RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Reviews > Star Ocean: The Second Story
Battle System:
Fist off the Battle System! There are 4 characters in a battle and all move independently, either by CPU or by the first player. You can switch between them at any time. You fight in real-time except when casting spells, and then it pauses while it is cast. Unfortunately there are no summons but there are some pretty powerful and awesome spells. I think that's it for the battle system. It is really fun and original, but I'll let you decide how you like it if you get the game.
Gameplay:
There are 12 playable characters. You can only have 2-8 characters in your entire party; each with their own personality, 'private actions', and abilities. Though you can learn all the skills except 'Blessing of Mana' (art of magic spells), you are only given random skills at the start of the game. You need these skills to master all sorts of fun things: make excellent armors and accessories, make useful items, forge papers and documents, compose music, cook gourmet, steal(sometimes they have some really cool stuff), etc. The best utility in game is the 'Private Action'. With this you can enter a town with only your main character and do a lot of storyline stuff. You can interact with your party people (give useful advice or bang the person over the head with your words. heheh), and basically do stuff you normally can't do with the others. Overall you can be as adventurous as you like there aren't any restrictions except the fact that there are not many private actions to each town.
Music:
I thought the music was terrific. It fit the places and had was enjoyable. It may sound a bit old but hey it was made more than 3 years ago. It still has quality, and sounds real. All in all, the music is worth the game price, even if a little old.
Originallity:
I'll let you decide on it's originality. I think it is very original.
Storyline:
In this game you can choose between two characters, Claude and Rena. Claude is the son of a well-known space captain. While on a mission to explore a deserted planet that has odd buildings, Claude finds a relic that transports him to a forest on a whole different planet. Rena is a young girl who feels she is different from the others in her village because she is the only one who can use healing magic. She meets Claude in the village's forest and he saves her from a monster.
On Rena's planet the 'sorcery globe' is causing monsters to emerge then attack people and earthquakes to happen.
Rena and Claude set off together to try to destroy the globe. They meet all sorts of people and adventures along the way. It may not be as good a storyline as Xenogears but it still is good.
Replay Value:
It has a very high replay value. This game has 80 different endings. Short little clips of each character with what they do after win. The endings are determined by how the characters treat each other. If, say, Rena nice to Claude throughout the game, they would have a ending together. If Rena's a real snot They would have both separate endings.
And there is also the 'Secret Dungeon' that you can go to.
Voice/Sounds:
The voice may not be the best quality but you can understand them. They mainly only talk in battles, like the spell name or the special move. The sounds aren't much but they do match what they are trying to sound like.(I hope I didn't confuse you)
Graphics:
The backgrounds are realistic and beautiful. But the people have a cartoonish look to them.
Well that's about it. I welcome feedback on this review, and if you have any questions or opinions, please drop me some feedback! Thanks
| Game Stats | |
|---|---|
| Genre | RPG |
| Platform | PlayStation |
| Format | CD-ROM |
| # of Players | 1 |
| Released Jap | 07.30.1998 |
| Released US | 05.31.1999 |
| Released EU | 04.12.2000 |
| Aprox. Length | 40-50 hrs. |
| Reviewer Rankings | |
| Battle System | 11.0 |
| Gameplay | 11.0 |
| Music | 9.0 |
| Originality | 10.0 |
| Plot | 8.0 |
| Replay Value | 10.0 |
| Sound | 8.0 |
| Visuals | 9.0 |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Overall | |
| 9.5 | |
Star Ocean: The Second Story
By: Tri-AceReviewed By: The Black Dragoon
Hi there, this is my first review, so I hope I don't botch it up by making it boring.Battle System:
Fist off the Battle System! There are 4 characters in a battle and all move independently, either by CPU or by the first player. You can switch between them at any time. You fight in real-time except when casting spells, and then it pauses while it is cast. Unfortunately there are no summons but there are some pretty powerful and awesome spells. I think that's it for the battle system. It is really fun and original, but I'll let you decide how you like it if you get the game.
Gameplay:
There are 12 playable characters. You can only have 2-8 characters in your entire party; each with their own personality, 'private actions', and abilities. Though you can learn all the skills except 'Blessing of Mana' (art of magic spells), you are only given random skills at the start of the game. You need these skills to master all sorts of fun things: make excellent armors and accessories, make useful items, forge papers and documents, compose music, cook gourmet, steal(sometimes they have some really cool stuff), etc. The best utility in game is the 'Private Action'. With this you can enter a town with only your main character and do a lot of storyline stuff. You can interact with your party people (give useful advice or bang the person over the head with your words. heheh), and basically do stuff you normally can't do with the others. Overall you can be as adventurous as you like there aren't any restrictions except the fact that there are not many private actions to each town.
Music:
I thought the music was terrific. It fit the places and had was enjoyable. It may sound a bit old but hey it was made more than 3 years ago. It still has quality, and sounds real. All in all, the music is worth the game price, even if a little old.
Originallity:
I'll let you decide on it's originality. I think it is very original.
Storyline:
In this game you can choose between two characters, Claude and Rena. Claude is the son of a well-known space captain. While on a mission to explore a deserted planet that has odd buildings, Claude finds a relic that transports him to a forest on a whole different planet. Rena is a young girl who feels she is different from the others in her village because she is the only one who can use healing magic. She meets Claude in the village's forest and he saves her from a monster.
On Rena's planet the 'sorcery globe' is causing monsters to emerge then attack people and earthquakes to happen.
Rena and Claude set off together to try to destroy the globe. They meet all sorts of people and adventures along the way. It may not be as good a storyline as Xenogears but it still is good.
Replay Value:
It has a very high replay value. This game has 80 different endings. Short little clips of each character with what they do after win. The endings are determined by how the characters treat each other. If, say, Rena nice to Claude throughout the game, they would have a ending together. If Rena's a real snot They would have both separate endings.
And there is also the 'Secret Dungeon' that you can go to.
Voice/Sounds:
The voice may not be the best quality but you can understand them. They mainly only talk in battles, like the spell name or the special move. The sounds aren't much but they do match what they are trying to sound like.(I hope I didn't confuse you)
Graphics:
The backgrounds are realistic and beautiful. But the people have a cartoonish look to them.
Well that's about it. I welcome feedback on this review, and if you have any questions or opinions, please drop me some feedback! Thanks
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