Rating
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Two worlds, one fateful encounter. In an endless sea of stars, at the edge of the universe, two people who live in different worlds go on a journey to save planet Expel. Choose your path and witness an awakened destiny.
Details
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- Developer
- Gemdrops, Square Enix Creative Business Unit I
- Genres
- Action · Role-playing (RPG) · Adventure
- Publisher
- Square Enix
Similar Games
Star Ocean: The Second Story R Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a tremendous remake. It gives the original game a visual overhaul that is simultaneously modern and nostalgic. But it doesn't stop there. It breaks open the mechanics to offer much more depth without destroying the spirit of the original. It's far and away the best way to experience one of the best Star Ocean games and one of the best RPGs ever made. If you're a fan of the genre, you owe it to yourself to check out The Second Story R. It's an absolute gem of a game that's endlessly playable and effortlessly stylish.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is one of the best remakes I’ve ever played. From its polished combat to its lush visuals to its gorgeous sound design, this game has it all. And somehow it manages to make a game from the late 90s feel like a cutting-edge title. I am genuinely in awe of how Square Enix pulled this off.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R had many RPGamers screaming at their TVs with the announcement. But is the game more than a 8 out of 10?
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an example of how remaking a classic game should be done. From the overhauled graphics to additional quality-of-life improvements that can make the frantic battle system even more enjoyable, Star Ocean: The Second Story R takes the best game in the series and makes it even better. Gemdrops could have just increased the resolution and called it a day, but instead put in the effort to make a truly worthwhile remake of a classic. This remade version is a must play for Star Ocean veterans, but would also serve as a good entry point for RPG fans who haven't got aro...
Newcomers should hop right in, but Star Ocean: The Second Story R might not warrant a second full-price purchase for existing owners.
It's basically weeaboo Army of Darkness, when you think about it.
This native Switch 2 port presents the definitive handheld way to experience a JRPG masterclass, offering smooth 60 FPS performance and vibrant 2.5D visuals.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R returns as a 2.5D remake of the classic 1998 RPG.
Star Ocean The Second Story R is a fantastic remake with a gorgeous visual style. The specialty and item creation systems create a beautiful harmony with the gameplay to make this one of the most satisfying gaming experiences of the year.
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is the remake of the Star Ocean sequel that was first released back in 2023. Now in 2026, Square Enix has ported the title to
Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a product of its time as both a hardcore-adjacent PS1-era JRPG and as a host to several problematic romance mechanics. Its plot is exciting yet generic and is wildly insistent about how certain characters should end up together. But beyond that, you'll find a brilliant and modular character stat-building system, glorious battles, some fabulous character portrait art, and a wonderful 32-bit-inspired world for you to explore.
Ultimately, Star Ocean: The Second Story R on Switch 2 is an extraordinary remake of a classic JRPG. If you already completed the adventure on the original Switch, the lack of an upgrade path or save transfer makes double-dipping hard to justify. But if you have yet to experience this science-fantasy masterpiece, or simply want the definitive handheld edition of a deep, beautiful, and action-packed RPG, this Switch 2 port is an absolute joy to play among the stars.