Filed under: Star Ocean

Star Ocean: The Second Evolution gets European release date

by Andrew Yoon { 10 months ago }

You won't have to wait too long for the next Star Ocean game, friends across the Atlantic. Square Enix is localizing and releasing the game just one month after its American counterpart. You can expect the PSP-exclusive remake to arrive on February 13th.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "2009 is set to be a landmark year for the Star Ocean series, I'm delighted that new fans can continue to experience this classic series with the release of Star Ocean: The Second Evolution for PSP and I hope players are excitedly looking forward to the forthcoming release of Star Ocean: The Last Hope."

PSP Fanboy hands-on: Star Ocean: Second Evolution

by Alan Tsang { 10 months ago }

Star Ocean: Second Evolution, as the title implies, is a remake of the second Star Ocean game released back in 1999 on the original PlayStation. It is a direct sequel to another PSP remake released earlier this year, Star Ocean: First Departure. Besides the updated graphics, what other new elements can RPG lovers expect? Read on to find out.

Gallery: Star Ocean: The Second Evolution

Continue reading “PSP Fanboy hands-on: Star Ocean: Second Evolution”

Star Ocean: Second Evolution delayed two weeks

by Andrew Yoon { 11 months ago }

Don't be rushing out to get Star Ocean's second game in Stores in the new year. Square Enix has just announced a new ship date for the Second Evolution: January 20th.

Star Ocean: Second Evolution is a PSP-exclusive remastering of the classic RPG, with new animated scenes, voice acting and a revised game engine. Read our review of the first game, First Departure, and check out gameplay footage here.

Deal: Star Ocean: First Departure for $26

by Alan Tsang { 11 months ago }

They just keep coming today, huh? This deal is even more limited time than the ones posted earlier today: for about three hours from the time stamp on this post (or while supplies last), you can purchase Star Ocean: First Departure for only $25.98. Wanna read more about the game? Check out our full review. They are going fast, so head over to Amazon soon if you like this deal.

[Thanks, David B.!]

PSP Fanboy review: Star Ocean: First Departure

by Alan Tsang { 1 year ago }

RPG fanatics have probably heard this tale before, but there's a bit of history behind the very first Star Ocean game. Back in 1995, a majority of the team that created Tales of Phantasia (which was released stateside on the Game Boy Advance back in 2006) left Namco due to creative differences. The team moved onto Tri-Ace, whose debut title was Star Ocean. One of the last games for the aging Super Famicom, the RPG pushed the console to its limits in terms of the cartridge size and graphics. The game even had limited voice-acting, which was unheard of (no pun intended) in those days. The question is, does this remake of the first game in the classic franchise have what it takes to stand out in the portable gaming market?

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

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Star Ocean for Europe out October 24

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Star Ocean: First Departure was first announced for Europe in late August, though a specific date was yet to be determined. However now, we now know that the tri-Ace space voyager will be releasing in Europe on October 24 -- three days behind the North American date.

That's good to know for all you RPG fanatics that live over yonder. In celebration of this news, we've got ten new screenshots in our gallery for you to enjoy.

[Via press release]

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

PSP Fanboy hands-on: Star Ocean: First Departure

by Alan Tsang { 1 year ago }

Having played all the Star Ocean titles officially available in North America, I was more than eager to try out Square-Enix's remake of the game that started it all. As most Star Ocean fans know, the original title was released on the Super Famicom in 1996 but never saw the light of day in the US, so this PSP-exclusive remake is the first time many of us will be playing the game. Read on to find out my thoughts after spending a couple of hours with the game.

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

Continue reading “PSP Fanboy hands-on: Star Ocean: First Departure”

Star Ocean box art splits the world in two

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

The US box art for the upcoming PSP Star Ocean remakes are surprisingly void of anime characters. Instead, Square Enix USA has opted to go for something a bit more subtle: cracking the world in half. Like those friendship rings of yesteryear, buying both First Departure and Second Evolution and putting them together creates a whole image. As the Square Enix blog says, "How can you own one and not the other?"

[Thanks. T.J. F.!]

Star Ocean announced for Europe

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Back at E3, Star Ocean: First Departure and Star Ocean: Second Evolution were both announced for North America. Since then, our European readers may have wondered if the titles would see release across the Atlantic. Luckily, Star Ocean actually will be crossing ... an ocean into Europe and releasing this October. However, only First Departure has been announced with a wide open October date. North Americans should still look out for October 21, 2008 for SO1 ~~both titles~~ and January 6, 2009 for SO2.

Gallery: Star Ocean: The First Departure

Star Ocean trailer reminds us NA release in October

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

This trailer for Star Ocean: First Departure, a remake of the original ~~PSOne~~ SNES classic RPG, mostly shows off the all new anime cut scenes that have been added. The voiceovers are still in their original Japanese during this trailer, but the provision of subtitles makes sure you're not left scratching your head as to what's going on.

The game was launched back in December of last year in Japan, and has only recently been announced for North America. Specifically, the game will come out in North America on October 21 of this year.

Star Ocean officially set for US release, coming October

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

After tons of retailer leaks, it looks like Square Enix has finally announced Star Ocean is coming to the US. The first PSP game, The First Departure will be available for the US market on October 21st. The Second Evolution will be available on January 6th.

While we're glad to see this news, it's a little disparaging to note that for PSP fans, this is all Square Enix will have to show at E3. Other high profile PSP releases, like Dissidia and Kingdom Hearts, will not be making an appearance at the show. Guess we're going to have to wait until Tokyo Game Show to get our hands on Square's other titles.

Star Ocean discovered in GameCrazy system, for November release

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

Square Enix's PSP Star Ocean games should be hitting the States this November, if this listing from a GameCrazy store is to be believed. The RPG remakes will retail for $39.99 each. Square Enix has yet to officially announce a localized version of the game, but with this new evidence (and the listing found on GameFly), it's clear that the games are coming to the US.

[Thanks, Chibi-L!]

Star Ocean makes an apperance on GameFly

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

Square Enix's PSP remake of Star Ocean may finally be getting a US release. At least, if this information on GameFly is to be believed. The popular online rental site lists a September 30th date for the game. Most likely, this is simply a placeholder.

It's not a question of if, but when, Square Enix will officially announce a US release for the Star Ocean remakes. With many finishing Crisis Core, tons of PSP fans are awaiting their next RPG adventure.

[Via Siliconera; Thanks, Joe!]

Listen in on Star Ocean: Second Evolution's sountrack

by Nick Doerr { 1 year ago }

Of course, you could wait and assume the soundtrack for the Star Ocean: Second Evolution remake will be awesome, or you can take the advice from SiliconEra and check out this promotional page Square Enix has put up for everyone. Under the "check" section you can sample six songs from the game and even fade between two songs via the slider on the webpage. Not sure why you'd really care enough to do that, but it can be strangely intriguing to listen to two songs at once. The soundtrack goes on sale May 2nd in Japan, with an album of arranged music tracks to follow on the 21st.

Take a peek at Star Ocean Second Evolution's battle system

by Jem Alexander { 1 year ago }

Star Ocean Second Evolution has been out in Japan for over a week now and still the gameplay footage keeps rolling in. This latest video showcases the game's battle system which is obviously very similar to the original game, but with much prettier graphics. Check the video out for yourselves and keep your fingers crossed for a Western release for both Star Ocean PSP remakes.