Motoi Sakuraba’s original score has been re-recorded with live instruments, and it’s breathtaking. You can also switch back to the original synth tracks if nostalgia hits. Voice acting is full (Japanese and English), though the English dub keeps its cheesy-but-endearing original vibe.
One of the best remakes of the past decade — and a must-play for genre fans.
Dual protagonists (Claude or Rena) offer two distinct perspectives, and the Private Action system still shines, building relationships between your party members across 80+ unique endings. The writing is campy, earnest ‘90s anime goodness — but the translation has been lightly touched up, making it more readable without losing charm. STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R -NSP--Asia--eShop...
Here’s a review for STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R on Nintendo Switch (based on the Asian eShop NSP release, but applicable to the game overall):
If you own a Switch and love JRPGs, this is essential. The Asian eShop version plays identically to other regions — no region-lock issues, just pure RPG bliss. A masterpiece revived. Motoi Sakuraba’s original score has been re-recorded with
The “2.5D” aesthetic is stunning: pre-rendered backgrounds blend seamlessly with HD sprites and beautifully reworked character art. Spell effects pop, environments feel alive, and the new character portraits (optionally toggleable to the original art) give the cast fresh personality. Performance on Switch is rock-solid, both docked and handheld — no slowdown even during flashy special arts.
The original’s clunky skill system has been streamlined, but not dumbed down. Crafting, cooking, and writing skills are easier to navigate, and the new “Assault Action” system lets you call in reserve party members for combo attacks. The battle system now runs at 60 FPS, and you can toggle between classic and modern difficulty on the fly. Random encounters can also be adjusted or avoided — a blessing for newcomers. One of the best remakes of the past
Star Ocean The Second Story R isn’t just a quick upscale — it’s a loving reimagining that respects the original 1998 PlayStation gem while modernizing nearly every system. Available on the Asian eShop (with full English support in most cases), this is hands-down the definitive way to experience one of the best sci-fi/fantasy hybrid RPGs ever made.