Pre-orders for the standard digital edition are available now for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC. Digital edition pre-orders for Switch will open at a later date.
Players who pre-order the physical or digital editions will receive the following digital content as a pre-order bonus:
Pangalactic Federation Longsword
Forest Knuckles
Sunrise Ring
Set of recovery items (Mixed Berries x20 + Resurrection Potion x20)
A $199.99 Collector’s Edition will also be available exclusively via Square Enix Store as a special, limited quantity set.
It includes the following content:
Star Ocean: The Second Story R standard edition game
Collector’s Edition goods box
Star Ocean: The Second Story R original soundtrack Collector’s Edition
Star Ocean: The Second Story R art book
Star Ocean: The Second Story R mini acrylic stand collection box
Get the first details below.
■ Product Outline
Title:Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Launch Regions: North America, Europe, Japan, Asia
Developer: Gemdrops, Inc.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC (Steam)
Languages:
Voice: English, Japanese
Text: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Asia (Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese)
Text and subtitles available in French, Italian, German and Spanish with software update at release.
Release Date: November 2, 2023
■ Main Staff
Producer and Director: Yuichiro Kitao
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (battle programmer)
Valkyrie Profile and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (battle programmer)
Art Director: Yukinori Masuda
Valkyrie Profile and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (artist)
The second game in the spacefaring RPG series, released for the PlayStation in 1998 (Japan) / 1999 (United States) / 2000 (Europe). An epic tale of love and courage set in the vastness of the universe, it earned praise as an RPG that influenced the next generation, featuring a Dual Protagonist system, 3D battles, a deep skill system, Private Actions, and multiple endings.
As the most popular title in the series, it was adapted into manga and the Star Ocean EX anime series. A direct sequel, Star Ocean: Blue Sphere, was released for the Game Boy Color in Japan.
Star Ocean: Second Evolution was released for the PSP in 2008 (Japan) / 2009 (United States and Europe) and is also available (Japan only) since 2015 via download for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. The series has been attracting loyal fans for over two decades.
■ Story
Claude C. Kenny, a young officer in the Pangalactic Federation, is sent to investigate a mysterious dome discovered on Planet Milokeenia on the orders of Ronyx, his father and commanding officer. There he discovers an unfamiliar-looking mechanism. Hoping to demonstrate his courage, he ignores Ronyx’s objections and touches it, only to disappear in a blinding flash.
Later, Claude wakes up surrounded by lush forest and realizes he’s been transported somewhere far away.
Trying and failing to get in contact with Ronyx, Claude scouts out the area around him, only to discover a monster just as it’s about to attack a young girl.
Rushing into the fray, Claude fires away with the Phase Gun his father gave him.
Seeing Claude rescue her with this bright, lethal force, the girl—Rena Lanford—mistakes him for a figure from the myths of her homeland, a hero who bears a Sword of Light.
In order to properly thank him, Rena takes Claude to the village of Arlia, hoping against hope that he could be the one to save the entire nation…
■ Key Art
Illustrated by Yukihiro Kajimoto.
■ Dual Protagonist System
An epic tale of two heroes navigating the sea of stars.
This game features a Dual Protagonist System that lets players choose between two heroes to play as.
Each protagonist experiences a different tale, with story events developing in divergent ways and conversations with other characters taking new, unexpected turns.
■ Characters
Remake Feature: Characters
Artist Yukihiro Kajimoto has redesigned the illustrations for all thirteen playable characters, as well as the NPCs. His art, based on the original designs, evokes the art’s original concepts more clearly than ever before.
Claude C. Kenny (voiced by Yuji Ueda / Daisuke Namikawa)
“I want to protect you. And I think that’s the reason I’ve been put here.”
A young man with issues about his father, a great hero.
He holds the rank of second lieutenant in the Pangalactic Federation. From early childhood to now, he’s always felt his father’s shadow looming in the way everyone regards him. It makes him doubtful of his own skills, giving him somewhat of a rebellious streak. By nature, he’s a serious-minded, caring person whose sense of justice makes it impossible to ignore anyone in trouble.
Rena Lanford (voiced by Aya Hisakawa / Nana Mizuki)
“I want to know what I really am.”
A pure-minded girl with healing powers.
A girl who lives with her mother Westa in Arlia, a village on the far end of Expel. Affectionate and guileless, she is well- liked by everyone. However, she knows that Westa is only her adoptive mother, and considering her unique healing skills, she has concerns about where she truly comes from.
Celine Jules (voiced by Yuki Kaida / Saki Nakajima)
“If you want to pick a fight, you had best choose your opponents more carefully.”
A treasure hunter gifted in symbology.
A symbologist from Marze, a hotbed of the symbolic arts. Far more interested in training and money than love, she regularly goes treasure hunting as a hobby whenever she’s free. In battle, she’s a powerful presence when providing support from the rear, but lacks close combat skills.
Ashton Anchors (voiced by Daisuke Sakaguchi / Akira Ishida)
“You have to take responsibility for this! Look at me! I’m permanently disfigured!”
An unhappy swordsman possessed by a two-headed dragon.
A swordsman Claude and Rena encounter as they try to kill a two-headed dragon spoken of in Salva. He fights by mixing symbology with his dual-sword style.
Dias Flac (voiced by Ryo Horikawa / Tomokazu Sugita)
“I don’t really feel like babysitting a bunch of people who’re gonna be nothing but a burden to me.”
A lone swordsman on a never- ending quest for strength.
An Arlian swordsman who’s known Rena since childhood. He’s known across Expel as an accomplished sword master, expertly using all manner of cutting and slashing weapons, and he specializes in long-range attacks based on sword arts and magic.
Precis F. Neumann (voiced by Yuko Sumitomo / Rie Kugimiya)
“Ah, man! Failed again! My dad’s gonna laugh at me again, I just know it.”
An inventor taking her own path in life.
A young girl who lives with her father in the academically-driven town of Linga. Influenced by her inventor father, she’s taken an interest in machine technology, fighting with tools like the Robot Puncher in her backpack and Robbie, a small, transformable robot she developed.
■ Remake Features
◆ Star Ocean Reborn with the Latest Visual Expression
CGI backgrounds are updated by using special shaders to achieve expressiveness that gives an immersive feel to every environment. 2D characters are in all their retro pixel glory, will adventure across a charming, 360-degree 3D world.
In-Game Visuals Towns
In-Game Visuals: Dungeons
In-Game Visuals: Battle
◆ Remake Feature: Battles
Fun, thrilling team-action battles!
The real-time action combat allows you to unleash skills with a simple push of a button. Battles have become even more strategic with new elements added to the combat system.
These features allow you to stun enemies by layering attacks or to prompt an ally character not currently in your party to perform a follow-up attack. The original effects and animations have been further refined, making combat even more exhilarating.
Thrilling and Visually Explosive Battles – Enjoy fast-paced combats and strategically defeat foes with new mechanics such as “Break” and “Assault Action” dealing massive damage and featuring protagonists from across the Star Ocean series.
Super-Flashy and Exhilarating – Renewed battle effects. Incredibly rich effects create battles bursting with energy.
Cooperate with Allies – Stun your enemies to stop them in their tracks and deal major damage with follow-up attacks from your allies. Fight alongside your allies to eradicate the enemy in one fell swoop.
◆ Remake Feature: Sound
New Recordings from the Original Cast: Two Voice Sets Available at Any Time
This remake features new voice recordings for all the player characters, allowing for full-voice cutscenes with the original cast, something that wasn’t possible in the PlayStation 1 version.
The game also supports switching between the new voices and the PSP version’s cast; you can select which to use on a character-by-character basis in the Status screen at any time, letting you play with the cast of your choice.
Switch between two voice casts at any time!
The Soundtrack Energized by New and Remixed Tunes
The entire original soundtrack has been rearranged by original composer Motoi Sakuraba, with new audio adding a fresh, enriched feel to the familiar music.
New music has been created for certain boss battles and other moments, and some tracks were recorded live with a full band. It’s as dynamic as ever, and from the world map to the bosses, adds more excitement to the whole game.
■ Editions and Bonuses
◆ Editions
Standard Digital Edition: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch, PC (Steam)
Standard Physical Edition: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
Languages:
Voice: English, Japanese
Text: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Asia (Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese)
Text and subtitles available in French, Italian, German and Spanish with software update at release.
Release Date: November 2, 2023
◆ Early Purchase Bonuses
Early Purchase Bonuses (digital and Square Enix Store purchases only)
Sunrise Ring
Resurrection Potion (x20)
Mixed Berries (x20)
Collector’s Edition
Star Ocean: The Second Story R standard edition game
Collector’s Edition goods box
Star Ocean: The Second Story R original soundtrack collector’s edition
A longsword forged by the Pangalactic Federation. Factor: ATK +10%.
Forest Knuckles (Rena-exclusive weapon)
Knuckledusters shaped from the wood of a large tree from a sacred forest. Factor: INT +10%.
Sunrise Ring
A ring blessed with the divine protection of the sun. Factors: Max HP/MP +10%, easier to stun enemies
Resurrection Potion (x20)
A magic medicine which can revive all fallen party members. Revives and heals 5% HP for whole party.
Mixed Berries (x20)
The fruits of particular herbs with the ability to heal both physical and spiritual wounds. Heals 15% HP/MP.
Watch the announcement trailer and a pair of gameplay videos below. View the first screenshots at the gallery. Visit the official website here: English, Japanese.
