During this October's State of Play, one of the most exciting reveals for fans was the trailer for the latest iteration of the Star Ocean franchise. While the Star Ocean series had a relatively strong start, poor reception for its more recent releases has seen the series overlooked by most gamers in favor of related franchises like Tales or Final Fantasy. As such, Star Ocean: The Divine Force is being viewed by fans of the series as a chance to salvage a once-beloved series' tarnished reputation.
Since it has fallen by the wayside in recent years, however, many gamers are unfamiliar with the Star Ocean series altogether. Luckily, while the games take place in the same universe and there are occasional threads that tie the series together, each title in the Star Ocean lineup can be enjoyed as a stand-alone game. For those looking to familiarize themselves with the series before the release of Star Ocean: The Divine Force, there are a couple of solid entry points.
Star Ocean: First Departure R
Star Ocean: First Departure R is a remaster of the original Star Ocean game and is the perfect way for new players to look back at where the franchise began. As the original game was only released in Japan on the Super Famicom and then rereleased in 2009 on the PSP where it did not garner much attention, 2019's Star Ocean: First Departure R that dropped on both the PS4 and Nintendo Switch is the ideal introduction to the series.
The original Star Ocean was fairly innovative even when compared to some of the best RPGs on the SNES. The obvious distinction is that Star Ocean features real-time combat that plays out in a 3D isometric environment rather than turn-based 2D combat like other SNES-era RPGs, but Star Ocean also had a high degree of item customization, a myriad of optional recruitable party members, and an affection system that became a mainstay in subsequent titles.
Star Ocean: The Second Story
For many fans of the series, Star Ocean: The Second Story is where the series peaked. It typically sits in either the number one or two slots in rankings of the Star Ocean franchise. It more or less took all of the innovations of the first game and expanded upon them even further. Again, the combat system tends to get most of the spotlight, as well as the expansive skill system that improved on the original game's item customization, but the real highlight of Star Ocean: The Second Story is the plot.
Star Ocean: The Second Story puts players in the shoes of either Rena or Claude as their paths intertwine. When Claude accidentally transports himself to Rena's world, she mistakes him for a mythological figure, and the plot springs forward from there. While many fans rate the relationship between Rena and Claude as one of the best RPG romances, there is also the ability to unlock 86 different endings through the interactions of the various party members.
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Arguably the most polarizing title of the entire series, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is disparaged by some and considered as one of the best RPGs ever made by others. Somehow, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time managed to improve once again on the game's already impressive combat and skill system. The result was ridiculously smooth gameplay that allowed players to seamlessly transition between party members and create combos that would feel at home in most fighting games. Unfortunately, Star Ocean: Till the End of Time also houses one of the biggest plot twists in an RPG, which acts ultimately as the point of contention between fans and detractors.
Since it creates such a rift between fans of the Star Ocean franchise, it could be either the greatest or the worst entry point into the series, but the best way for fans to find out which side they stand on is to play through the game. For what it's worth, the pendulum has seemingly slowly swung to favor the argument that Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is a worthwhile experience, as it received a PS4 HD remake only a few years back.