras — stay, however with just a few further substances.

I discovered myself straying off dozens of occasions. Not for Non-public Actions or missable characters, however so I may chip away on the RPG’s new questing options that propelled these mechanics alongside. Guild Missions supply to-do lists between cities, assigning you particular crafting tasks that double as a helpful approach to encourage experimental play.

Problem Missions construct upon that with 4 issue choices — they’re like mini-achievements. For somebody who usually complains about frivolous bloat embedded throughout the style, I positive discovered myself enamored with finishing targets like composing 15 songs or reaching max rank Grasp Chef earlier than it ever mattered. Second Story R even provides fishing to the combo, and whereas there’s nothing even marginally particular there, I positive did embark on prolonged voyages to finish my fish database.

A Divine Pressure

Through the years, Star Ocean by no means fairly blossomed right into a sequence so universally beloved as a few of its RPG siblings. The PSP editions provided a spark of hope that I’d see the title return with much less divisive staples to the style, however generations of consoles got here and went with newer video games solely souring the title’s repute. I’ve spent a long time insisting that Until the Finish of Time isn’t so dangerous for those who merely ignore half of it. However in truth, it’s solely with an earnest sense of cheek I remind you of the sequence’ goofier aspect.

Star Ocean 2, by comparability, requires manner fewer asterisks to advocate. And for those who ever wished to know why so many followers nonetheless proceed to stay up for this sequence, that is the sport that may clarify it. It was a traditional when it got here out a long time in the past, and it’s nonetheless a traditional at the moment. Even for those who don’t root for the sequence after taking part in this one, it’s nonetheless a recreation that each RPG fan ought to take a look at. And with the remake, there’s arguably by no means been a greater time to expertise Claude and Rena’s tales for your self.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R recaptures all of the otherworldly surprise of its PlayStation predecessor. The tough edges of the unique at the moment are clean to the contact, and the improved visuals amplify that traditional pixel artwork aesthetic in a manner that few remakes pull off. It’s a considerate snapshot encapsulating RPGs of the period, retaining all the fervour and whimsy I keep in mind so fondly. I liked this look again at Star Ocean‘s previous, and I hope this marks a brand new starting for the sequence’ future.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}