Star Ocean: The Second Story R
November 2, 2023
The highly acclaimed second instalment in the STAR OCEAN series, returns as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. Brought to life with a unique 2.5D aesthetic, which fuses 2D pixel characters and 3D environments, this remake includes everything that made the original release so great while adding new elements too! …
Critic Score
85.3
38 critic reviews
User Score
No ratings
0 user ratings
Buy the all
User Reviews
No user reviews for this all yet. Be the first to write one!
Critic Reviews (38)
Graphics
88.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
92.0
"It was wonderful revisiting Rena and Claude yet again in STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R and it&s;s undoubtedly the best edition of their grand journey so far. I wasn&s;t expecting to be reminded of as much retro baggage as …"
Read original reviewGraphics
75.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
85.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R ticks all the right boxes for a faithful remake of a beloved title from the PS1 era. Its stunning new visuals and new meaningful mechanics make it a must-play JRPG for both newcomers and …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
80.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is much more than a visual remake of the PlayStation classic. Gemdrops reworked a lot of the gameplay system and also aded tons of quality of life improvements that resulted in a better game …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R recaptures all the otherworldly wonder of its PlayStation predecessor. The rough edges of the original are now smooth to the touch, and the enhanced visuals amplify that classic pixel art aesthetic in a way …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a must-buy for anyone who loved tri-Ace&s;s masterpiece, as well as an unmissable opportunity for any newbies to discover one of the best action RPGs of the 90s."
Read original reviewGraphics
95.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
80.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R may well serve as the blueprint going forward if Square Enix or any other developer wishes to remake games from this classic era of RPGs. An unquestionably gorgeous art style uplifts all modern touches, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
80.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R serves as a reminder from Square Enix that this is an RPG property not to be ignored. On offer is one of the most enjoyable of its genre I&s;ve played in some time with …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
85.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R is a lovingly-crafted remaster of a golden age RPG that offers a replayable and approachably complex adventure."
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
78.0
"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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
80.0
"With everything said and done, I believe that this game is something worth getting on any console, especially on the PlayStation 5. My recommendation for those who wish to experience what it is like to play JRPG games during the …"
Read original reviewGraphics
50.0
Gameplay
40.0
Story
60.0
"I think some of the hardest games to review are ones that speak for themselves, but those are so often the easiest to play and enjoy. I wouldn’t say the original Star Ocean 2 falls in that category, but it …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
90.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R is an over-the-top remake that comprehensively improves on the original game, bringing the best-loved chapter of the celebrated tri-Ace series up to date once again. A few improvements tend to further crack the mechanisms …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
70.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R is a wildly inconsistent package, with the ending portions falling off greatly in quality, but still a mostly fun game. Battle and its surrounding systems can have a lot of variation depending on your …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
75.0
"The biggest complaint could simply be that the developers didn&s;t update the character sprites in a similar fashion to the rest of the game. In a landscape where remakes sometimes stray too far or cling too tightly to nostalgia, Star …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
75.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is one of the best remakes released by Square Enix this year. The original Second Story has always been considered one of the best titles in the franchise, and this remake makes things even …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is the best example of how a game can become a jewel after being forgotten for years. A remake full of changes and improvements that surprises by adapting a niche JRPG and transforming it …"
Read original reviewGraphics
75.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
85.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R stands out as one of Square Enix’s most accomplished remakes. While the original game had its shortcomings, this remake effectively addresses those issues and elevates the overall experience to new heights. Gemdrops has transformed …"
Read original reviewGraphics
86.0
Gameplay
87.0
Story
91.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is, hands down, the best entry in the series, and one of the best remakes ever made. With the excellent combat reworking, massive slew of quality of life improvements and impressive 2D-HD visuals that …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R strikes a good balance of retro and modernity with its throwback visuals and new combat mechanics."
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
70.0
"Seeme like Square Enix has finally found a way to give value to its enormous catalogues of great JRPGs: after Live a Live and Tactics Ogre Reborn, Star Ocean Second Story R marks the third successful entry in this newfound …"
Read original reviewGraphics
88.0
Gameplay
93.0
Story
94.0
"I can&s;t think of a remake of a game that feels more definitive than this one. All fans of the original deserve to play Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and so does everyone else."
Read original reviewGraphics
75.0
Gameplay
95.0
Story
60.0
"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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
20.0
Gameplay
20.0
Story
20.0
"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&s;t stop there. It breaks open the mechanics to offer much more depth without …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R takes a beloved classic and makes it even better with visual, audio and gameplay improvements while still keeping the spirit of the original. Some of the quality of life changes can take away the …"
Read original reviewGraphics
95.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
80.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R isn&s;t just a terrific remake of a classic title, it&s;s a revitalization of a franchise that at some point lost its way. With gorgeous graphics, a killer soundtrack, and a charming cast, Star Ocean: …"
Read original review"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 …"
Read original review"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a fantastic remake of the PS1 classic, with gorgeous HD-2D visuals and a ridiculous amount of replayability."
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
88.0
"The game excels in so many aspects that it&s;s difficult not to recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable JRPG experience. Star Ocean Second Story R is a true gem that will leave you reminiscing while embracing the future …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
80.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R reinvigorates a classic game with a beautiful blend of 2D and 3D graphics. While the game requires a bit too much grinding to progress in the story, the narrative and core gameplay make it …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
95.0
Story
85.0
"In a year overflowing with outstanding new RPGs, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is among the very best of them. This revival of a PlayStation classic does a thorough job of mixing modern game design and artistic elements with …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
86.0
Story
78.0
"It&s;s an enjoyable action RPG with a wealth of player choice and a lot of charming quirky aspects. If you&s;ve ever been curious about Star Ocean and have an affinity for old-school action RPGs, this is a must-play. Even beyond …"
Read original reviewGraphics
95.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
85.0
"All in all, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a great experience. If you have the slightest interest in sci-fi, fantasy, and action RPGs, you owe it to yourself to play it. This remake proves that old games can …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
94.0
Story
88.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R has brought a cult classic into a new era. It&s;s been thoughtfully retooled, but it&s;s still packed with all the heart and soul of the original. Graphically, it&s;s gorgeous, and the new quests and …"
Read original reviewGraphics
88.0
Gameplay
45.0
Story
72.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R is exactly what it needs to be: a faithful remake of a classic PS1 RPG that greatly enhances the experience for both new and returning players. A wonderful visual overhaul combined with numerous quality …"
Read original reviewGraphics
76.0
Gameplay
79.0
Story
81.0
"Without spoiling things, Star Ocean eventually devolves into schlocky cliché territory, but by that point, you’re firmly on board, ticket purchased and ready to see its journey through to the end. Star Ocean: The Second Story got the remake treatment …"
Read original reviewGraphics
78.0
Gameplay
86.0
Story
92.0
"Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a great remake not only of an excellent Action RPG, but of one of the best and most influential games of the golden age of JRPGs. With a unique and pleasant look, considerable …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
88.0
Story
78.0
"As I had already thoroughly played the title during the PlayStation 1 era, I can confidently say that Square Enix has delivered a fantastic remake. Separate difficulty modes for subsequent playthroughs, two entirely distinct story paths, and numerous new late-game …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
85.0
"Star Ocean The Second Story R is a beautiful recreation of a wonderful RPG. It gives players plenty of options and multiple viewpoints to try the story out on. If you&s;re looking for a classic-style RPG to play, I recommend …"
Read original review