Original Star Ocean
Genre: Action/RPG
Developer/Publisher: tri-Ace/Enix
Platform: SNES
Players: 1
Japan Release Date: 19th July 1996
US (NTSC) Release Date: N/A
EU (PAL) Release Date: N/A
Star Ocean: First Departure (Remake)
Genre: Action/RPG
Developer/Publisher: tri-Ace/Square-Enix
Platform: PSP
Players: 1
Japan Release Date: 27th December 2007
US (NTSC) Release Date: 21st October 2008
EU (PAL) Release Date: 28th October 2008
The original and first Star Ocean title was released on the Super Famicon (aka SNES) very late in the SNES lifecycle. It was the first title developed by tri-Ace and was produced via the now merged company Enix (with Squaresoft of course). Unfortunately the game never got released outside of Japan, meaning us English fans never got the chance to experience the beginning of the wonderful Star Ocean series.
Although thankfully there is a PSP remake which is an entire remake of the first Star Ocean title, and will be released in Japan on the 27th December 2007. It’s also unknown as to whether tri-Ace has much involvement with the game, or is Square-Enix alone is handling the remake, although they originally wrote the game of course so tri-Ace will no doubt still be credited with the title in some form. To date there is no official announcement has yet stated the game will be released outside of Japan, but with Star Ocean 4 on the cards there is a reasonable chance it will be available for English fans as part of a gradual released leading to the coming Star Ocean 4. tri-Ace's other successful remake in Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth also sold rather well internationally, so it would not be unreasonable to expect international release here either, fingers crossed!
New features of the remake:
- Voice actors for all playable characters
- New characters (including Welch Vineyard from Till the End of Time!)
- Remade battle system similar to that witnessed in Second Story
- All new animated cut scenes & new artwork
- And more!
