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.
Star Ocean: First Departure begins with an anime sequence and a catchy J-pop song that really grows on you, especially after listening to it every time you turn the game on. The animated cutscenes by Production I.G really are quite beautiful and inject a shot of vigor into the narrative as you progress further into the game. You begin the game by taking control of three friends from a small town; Roddick, Dorne and Millie attempt to find a cure to a strange plague which infects a nearby town that is slowly turning all of its residents into stone. The trio climbs a dangerous mountain in hopes of retrieving a cure in the form of an herb, but Dorne has already been infected by the time they reach the summit. Out of nowhere, two representatives from a space federation appear before their eyes to offer them the chance of a cure, but they have to board a spaceship and never return to their home planet ever again. Roddick and his friends barely hesitate before they agree, hence beginning the game's awkward transition from fantasy to sci-fi.
Unfortunately, the story of the game is its weakest link, though you have to put into consideration it is twelve years old. Star Ocean is full of RPG clichés and one-dimensional characters -- you know, the hot-headed tough guy, the responsible hero, the cute-but-annoying female sidekick, to name a few. The battle system, on the other hand, is my favorite aspect of SO: First Departure. Unlike other turn-based RPGs, the game's battles play like a hack-and-slash title. Enemies still appear in random encounters, but the fights take place in a field where you directly control one of your characters who is free to walk around and attack, cast magic or use special skills in real-time. You can switch between different members of your party during the battle while the CPU guides the actions of the other members. Other aspects of the game I enjoyed were "private actions" which are optional sequences that reveal additional background information on the story and skill points you can earn which allow you to customize your character with skill sets such as stronger attacks or the ability to cook food that can restore your hit points.
Ultimately, fans of the franchise will enjoy Star Ocean's debut on the PSP. Other RPG fans seeking a game with a more lively battle system and more customizable options than other titles of the genre should also check this out. Look for the game when it is released in the US on October 21st.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-19-2008 @ 7:31PM
Hashbrown Hunter said...
Looks like it may be worth it and I'd love to bolster up my meager PSP library. But I may hold off until later.
Looking good though!
Reply
9-19-2008 @ 8:14PM
FallenEverdark said...
Do want. I adored SO2, and while I haven't had a chance to play the newer one, the battle system of SO2 was really what got me, and this sounds like its the same thing. Time to dust off the ol PSP, hasn't got much action since Loco Roco. :)
Reply
9-19-2008 @ 11:48PM
timmons said...
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!
wats um bout N+ and Patapon and..... and......
i think thats it
9-19-2008 @ 8:22PM
cafecito said...
What about the graphics?
Reply
9-19-2008 @ 10:31PM
Jeremy said...
Considering this is basically the only major release for the system this fall (Midnight Club as well, I guess) I imagine people will be picking this up for lack of anything else.
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 12:52AM
Jake said...
It's unbelievable how much money I'll be spending on portable titles in the next year. Just so many good games coming out.
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 5:06PM
aj said...
Same here. I never thought the day would come when I would be complaining about there being too many games I actually want to play coming out.
It sucks. I hope there is a drought soon, because I'll never get around to actually playing half of the games that are coming out just next month.
......I wish the secondary market for games wasn't so insane. I hate that you can either pre-order a game for 30 or 40 bucks new, or buy it for twice the price plus shipping off of some idiot on eBay who bought 15 copies of the game so that no one else could have a copy, and he could sell it on eBay for twice the price.
Jeez, I just found out that there are actual stores who specialize in selling shrink wrapped games from years ago for insane prices just because that's how much people sell them for on the internet. Thanks to eBay, it seems like people only ever buy games these days so they can turn around and sell them. As someone who likes to play games, and then play them again and loan them to friends to play, I am somewhat irritated at how greedy those who share my interests seem to be.
...Wait, what?
But back on topic - I'm really excited about Star Ocean.
9-20-2008 @ 8:41PM
Zippon said...
Nice to see others, like me, talking about how they'll never play all the PSP games they have plus the ones that are coming out. ^_^
aj,
You need to hop the border and come to the US. PSP games, even older titles, can almost always be found for cheap. I haven't seen a pricey older game yet. (I don't know if the same is true for other systems.)
9-21-2008 @ 12:22AM
aj said...
I'm sure you're right, Zippon, but 99% of those eBayers and Amazon.com market sellers marking up the prices to absurd levels have American addresses.
9-20-2008 @ 8:18AM
?kIlLeR BuNnY? said...
Over here in England we never manage to get our hands on PSP games which are good!
WHY?
*starts crying*
:(
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 10:32AM
strike said...
Stop trolling. This article has nothing to do with lack of games. You don't need to buy new games, try some old ones.
In England, there are so many games you can play, so shut up
9-20-2008 @ 9:01PM
Gurbinder said...
I think he meant to reply @ aj. No need for the foul language . Seems like the one whos trolling is you.
9-20-2008 @ 9:05PM
Gurbinder said...
i take it back your right. Hes trolling
9-20-2008 @ 2:34PM
magicianoffear said...
I must agree with #8 on this, the UK gets plenty of good PSP games, RPG's like Breath of Fire 3 and Tales of Eternia are great not to mention were never released in full english for PSP in America. As for Star Ocean, I am picking this up day 1.
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 2:58PM
Christopher said...
Maybe he's referring to Japan vs. EU. I mean, the EU gets maybe a little more than US, but they still get a lot less than Japan. That's what I thought he was saying until Strike opened his trap to bitch.
9-20-2008 @ 2:45PM
Christopher said...
"Star Ocean is full of RPG clichés and one-dimensional characters -- you know, the hot-headed tough guy, the responsible hero, the cute-but-annoying female sidekick, to name a few."
Wait, when did this ever change?!
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 2:48PM
?kIlLeR BuNnY? said...
America gets everything!
America this America that!
*Sobs again*
:(
Give us some good damn new games already!!!!!
*Sniffs causing bogey to go up the nose*
Reply
9-20-2008 @ 2:50PM
Christopher said...
Hmm, well I thought you were talking compared to Japan. Now I know you're troll. Don't be stupid. US doesn't get much but mostly big titles that the EU gets a few weeks later, so shut up.
9-20-2008 @ 3:46PM
strike said...
See? I think you owe me an apology Christopher
*gleams with joy until Christopher points gun in his face*
A...a.....apology accepted?
9-20-2008 @ 9:04PM
Gurbinder said...
Wow i take it back strike, How do we get good games seriously. Stop complaining. And learn to frickin import seriously. If you can write in english im sure you can read in english too.