Star Ocean: The Second Story R landed on Nintendo Switch on November 2, 2023, with Square Enix as publisher and development credited to Square Enix in collaboration with Gemdrops.
The title is a full remaster of the original PlayStation entry, following Square Enix’s prior Switch release of Star Ocean: First Departure R, the PSP remake of the series’ first game.
This remaster updates the original with a modern engine, overhauled combat mechanics, and a slate of quality-of-life features aimed at both returning fans and newcomers.
Background and narrative
Set two decades after the events covered in First Departure R, The Second Story R takes place primarily on the underdeveloped planet Expel.
Players choose between two protagonists — Claude C.
Kenny and Rena Lanford — whose perspectives shape how the story reads: Claude foregrounds the series’ science-fiction elements, while Rena presents a more traditional fantasy viewpoint.
Although the main plot remains consistent regardless of that choice, each protagonist offers unique internal dialogue, separate recruitment opportunities, and different Private Actions that affect character relationships and endings.
Gameplay and combat changes
Second Story R is an action RPG with real-time battles that have been significantly refreshed.
Enemies now possess layered shields that, when depleted, trigger a break state and leave targets vulnerable.
Successfully timed counters (mapped to the B button on Switch by default) restore HP and MP and reduce enemy shields.
Combat also introduces collectible orbs tied to formation placement and the ability to call in reserve party members, including cameo appearances from other Star Ocean titles.
The remaster rewards chained battles with bonus experience, skill points, and currency, and represents enemies on the overworld as color-coded silhouettes for easier engagement or avoidance.
The game’s AI and targeting defaults remain an area players should watch; party behavior can be customized, but direct player control is still often necessary in more demanding fights.
Progression, systems, and quality-of-life updates
Skills progress to Level 10 and unlock Specialty Skills when combined, enabling activities such as item creation, cooking, and fishing.
The remaster simplifies skill investment by allowing concurrent advancement across multiple trees, reducing early-game friction.
UI and navigation receive notable improvements: clear minimap/world map indicators for events and time-limited Private Actions, a visible affection metric on status screens, one-button PA Mode entry/exit, widespread fast travel, generous checkpoint placement, Challenge Missions, and an in-game Achievements system.
Presentation: visuals and audio
Visually, the game employs a new engine and visual style distinct from Square Enix’s recent HD-2D projects.
Character portraits are newly animated with options to revert to PSP or original art.
The Switch build runs smoothly in handheld and docked modes with stable performance.
Composer Motoi Sakuraba provided the remastered orchestral score, and players can switch to the original soundtrack in settings.
The release includes both English and Japanese voice tracks covering major story beats and Private Actions.
Rewritten notable statements
The review describes the remaster as "a resounding success," noting it preserves the original’s charm while modernizing combat, presentation, and convenience features.
It also calls Second Story R "a strong re-imagining" of what many consider the series’ best installment, capable of standing alongside Square Enix’s recent remaster projects on Switch.
Verdict
Star Ocean: The Second Story R delivers a robust remaster that updates core systems and accessibility while retaining the dual-protagonist narrative structure that defines the original.
With modernized combat mechanics, comprehensive quality-of-life additions, and a refreshed audiovisual package, the Switch release represents the most approachable version of this entry to date.
Reviewers recommend experiencing both protagonist routes for the full story and character development.
The title is a full remaster of the original PlayStation entry, following Square Enix’s prior Switch release of Star Ocean: First Departure R, the PSP remake of the series’ first game.
This remaster updates the original with a modern engine, overhauled combat mechanics, and a slate of quality-of-life features aimed at both returning fans and newcomers.
Background and narrative
Set two decades after the events covered in First Departure R, The Second Story R takes place primarily on the underdeveloped planet Expel.
Players choose between two protagonists — Claude C.
Kenny and Rena Lanford — whose perspectives shape how the story reads: Claude foregrounds the series’ science-fiction elements, while Rena presents a more traditional fantasy viewpoint.
Although the main plot remains consistent regardless of that choice, each protagonist offers unique internal dialogue, separate recruitment opportunities, and different Private Actions that affect character relationships and endings.
Gameplay and combat changes
Second Story R is an action RPG with real-time battles that have been significantly refreshed.
Enemies now possess layered shields that, when depleted, trigger a break state and leave targets vulnerable.
Successfully timed counters (mapped to the B button on Switch by default) restore HP and MP and reduce enemy shields.
Combat also introduces collectible orbs tied to formation placement and the ability to call in reserve party members, including cameo appearances from other Star Ocean titles.
The remaster rewards chained battles with bonus experience, skill points, and currency, and represents enemies on the overworld as color-coded silhouettes for easier engagement or avoidance.
The game’s AI and targeting defaults remain an area players should watch; party behavior can be customized, but direct player control is still often necessary in more demanding fights.
Progression, systems, and quality-of-life updates
Skills progress to Level 10 and unlock Specialty Skills when combined, enabling activities such as item creation, cooking, and fishing.
The remaster simplifies skill investment by allowing concurrent advancement across multiple trees, reducing early-game friction.
UI and navigation receive notable improvements: clear minimap/world map indicators for events and time-limited Private Actions, a visible affection metric on status screens, one-button PA Mode entry/exit, widespread fast travel, generous checkpoint placement, Challenge Missions, and an in-game Achievements system.
Presentation: visuals and audio
Visually, the game employs a new engine and visual style distinct from Square Enix’s recent HD-2D projects.
Character portraits are newly animated with options to revert to PSP or original art.
The Switch build runs smoothly in handheld and docked modes with stable performance.
Composer Motoi Sakuraba provided the remastered orchestral score, and players can switch to the original soundtrack in settings.
The release includes both English and Japanese voice tracks covering major story beats and Private Actions.
Rewritten notable statements
The review describes the remaster as "a resounding success," noting it preserves the original’s charm while modernizing combat, presentation, and convenience features.
It also calls Second Story R "a strong re-imagining" of what many consider the series’ best installment, capable of standing alongside Square Enix’s recent remaster projects on Switch.
Verdict
Star Ocean: The Second Story R delivers a robust remaster that updates core systems and accessibility while retaining the dual-protagonist narrative structure that defines the original.
With modernized combat mechanics, comprehensive quality-of-life additions, and a refreshed audiovisual package, the Switch release represents the most approachable version of this entry to date.
Reviewers recommend experiencing both protagonist routes for the full story and character development.
