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Star Ocean 2 accessories for Japan, new trailer for you
Japan, as usual, is getting even more extra goodies with the upcoming release of Star Ocean: Second Evolution on the PSP. Game peripheral company Hori will be coming out with a new set of Star Ocean: Second Evolution themed accessories. The set consists of: headphones with a Star Ocean art design, screen cleaner, two UMD cases (one for SO1 and SO2 each), and a slip-on back-casing. It's actually a pretty nice collection to go along with that special First Departure PSP.While our friends over seas can enjoy their soon-to-release game and complementary accessories, the rest of us will just have to settle for a brand new trailer. By all means, it's not a lousy consolation prize ... and hey, it's free! Check out the trailer right after the break.[Via RPG Land]
More screens of Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Star Ocean: Second Evolution will be the next big thing after Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G hits Japan next week. And just like the screenshot update Monster Hunter received earlier today, this title is getting its own reciprocal visual update. Have a look at more than 30 new Second Evolution screens here.While neither PSP remakes of Star Ocean: First Departure nor Star Ocean: Second Evolution have been announced for western release, we're still thinking it's coming. Any day now. Yep ... any day now. Is localization the reason why these titles are not traversing continents? If that's the case, we're willing to offer our exquisite translation expertise to Tri-Ace and Square Enix. Just look at our translation in the screenshot above. Purely accurate, we swear!
Star Ocean Japanese website gets huge update ... in Japanese
Another Japanese RPG website made some huge updates, this time around it's Star Ocean: Second Evolution. The website updated with tons of information regarding the battle system, in-game strategies, extensive character profiles, and some of the new elements being introduced in the remade version.Unfortunately, this treasure trove of information is only in Japanese; however, there's enough pretty pictures for you to play guessing games at what everything means. Go check out the website for yourself.[Via PSPHyper]
Star Ocean: Second Evolution commercial gets Jpoppy
Most RPGs in Japan come with some super-sweet, super-catchy J-pop song. Square Enix's upcoming Star Ocean: The Second Evolution is no different. The all-girl band Scandal performs the theme song to this upcoming game with their number, "Start." Check it out.[Via PSPHyper]
First screens of Star Ocean 2 are unsurprising
We're not surprised at all by these images of Star Ocean: The Second Evolution. Why? It looks to continue the visual trend of The First Departure. This PSP-exclusive remake of the second entry to the Star Ocean RPG series will feature all the usual Square Enix dressings, such as enhanced graphics, new anime cutscenes, and voice overs. It's rather ... expected.Check out all the new images at Famitsu.
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 48
Star Ocean: First Departure intro (10.6MB) Also featured: Devil May Cry 4, Dark Sector, NiGHTS Into Dreams, Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Star Ocean 2 gets April release in Japan
The First Departure hasn't even been announced for US release yet, but Japan is already on its way to the sequel. PSP's second Star Ocean game will feature the same revamped graphics, anime cutscenes and voice acting as the first remake. However, there's a special treat for Star Ocean fans that pre-order the game. A bonus DVD will feature a special preview of Star Ocean 4. Perhaps we'll finally learn what console the game will head to?The Second Evolution will be available on April 2nd in Japan, with a standard price of 4800 yen.
Star Ocean gameplay is oh-so-anime
Japan is feasting on yet another Square Enix RPG, as the rest of us patiently wait for Square Enix to release ... nay, announce the title for English release. This remake of the original Star Ocean features new enhanced graphics, and tons of cutscenes and voice acting to give it that special PSP feel. However, the incredible anime-esque nature will surely be a dividing factor for this game. Some will absolutely adore the style, while others will cringe, crying for something a bit more "mature." Which side of the fence are you on?
Star Ocean IV trailer comes courtesy Star Ocean PSP disc
The above trailer for the PS3-exclusive Star Ocean IV was ensconced in the Japanese release of Star Ocean: The First Departure – a remake of the original Star Ocean for PSP. The internet, being what it is, collectively willed the bits to fly from their UMD-prison and manifest themselves on YouTube of all places, where the entire world could enjoy them. Before the 360 owners worry they won't be enjoying the title, remember developer Tri-Ace is working on the awkwardly titled Xbox 360 exclusive Infinite Undiscovery. So everyone's happy, right?[Via PS3 Fanboy]
New Star Ocean 4 trailer sneaks onto unsuspecting internet
Square Enix rewarded those that purchased today's PSP-exclusive release of Star Ocean: The First Departure with a very exclusive trailer of the upcoming Star Ocean 4. Of course, as with all things on the internet, the trailer was immediately captured, and sent to YouTube for your perusal. Not much new can be seen in this teaser, but Square Enix fans will take what they can get, right?[Via NeoGAF]
Celebrate Star Ocean's debut with new themes
Square Enix is offering two new themes for your PSP, in celebration of today's release of the PSP-exclusive remake: Star Ocean: The First Departure. Not only is the game available today, but a new limited edition version of the system. Will the Japanese gaming populace flock to it just as they did the Crisis Core bundle? We'll wait and see.To download the themes, click the following links:Star Ocean First Departure official theme 1 Star Ocean First Departure official theme 2Save it to PSP/THEME on your Memory Stick. Then, go to Settings -> Theme Settings to change your system's theme.[Via PSPHyper]
An epic Star Ocean trailer
Square-Enix sure knows how to pull those emotional strings. The upcoming PSP exclusive Star Ocean: The First Departure is reviving the RPG franchise with brand new graphics and fully voiced and animated cutscenes. Once again, they're so pretty that we'd much rather watch the game than play. There's no word on a US release yet, but we're pretty sure that Square-Enix enjoys making money, and they'll be more than happy to give it to hungry American gamers some time next year.
Star Ocean remake: we want more cutscenes
As is typical of modern Square Enix games, we're most excited for Star Ocean's cutscenes. The graphical "revamp" done for the first Star Ocean is akin to Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition ... it feels kind of lazy. Regardless, Square Enix always makes stellar cutscenes, and as evidenced by these new screenshots, the legacy continues. This is the last big release on PSP for the year, and we're certain that the introduction of yet another limited edition PSP-2000 system into the Japanese marketplace will incite a bit of post-holiday sales fervor in the country.[Via PSPHyper]
Star Ocean limited edition PSP system revealed
Click for high-res image. Missed out on your chance to get the Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core limited edition PSP? Well, Square Enix is giving you yet another chance to squander your money. The Star Ocean limited edition PSP comes with this specially colored and designed system, a metallic pouch and a copy of the game. It'll be available in Japan on December 27th. Interested importers can check out Play-Asia and YesAsia.[Via PSPHyper]%Gallery-9659%
Famitsu reveals new Star Ocean details
Interested in some new Star Ocean information? Famitsu has heard your internal cries via its giant Japanese thought catcher and, in response, has released a double page spread of images and text about the game. While most of the info will be familiar to you if you're a fan of the series, there are also a few snippets regarding new additions to the game. The game will feature a redone introduction, redesigned characters, fully voiced cutscenes as well as an enhanced battle system. Star Ocean seems to be having a complete makeover on the PSP - even moreso than Final Fantasy I and II. We're excited to see a series that has potentially been overlooked in its past incarnations be given such great treatment for its PSP conversion.
Star Ocean: First Departure begins ad assault in Japan
Square Enix's next big game for PSP is Star Ocean: First Departure. With a limited edition PSP system in the works, it's clear that Square Enix will throw a lot of muscle behind it. Take a look at this ad, currently running in Japanese magazines, for a good look at the game's art. Then, go to Jeux-France for even more scans, highlighting the game's many features.[Via PSPHyper]
New Star Ocean screens reveal new characters
Square Enix is bringing yet another remake to the PSP. The First Departure is a revisited version of the first Star Ocean game, and as seen in these new screenshots, it's getting more than just a cosmetic facelift. Two new characters can be spotted, both donning angelic wings. How these angels, Rei and Erisu, fit into the storyline is unclear for now, but we do know that they will be quite powerful.
Square Enix announces new PSP model for Star Ocean
Final Fantasy fans aren't the only Square Enix devotees that can play with a limited edition PSP. Come December, a limited edition Star Ocean PSP-2000 will be available, launching simultaneously with Star Ocean: The First Departure. The package, which is set at 24,800 yen will include the game, the system and something potentially awesome.Square Enix has not yet revealed what the design looks like. Stay tuned.
TGS hands-on: Star Ocean First Departure
Watching Star Ocean: First Departure is far more entertaining than playing it. The time-limited demo we played at the Tokyo Game Show starts with a glorious anime cinema that looks stunning on the PSP's screen. Once the cinema ends, the game goes back to its 2D roots with fairly unimpressive sprites that are a bit too small in the now-widescreen display.Yes, it's a remake of a decades-old RPG, but the in-game graphics lack the life seen in other PSP RPGs. Even Square Enix's own Final Fantasy remakes on the system added shiny new graphical effects, like brand new lighting. At the very least, the game runs at a silky smooth framerate that looks really eye-popping. Navigating the overworld was easy, and we were pleased by the incredible production values: voice acting was aplenty and much appreciated (even though we couldn't understand what they were saying!).The battle system is where we found ourselves less enamored with the game. In a similar fashion to Namco's Tales series, the three characters run around a field in real-time. Players can attack in real-time with their lead character, although the experience felt somewhat simplistic. Sure, we had a limited amount of time with the game, and it was in Japanese. However, the game simply didn't have the flair that its animated cutscenes do, and the battles were less than engaging. Hopefully, more time with the game will change our opinion, but for now we're not too enthusiastic about Square Enix's latest effort.
Square Enix in your pocket: PSP edition
This week marks the release of the Final Fantasy remake on Sony PSP, the first Square Enix title to make it to the US. The RPG powerhouse showed a multitude of appetizing titles coming to the portable earlier this summer at their massive party at Tokyo's Makuhari Messe. Long-time Square Enix fans will find yourselves either dismayed or curiously nostalgic (probably a bit of both) by the sheer number of enhanced remakes -- five of the seven PSP titles are ghosts from the company's past with upgraded visuals and new content. What's left is a brawler with an assortment of fighters from the Final Fantasy universe and a long-in-development (though visually impressive) extension of the Final Fantasy VII lore. Take a gander at the upcoming games after the break.
