Summary

  • Star Ocean: The Second Story R update adds new difficulty, weapons, and characters, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans.
  • Square Enix keeps players engaged with free updates, including Raid Enemies and customizable New Game+ options.

Square Enix has launched a new update for Star Ocean: The Second Story R, adding more content and a new difficulty level. The free update brings Star Ocean: The Second Story R up to version 1.1 and is now available on all platforms for which the RPG has been released.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a 2.5D remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story for the PlayStation 1, an RPG developed by tri-Ace and published by the then Enix. The Star Ocean: The Second Story R remake seems to have been a step in the right direction by Square Enix, as the game was considered one of the best RPGs of 2023, an RPG-packed year.

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Star Ocean The Second Story R: How Long to Beat

Star Ocean The Second Story R is a remake of the classic Star Ocean 2, and players might not remember how long this game takes to complete.

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Therefore, it's no surprise that Square Enix released a free new update for Star Ocean: The Second Story R to keep players' interest alive. Version 1.1 adds a new difficulty mode called Chaos, new Raid Enemies portraying the Ten Wise Men, but only for players who finish the story, and new weapons, armor, and accessories for all characters, implying that Star Ocean: The Second Story R will have new endgame crafting options.

Plus, there are new illustrations for key characters, a whole new character graphics collections menu, an option to review all unlocked endings, and the ability to customize the New Game+, such as resetting character levels or obtained items. Hardcore players can ditch their Star Ocean: The Second Story R's max level to start a new game at a higher difficulty level, Chaos, and challenge the game to the limit.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R was one of the many remakes that Square Enix has launched in recent years. The publisher has never been a stranger to re-releasing its older titles, but it has emphasized this practice more recently. Square Enix has a lineup of re-releases like Live A Live, Tactics Ogre Reborn, and even Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunion that brings Zack Fair as the protagonist, a figure whose role was renewed in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

However, perhaps we won't see as many re-releases down the road. After Takashi Kiryu took over the publisher's presidency, the CEO promised big changes in Square Enix's pipeline. According to Kiryu, the focus now is to direct efforts to AAA games and brands already consolidated in the industry while scrapping out franchises that are not as recognized or fail to meet expectations.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R V1.1 Patch Notes

Addition of a new and very challenging difficulty level, CHAOS mode

  • A new, dynamic difficulty level has been introduced, entitled CHAOS mode.

Addition of Raid Enemies (The Ten Wise Men)

  • This new feature allows players to fight against individual members of the Ten Wise Men once players have completed the main story.
  • Each Wise Man will come equipped with a unique special attack.

Addition of Assault Action characters (The Ten Wise Men)

  • Once players have defeated the newly added Raid Enemies, they will receive a unique Jewel. Each Jewel will summon the Ten Wise Men with the Assault Action system.

Character art

  • Exciting new NPC character art drawn by character designer Yukihiro Kajimoto will be unlocked at various in-game events. This art features NPCs Regis, Allen, Mariana, Eleanor, Clyde and Leifath.
  • Players will be able to view every piece of character art they have unlocked throughout the story at the game's title screen, including art for playable characters.

Addition of Ending Collection

  • You can now view all the ending patterns you’ve unlocked so far from the newly added Ending Collection which can be seen from the Special option on the title screen.

Additional Items

  • Version 1.10 adds brand-new items to the game: a mix of weapons, equipment and character accessories. These will become available once players have completed the main storyline.
  • Players can now opt to reset their character level but keep obtained items, allowing for continued character growth in New Game +.
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Star Ocean: The Second Story R Tag Page Cover Art
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
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Released
November 2, 2023
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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ESRB
T
Developer(s)
Gemdrops, Inc.
Div
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Engine
unity
Franchise
Star Ocean
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, PS5, Switch
Genre(s)
JRPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours