Star Ocean: The Second Story R has a favorable critical reception and a very positive Steam user-review snapshot. Those numbers come from different groups and methods, so they are useful context—not directly comparable grades. The 2023 remake combines pixel-art characters with 3D environments and updates the original RPG for current platforms.
Is Star Ocean: The Second Story R good?
The available reception snapshot is positive. Metacritic lists an 86/100 critic score based on 32 reviews, while Steam showed 95% positive English user reviews from 2,043 reviews when its listing was retrieved in 2026. The first figure is an aggregate of critic scores; the second is the share of positive reviews from Steam users. They are not the same measurement, and both can change as listings update. Metacritic’s listing and Steam’s store page provide the underlying snapshots.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Star Ocean: The Second Story R (PS5) | $25.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Star Ocean The Second Story R PS5 Game | $25.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Square Enix Star Ocean Second Story R (PlayStation 5) | $65.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration - PS5 | $44.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Merge Games Let's Build a Zoo PS5 | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
These aggregates support calling the reception favorable, but they do not establish a detailed consensus about the game’s strengths, weaknesses, or performance on each platform. To compare individual reviews, check the review date, the platform played, and whether the writer focuses on the story, combat, remake presentation, or technical performance.
What kind of game is it?
Square Enix describes The Second Story R as a remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story. Steam presents it as a single-player science-fantasy RPG with two perspectives, Claude and Rena; recruitable allies; real-time battles; and multiple endings. The two leads offer different points of view on the adventure, while party recruitment and branching outcomes give the story room to vary.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- Internet connection and download required to access additional languages and bug fixes
- From dangerous dungeons to bustling towns, the world of STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is depicted in a stunning 2.5D style that combines beautiful 3D graphics with nostalgic 2D pixel characters
- Start your journey with either Claude or Rena; Depending on your choice, the perspectives and the allies you can recruit will change
- Customize party progression with a large selection of skills, including Cooking, Art, Metalcraft, and many more; Build up to Specialty levels and master the enhanced Item Creation system to craft ultimate equipment with different effects
- Japanese and English voiceover
What does the remake change?
Pixel characters in 3D environments
The remake’s defining visual approach pairs 2D pixel characters with 3D environments. Square Enix calls the look a 2.5D aesthetic. That describes the presentation, not an independent verdict on how well it works.
Updated battles, voices, and music
Square Enix advertises battle mechanics, English and Japanese voice options, and both original and rearranged music. These are publisher-described features; the available review snapshot does not establish a specific critical consensus about how each change compares with the original.
Rank #2
- PlayStation 5 Video Game Square Enix
- Color: Multicolor
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 1.5 x 13.5 cm
- Reference: S7195736
- If what you want is quality at the best price do not keep looking!
Which platforms can you play it on?
Square Enix announced the game for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Steam, with a launch date of November 2, 2023. Its regional Asia page also lists Nintendo Switch 2 and July 16, 2026; that is a regional listing, not confirmation of a universal Switch 2 release date. Check the relevant regional store for availability and edition details.
How to read the review scores
- Critics: Metacritic’s 86/100 is based on 32 critic reviews in the retrieved 2026 listing. It is an aggregate, not a single reviewer’s score.
- Steam users: Steam’s 95% positive figure comes from 2,043 English user reviews in the retrieved 2026 snapshot. It reflects reviews on that store, not all players or platforms.
- Price: Steam displayed $49.99 when retrieved in 2026. Store prices can change, so use the live listing for the current price.
Neither score tells you whether the game runs well on your particular system, and these figures do not provide a cross-platform performance comparison. The critic aggregate and Steam user share are best treated as separate signals of a broadly positive response.
Rank #3
- Fantasy and science fiction meet in a unique graphic style
- Experience the story with two protagonists: start your journey as Claude or Rena
- Look forward to new character illustrations from Yukihiro Kajimoto, the longtime artist of the series
- Combine powerful equipment with a huge number of skills
- Order now and secure yourself as a DLC: Pangalactic Federation Longsword (Claude), Forest Mittens (Rena), 1x Set of Recreation Items (20x Mixed Berries + 20x Revival Potion) + 1x Sunrise Ring
Is it worth playing?
If you want a single-player science-fantasy RPG with real-time combat, two protagonist perspectives, recruitable companions, and multiple endings, the game’s premise and favorable reception make it a reasonable candidate. The remake’s visual identity and advertised voice and music options may also matter to your decision. The score snapshots alone cannot tell you whether its story, combat, or presentation will suit your tastes, so consult individual reviews that discuss the aspects you care about.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Build your own zoo with over 500 different animals at your disposal, then splice together over 300,000 different animal combinations
- Keep your animals and your itors happy, with hundreds of buildings, foliage, path and enclosure decorations
- Hire the perfect employees to deal with a variety of life events
- Control everything that happens in your park, from what your animals eat to what eats your animals…
- Decide whether you want to run your Zoo above board... or break the law and pocket the extra cash
Rank #4
- 100+ classic games lovingly presented with best-in-class emulation and modern quality-of-life enhancements – and the ability to play classic games that have not been available for ages
- Discover the brand that launched the modern video game industry and the creative individuals behind it through interviews, archival images, special source material and behind-the-scenes content within an interactive timeline
- Emulation of games created for seven hardware platforms: Arcade, Atari 800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari Jaguar, Atari Lynx
- Over 60 minutes of exclusive interviews with key players in the games industry – from early Atari designers and engineers and other luminaries of the gaming world -- as they discuss Atari’s enduring impact on the video entertainment landscape
- A retrospective on gaming history that is a must-own for collectors and fans of video games
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
