Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 98 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 67 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 87% | 80 | 1280 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 27, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 1280 total reviews in window · weighted 230.1 up / 31.5 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (86)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Star Ocean: The Second Story R shows how a truly great remake should be done.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Gemdrops revitalizes one of the best installments of the Star Ocean saga with Star Ocean: The Second Story R, a new remastering that offers a wonderful RPG experience. Square Enix should take into consideration giving more possibilities to Gemdrops because it is a studio that has the capacity to create real gems. A beautiful video game from the best era of the genre brought to the present day.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“In a year overflowing with outstanding new RPGs, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is among the very best of them. This revival of a PlayStation classic does a thorough job of mixing modern game design and artistic elements with old-school sensibilities to make for one of the most impressive RPG releases of 2023. A lengthy, player-driven story, thrilling combat system, gorgeous new visual style, and remixed soundtrack all come together to make this one of the easiest recommendations we can make to any RPG fan. If you're even vaguely interested in picking this up, we'd encourage you to do so as soon as you can; Star Ocean: The Second Story R is comfortably the best entry in this series.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a true delight for the fans of the series, skillfully recreating one of the best titles the franchise had to offer. But if you weren’t a fan of the original game, there's a high chance you won't particularly enjoy this one either. The game features intriguing characters and their relationships, beautiful graphics and a diverse world. Yet, the story lacks depth, and the somewhat clunky combat system is likely to divide the audience into those who love it and those who wouldn’t even want to touch it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Gemdrops has created a worthy remake that is not only more accessible than the previous iterations but has made what is arguably the most definitive edition of the game to date.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Star Ocean The Second Story R left me with mixed feelings. It started with a visually impressive 3D game intro and continued with stunning 3D environments, albeit with pixelated characters and monsters, which made me wonder about the design choices. However, these visuals didn’t detract from the excellent story, engaging combat and emotional impact the game delivered.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Coupled with an inviting HD-2D look that combines pixel art and 3D graphics that really invites you to play/replay it for copious amounts of time, this Star Ocean remake is worth diving into. If you crave 90s JRPG action with a lot of unlockables and power-up options, optional party members with backstories to uncover, and fast-paced combat, Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a no-brainer that will get you into its scifi hooks.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The biggest complaint could simply be that the developers didn't update the character sprites in a similar fashion to the rest of the game. In a landscape where remakes sometimes stray too far or cling too tightly to nostalgia, Star Ocean: The Second Story R finds an impressive balance. It stands as a definitive way to experience a JRPG classic, approachable for first-timers while packed with secrets and satisfying systems for veterans. With its blend of modern polish and heartfelt homage to the original, this is one adventure that shouldn’t be missed by fans of the genre and newcomers alike.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A timeless title that finally got the definitive version it deserves.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Star Ocean The Second Story R is a fantastic remake with a gorgeous visual style. The specialty and item creation systems create a beautiful harmony with the gameplay to make this one of the most satisfying gaming experiences of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The game excels in so many aspects that it's difficult not to recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable JRPG experience. Star Ocean Second Story R is a true gem that will leave you reminiscing while embracing the future of gaming.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This is how you bring back a classic to the spotlight with a remake treatment that respects the original team’s vision, improves the game where it's needed, and understands the key points as to why The Second Story is still embedded in people’s minds as one of the greatest JRPGS they’ve played years ago. Hopefully, Square Enix will use this as a blueprint for future projects similar to The Second Story R as they nailed it.”
read full review ↗
GameHope.com
La Orden del Pixel
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
RPGamer
Invision Community
Kakuchopurei
Cubed3
Prima Games
PC Invasion
A Gaming Network
Too Much Gaming…and 74 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update ContentOct 14, 2025
- Ver. 1.10 Update ContentMar 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window