Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Switch 2) Review – The Definitive Way to Play a JRPG Classic

Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Switch 2) Review

Ports are a venture of mixed success, generally speaking. Development of any given game is usually focused on one console (or PC), with every other platform as a secondary concern. The Nintendo Switch 2 port of Star Ocean: The Second Story R is an unqualified success, which is lovely surprise. Nintendo consoles don’t always handle ports well. Indeed, the Switch 1 version of Second Story R ended up being a somewhat inferior version of the RPG. Thankfully, this version corrects that unfortunate issue.

Cards on the table: I’m not a hardcore visual fidelity guy. I had to carefully compare screenshots of every version to get a grip on whether the Switch 2 version of Second Story R measures up to the other versions of the game. Perhaps your own research will yield different results. But everything I saw was pretty encouraging. It seems like any muddiness or blurry textures have been cleaned right up. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or through the TV, this version of the game looks and sounds awesome.

Crisp, Clean Visuals

The downside of course, is that the Switch 2 version doesn’t offer any meaningful differences compared to the other versions of Second Story R. By which I mean the content in the Switch 2 edition is more or less exactly what you can find on the PS5, the PC, or the original Switch. The differences are purely cosmetic and/or a matter of relative convenience. Personally, I’m a big fan of portable gaming these days. So a version that looks and plays like the others while being handheld is a major bonus. But if you were looking for some content-specific reason to grab this version of Second Story R, there’s nothing here for you.

All that aside, this is the superior version of an already excellent entry in the Star Ocean series. For the uninitiated, the game follows two separate protagonists, Claude and Rena, as they investigate a Meteor causing havoc on Expel. Your game plays out slightly differently depending on who you choose. In classic sci-fi JRPG fashion, things slowly but steadily escalate in stakes. Star Ocean in particular is great for plots that go to utterly improbable places. I won’t go into too much detail of course, but there are some tropes that got their start in this series. It’s pretty delightful.

Pure JRPG Lunacy

Combat in Second Story R is snappy and satisfying. You’ve got your basic attack, a dodge, and a boatload of spells and abilities. Battles move fast enough that regular fights never get boring. You can adjust the strategies for each party member, and you can choose which character you’re controlling. Oh, and there’s a simple summon system full of characters from throughout the series. Which is all fine and lovely, but the real meat of this dish comes with the customization and upgrades available.

There are just so many places for you to spend your experience in the menu. Fishing, crafting, music composition, alchemy, cooking, appraisal, and training are a bare handful of the possible options. If you like grinding for levels and maximizing your skills, Second Story R is basically paradise. Some of these skills are pointless, but a lot of them pay serious dividends further down the road. You can prepare your own meals, boost your earned experience, and power up your weapons. It’s a massive system that has sucked up many hours of my life, and I have zero regrets.

So Many Skills to Level Up

I have a soft spot for the plot and the dialogue. Part of this is absolutely nostalgia, but the writing has been cleaned up and improved since the original release back in the 90s. Also, I just love anime-style characters who make bombastic choices at every opportunity. There’s some serious scenery chewing happening here, and it rules. On the other hand, every conversation feels just a tiny bit longer than it really needs to be. At least the voice acting is on point. In games like Star Ocean, you want energy and enthusiasm, and Second Story R delivers these with every line.

Not every port is essential, and not every port is done well. Second Story R doesn’t offer any new content, but the game looks and feels terrific. If nothing else, the game goes a long way towards easing suspicion regarding ports on Nintendo consoles. It also helps that this game is excellent. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to check it out, the Nintendo Switch 2 version is a great one. This is a top-tier JRPG, crammed with delightful characters, snappy combat, and tons of customization. Also, the plot is appropriately bonkers. Definitely don’t miss this chance to check out Star Ocean: The Second Story R.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***