Star Ocean is a series of science fantasy RPGs and one of the first to introduce the option of multiple endings based on story decisions.
The series dates all the way back to 1996, with over 10 unique games for various platforms and today I am here to help you play all the games based on their release date.
I will also include a list, at the end, on how to play the games based on the order of events if you prefer to do it that way.
So let’s not waste a single second and instead let’s jump right into the list of Star Ocean games!
Star Ocean
Release date: 1996 (Japan only)
Star Ocean is the first game of the series, released in 1996 only in Japan. It can be played through emulation nowadays and it follows the story of Roddick Farrence in his search for a cure for the sickness that’s ravaging his planet.
The game received an enhanced remake in 2007 named First Departure (more details below).
Also read: Best Cheap Classic PC Games to Play
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Release date: 1998 in Japan, 2000 in Europe.
The Second Story is a sequel to Star Ocean and was released originally in Japan (1998) and in Europe (2000). It introduces new character backgrounds and 3D battlefields with enhanced graphics while featuring similar gameplay and story to the initial game.
The game received an enhanced remake in 2008 named Second Evolution (more details below).
Star Ocean: Blue Sphere
Release date: 2001 (Japan only)
Blue Sphere is a sequel to The Second Story exclusively released in Japan. It takes place only two years after the previous game and includes all 12 characters from The Second Story as they try to solve the Planet Edifice mystery.
In 2008, it received a remake named Blue Sphere Mobile, available only for mobile devices but with minimal additions to the original game including new graphics and a revamp of the combat system.
Also read: Best Open World Games for PS5
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Release date: 2003
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is a PlayStation-exclusive game and the first to include 3D gameplay with fully voiced dialogue.
It features similar gameplay as previous entries, but takes place 400 years after the Blue Sphere events.
Star Ocean: First Departure
Release date: 2007
This is an enhanced remake of the original 1996 game available exclusively for PSP in both Japan and Europe.
With new characters, graphics, and gameplay mechanics, this is a great starting point for new players of the series and can be played as the first in the series (before Till the End of Time).
Also read: Best D&D Games for Switch
Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Release date: 2008
This is an enhanced remake of the original 1998 game available for PSP worldwide.
It includes new characters, artwork, cutscenes, and visuals to enhance the original 1998 game.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Release date: 2009
The Last Hope is an Xbox and PlayStation game that serves as a prequel to the entire series, while featuring similar gameplay and no graphics improvements over the 2007 and 2008 games.
Related reading: Best Relaxing Games for PC
Star Ocean: Material Trader
Release date: 2013
This game is no longer available and was a free-to-play card and item-creation RPG. It was only available for one year and wasn’t as successful as expected, so it was unceremoniously shut down.
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
Release date: 2016
Chronologically, Integrity and Faithlessness events take place between The Second Story and Till the End of Time.
This installment of the Star Ocean series centers on a quest to protect a mysterious girl, leading to battles that could alter the course of the universe.
Related reading: Best Games Like Infinite Craft
Star Ocean: Anamnesis
Release date: 2016
Anamnesis was a F2P RPG with real-time combat and multiplayer features (up to 4 players) that was terminated back in 2021 and is no longer playable.
Star Ocean: First Departure R
Release date: 2019
First Departure R is an enhanced remake of the 2007 game with new difficulty options, better open-world navigation, and various other QoL changes. This game is available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
Star Ocean: The Divine Force
Release date: 2022
The Divine Force is one of the biggest Star Ocean releases to date as it’s available for PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
With two main protagonists and many dialogue choices that alter the story and the ending, it features over 30 hours of gameplay and finally delivered something truly new and unique to fans of the franchise.
Related reading: Best D&D Games to Play on PC
Star Ocean: The Second Story R
Release date: 2023
Last but not least, The Second Story R is a remake of the Second Story and Second Evolution games, available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, and PC.
Overall, it features similar gameplay with improved graphics and minor QoL changes.
How to play the Star Ocean games based on the story’s timeline
With some of the games very difficult to get nowadays, and with an universe that is extremely complex, playing the Star Ocean games in a way that makes sense story-wise is difficult.
But, if I were to recommend an order to play them in so that the story makes sense, here is how I would play them (I am not including the two games that have been discontinued):
- Star Ocean: The Last Hope
- Star Ocean 1 or Star Ocean: First Departure or Star Ocean: First Departure R
- Star Ocean: The Second Story or Star Ocean: Second Evolution or Star Ocean: The Second Story R
- Star Ocean: Blue Sphere
- Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
- Star Ocean: The Divine Force
- Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
This concludes our list of all Star Ocean games listed in order by release date. The list includes a wide variety of Japan-exclusive games, original releases, and even enhanced remakes.
What was the first game of the series that you tried? Feel free to share your Star Ocean journey in the comments below! Or you can checkout other lists we’ve published, like the Best Games Like Undawn or the Best Games Like Humanity.
He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, which allows him to always come up with a fresh approach to solving in-game puzzles and challenges, but also to create content that’s to the point, clean and easy to follow.
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