Whenever I revisit my earliest RPG loves, I often find that the thick fog of '90s nostalgia does more harm than good. I’ve spent far too much time fondly recalling the way I saw certain games as a kid with?? a big imagination, only to realize some of those adventures don’t q??uite measure up in the same ways now.

As much as we like to ask for remakes of beloved classics like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy IX, the thought of such remade experiences makes my jaw reflexively clench. Messy remakes not only muddle fond memories, the?y occasionally blunder the wonders and themes of the originals. And while I’ve embraced more remasters and faithful from-the-ground-up rebuilds over the last few years, I always feel a tiny pit of anxiety looming when RPGs I adored roll back into the spotlight.

Thankfully, Star Ocean: The Second Story R absolutely bucks that trend. Ahead of its November 2 launch, I’ve spent ample time with Star Ocean 2’s ambitious remake, and the adventure remains a delight more than 20 years later. In fact, The Second Story R is a rare? trip down memory lane that modernizes the original game while retaining all the qualities I loved so muc??h as a child.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R (PC [Reviewed], Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5)
Developer: Gemdrops, Inc
Publisher: Square Enix
Released: November 2, 2023
MSRP: $49.99

A tale of two worlds

While I’m admittedly a fan of all things Star Ocean �yes, all things �The Second Story on PlayStation remains my favorite to this day. The 1998 sequel didn’t invent every formula the space-faring series follows, but it definitively raised the bar for Action RPGs. The 2023 iteration in Second Story R is only additiv??e, poli?shing away the imperfections that often come with decades-old ideas.

In the spirit of a new adventure into the unknown, I played as Claude C. Kenny in my initial playthrough, and, whoops, that’s something I should’ve done back in the day. The Second Story R still sports its dual-protagonist system, and though I was endlessly faithful to Rena’s Dias-exclusive route ages ago, I see how Claude’s introduction may better set the tone for anyone unfamiliar with some of Star Ocean’s twists and tricks.

Either way, pick who you want. The Second Story R remains just as packed with the same charm, drama, and existential musings as i??ts �0s and early 2000s RPG contemporaries. You’ll dabble a little in the ethical dilemmas posed by space travel, fight otherwordly beasties, save the universe, and still make time for late-night angst at the inn. When I say it’s got the staples of the greats, I mean that in every regard.

Bright and bloomy

Claude, Rena, and the rest of their gang would be nothing without the original’s enchanting static backgrounds and expressive sprites. Despite adoring the look and feel of modern throwbacks like Octopath Traveler 2, I had my reservations about how that 2D-HD aesthetic would affect a world already so endeared. I've been burned too many times seeing timeless pixel art ruined with blurry abominations and painfully performing ports.

However, if the present were to apologize to the past, I reckon the apology would look something like The Second Story R. Those overly animated sprites and whimsical environments added so much soul to '90s RPGs, and Star Ocean completely retains those qualities. Rather than fix what isn't broken,? it inst??ead merges that beautiful art style with 3D landscapes crafted fittingly to memory. The cleaned-up dialogue and translation certainly help in this case, too.

If you recall an NPC there and a town here, chances are Second Story R ??remembered it, too. It’s certainly no one-for-one journey, but the big pieces all remain. Frankly, if I hadn’t pulled up maps to compare this remake against the original, I would’ve told you they're both the same content-wise. Thankfully, my recollection of the world map aided me through my second pass, which is better served by new designs, lighting, and animations.

Better served is no exaggeration, either. While I love some of those old, open-world maps from way back then, the new look makes retreading the same handful of locales less of a slog. There’s water refraction! And clearer details in the distance dotted with defined landmarks! There’s also enough bloom to light the world for miles, but honestly, I dig the heavy-handed lighting. It’s another laye??r to the fantastical here, which makes every fram??e of those introspective or exciting story moments pop even more.

That said, a few of those moments don’t hit quite the same as they did when I was a kid. That resounding thud my heart makes as it hits the floor after one dramatic, early story sequence isn’t as loud now as it was back in the day. Perhaps it’s thanks to the bitterness of age, or maybe those PlayStation graphics just made the situation look far more dire than it was. Fortunately, this wasn't a problem I often encountered. Second Story R’s makeover stays faithfully stunning overall.

Third Evolution

Meanwhile, Second Story R spares no expense in modernizing its mechani?cs. And though I have a heart for those original visuals, you'll find no sentimentality from me when it comes to negotiating those tired and trodden systems. For example, someone, somewhere, asked why we spent five to seven business days moving between towns an??d dungeons in the original game. As a result, the remake wastes no time offering you the means to transport anywhere with Fast Travel. Don’t worry �the Bunny Call remains. If you know, you know.

My delight doubles when you couple Fast Travel with The Second Story R’s new map markers and the original game's Private Action (PA) system. Star Ocean’s PAs are mini cutscenes between party members, with some only available under certain circumstances. If you aren’t careful, they’ll disappear if you move the plot along too far. That always felt punitive considering there are ending cutscenes locked behind triggering dozens of these events, with no clear indication of how these moments impact your party members or their relationships with each other. If you wer??en't following a guide b??ack then, those systems were purely vibes-based.

Now, instead of anxiously exploring for these secrets between story beats, the Fast Travel map flags sub-events and Private Actions for your attention. They aren’t cleverly disguised or ambiguous; scenes gated by time limits are presented in clean, straightforward directions that do?n’t activate my fight or flight from clutter. Additionally, you can freely toggle in and out of Private Action mode now. On the PlayStation, I remember leaving and reentering cities between each cutscene â€?praying I’d exhausted a?ny sequences in the zone before I was locked out.

An RPG of Second Story’s sco?pe was, and still is, a lot of trial and error. But when you remove barriers that feel more like mean-spirited time sinks, the err?or part of that equation doesn’t aggravate or demoralize its player into begrudgingly moving on or hitting reset with a sigh.

In with the new

In the past, I'd never recommend playing the original PlayStation incarnation of Star Ocean 2 without an arsenal of decades-old guide tabs cluttering your browser. However, I’m perfectly comfortable recommending Second Story R without an encyclopedia of resources now. Sure, you may miss out on some min-maxing, but I fumbled my way through Claude’s story with the hazy memory of Rena’s campaign lighting the way. My run even included easily recruiting two party members �Opera and Ernest �that I didn't even know existed in the original game. I realize there are 20-someth?ing years separating the occasion, but let’s c??halk it up to streamlined designs.

Quality of life tweaks extend beyond the broader world and into character menus too. I can double-check party member relationships between events with handy heart indicators, giving me a clear?? sign to reload when I’ve upset Celine again. The rest be damned, I’m just trying ??to make her and Opera happy.

I didn't notice any changes to recruitment paths or party capacity. However, there's a new system to implement sidelined characters through support-like functions called Assault Actions. If you’ve ever played a fighting game that lets you tag in a second character for an attack, it’s much of ??the same here.

Assault Actions assign slots to party members you’ve retired, providing a strategic helping hand on a limited cooldown. Along the way, I picked up a few key items, unlocking visitors from other entries, too. They didn’t impact the world beyond battle, but I do love being a guy named Claude C. Kenny summoning another guy named Fayt Leingod to back me up �very Star Ocean.

Keep the fluff

Perhaps the affair could have felt much shorter since Gemdrops�take on Second Story streamlines content without major sac??rifices. But the developer and Square Enix added to its bulk, too. Item Creation and Specialties �the game’s plethora of specific crafting systems and other extras �remain, but with a few e?xtra ingredients.

I found my??self straying off dozens of times??. Not for Private Actions or missable characters, but so I could chip away at the RPG’s new questing features that propelled those mechanics along. Guild Missions offer to-do lists between cities, assigning you special crafting projects that double as a handy way to encourage experimental play.

Challenge Missions build upon that with four difficulty options �they’re like mini-achievements. For someone who often complains about frivolous bloat embedded within the genre, I sure found myself enamored with completing goals like composing 15 songs or reaching max rank Master Chef before it ever mattered. Second Story R even adds fishing to the mix, and while there’s nothing even marginally? special there, I sure did emb?ark on lengthy voyages to complete my fish database.

A Divine Force

Over the years, Star Ocean never quite blossomed into a series so universally beloved as some of its RPG siblings. The PSP editions offered a spark of hope that I’d see the name return with less divisive staples to the genre, but generations of consoles came and went with newer games only souring the name's reputation. I’ve spent decades insisting that Till the End of Time isn't so bad if you simply ignore half of it. But truthfully, it’s only with an earnest sense ?of cheek I remind you of the series�goofier side.

Star Ocean 2, by comparison, requires way fewer asterisks to recommend. And if you ever wanted to know why so many fans still continue to stick up for this series, this is the game that will explain it. It was a classic when it came out decades ago, and it's still a classic today. Even if you don't root for the series after playing this one, it's still a game that every RPG fan should check out. And with the remake, there's arguably never ??been a better time to experience Claude and Rena's stories for yourse??lf.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R recaptures all the otherworldly wonder of its PlayStation predecessor. The rough edges of the original are now smooth to the touch, and the enhanced visuals amplify that classic pixel art aesthetic in a way that few remakes pull off. It’s a thoughtful snapshot encapsulating RPGs of the era, retaining all the passion and whimsy I remember so fondly. I loved this look back at Star Ocean's past, and I hope this marks a new beginn??ing for the series' future.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Star Ocean: The Second Story R appeared first on Destructoid.

Next month, the holiday season will be in full swing, and there are many November 2023 games to look out for. From a classic returning to a new Call of Duty approac?hing physical and digital stores, you better prepare your wallet.

After a busy September and October??, I wonder if we'll get a chance to check out any of these title?s. Nevertheless, here are all of the most anticipated November 2023 games.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023) - PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Infinity Ward, Beenox, Raven Software, High Moon Studios, Demonware
Price: $69.99
Release Date: November 10
Trailer

Likely the last game in the series solely under Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 lets us play as Captain Price and the rest of Task Force 141 seeking Vladimir Makarov. All of the maps from 2009's Modern Warfare 2 have been modernized for this game, and there are some new maps to ?explore as well. There are 12 6v6 maps to tackle too.

Hopefully, with so many developers behind the game's belt, we'll have a unique vision behind this installment. There should be some standout maps that land like Call of Duty Black Ops' Nuketown and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2's Terminal?? with so much talent behin?d this title.

The zombies mode lets you team up with other squads for the first time. The Steam listing says the game will have the "largest Call of Duty zombies map ever." ??We??'ll see if bigger means better when the game releases on November 10.

Persona 5 Tactica - PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC

Publisher: Atlus
Developer: P-Studio
Price: $59.99
Release Date: November 16
Trailer

The Persona 5 spinoffs continue, and this time it's a strategy RPG with an all-new storyline in the series.?? There's also a strange new ally called Erina who helps you take down the Legionnaires. In this new realm, you must learn the strategy RPG mechanics of the game and survive.

It would be cool if Persona 5 Tactica reaches the incredible heights of the strategy-RPG Fire Emblem: Three Houses. That Nintendo game has an impactful story, engaging game design, and loveable characters. We've known the Phantom Thieves for a very long time,? so it will be interesting to see how they grow.

This new take on the series might be daunting, but if you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you can check this game out at no ext?ra cost on day one of its release. I can't wait to "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There" for one of the most anticipated November 2023 games.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R - PS4, PS5, PC, Switch

Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix and Gemdrops
Price: $49.99
Release Date: November 2
Trailer

Square Enix continues to blend stunning 2D pixel art into colorful 3D environments in this remaster of Star Ocean: The Second Story R. The 2.5D aesthetic from past games like Octopath Traveler 2 is back in Star Ocean: The Second Story R. Only this time, it's in an action-RPG format.

The visuals look pretty. You'll see the pixel art lit up in some stunning lighting, and there are unique settings they'll explore. The story's intriguing as there are two protagonists. Depending on who you choose, the story and party members will cha??nge. There's also a relationship system and various endings to find.

If you want to find out more, there's a demo you can try out now on PC, PS4, PS5, a??nd Switch.

Super Mario RPG - Switch

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $59.99
Release Date: November 17
Trailer

A Super Mario RPG remake is finally on the way for the Nintendo Switch. It will feature long-beloved characters like Geno and Mallow in the g??ame as we're reunited with this c?lassic RPG.

The visuals t??ruly pop on screen. It brings that class??ic look but revitalizes it for a 2023 audience. There are also spectacular Triple Moves that have all three members of the team working together in one attack. The turn-based combat returns in full force, but the game will need you to land the hits with your button presses. It will be a "Happy Adventure, Delightful Adventure" indeed.

It will feature newly remastered music by the game's original composer Yoko Shimomura. However, you can switch back to the old version of the soundtrack at any time.

The game also lets you battle the bosses once more with a much harder difficulty. I can't w?ait to "Beware the Forest's Mushrooms" and play this cherished RPG for the first time!

WarioWare: Move It! - Switch

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Price: $49.99
Release Date: November 3
Trailer

One of the most memorable Wii games, at least for me, is WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and Move It feels like it is a successor to that. With the motion controls of the Joy-con, we'll be following 200 whacky mini-games that last a matter of seconds. You'll have to complete a chain of them to be successful. Of c??ourse, you'll be going through motions like wiggling out of rope and shaking a dog's hand.

The IR sensor, which tracks your hand movements for a few mini-games, is also present. It will show your hand on-screen, and you'll have to point out a certain number of fing?ers to succeed.

These mini-games, including a reference to Super Mario 64's iconic slide level, seem thrilling to play and will keep us on our toes. There's also going to be two-player co-op and a four-p?layer Party Mode. It's one of the most anticipated November 2023 games j??ust from how entertaining and wild the game looks.

Honorable Mentions

• PowerWash Simulator VR (Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3) â€?nbsp;November 2
• RoboCop: Rogue City (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 2
• The Talos Principle 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 2
• Thirsty Suitors (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - November 2
• EA Sports WRC (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 3
• Ebenezer and the Invisible World (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC) - November 3
• Warcraft Rumble (Android, iOS) - November 3
• Football Manager 2024 (PC, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch) - November 6
• The Invincible (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 6
• Typecast (PC) - November 7
• Beyond Sunset (PC) - November 8
• While The Iron's Hot (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 8
• Cuisineer (PC) - November 9
• Dungeons 4 (PC) - November 9
• Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 9
• Spells & Secrets (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 9
• Tales of Arise: Beyond the Dawn (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC) - November 9
• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 14
• Assassin's Creed Nexus VR (Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3) - November 16
• Flashback 2 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 16
• Bluey: The Videogame (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 17
• Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch) - November 17
• Tiger Blade (PSVR 2) - November 17
• Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
• Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (PS4, PS5, PC) - November 30

The post Most anticipated games – November 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.