Star Ocean The Second Story R, the previously leaked remake of PS1’s legendary 1998 JRPG, has been officially announced – and it’s coming to PS5 and PS4. This one adopts an impressively bold artstyle, building on the legacy of the original by retaining its sprite character models but overhauling the pre-rendered backgrounds to modern standards. The result is quite a striking look. There are also new character illustrations by Yukihiro Kajimoto and a rearranged soundtrack by original composer Motoi Sakuraba.

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The press release reveals: “[The game] has been revitalised with a charming 2.5D aesthetic that combines beautiful 3D environments with nostalgic 2D pixel characters, offering players both a classic RPG and modern gameplay experience. Players can expect to find some of the original features that made the original release so memorable alongside brand-new gameplay features including fast-paced, real-time combat and battle mechanics to strategically defeat foes, customisable party progression with an array of skills – including Cooking, Art, and Metalcraft – and more.”

Importantly, the game will also include a trio of difficulty tiers, including Universe Mode which is designed for veteran fans to get a significant challenge. Pre-orders are available now, with bonuses including a bunch of in-game items and gear. There’s also a Collector’s Edition, exclusive to the Square Enix Store, which bundles in a soundtrack and art book, and houses it all in a limited edition case. All versions of the game will release on 2nd November, 2023.

[source youtube.com]