Star Ocean Series

[Crossblades]

Recently, interest has sparked within me to play a Star Ocean game. Which one should I buy and play first and why?

[Mirage]

I personally started with SO3, but that's because I didn't really know skulls about the series prior to that. If you haven't played either of the games, I would recommend starting at the first of them. you'll get references and in-jokes better, and other stuff <,<. That's what I would do atleast.

[Lon611]

don't play the ps2 one. waste.

[Mirage]

Nort a waste at all, in my opinion. Sure, the plot twist was dodgy, but otherwise it's all good.

[Zeromus_X]

Don't know why people feel the need to bash the plot of SO3...don't really understand.

Either of them are good, but I'd have to say playing them in order would be good, probably build more nostalgia. SO1 and 2 are very different then SO3. (Not as advanced battles, more customization, and then SO3, more advanced battles, less customization and frustrating Item Creation.)

Of course, if you play them all anyway...

Edit: There's actually 'Star Ocean: Blue Sphere' for the Game Boy Color, a sequel to Star Ocean 2, but besides importing or emulation, probably wouldn't be able to play it. You'd want to play SO2 before playing that anyway.

Edit: Yeah, you'd definitely get the references if you played them in order. Especially with costumes.xD

[~SapphireStar~]

Star Ocean:The Second Story cause I havent played the SNES version and the PS2 version was horrid. Second story allows you to chose which of the 2 lead characters you want to play as.

[Mirage]

Um, SNES and PS2 version doesn't really make sense. It's not one game with several versions. It's several games with one version each. Except SO3, where the Directors Cut can be counted as a newer version of the original.
Why was SO3 horrid?

[Dignified Pauper]

um, none of them are required to play the others. I started with the Second Story for Playstation and loved it. The PS2 TTEOT just has bad system implements, from battle to invention, i couldn't stand it. I've yet to beat it because of which.

the SNES version translation is only sub par and some items are left untranslated, but it's okay. I haven't beaten it, but it's a worthy game to play. The story is sub-par, but it is at least entertaining.

[Mirage]

I like the battle system in SO3 much more than SO2 <,<. It's more fluid and I find controlling the charactes easier. Plus that the battle doesn't stop while spells are being cast.

[Zeromus_X]

It's great you all love SO2, but you actually can like the other games too. It's quite possible. Yes, SO3 got rid of many customization options, and IC is too over-complex. But there's no way you can honestly say that the first two games had a better battle system, especially SO2, which was just button mashing. (SO1 was more active, because of the movement cursor, which required you to move fast, and think fast.)

Actually, the games are quite connected, but not directly. Still, if you play them in order I believe you'll really appreciate the nostalgia, references, and evolvement of the series, and enjoy it as a whole.

I like the battle system in SO3 much more than SO2 <,<. It's more fluid and I find controlling the charactes easier. Plus that the battle doesn't stop while spells are being cast.

"Tear into pieces!" xD

[Dignified Pauper]

i don't like the fury gauge of the battle system in SO3, nor do i like the fact that if you run out of MP, you die. maybe that is my biggest beef with the game. Further, once you get the use of Orichalcum, the game is a breeze, sadly. Further, there isn't that much magic, or at least where I am. This saddens me.

[Zeromus_X]

Guts/Fury was implemented so that you don't spam your attacks over and over again like the first two games.

MP Killing...well, that's up to you. I'm pretty indifferent on it. At least it provides something to keep you on your toes.

Don't worry, you'll get plenty of magic-users by the late game, and Fate and Nel learn plenty of spells. Of course, like the first two games, spells aren't really that great. They're okay in this game, but are far outclassed by melee attacks/killer moves.

But if you really hate the game, you can just return it and buy something else.

Edit: If you think Orichalcum is bad...then you need to try Boots of Prowess. :P

[Mirage]

I think MP kills balances the game more, mages can stand more mental rape than melees. It works good with the "the body can't live without the mind" thing :)
Orichamcum and Boots of Prowess is post-endgame stuff. It takes a good deal of time and money to get, and is pretty much needed against the overpowered optional bosses. No one forces you to get them for beating the main boss, in fact, you're not even likely to invent and refine all that stuff on your own the first time through.

[~SapphireStar~]

Why was SO3 horrid?

I wasnt fond of the battle system, I got frustrated and bored after being stuck on the same planet for ages, the characters annoyed me and I didnt enjoy the music.

Um, SNES and PS2 version doesn't really make sense.

Why doesnt it? Ive never played the SNES version, only the PS1 and PS2 games.

[Mirage]

Because it's not a different version of the same game. They are 3 different games.