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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 36 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 9 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Summary
Following the exploits of humankind’s journey across the stars, the STAR OCEAN saga comes to life in the completely remastered STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution, exclusively for the PSP system. Now with a revised game engine, an improved battle system and fully voiced, all-new animated scenes displayed in 16:9 widescreen, players can experience their journey through the rich STAR OCEAN universe like never before. [Square Enix]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Star Ocean: First Departure
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GamePro
Square Enix has done an admirable job of updating classic titles from its library and Second Evolution is just the latest example of their commitment to its loyal fanbase. [Feb 2009, p.70]
Vandal Online
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is, undoubtedly, a better title than its predecessor from a technical standpoint and also in its gameplay and story. It is an excellent role-playing title, suitable both for newcomers who want to know the series as for classic fans of the series that, although many years have passed since the original's release, won't disappoint Square Enix classic RPGs followers.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
But the action-based battles and a presentation that is second to none, especially in the world of handheld games, makes Star Ocean: Second Evolution a fun RPG and worthy addition t anyone's PSP collection.
Read Full Review >Gamers.at
An admirable port, even by the excellent standards of Square Enix. Should you count yourself among the honourable ranks of RPG-Fans, do not miss out on Star Ocean: Second Evolution.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
For the people that already own the original, you might want to give this one a go for the updated translation and added voiceover work, but there are not nearly as many changes here as there was in the first Star Ocean PSP title.
Read Full Review >GameShark
With a story that’s worth replaying, a cast of characters that are both fun and unique, and a skill/battle system that just begs to be used and abused, it’s easy to see why the original PS1 version is still heralded to this day.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
Most quality RPGs can easily absorb dozens of hours of your time; Second Evolution doubles that with multiple playable character perspectives and a compelling tale that simply screams for a second playthrough.
Read Full Review >Gamer 2.0
Even though Second Evolution plays pretty much the same as First Departure, don’t let the similar conventions fool you—Second Evolution is a much better game.
Read Full Review >InsideGamer.nl
Star Ocean: The Second Story is an entertaining RPG that has withstood the test of time. Although the graphics do look a little outdated, the storyline has enough to offer and leveling your characters is still as addicting as always.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
JRPG fans should really enjoy Star Ocean: Second Evolution. Sure, it sticks to the formula in ways we've seen many times before, but at the same time it also deviates in ways that make it more than just another RPG.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Second Evolution is a far cry from the whole new experience that Square Enix teased its loyal base of gamers with but there's enough new about it that some new issues have cropped up.
Read Full Review >Playstation Official Magazine UK
One of the strongest JRPGs on PSP. [Apr 2009, p.107]
GameFocus
If you are a gamer who likes their PSP (and what is not to love) then this action role playing title is for you and is a must buy. Especially if the upcoming Xbox 360 exclusive Star Ocean: The Last Hope interests you then find out why the series is loved by the older gamer who grew up on the original games.
Read Full Review >RPG Fan
Most RPG fans will be relatively happy with Star Ocean: Second Evolution as a purchase, especially if they are fans of tri-Ace titles.
Read Full Review >IGN
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is clearly a better game than First Departure, despite suffering from some of the same issues.
Read Full Review >Thunderbolt
It may not stand out massively in the RPG world, but Star Ocean: Second Evolution deserves a lot of recognition for simply being an enjoyable, well scripted and interesting RPG.
Read Full Review >Play UK
It’s painfully slow for a PSP title at points, but it’s as old-school an RPG as you could wish for. The pseudo real-time combat makes things a little more interesting than your usual random battles, though.
Read Full Review >SpazioGames
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is a good remake. This Square Enix RPG joint offers original new ideas, a nice combat system and two main characters. On the other side, the pace is slow, difficulty level is too high and casual encounters are way too many. If you love RPGs, and you're looking for something new on the combat side, you should try it.
Read Full Review >3DJuegos
Not an evolution with big innovations, but a correct remake. This is the best definition for Star Ocean: Second Evolution, a very suitable game for RPG fans if they hadn't still played one of the best and most innovative titles for PlayStation.
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
The combat is tedious and boring, the visuals are bland and ugly, and I can't remember the last game I played where so many words were spoken and yet so little of substantive importance was said.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
I realize that everything nice I’ve said has been rebutted with a glaring flaw, but this is a really great game. If you missed it on the PS1 and you like classic RPGs, then you really owe it to yourself to play this, though you may want to turn the sound off to avoid the bad voice-acting.
Read Full Review >GameZone
While there are a few issues here and there, Second Evolution is a solid update of a compelling RPG from the past.
Read Full Review >1UP
Evolution's new localization justifies this PSP port's existence for fans of the franchise. The PS1 version's overly literal translation and amateur-hour voice work was mercifully binned, replaced here with an expanded, well-acted script delivered by capable actors.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Second Evolution is an engaging action role-playing game that's just as enjoyable as its PlayStation forebear.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Second Evolution feels like an anonymous and formalic RPG most of the time, but extraordinary moments occasionally rise to the surface. [Feb 2009, p.87]
Read Full Review >Games Radar (in-house)
Quite formidable among other PSP offerings. Unless you hated First Departure, this one is definitely worth a try.
Read Full Review >Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
It still looks a lot like it did on PSOne 10 years ago. [Jan 2009, p.84]
Gamervision
I’m still willing to give the other games in the series a try, but my patience for this franchise as a whole is wearing thin.
Read Full Review >Pocket Gamer UK
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is a solid RPG remake with some nice new tweaks. It's just a shame it's not better tailored to the PSP.
Read Full Review >Playstation Official Magazine Australia
If you're into old-school RPGs, then its dose of sci-fi fantasy is good enough to bring a smile to a Klingon's face. [May 2009, p.69]
Gamer.nl
The original Star Ocean: The Second Evolution was, somewhere in the past, a very good game. The beautiful surroundings, lengthy gameplay, extended skill system and a decent story will satisfy most of the RPG-gamers. Nevertheless, Star Ocean isn't the same game as it was a couple of years ago.
Read Full Review >GamingTrend
SO: SE will appeal to some RPG fans, but I’m certainly not one of them. I need at least a somewhat interesting story and/or characters to keep me engaged in a game, and these aspects were completely missing.
Read Full Review >PSM3 Magazine UK
Under no circumstances will RPG aficionados feel short-changed here. [Mar 2009, p.74]
G4 TV
The biggest fault of Star Ocean: The Second Evolution is that there's almost no conflict. Everybody in the game is polite.
Read Full Review >D+PAD Magazine
The excellent qualities of Second Evolution are always at war with its meandering, trifling aspects.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.5 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
