Loving the direction that this channel took. This guy really goes into detail of each and every specific version, making my life essentially easier when I decide to replay these classics.

You're the only person I will go to for these kinds of analysis, very thorough, great comparisons and always entertaining to watch, thanks for all you do 💙

I hope we get a Second Evolution enhanced port someday.

Gotta love a remaster that gives you options. Change es much as you want. As long as I can choose for myself, it's all good.

Personally I love the look of the original. I feel like there is a wonderful texture and atmosphere due to the color choices and pixel art. I definitely like the look of the newer versions though as well - especially the portraits.

I’ve been meaning to get into Star Ocean for years! I’m really glad you’ve done a video on this.

I honestly didn’t know there was a remaster. Definitely gonna pick it up, especially since I skipped the PSP release.

I would love to see Namco do this with the Tales of Destiny and Rebirth games.

The fan translation for the snes version is very good I would recommend it

Dude; I thought this game was completely forgotten, and I had no idea they did a remake after the SNES version. This is super exciting news

During Tales of Phantasia's development, some people on the team didn't agree with some of the decisions that were being made so they broke off and formed Tri-Ace. It wasn't after the game was done, but 9 months before it.

I just bought this game yesterday and I have to say it's pretty awesome so far! Awesome Review man!

Personally i'd like the field style of the Famicom version more (never played that one though, played the psp so far...might get it again on Switch since it's just $20 and the control sticks on the switch are better than the psp pad imo) but would probably never trade the First Departure versions for it only due to FD having more content overall.

The StarOcean I like was the 1st snes one. That one had such a great story! It could work with Chrono Trigger.

Glad they get rid of this blurry filter on the sprites! For once. I would by that in a flash if it release physicaly. Also, can't wait for SO2 remaster.

I don't often watch videos like these but I'm glad this popped up on my recommended and I gave it a shot. You certainly made it easy to understand the origins of the game and the history it has. Thank you!

Wow! What a thorough and well made video! The information is presented perfectly, concise and well thought out. This is exactly the kind of video I'm looking for when researching retro games with multiple versions. I can tell a lot of work went into making this video and I appreciate it. Thank you for the video!

Beat the fan translation on my hacked Wii a few years back I enjoyed playing this and will prolly get this

Star Ocean's fan translation was translated from Japanese by Clyde "Tomato" Mendelin who went on to do Mother 3 and Bahamut Lagoon and two chapters of "Live A Live".

They should have included the original snes version in fdr.

Now give us Second Evolution R

Thank you so much. I started with the 3D Star Ocean but was curious to play this remaster of the original.

I want to start and say thank you for the detailed video distinguishing each release's difference, strengths and weaknesses and difference via HD balancing, music, translations and such. These videos always help me learn more about the remastered game. I like knowing that even with FDR the original still has a place too based on a variety of factors. My first experience with Star Ocean FD was the PSP remaster (though my first SO game ever was SO3). I still remember getting really excited to be able to play the first game with new art with the standard Tales of style at the time (Symphonia/Abyss specifically) and being able to play the past game HDed. I am really excited for the new version because it's been years since I played an SO game and I forgot a lot about the first since it's been so long. Also happy to know there's customizable choices, like art style and voice acting, and I like the idea of the game being more difficult (SO3 beat me up pretty good too). It seems like there was a lot of work involved to make it a very pleasant experience. My only nitpick is no matter the art style chosen there's the PSP style for animated cutscenes (great style just a little just jarring if someone chooses the new style in FDR but reanimating would be maybe too much?) and the music on the original is better than the remaster (can't explain it but sounds more complex with more depth? I wish there was a way to play the original music with the new remaster) but overall I think that this port is really cool. I'm definitely buying this for the Switch (maybe the PS4 too, I play both systems a lot) though I just wish it had a physical version. This game deserves a physical version.

Motoi Sakuraba is a legend. I love all his music. Tales of arise ost is a masterpiece too. Just wish it was on itunes

OMG I didn't know about the ZR/R2 sprint! Thank you!

I’m curious tho. Will they make a STAR OCEAN: SECOND EVOLUTION port on the switch ????

Thank you for the video it answered all my questions

I'm probably the only person who would rather have a remaster of the Super Famicom version but with the cut content added back in.

🤔 cant be the only 1 wanting a demake of the other games in this style

The Cool Village is in danger! Signed, -Elder of Cool. Yep, that’s cool in my book

Excellent explanation! I remember being blown away by Star Ocean's visuals as a kid. I also remember having a real bitch of a time getting the ROM to work (a problem which apparently hasn't existed in more than a decade :P)

Gonna pick this up in the hopes it helps get me a Star Ocean 2 remaster. Still one of the best rpgs ever made!

Nice to hear and see all the stuff added to it, figured it was just a rereleased of the PSP version on the Switch but glad to hear it not.

Thanks for this video. I didn't even know there were more games of this series other than Star Ocean the Second Story R. I'm really excited for both games and am looking forward to playing both games

This was very informative and helpful! Awesome video!

The new version however is the only one that does not come with a manual... I miss manuals.

star ocean was one of the only games to have stereo surround sound on the snes

i want to support the franchise so i'll buy the remaster

I'm not really into the newer iterations of Star Ocean but this oldie is looking slightly more up my alley. Nice video.

This was helpful, thanks!

The fact that they didn't redo the cutscenes with the new art is completely baffling to me.

Thanks a lot for this video and the research you did for the rebalancing ^^. Can't wait for tomorrow !

Good to see this, I played the SNES version about 15 years ago but never finished, I think I'll play again now on Switch and finish... thanks for this comparative video!

Oh wow, didn't even realize. I remember my brother got me the PSP version, and I spent so much time playing it. Might go out and pick up the new one sometime soon.

Thanks Austin! Based on your in-depth video comparison, I'll be starting with FDR soon. Cheers.

Still waiting for Star ocean 3 remastered on PC with Universe and 4D bugs fixed.

Nice comparison well made video! subbed👍🏽 Gonna cop and play FDR for the first time before Second Story comes out soon. Last time I played a SO game was SO3 when it came out but I think I got stuck at one point and never finished lol

Came here after the PS Plus added games half october, had 7 other reviews open to see after this one... But got all my questions answered just with this one. Kudos!

This video pops up right no time! I wanted to see the differences and here there are, uploaded just three hours ago. Nice timing!

Why aren't the sprites following the new portraits tho ? It feels weird

The SNES looks so good to me.

Now all I need is for the game to become released physically, since it's a good remaster and it's not available in my country

Wish they'd included the option to switch between the original soundtrack and the remaster. I think the original has a certain charm that the new soundtrack is lacking.

Currently playing it on the switch AND I'm loving it so far. Feels like an amazing story. Rn I'm on the town you warp after learning what's happening at the beginning. Amazing video as well.

Thank you so much for making this video, I've been dying to find out which version to play, I'm going with the original first, then later play the ps4 one, I love remakes and remasters, but I find that the originals are always the best, unless if there's a lot of glitches in it, keep making videos like this bro, thanks again. 😊

I love comparisons like this. Well done!

Man I played the original with the fan translation so long ago but I remember how amazed I was at the level of detail and the graphical style. That game is art. Did you like SO3? For me, it's my favorite then 1 then 2 but I also like Star Trek a lot.

just a correction; Engine used was absed off Star Ocean the Second Story. Second Evolution got made AFTER First Departure remake. :)

Played both the PSP and SNES title, didn't realize it was on the Switch. Good video!

Hey man, I really love your all ports review. I hope you continue this and make more.

Ive only played the SNES version. Great game. I really liked it. This is also my preferred design style.

This is excellent; just what I'm looking for in a "which should you buy" video. I'll be getting this for the PS4. Thank you! :)

You earned a sub, simple as that. Thank you.

Very informative. Star Ocean is a big blind spot in my RPG knowledge. Sadly, FD doesn’t look like it’s available on the Vita via PSN so it looks like I’ll be waiting until I get a PS4 or Switch before I play it. Thanks for the video!

I’m waiting for The Second Story

I never played the S-Fam version of Star Ocean. I did play First Departure R on PS4 and really enjoyed it. I loved how they upgraded it to the same visual and combat engine as Star Ocean: Second Story 32-bit version. Since the original version wasn't released in the U.S., I never had the opportunity to play it, so I went with the reboot.

A fair and thorough comparison - that's refreshing! Nice job & thanks.

BRUH I grew up playing Star Ocean the 2nd Story... literally had no idea this existed! Going to buy on my PS4 as soon as I get home from work!

The original with a CRT filter is the way to go for me, I just wish it had the cut content...

I'm still livid that they didn't bundle this with the 2nd game

All versions are awesome. Original just has that supreme charm and the OST sounds the best.

I just want to thank you for the hard work you put to make these videos, it helped me 2 times before and am sure there are more people like me.

This was a really helpful video.🤠👌🏻👌🏻

Fully completed a playthrough, including the bonus endgame dungeon + Gabriel, and I never realized there was a Sprint option...

I've been hankering to replay SO2 recently. I'm kinda ticked that SO1 was ported to PS4 both in Japan and North America, but they ported SO2 only in Japan. I'd pay a pretty penny to play an upres-ed SO2 on PS4. As it stands, I'm hunting for copies of Second Evolution or even the original PSX SO2 on eBay. Yay... Damn you, Square, for not bringing SO2's PS4 port to the US.

4:51 Did Pericci travel to the future to get silicon implants?

thanks! due to this video i'll probably be picking up FDR

R is definitely the best version since it has the original snes character designs and original snes audio and Japanese voices

The music gives me goose bumps. It's all about the classics and even if it's remastered, it's still beautiful.

2:39 this sounds EXACTLY like a golden sun battle theme, honestly wouldn't be surprised if motoi sakuraba composed it edit: guess what, it literally was him, lol

Subbed, great in depth analysis!

Yay! Perfect description of all three. After playing all the versions, I totally agree that it comes down to preference. Although, FDR has been a total blast. Highly recommend! Hope they do the same for number 2! ❤️ I need Claude and Ashton on the Switch ;)

what a fantastic review, good job

Totally missed out on the PSP version because I didn't know about it since I was studying in oddly enough Japan. But now, I can finally experience this game in Japanese. So glad it's fully voiced. Hate reading so much text in a JRPG.

What I would like to see happen is when Second Evolution R hits? A physical bundle of these two games on one cart/disc for all three current Gen consoles.

I played this on the psp before along with the 2nd one! The nostalgia

Hey @AustinSV, do you think you can do a comparison video between Tales of Phantasia and Star Ocean: First Departure since I know that I did heard the original team of Star Ocean was involved in the development of Tales of Phantasia build before Namco hired Wolf Team finalized the game and as well as Star Ocean: First Departure used stuff from Tales off Phantasia? I do like to see what similarities and differences Star Ocean used from Tales of Phantasia such as Cress and Roddick looked very similar and Millie looks somewhat close to Arche in terms of design for example.

Can't wait to play this one but what I'm craving is a remake or remaster of Second Story.

Fantastic breakdown. Really well done.

was debating whether to get this for switch or PS4, thanks for the detailed reviews of both now I don't have to do research 😊 very informative

This is a fantastic video, my guy

Thank you very much for the video, it help me A LOT

Tales of Destiny DC would be amazing but shame we'll probably never get it

Star Ocean FD remastered reminds me of Star Ocean: The second story, which was my first SO and the best one so far.

i Want Till The End Of Time Remaster / Remake, the best Star Ocean of all series

Truly I thank you for your work, I've learned about new jrpg's because of you (I'm 34) and I've made the jump this week to jump on a bunch of them today cause of the TGS sales. (Also your distaste for ff5 &6 old pc port is hilarious. I actually went out my way to buy it directly from square directly from their EU store "I live in USA" those versions are the ones that visually looks enjoyable to me "my first 2d ff game was ff1 on psp so I like that hand drawn look vs the extra pixel sharp games")

I really liked this series, but I never played the original, It looks like a lot of fun.

Played the famicom version alittle on an emulator, played alittle more when the PSP version came out. Finally i hope to playthrough it on switch. Great break down on the 3 versions!

@AustinSV this is the best comparison ever I've seen on any game!!! You tried to stay objective as humanly possible. Also a comparison that is apple to apples, not apples to something so take my perspective. Also not even trying to imply - hey that is the best because ... I like it better. 100/100

Playing it on the Switch rn and loving it!