Battles
Real-time combat and direct character switching established tri-Ace's core series identity
4th generation
Star Ocean
The first Star Ocean combines real-time party combat, Private Actions and an enormous crafting/skill system inside a story that begins as fantasy and expands into science fiction.
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Official release platforms
SNESPlayStation PortablePlayStation 4Nintendo Switch
Should you play Star Ocean?
Key strengths: Real-time combat and direct character switching established tri-Ace's core series identity. Item Creation, skills and specialties let crafting become as important as battle levelling.
About 40 hoursS tierAction
How Long to Beat
About 40 hours
Approximate playtime recorded for this entry. Side content, difficulty, play style and version can change the total.
See it in action
Gameplay Gallery
A selective set of official screenshots, favouring exploration, battles and story scenes where available.
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Gameplay · View full image ↗Official media sourcePlayStation ↗
Picture credits / usage notesOfficial PlayStation Store media · © 1996, 2019 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
Pros
Systems
Item Creation, skills and specialties let crafting become as important as battle levelling
Characters
Private Actions make town visits reveal optional conversations, relationships and endings
Story
The move from Roak fantasy into off-world science fiction defines the series' genre blend
Music
Motoi Sakuraba's battle and town themes give the adventure strong momentum
Track improvements and releases
All game updates →Latest Updates
No new changes have been recorded for this game yet. Follow it in My FC to see future mod, translation, platform and recommended-version changes.
Best Way to Play
Fabled Cartridge recommended setup
PlayStation 4 / Nintendo Switch
Star Ocean: First Departure R
First Departure R is the best modern route: HD-upscaled PSP remake content, switchable original/remake-style portraits and voice sets, double-speed field movement and balance adjustments.
Pros
Modern HD presentation
Selectable portrait/voice styles
Faster field movement
Cons
None entered.
Availability
Available digitallyCurrent digital route available
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Compare versions
Version / way to playVersion typeWhat changes
PlayStation 4 / Nintendo SwitchRecommendedFirst Departure R is the best modern route: HD-upscaled PSP remake content, switchable original/remake-style portraits and voice sets, double-speed field movement and balance adjustments.
PlayStation PortableFirst Departure remakeOriginal PSP remake that First Departure R builds upon, without the later HD/portrait/voice options.
SNES (or emulate with bsnes)OriginalOriginal 1996 game with substantially different art, maps and presentation.
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