SQUARE ENIX announced the highly acclaimed second installment in the STAR OCEAN series, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY is returning as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. First released in Japan in 1998 on the PlayStation® console, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R will return as a 2.5D remake, launching on November 2, 2023. *Steam version will be released on November 3, 2023.

About "STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R"
This game is a remake of the second title in the STAR OCEAN action-RPG franchise, originally released in 1998. With the intention of preserving the nostalgia from the past, STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY has evolved into a refined form, enhancing its visuals and gameplay experience, to be released as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R.

※Screenshots may differ from actual product version.

STAR OCEAN reborn with the latest visual expression
STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R has been revitalised with a charming 2.5D aesthetic that combines beautiful 3D environments with nostalgic 2D pixel characters, offering players both a classic action-RPG and modern gameplay experience.

※Screenshots may differ from actual product version.

All-new character illustration by Yukihiro Kajimoto
Artist Yukihiro Kajimoto has redesigned the illustrations for all thirteen playable characters, as well as the NPCs.His art, based on the original designs, creates a striking contrast with the original pixel art, adding more weight and evoking the art's original concepts more clearly than ever before.

Fun, thrilling team-action battles!
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, Metalcraft, and more. Three new difficulty modes have also been introduced including "Earth" which provides a standard experience, "Galaxy" for those looking for a more satisfying challenge, and "Universe" for seasoned players looking to put their skills to the ultimate test.

※Screenshots may differ from actual product version.

Purchase bonuses
＜Pre-order bonus (Digital Edition)＞
*Customers who purchase the game by 23:59 local time on November 1st, 2023 for PlayStation, and by 0:59 JST on November 3rd for Steam, are eligible to acquire the early purchase bonuses. For more details, please visit local stores.

＜Early-purchase bonus (Digital Edition) ＞
*Customers who purchase the game by 23:59 local time on November 16th, 2023 for PlayStation, and by 1:59 JST on November 17th for Steam®, are eligible to acquire the early purchase bonuses. For more details, please visit local stores.

＜For those who have purchased Physical Edition (Initial Bonus)＞
Both pre-order bonus and early-purchase bonus are available as an initial production bonus.

STORY
Claude C. Kenny, a young officer in the Pangalactic Federation, is sent to investigate a mysterious dome discovered on Planet Milokeenia on the orders of Ronyx, his father and commanding officer.

There he discovers an unfamiliar-looking mechanism. Hoping to demonstrate his courage, he ignores Ronyx's objections and touches it, only to disappear in a blinding flash.

Later, Claude wakes up surrounded by lush forest and realizes he's been transported somewhere far away.

Trying and failing to get in contact with Ronyx, Claude scouts out the area around him, only to discover a monster just as it's about to attack a young girl.

Rushing into the fray, Claude fires away with the Phase Gun his father gave him.

Seeing Claude rescue her with this bright, lethal force, the girl--Rena Lanford--mistakes him for a figure from the myths of her homeland, a hero who bears a Sword of Light.

In order to properly thank him, Rena takes Claude to the village of Arlia, hoping against hope that he could be the one to save the entire nation...