Star Ocean: Second Evolution is an enhanced remaster of Star Ocean: The Second Story for the PSP, ported by TOSE. It serves as a sequel to Star Ocean: First Departure. The first details of the game were revealed at the 'Star Ocean Special Stage' during the Square Enix Party 2007.

Square Enix has become known for quite a few RPG series over the years. Two of the major ones were originally tri-Ace titles. The one that has enjoyed the most success of those two is Star Ocean. After all, who wouldn’t love a little bit of space travel mixed with magic and the supernatural? While there have been five installments so far, there is one that stands out among the rest. It’s the sole title every person even remotely interested in the series should play: Star Ocean: The Second Story.

Meet Claude and Rena

Star Ocean: The Second Story’s tale was unique in that it told two stories at once. The avatar you chose influenced the path, party members, and possible endings. Yes, I said “chose.” This is a game where you had an option. You could be Claude, a human on a spaceship that crash lands on a planet or Rena, a young woman who lives on that planet and has some special abilities.

In any case, their destinies are intertwined. Claude is hoping to find a way back home when he gets caught up in the political machinations and mysteries on the planet Expel. Rena is hoping to learn more about herself and her family, while also solving her home’s mysteries and keeping it safe.

Star Ocean Evolved

As one of the more notable entries in the series, Star Ocean: The Second Story has received quite a bit of special treatment. Namely, it received a major remaster that did so much, you would almost wonder if it fell somewhere between a remaster and remake. Star Ocean: Second Evolution ended up being huge. Not only did it bring the PS One game forward to new platforms, it adds new connections to new games and other items to enrich the experience. But the, Square Enix took another step to change it even further.

It all started with Star Ocean: Second Evolution. This is the base remaster for the PSP. (It is not on the PlayStation Store, so unfortunately you can’t buy a download of it for the Vita.) It adds so much. New animated segments appear, new Special Arts have been fixed, Skills have been added or readjusted, there have been translation changes and updates, Welch Vineyard can be recruited as a party member, the combat system has three-hit combos and cancellation options, and it even had a new opening and song. More important, there are lots of new private actions and endings, giving you even more chances to get to know people.

Mx unleashed ps4. But, that wasn’t enough. People loved this installment of Star Ocean. So much so, that it received another port. In Japan, it is also available on the PS3, PS4, and Vita. There, you can grab it as Star Ocean: Second Evolution Download Version. This version has a new theme song, other new songs on the soundtrack, and updated graphics. Also, people who are having trouble beating it could pay ¥500 for add-ons that would do things like keep you from using any MP or doubling your attack power.

Heading into the Ocean of Stars

Star Ocean: The Second Story is one of the best entries in the series. It has storylines that make sense and characters you can connect with, thanks to Private Actions that let you get to know them better. There are things to make and skills to acquire. You have two planets to explore. It has a great story that mixes science fiction and fantasy together in the most pleasant sort of way. While you do have to find a physical PSOne or PSP copy outside of Japan to play it, people not afraid to import could always get a PS3, PS4, or Vita copy for ¥2,268.

Essential Reading:

Sometimes each game in an ongoing series can be painfully similar to the one before it. This can easily be said for Square Enix's recent duo of Star Ocean titles on the PSP. Several months ago, PSP owners were treated to the series' action RPG gameplay smattered with sci-fi elements, with the U.S. Launch of Star Ocean: First Departure (a game only previously released in Japan on the Super Famicom). Folks who just wrapped up exploring the massive breadth of that title might be dismayed to find Star Ocean: Second Evolution looks and plays almost exactly the same.

However, there are plenty of subtleties to be found in the Star Ocean sequel that simply make it far more enjoyable than its predecessor.Though Second Evolution picks up in the game's universe a while after the original left off, it's a self-contained tale that thankfully doesn't require experiencing First Departure to fully enjoy. Second Evolution was the first Star Ocean title to be officially released in the U.S.

(as Star Ocean: Second Story) and it's actually still the best place to start off with the series for players who haven't already dived into First Departure. The sequel is definitely a no-frills port that's faithful to and improves upon the PSOne remake, but the lack of juicy extras shouldn't deter players seeking an enthralling adventure that's brimming with replayability.This time the adventure follows the journey of a young Earth Federation officer named Claude C. Kenny (who's consequently the son of the previous game's protagonist) and a native girl named Rena Lanford from another planet. While out on his first space mission to investigate unusual technology discovered on an alien world, Claude is accidentally teleported to the forested planet of Expel - a technologically inferior world featuring more traditional fantasy RPG trappings rather than the modern lasers and spacecraft he's accustomed to. There Claude meets Rena who mistakes him as a hero prophesied to save the land from the cataclysmic events caused by the arrival of a meteor dubbed the Sorcery Globe. They eventually set off together to investigate the nature of the Sorcery Globe, meeting new companions, venturing off on numerous side jaunts, and helping others along the way.

Things get off to a bit of a slow start, but the story is full of compelling character relationships, plot twists, and dangerous encounters that make the game highly engaging. Additionally, you can play either as Claude or Rena, and each offers a slightly different perspective on the events that unfold throughout the game. There are instances when the pair will split up, and you'll experience different battles and story elements based on which character you choose. In other moments you'll be privy to a specific character's inner dialogue and emotions about what's happening, and it's worth playing through the game as both to experience the full adventure in its entirety.Aside from offering an infusion of science fiction, Second Evolution delivers much of the standard gameplay and mechanics you'd expect to find in any other fantasy-laden RPG world.

Characters will gain experience in battle and points to spend on upgrading useful skills. You'll frequently have to run around fetching important items and taking on side-quests that eventually tie into the main plot or serve other important functions. The progression of the adventure often hinges on venturing from one town to the next in the realm, where unusual events or sub-plot elements tend to unfold. Towns facilitate lots of dialogue and character encounters, and they're useful for stocking up on supplies, items, and weaponry.

As before, the inventive item creation system is a nice touch. When venturing to and from various locales (or deep into dungeons), you'll run into tons of monsters to battle in random encounters. It's the way these battles play out that separates the game from other of its ilk.Instead of the more traditional turn-based battles, combat happens in real-time with you taking direct control of your main hero. Any other characters in your party are controlled by the A.I. And can be assigned basic, specific behaviors like attack, heal, or use magic.

You do have the freedom to move your character around to manually attack or use magic, but simply tapping the action button will auto-lock on to the nearest foe, send you running up to them, and have you take a swing at it.