Summary
While theStar Oceanseries hasn’t enjoyed the same success asFinal Fantasy, Dragon Quest,or even theTalesseries, it gained a large following from JRPG fans with the sequelStar Ocean: Second Story.It was the first title in the series to make it to the West. The firstStar Oceanlaunched in 1996, but Western fans didn’t get to play it until 2008 with a PSP remaster titledStar Ocean: First Departure.
Other entries intheStar Oceanserieshave been hit-or-miss with critics, but fans have been more forgiving. The combat system has always been a standout for the series. It stood apart from the typical turn-based JRPGs of the time and offered gamers a fresh alternative to the genre. Moreover, the sci-fi fantasy setting still feels fresh in a genre dominated by Tolkeniesque fantasy in Western and Japanese-style RPGs. This list ranks theStar Oceangames from the worst to the best, focusing on the titles that made it to the West.
2016
Platform
PS3 (Japan only), PS4
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessnessis the worst-reviewed title in the series. However, this mostly boils down to technical issues. The camera is overly sensitive and awkward during combat and exploration. Furthermore, the frame rate is inconsistent, making the on-foot travel feel sluggish and boring.
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While it’s a lot to ask a player to look past these significant flaws,Star Ocean:Integrity and Faithlessnessis a fun sci-fi B movie-style adventure with endearing characters. Visually, it is one of the best-looking games in the series, with character designs that arguably look better than the most recent game,The Divine Force.The story takes a while to get going, but fans of the sci-fi genre and all its tropes will have a lot of fun with this entry.
2009 (initial launch); 2017 (PS4 remaster)
PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360
As a prequel,Star Ocean: The Last Hopeis chronologically the first story in the series, although each title standalone and can be experienced in any order.The Last Hopelaunched with a solid batch of JRPGs likeThe Lost OdysseyandEternal Sonataon the Xbox 360 in an attempt to break the Japanese market. It later found its way on the PS3 and was remastered in HD for the PS4.
While the story is cartoonish compared to other games in the genre, and the characters have awkward dialogue, it’s still a fun ride. More importantly, the combat is entertaining, exploration good, and the side quests will keep fans busy for hours.
2022
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
AfterIntegrity and Faithlessnessfailed to live up to expectations, it was onStar Ocean: The Divine Forceto reignite fan’s interest in the sci-fi fantasy series. While it wasn’t a reinvention of the wheel or a darling in the eyes of many critics, its heart was in the right place, and most fans of the series enjoyed the action-packed JRPG.
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It’s not a big-budget title likeFinal Fantasyor evenTales of Arise, and the character models have a somewhat PS2-era doll-like appearance to them. However, there is a ton of charm in its world and characters. The towns are a joy to explore, with high-tech futuristic cities complementing traditional fantasy settings. The combat is fast and entertaining, and world traversal is brisk, helped bythe DUMA system, an artificial intelligence that joins the party on their adventures.
2004 (PS2); 2017 (PS4)
PS2, PS4
Star Ocean: Till the End of Timestands as a fan-favorite thanks to its compelling story, cast of characters, and excellent combat system. It is the third entry in the series. While it didn’t reach the heights ofSecond Storyin terms of narrative, it was, at the time, a step up in visuals.
However, it does show its age compared to newer titles, as the exploration is a bit of a chore. It wasported to the PS4on the PlayStation Store, but it is a replica of the original with upscaled HD visuals and no quality-of-life improvements. Even so,Star Ocean: Till the End of the Timeis still a solid entry in the series. Fans should be aware, though, that the third title features one of the most divisive “twist” endings in gaming.
2008 (PSP); 2019 (other consoles)
Tri-Ace and Tose
PSP, PS4, Switch
Star Ocean: First Departureis a remake of the first game in the series that launched exclusively in Japan for the Super Famicom in 1996. It launched on the PSP in 2008, and was upscaled and ported to the PS4 and the Nintendo Switch in 2019 asStar Ocean: First Departure R. Visually,First Departurelooks and plays likeSecond Storywith its character models and pre-rendered backgrounds.
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The beauty of the PS4 remaster is that players can choose between the original designs from the PSP version, or the reworked details created especially for the enhanced port. Whether playing the PSP version of the PS4 or Switch versions,Star Ocean: First Departureis a nostalgic JRPG that stands the test of time.
1999
PS1
Star Ocean: Second Storyis one of the most popular entries in the series and a fan favorite from the PS1’s era of classic JRPGs. It features dual protagonists, replay value, anarcade-like combat systemthat is surprisingly deep, and a complex item creation system that was simplified in later entries.
More importantly,Second Storyhas one of the best narratives in the series, with excellent lead characters in Claude and Rena. The pre-rendered background has aged well when exploring towns, and the multiple endings way ahead of their time, giving it more replay value than just dual protagonists.Star Ocean: Second Storyis getting a stunning 2.5D remakeset to launch in November 2023.
2009
Tri-Ace and Tosa
PSP
Star Ocean: Second Evolutionis the first enhanced remake/remaster of theSecond Story. It fits perfectly as a follow-up toFirst Departure.It is similar mechanically and visually to its predecessor, making the two games play as if they are part of one set. The combat system is more refined and fun to use with its combat system that carries over fromFirst Departure.
Second Evolution features new artwork, voice work, and extra anime cutscenes. More significantly, the non-linearity has been expanded further, with 13 new endings on top of the original game’s 86. Until the new remake arrives with its updated 2.5D HD visuals,Second Evolutionis the best way to experienceStar Ocean’ssecond entry.
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