STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R
Choose Claude or Rena, develop a party and combine Break with allied follow-up attacks in a role-playing remake where the protagonist also changes which companions can join.
- AI score · out of 10
- 8.4 / 10
About this game
STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R begins with a choice between Claude and Rena. That decision changes the perspective on the story and the allies available to recruit. Across towns and dungeons rendered with pixel characters in 3D environments, you develop your party through combat, equipment creation and relationships. Private Actions provide opportunities to get closer to companions, with those relationships leading to different endings. In combat, continued damage builds toward Break, while Assault Actions call on allies for follow-up attacks. Party development also extends to specialties: advancing them opens up Item Creation and equipment with different effects. The recurring decisions therefore concern both how to support your attacks and how to build the party around them. Fast travel provides another way to move through the adventure as it develops.
Collected in series
Star Ocean brings space travelers into worlds of swords and magic. Its role-playing adventures pair encounters between different civilizations with real-time party battles, making both new companions and unfamiliar planets part of the journey.
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Nintendo Switch
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
Party choices and coordinated attacks make this a plausible match for character-focused role-playing fans.
The interaction between Break and Assault Actions may reward thinking about what the whole party contributes to an attack. Private Actions and protagonist-dependent allies add another layer for players who care about the people behind their equipment builds.
Strengths
- Specialties and equipment creation may support experimentation beyond direct combat.
- Private Actions can give relationship choices a consequence beyond individual conversations.
Weaknesses
- A preferred companion can make the opening protagonist choice less flexible than a simple viewpoint preference.
Who it is for: Players who like developing equipment while making choices about companions and relationships.
Play notes: This edition's save data is incompatible with the separately sold Nintendo Switch 2 edition.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Developing specialties alongside party relationships may provide different priorities as the adventure progresses. | Reviewed | 8.1 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Break and allied follow-ups offer a basis for players who enjoy coordinating an attack rather than considering each party member in isolation. | Reviewed | 8.5 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension The contrast between pixel characters and 3D surroundings may be particularly appealing to players attached to sprite-based role-playing art. | Reviewed | 9.1 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Fast travel may make movement more convenient, but the save incompatibility matters if you intend to continue in the separate Switch 2 edition. | Reviewed | 7.8 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Gemdrops, Inc.
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Release date
- Nov 2, 2023
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Role-Playing · Primary genre
- Tags
- Level ProgressionFantasyExplorationMain Story 20–50 HoursLong-term ProgressionStory-drivenTurn-based CombatSolo-friendlyThird Person3D Graphics
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- Single player
- Perspectives
- Third person
Release editions
- PlayStation 5WorldwideNov 2, 2023
- Nintendo SwitchWorldwideNov 2, 2023
- Nintendo Switch 2WorldwideJul 15, 2026
Game gallery
Sources
- www.jp.square-enix.comSource revision: 1
- www.jp.square-enix.com