[PSP] Star Ocean (PSP), Star Ocean 2 (PSP), Star Ocean 4 (Multiplatform confirmed. Yay.)

Well, I guess If I had a PSP I'd be more excited. The only real interesting part is that Star Ocean 1 will finally get a proper stateside release.

Maybe they can rework the voice acting for Star Ocean 2, make certain character's voices less ear-raping.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Wait, First Depature has already been released?!

In the US or Moonland? I wouldn't mind picking it up if its been domestically released.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Man, Star Ocean 1-4 all available on systems I own? FANTASTIC!

Since I never technically played SO3 (Was sitting beside someone else playing through it) I may just pick that up when I get 1 & 2 for the PSP. I was really hoping they would come stateside and I'm glad there's been a confirmation now.

I wonder though, are they gonna pretend the ending to SO3 never happened in SO4?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Just a head's up: For those planning to get Star Ocean: The First Departure,
it comes out in two days (10/21), or this Tuesday.

--edit--
I keep forgetting about street dates versus retail dates. Okay, so this WEDNESDAY then
for all of us.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Well, just picked up the game today, I'll let you guys know how it is after I play it for a little while.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Ah, got about... 6-7 Hours into the game now, and its been an enjoyable experience, even if its partially nostalgic.

The music sounds Star Oceany, the Battle System takes a little getting used to (I felt like I had more control in SO2), but the presentation is excellent in most aspects. The voice acting is decent, and yes, there's a little gauge under your HP/MP Bars.

The game has been a little unclear on where you're supposed to go sometimes, more-so in the first hour, but then again I got extra battles in as a result, so not a big deal there.

The only major difference is that instead of 3D Polygonal Items, its just pictures. Which I guess is either to save on room or processing power or something. However if you've ever played Star Ocean 2, this will be familiar territory. I got a little when they made a very vague, but still foreseeable connection to Star Ocean 3 in one cutscene. I won't spoil it, but I had to squint my eyes all suspicious like when I saw the part that I'm talking about.

Well, can't wait to get through more of the game, and for Second Evolution in January!

Also, something I kind of had to chuckle about: This game makes clear and unmistakable references to drinking and alcohol, almost to the point where I think they were trying to get across
that this game won't be censored, or maybe that's just me.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Well since this thread hasn't seen action in a bit, figured I'd bump it with a small update.

It looks like Star Ocean: The Last Hope (360) will be bumped up a week to February 24th, which is closer to the release date of Star Ocean: Second Evolution, the "Star Ocean: Second Story" remake for the PSP. Note that this only applies to North America, Japan and Europe's dates remain the same (Feb. 19th and April 24th respectively), so Euros get it about 2 months later, which isn't too bad I guess.

Source: ‘Star Ocean: The Last Hope’ Release Moved Up a Week in US; Now Set for 2/24/09 | GameCyte

FELIPE NO

Its the same way in First Departure and as best as I can work it out, its to save space (After all, in the original they only had battle quotes where as in here they have a lot of spoken dialogue).

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by OmagnusPrime

1.8Gb if memory serves, though I'd have to look it up to make sure.

Correct.

Quote:

From Wikipedia
The Universal Media Disc (UMD) is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on the PlayStation Portable. It can hold up to 1.8 gigabytes of data

Capacity: 900 MB (single layer), 1.8 GB (dual layer)

The pictures of the items seen in-game are very close to their 3D counterparts, and some of the items resemble different items from the third game.
I haven't had a chance to get Second Evolution yet, but I expect it would be the same way. Battle Spells and the overworld is still 3D though, in case someone was fearful about that part.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Shonos

What's this about the interface being different in the US version of Star Ocean 4? Apparently they also removed the anime portraits as well. Now they're 3D CG instead?

What the hell is the reasoning behind this? They redid Star Ocean 1 and 2 with all new anime portraits, and kept the interface on those the same. What the heck is the point of removing that stuff from Star Ocean 4..?

The 3D Faces versus Anime I don't care about much. However the graphics in the menus are DEFINITELY easier on the eyes for US Gamers:

Square Enix: Star Ocean 4 Differences For Japan And The West

Japan on the left, US on the right (Faces):


US on the left, Japan on the right (Menu):


How ya doing, buddy?

Okay, fixed it. Every once in a while I get my rights and lefts mixed up it seems

The removal of portraits might be good or bad, provided they animate the character's models appropriately for the NA version.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Alright, Star Ocean: The Last Hope shipped yesterday which means I picked it up today. The game comes on 3 Discs, supports "Friends", "Voice", "Achivements" and 1080p and all the other standard stuff. Gonna dive into the game and see how it goes.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I might not be able to finish the game for a while, at least until I get a newer TV. Half the text is barely legible. ;_;

Three things stand out right away that I find irritating (But aren't game-breaking): They elected to NOT use motion capture for the movements of characters in cutscenes, which makes a lot of the character move around like awkward robots almost, its like... come on, this is the kind of thing you'd expect from a student learning skeleton manipulation in 3ds max. Secondly I can't pause during a cutscene, instead I get the option to skip it or cancel. The Xbox Guide button serves as a makeshift Pause. Also, despite being from Square Enix / Tri-Ace, they did not even ATTEMPT to lip sync a character's voice to their mouth movements.

On the upside of things, the enviroment is detailed and georgeous to look at sometimes, the battle system takes a little bit getting used to, but its pretty fun. I say getting used to, because the first time I tried it out in the battle simulator, they killed me ;_; However after some more practice I got the hang of things and now I don't mind running into things. The combat is a lot like Star Ocean 3, with Battle Trophies returning. The music is nothing to sneeze at, with a few really nice tracks already heard.

One thing that stood out for me was that, in the opening cutscene, the characters looked realistic, but once you started the game, well it was all "Anime generic-o character face". Also like Star Ocean 3, SAVE points and HEAL points in the field return.

Finally in this post: For those curious (And slightly spoilerish): Welsh somehow returns, and she's got a new design. That also means Item Creation is back as well, although it works a little differently then SO3.

I was speaking idiomatically.