Star Ocean PSP remakes

[SS42A]

I have both First Departure (FD) and Second Evolution (SE), and they're quite good. Since both are tri-Ace games, the real challenge lies mainly in the post-game dungeons, where you'll have to beat more powerful opponents than the final boss. For FD, you'll only be able to acquire the Bunny Whistle (and the Bunny) if you have Pericci, but it's available in the sequel. I liked the story for both games too, but SE has differing perspectives on Claude and Rena's story paths. Liked the Claude storyline more, as I prefer his power and skills built up early in the game. It's the pickpocketing which really made SE much more enjoyable. Anybody else who have these games?

 

[runejet]

I just finished playing the entire game and overall, I sort of like it. Grinded real heavily at the start because my friend told me about the post-game dungeon. And walked into one of the dungeons to die in one blow. NOT my smartest moment. Anyway, the part I liked about the game was the story. It was engaging and the side-story between Ioshua and his sister was really beautiful. I obviously chose to save Erys and never regretted it. Only thing bad is that it's really long, which keeps me from replaying to try to get the other characters into my party, like Pericci.

 

[SS42A]

As I was reading your post, I forgot to mention something: you cannot get all characters in just one playthrough. You will need to play the game again if you want to acquire all characters, for purposes of completing the gallery for the remakes. So far I haven't heard of a tri-Ace game that didn't have a replay value. Take Radiata Stories, for instance - you cannot get all characters in one playthrough, but you will have to play it again from the beginning but using data from the saved game thanks to its Start from Save, which is like Chrono Trigger's "New Game+." The only difference is that you get to retain some items in your "Start from Save." As to Star Ocean, you will start anew without any items left from your previous game.

 

[runejet]

Yea, I get what you mean. I'm really split over replaying the game. One the one hand, it has high replay value as you mentioned. The storyline and Private Actions available change with a different party set up and I really want to watch them all. Yet on the other hand, part of me would also like to avoid doing the same quests over again as I really took a long time on some, like the Dungeon Erys was in. Got lost and took me 4 tries to beat the boss for that level. I haven't started on SE so do you think I should have one play through of SE first before trying a second run through of FD?

 

[haunderv]

i have this game also but graphics aside the game is cool and the battle system is not bad either (reminds me the game tales of destiny way back at ps1)
but when the star ocean ps3 released i realy hooked up on it and i played like a zombie. if they ever gonna remake it i hope its the same as the ps3 caliber

 

[xxfearless]

I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of Second Evolution, but First Departure was amazing! I've always been a huge fan of the Star Ocean games, and I wasn't disappointed by the remake. I definitely recommend a replay to anyone who's on the fence about it... I'd maybe wait a bit since you just finished it, runejet, but it definitely has high replay value and the story is just as great the second time around.

Off-topic, SS42A, but Radiata Stories is a great game!

 

[SS42A]

I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy of Second Evolution, but First Departure was amazing! I've always been a huge fan of the Star Ocean games, and I wasn't disappointed by the remake. I definitely recommend a replay to anyone who's on the fence about it... I'd maybe wait a bit since you just finished it, runejet, but it definitely has high replay value and the story is just as great the second time around.

Off-topic, SS42A, but Radiata Stories is a great game!

Agreed. The great thing about RS is that its gameplay and storyline is intended mainly for younger kids. Sadly that game didn't do much impact as compared to the Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile games.

The most difficult thing I didn't like about SE was the final boss. He was a total pain to beat, even after you have maxed yourself out by beating the final boss of the post-game dungeon. Compared to SE, FD's final boss is even easier. I like the Ronyx-Ilia ending too.