For those of you who haven't heard, a few of us are a little obsessive when it comes to Star Ocean. I don't believe I am speaking out turn when I say it started with Star Ocean 2: The Second Story on PS1. Just as luck would have it, we are getting remakes of the first two on PSP and an all new on XBox360.

The one that interests me the most is the remake of SO2, Second Evolution. When I first heard about the remake well over a year ago I decided I would finally buy the handheld I dismissed so long ago. I bought a PSP knowing that this game would be well worth the investment. According to GameFaqs the release date is Jan. 6, 2009.

That leaves just enough time to play through SO:First Departure, the remake of the SNES Japanese exclusive first game in the series. SO:FD will be updated heavily from its 16-bit days to be quite similar to my personal favorite PS1 RPG, SO2. Once that first title is out of the way, I will be sinking my teeth into SO:SE with high hopes.

Some of those hopes I bring are that they keep the Voice Collection intact, but rerecord the entire set. I also wouldn't mind a SLIGHT rewrite to clear some if-y dialogue points and to keep me even more interested so I am less likely to press X over and over to get past the text I have nearly memorized.

A new character or two would be sweet too. [spoiler]Perhaps when you use the memory device to go back to Expel, you can recruit one of the wise men?[/spoiler] Maybe a new dungeon or two. Or three. Higher level caps and a new skill set. Hell, kill off a character like Dias or Celine if you do something wrong in a Private Action. Yes 81 (or was it 82?) different endings do keep people playing. Unless they are subtle changes in the relationships and locations of the main characters. Give me a REAL ending to strive for. One where I would want to get by running all around trying to get the emotions of the party just right. Something unexpected here and there would be much appreciated among veteran SO2ers.

And then the multiplayer. True the original release has none, but how many of us have claimed that our party set could waste our buddy's? I know I have said that many times in SO2's glory days. So why not let us prove it? Just imagine if the Fun City Fighter's Arena was open for player vs player? Oh the time I would waste.

Why stop there? Give us some co-op fighting tiers where four separate players on can control a party member and battle through constant waves of enemies. If four players is too much then two controlling two each is perfectly fine by me. Just imagine fighting every boss battles in sequence, one after another, where you and a friend struggle to stay alive. I don't care for co-op story mode since that would take way too long, unless the second player could join on the fly to help out in tough battles. Even better, let the second player import his characters (but restrict instances of duplicate party members) and can share in the experience and gold.

Oh and some item trading and co-op item creation where each player can contribute an ingredient and get a few rare items that can only be found this way.

I know that we probably won't see any of this in the remake but a boy can dream can't he?

That's pretty much exactly why I got a DS when I heard about Chrono Trigger DS, lulz.

But yeah, all of this would be just brilliant. I didn't even know about the remake of the SNES installment... that's just great. I felt bad because so many people have missed out on that game, and it's such a good game.

And I mean, you get to play as Claude's father eventually... that's cool, right?

Whoa! They'll remake SO: Second Story!? For PSP?
Another reason to get a PSP now.

I'm more interested in First Departure. I beat SO2 before, so I want to try this one. So when is that one suppose to come out?


When does this happen? I don't recall that happening.

Ronixis J. Kenny

Claude C. Kenny's father...

Yes, I know who Claude's father is.

I assume that from the information avalible in this thread, that you'd have pieced together thatn Ronixis is a playable character in First Departure.

October 21 according to gamefaqs.

Oh, I'd try the first one two, but the second one is one of my favorite RPGs of all time.

Good, everyone who's enjoyed the second and third... HAS to play the first. It's a law somewhere, I think.

D'oh! I thought you were talking about SO2. When you said that I was like "what the hell did I miss?"

I wanted to have Star Ocean 2's child.

That game is super incredible. I didn't know what to make of SO3, though.

While we all are remembering the wonderful times we had with SO2, I decided to get a refresher in the story. While its not gospel, it is close.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/psp/file/939439/41114

Bump of great importance:

Star Ocean: Second Evolution is out!!!

I will have today and tomorrow off and I plan on picking mine up at 9AM or 10AM, whenever GameStop opens. For those that can't wait till lunch time to get it, you could go to WalMart... Not that you should.

Oh crap, really?! Damnit, I don't want to make the trip out of town... but what choise do I have?

The nearest gamestop is about 45 to an hour away. Oh well, I WILL get my grubby little hands on this soon.

Just got it. You have no idea how happy the Arlia BGM made me. Well considering my company you probably do! Of course all my wishes from the first post slipped by but I still can't complain. Not at all.

Got the game when it came out. Having a good ol' time. Though, it is easier than i remember. Maybe because you can repeatedly slash at the enemy with this one. Last version it was more slash, wait a couple seconds, then slash again. Playing through I discovered characters that I didn't notice before. They were in the last version, I just never got them before. Like the warrior possessed by a dragon. That was classic. Anyway, there is one bit that bothers me... the new anime models. I mean those shown under the dialogue box and during animated scenes. Claude and Rena look like they are 14 or 15, which isn't the case. It just bothers me.

God, it's times like this that make me wish I had a PSP.

I've never played Star Ocean before, but this will be my first purchase upon getting the system (whenever that day is).

Here are some name changes taken from GameFaqs.
Minor possible spoilers that I don't feel are worth tags.

Cross = Krosse
Lasguss Mts = Lasgus Mts.
Clik = Kurik
Mars = Marze
Heraldry = Symbology
Shingo Forest = Sacred Forest
Herlie = Harley
Lacour = Lacuer
Salva Drift = Salva Mines
Alan-Tax(sp?) = Allen
Pretty much all weapons have been changed in name.
Leon's last name, Geeste, is now Gehste (pronounced "guest").
Shin from Lacour Front Line/Boat/Eluria Tower is now Cynne
Synard = Psynard
Gyoro and Ururun = Creepy 'n Weepy (that's the translation of their original names)
Bobot = Robbie
Tournament of Arms = Lacuer Armory Contest
Pear into Peaches = Poll Verizon
Central City = Centropolis

I picked this up Friday while I was as SK's place (glad there's a Gamestop there). I haven't gotten too far into it (and I probably won't as the GF will snatch it from me before I can really commit to a full run through of the game), but I absolutely love the new intro... got a bit of the goosebumps from it. Also, I like how it was formatted in wide screen for the PSP. I think that'll actually help out in battle. Also liked in Claude's intro how it showed scenes from Star Ocean: First Departure.