Square Enix today confirmed that the second part of the Star Ocean series will be relaunched. The comprehensive remake even has a release date – and that is later this year.
With Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a classic of the Star Ocean series returns to the scene. The second part of the series was originally released for the PlayStation in Japan in 1998 – now it is coming out again in a much more modern guise as a 2.5D remake and with the suffix R.
There is also a release date: From November 2, 2023, Square Enix will make Star Ocean: The Second Story R available for the platforms Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam; Pre-orders are already being accepted.
Of course, to coincide with the announcement, there is also a first trailer showing the graphic style, action-packed gameplay, combat and new character illustrations by Yukihiro Kajimoto, the veteran behind the series. The 2.5D graphics style combines beautiful 3D worlds with nostalgic 2D pixel characters. The bottom line is that the experience of a classic RPG should remain in a modern guise.
The story of the game is about Claude, who ends up as a Federation officer on a mystical planet. While searching for a way home, he meets a young girl named Rena, who involves him in saving her people as an ancient prophecy foretold. You start your adventure with either Claude or Rena. Depending on the choice, the perspectives and available allies that can be recruited as party members will change. Relationships can also be built and different endings unlocked through the Private Actions system.
The game’s text and voiceover will be in Japanese and English; the original cast returns as voice actors. After all, German is available in the form of subtitles via a software update.
Those who pre-order the game can secure the following bonuses:
- Pangalactic Federation Longsword (Claude)
- Waldfäustlinge (Rena)
- 1x Set of Recovery Items (20x Mixed Berries + 20x Revival Potion)
- 1x Sonnenaufgangsring
In addition to a Standard Edition, there is also a limited Collector’s Edition with the following content:
- Star Ocean: The Second Story R Standard Edition
- Collector’s Edition Box
- Original-Soundtrack
- Artbook
- Mini Acrylic Figure Collector Box
The second Star Ocean will receive a 2.5D remake, which will be released later this year.
