In a fascinating tale of creative separation, developers at Wolf Team once diverged, leading to the inception of two iconic JRPG franchises: the enchanting, character-rich Tales of series and the cosmic, adventure-laden Star Ocean series. While Tales of enjoys greater recognition, evidenced by its prolific titles and the ongoing commitment from Bandai Namco, Star Ocean equally merits attention for its innovative blend of diverse settings and storytelling.
Originating from tri-Ace and initially published by Enix (now Square Enix), the Star Ocean franchise comprises six main entries, alongside several spin-offs, remastered editions, remakes, and mobile adaptations. In this article, I will provide a ranking of each mainline Star Ocean game—except for one port release—to evaluate their distinct contributions to the universe.
Notably, although Star Ocean: The Second Story R emerges as one of 2023’s premier JRPG remakes, it has been excluded from this ranking due to its special remake status, potentially skewing the results compared to its original counterparts.
Every Star Ocean game humorously subverts the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact, a core tenet aimed at safeguarding the cosmic equilibrium by preventing advanced planets from disrupting the growth of less developed worlds.
6 Star Ocean: First Departure
The Intergalactic Firstborn
The inaugural title, originally released on the SNES in 1996, opened the storytelling chapter for Star Ocean. However, Western audiences didn’t explore this classic until the release of Star Ocean: First Departure on the PSP in 2007.
While it might seem unjust to place this foundational game at the bottom of the list, it’s important to recognize its role in establishing a rich universe, even as it explored its early mechanics. As players embody Roddick, a courageous member of the Fellpool race from the struggling planet Roak, they confront a deadly disease that turns inhabitants to stone. This leads to fateful encounters with Ronyx Kenny and Illia, who are from Earth and traveling in the cosmic Terran Alliance, spotlighting yet another violation of the preservation pact.
This first title introduced numerous crucial components of the franchise, including a real-time 3D combat system and the innovative Item Creation mechanic, allowing players to invest Skill Points (SP) into diverse crafts like Cooking, Alchemy, and Writing. Additionally, the game features an engaging affection system, where interactions during Private Actions in towns can significantly dictate multiple potential endings and character development.
5 Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
The Outcast
Regarded by many as the black sheep of the franchise, Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness nonetheless showcases a commendable effort to streamline its systems. Players navigate the story as Fidel, a brave swordsman from Faykreed, as he grapples with a faction war against the technologically advanced Trei’kur.
The narrative unfolds as Fidel crosses paths with the enigmatic Relia, setting the stage for another collision between sci-fi and fantasy elements. The game retains familiar gameplay mechanics, such as an expanded party system where up to seven characters can engage in battles fluidly.
The return of the Item Creation system, along with quirky collectibles and crafting options, enhances the gameplay experience, allowing players to engage in creative experimentation. While the Private Actions system also maintains narrative depth, the title’s lower budget is evident through its use of in-game cutscenes rather than dedicated animated segments.
4 Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Introducing Edge Maverick
The fourth main entry, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, introduces players to Edge Maverick, a character both beloved and reviled within the community. Set against a backdrop of post-WWIII earth seeking new planets for habitation, this installment also features interplanetary and dimensional traversal, enhancing its cosmic adventures.
Players experience extensive gameplay, complete with some of the longest cutscenes in the industry. The fast-paced, action-centric combat system allows for seamless transitions and introduces new mechanics like Blindside, enhancing tactical opportunities during encounters.
Notably, the Item Creation system is revisited, taking place aboard the players’ spaceship, the Calnus. Adding a strategic layer, players need to allocate party members with unique creation levels. This system creates a balance between resource management and crafting ingenuity, allowing for deep customization of equipment and items.
3 Star Ocean: The Divine Force
Franchise’s Swan Song
When Star Ocean: The Divine Force was unveiled in 2021, it sparked excitement among fans who feared the franchise was dormant. This latest installment presents a dual-protagonist experience, allowing players to assume the roles of Raymond, the intergalactic merchant, or Laeticia, the medieval princess. Their journey intertwines as they face cultural discrepancies and gameplay interactions.
A significant gameplay component is the introduction of D.U.M.A., an intelligent robotic entity that enhances exploration and combat mechanics, allowing players to maneuver through environments with fluidity and strategy. Items crafted through a familiar Item Creation system echo features from previous titles, offering character progression through skill investments.
This entry also showcases private actions, further enriching character narratives while introducing a compelling tabletop minigame, Es’owa, to enhance the player experience.
2 Star Ocean: The Second Story
Winner of the Player’s Voice
Celebrated among fans as the pinnacle of the series, Star Ocean: The Second Story captivates with its deeply woven narrative and innovative mechanics. It features dual protagonists, Claude C. Kenny and Rena, whose intertwined fates lead to thrilling quests across their universe. Claude’s mistaken identity as the Hero of Light and the subsequent adventures form a narrative that fans adore.
Building upon the gameplay principles established in its predecessor, this title introduces more fluid combat and a diverse array of characters, each with unique abilities and story arcs. The complexities of the Item Creation system deepen player engagement, allowing for extensive crafting and character development.
The inclusion of Private Actions enhances the storytelling, providing players with additional depth through character interactions, albeit requiring diligence to fully explore potential outcomes.
1 Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Controversially Amazing
Regarded by many as the gem of the franchise, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time resonates personally with players, myself included. This game takes players on an epic journey with Fayt, thrust into conflict on the tranquil planet of Hyda IV after an unexpected attack disrupts his vacation. His adventure unveils mysteries connecting him to greater cosmic tensions.
This entry marks a notable evolution in gameplay features with fully 3D battles, transitioning from previous titles’ mechanics while still retaining unique combat dynamics. While the battle system introduces character-specific skills and controls, it also includes design elements that challenge players to think strategically about resource management during confrontations.
Recognized for having one of the most intricate Item Creation systems in the series, players can cultivate items through creative exploration and character collaborations. The capacity to patent and profit from unique inventions adds an entertaining twist to the crafting experience.
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