Customer Reviews

Star Ocean: First Departure

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Pros:

+Well done cutscenes
+Visually stunning
+Fun gameplay and mechanics
+Fairly good storyline
+There are various ways for the story to unfold
+Tons of custimization, side quests and secrets
+Well developed characters

Cons:

-A little too easy, which some may not enjoy as much as others
-A lot of exposition throughout the game
-The voice acting can grate on the nerves

In Japan, a little company called Enix (now Square-Enix) crafted an RPG called Star ocean where it was released on the Super Famicom in 1996. Star Ocean never made it to US shores. However, American gamers were able to play Star Ocean: The Second Story, which became a cult classic in 1999 and later Star Ocean: Till the End of Time in 2004. Now we have a chance to play the first Star Ocean and see just where those elements came from.

Star Ocean is probably best known as being one of the RPGs which really brought Science Fiction to the RPG realm. On the planet Roak, there is a disease that is turning the denizens of the world to stone. In an attempt to rescue his friends and family and his world from this disease, Roddick and company must travel through time and space to locate the origins of the disease to find a cure. The story itself may seem somewhat dated by today's standards, but it still manages to be really good. Particularly because its got a lot of heart and a fairly good cast of characters. The story is told through traditional text boxes and from time to time through some really well done animated scenes.

If there was any problem with Star Ocean's story, it would be that there's just too much exposition in some areas. There's a lot of dialog and a lot of talking, even for a JRPG. On the other hand, even this has an upside. As a result of some of its exposition Star Ocean really does a good job of fleshing out its characters. You'll be quite surprised at just how absorbing this story can really be when you start to enjoy the characters more and care about them. From time to time you will be tempted to skip scenes because of the exposition but at the same time you may find yourself not wanting to just for the sake of missing something. In spite of having such a simple story, there's a lot to take in. Even more than that, Star Ocean can be a different experience on subsequent play throughs. There are many playable characters in the game, but it is impossible to recruit them all. You'll find that the story unfolds in different ways depending on who you recruit and when you recruit them. Recruiting specific characters does more than alter the story. It also alters the events of the quest and sometimes in what order you'll take care of things. You may even skip over certain boss fights as a result of recruiting a different character.

The Star Ocean series also contains a well known battle system. Rather than being turn based like many JRPGs on the market, Star Ocean opts instead for real time battles where the player is able to run around freely and perform melee attacks and special attacks. You're able to switch party members at any time you need to and open up menus to use items, magic, etc. If you've played any games in the "Tales of..." series, then you probably have an idea of just how the battle system in Star Ocean works--it's almost exactly the same. Whoever you choose to be in battle, the AI controls the others.

The battle system may take some time to learn, but it isn't hard to master. In many cases it can be reduced to a button mashing affair. While the game starts off as a seeming challenge, it isn't hard before it becomes incredibly easy to take advantage of. In most cases you won't even need to use magic. This is also in spite of some of your allies having some pretty bad AI or carelessly using their special attacks even when it isn't called for. Star Ocean definitely won't challenge the veteran RPGer.

There's a lot more to the battle system, however. Characters also gain skill points which they can use to learn how to do many different things such as crafting items, or pickpocketing non-playable characters in the towns, cooking and many more things. The amount of customization is tremendous. Spend your skill points wisely, however. The game begs for you to make each character useful for different things. It works in such a way that you wouldn't even want to make all your characters the same.

Visually, Star Ocean First Departure obviously looks better than its Super Famicom counterpart. It doesn't take the PSP to its full potential but there's a lot of detail in the towns and character artwork. Artistically, Star Ocean First Departure is a grand game. Musically, however, there aren't nearly as many memorable tracks. There are a few good ones, but for the most part you probably won't be humming too many of Star Ocean's tunes. The voice acting, however, needs work. They can be very annoying, especially when they say the same phrases over and over again in battle. The voice acting isn't always bad, but it is most certainly annoying.

If you're a Star Ocean fan, then picking up the First Departure is a treat to see where the roots of the series come from. When the game debuted in 1996 it was ahead of its time. While much of what you find isn't fresh and some of it dated, it's still a huge game and it's still fun to play. If you're looking for a satisfying JRPG experience on the PSP, then Star Ocean First Departure is not to be missed.

All told I logged a lot of hours into this game. I sincerely enjoyed it! I always give my perspective which is a 42 year old Mom who just got into gaming about 2 years ago. This is the first RPG I bought for my new PSP.

This game is outstanding at easing you into gameplay and "tutoring" you in how to play. You won't be lost and it is not difficult to figure out where to go and what to do. I thougth the graphics were great and the characters well done. The music was good--perhaps a bit understated but it did work with the game.

I loved the story--I found it very well paced with some twists I didn't see coming as well as a bit of romance. That was a nice surprise for me and actually made my enjoyment a bit higher. I play a lot of rated E RPG that don't have any form of romance or character relations so this was a nice change. It is not major (this is not an M rated title) but its presence, for me, was quite fun.

I liked the battle system and the skill points and specialties you could develop. Unlike in some other RPG making the effort to learn these and do things like customization or cooking can actually make a HUGE difference. I spent hours doing the blacksmithing to get good armor and customizing my weapons. It added quite a bit to the game.

The only tedious thing is backtracking and random battles. However they are par for the course in most of the RPG's I play and I'm used to them now. I think the level of difficulty was light to moderate. I found the Second Evolution game a bit more difficult starting out--so I would class this one as especially perfect for a new RPG person or someone who is more of a casual gamer. I didn't get too many game over's (only due to my own stupidity LOL).

I recommend the guide, if you are the type that goes for guides, as I found it very helpful. It pointed out things that were good to know but I usually use guides to help me in dungeons as my map skills are not all too great. Wonder what happened to all that orienteering skill I had in high school?

This is an outstanding RPG with a great story that keeps you hooked for the entire game. Gameplay is great and I believe you will get a good amount of "bang" for your buck with Star Ocean: First Departure.

I played this on a ROM some time ago when DeJap released their translation patch. I loved it, just thought it needed some polishing. And, honestly, I couldn't be more impressed. I thought the systems in the second Star Ocean were some of the best I've ever seen in an RPG, despite the learning curve, and this game is basically Star Ocean done in the style of the Second Story. I couldn't be happier. The game is beautiful, the environments look fantastic. I always thought the original was a little cramped, and now the areas are much, much larger. The storyline isn't the most original, by any means, but it's pretty good for standard RPG fare, and the characters and events have a nostalgic charm that really reminds the player of the classic 16 bit RPGs of yore. The item creation and skill systems, as well as Private Actions, have been updated to the depth of the second game and really add that little something that set The Second Story apart from its contemporaries. All I have left to say is I can't wait for the release of Second Evolution.

I have not played any Star Ocean games before this. I began playing this game on the heals of completing Chrono Trigger (DS) and Tales of Phantasia (GBA). It plays much like Tales of Phantasia as one might expect.

The cut scenes and voice acting are done well for a portable game and add to the game. The battles are real-time, but felt less tactical than Tales of Phantasia did. Battles were still fun. The AI for the other 3 characters in your party is pretty weak but workable. I fought with the primary hero (Roddick) for the entire game except the final boss. I had to take over Millie (the healer) because she didn't know how to keep the party alive and just let the AI beat down the boss.

It's a shorter game compared to most rpg's out these days, which was a good thing for me. I explored and did a lot of minigames/sidequests and finished it in 25 hours or so. Personally 25-30 hours is nearly perfect for me. The story progresses at a nice pace until the end where it feels rushed...but it all works.

My favorite part of the game was the skill system where you customize your characters abilities. There is a lot you can do to customize your party.

All in all, it was the perfect into for me into the series as I know Star Ocean 2 is a longer game. I will play through this one again.

I bought a PSP mostly because I was looking forward to playing Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core. I found that game to be a bit of a let down since it was way too linear, i.e. it didn't really play like an RPG (I found it to be as much an RPG as God of War). First Departure on the other hand may not have the spectacular graphics found in Crisis Core but this is a great game in every other way. I've spent 40 hours playing so far and what I like most about this game are the battle system and the item creation ability (not to give anything away but, for example, you can create a secret item that reduces the amount of experience required to level up to one experience point so you can level your characters up at a faster rate, which was pretty cool).

First Departure was reminiscent of the SNES Final Fantasy games; the story wasn't quite as rich as Final Fantasy 6 but the look was spot on. So, if you've played those games you have an idea of what to expect.

Like others have mentioned, the story could be slow at times (towards the last quarter things pick up and get pretty exciting) and there was a bit of level grinding, which is something I almost expect in an RPG.

Anyway, if you're looking for a great RPG on the PSP, you'll love this.

I think it was science-fiction author J. G. Ballard who wrote that the ocean signified memory, while space symbolises the unconscious. As poetic and thoughtful as this may be, could this combination of these two realms inspire an interesting game? 'Star Ocean' certainly promises something in it's title, but does it come across in the final PSP adventure?

'Star Ocean' asks players to embark on a unusually flavoured journey: a mix of medieval fantasy and science fiction exploration. We've all seen traditional role-playing games where with a fantastic, mystical and magical flavour, but 'Star Ocean' has gone to the trouble to add another ingredient: an emphasis on inter-stellar and time travel. With this backdrop established, we take control of Roddick (or name him otherwise) and follow him and a party of your choosing across the continents of Roak. This world is depicted in typical style: several 'continents' are presented, each encrusted with various villages, hamlets, and kingdoms - nothing unusual there.

Quite strikingly, the game makes use of pre-rendered backdrops within these many locales, all which are highly detailed and quite beautifully presented. Players move a sprite (remember them?) of Roddick across these pre-rendered areas - the difference in graphical style is quite jarring at first - and the 'camera' aspect is set differently for each screen full of the area. Sometimes you'll walk left-to-right, diagonally, or even far into the distance - the camera remaining static as your sprite marches off into the distance. Open doors, visit stores, annoy citizens, hear stories, collect items and take in the scenery.

'First Departure' has a battle-system that is really quite bizarre. Random encounters trigger a battle-sequence, and then set 'field' area is presented. Real-time control is the name of the game, and by moving your character left, right, far or near, Roddick (or any other character you choose to control) will respond to X button tapping to attack with the equipped weapon. Special spell moves (assignable of course) are unleashed from the shoulder buttons. Some of these are neat, some are quite lame, and some are very dramatic and powerful. The latter can become annoying as some of the animations seem to take much too long: watching psychedelic asteroids bombard the battlefield in slow-motion is pretty amazing - the first couple of times.

Sadly, the real-time battling is not anywhere as exciting as it sounds or could have been. Strategic choice is not really needed, and rapid-tapping of the X button is what you'll be doing most of the time. Sure, you can unleash a speciality skill if you like, but it's not usually necessary and you'll probably do it just for the hell of it. Enemies are not that menacing or exciting either - sprite-based like the party, they animate very simply and are mostly just there to give experience. 'Star Ocean' is not for those who like 'Final Fantasy' style battles - it's just far too simplified and slash-happy. You've been advised...

Where the game gives interest is in the item creation (a very unique, branching, customisable skill system unlocks this), the varied and memorable villages and towns, the great music, and the excellent animated scenes and voice-work. The characters sound suitable and not too dramatised, and the conversations aren't always a chore to get through - this is a nice change. And what is said by the characters and NPCs is mostly useful content, not fluff or filler, although it's occasionally obvious. They often draw conclusions that the player deduced two towns ago - but that's not too much too worry about.

Animated anime-style scenes bookend the most important moments in the game - and these shine through brilliantly on the PSPs terrific display. These animations are colourful, refreshing and add to the experience - they are only used too sparingly. They give the static characters a much needed breath of life. This would have been even more needed at the original date of release (did I mention this game was a re-make yet? Well it is).

Musically speaking, 'Star Ocean' is apt, if not too memorable. Dragon Warrior/Quest like music (although a little more subdued) seems to be as close as I can recall as to what 'Star Ocean' pipes out. While the themes aren't all that memorable, their flavour is welcomed and certainly add to the game's charms. The soundtrack is an evenly composed set, providing a consistent and persistent colour to the game tastefully.

Equipment settings and item management is a robust feature of 'Star Ocean'. Hitting the triangle button displays a 'Final Fantasy' busy-end of the party and all other details. Assigning skill points to an exhaustive list of available skills is how you improve your characters. Only those who've participated in battle will attain experience (EXP), so make sure you shuffle everyone around a bit. We all know what happens if you neglect a character - they become horrendously under-powered and virtually useless.

These menus are pretty complex for a game of this vintage, and I can only imagine how impressive this might have been in the '90s. Now, it is fairly standard, and today's games have learnt the slow but necessary lesson of arranging parameters logically and neatly - 'Star Ocean' manages the former only just, and the latter quite well. Finding an item can be tricky: (should I look in 'Single-use Items', 'Newly-acquired', 'Other', or 'Food'?). 'Newly-acquired' sounds like a useful shortcut, but from what this player can determine, this sub-menu lists the items in reverse-order: oldest first!

'Star Ocean' gives modern players a look at what Japanese gamers have known for a decade. The question is: is this secret worth knowing? On the whole, this player says 'yes', but with conditions. Don't try this title if you want strategy. Don't try this title if you have become accustomed to modern role-playing characterisations and customisability - they're just not here. But do try this game if you are (like I am) interested in unusual role-playing game experiments, for 'Star Ocean' does stand out as a bit of a freak in the scheme of things. This is why it has been unearthed and re-released - 'Star Ocean' has an originality that gives it some credence in the modern world of sophisticated role-playing.

If you're already familiar with Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), then the mechanics of Star Ocean: First Departure should be very familiar to you. The game even borrows well-worn story cliches, like the boat that can't take you to the next leg until you deal with the menace blocking the waters. Where it differs however is in the variety of environments: it is a science fiction game wrapped in a fantasy setting.

Star Ocean: First Departure begins with the premise that a non-spacefaring world has been hit with a plague. It turns out that the plague was deliberately dropped on the world by a space-travelling culture and now the good guys are working with another group of space-travellers to set things right. The plot expands to include destruction of planets, interstellar war, and more--but you still spend time in a fantasy-like primitive setting too.

Like previous games, we have random encounters, wandering in world maps, encounter areas (castles, caves, spaceships), and "safe" areas such as villages. Unlike previous games, we have a complicated skill system that requires you to purchase skill sets (which have levels), that contain skills (that can be leveled), that you can only add to a character by collecting skill points (at each experience level). It gets a bit more confusing when you add an MMO-style ability to collect ingredients and (with the right skills) compile them into food or items that offer bonuses or healing. Also different is the combat: it's action oriented, but you get the feeling that there are dice rolls behind how well things go for you: some of the skills you can gain say that they operate "randomly". Changing tactics in the heat of battle feels turn-based, but the action itself is still real-time. Special techniques can be mapped to the PSP's shoulder buttons, and timing these button presses is important to the technique's success.

The combination of sci-fi and fantasy more resembles a Star Trek episode than Star Wars style action: you have high-tech space travelers dealing with a low-tech pre-space planet, and muttering about their own version of "The Prime Directive" when they talk about how much they really ought to be getting involved. And that's part of the problem: for an action-oriented RPG, there's a lot of planning and a lot of talking. If there's one flaw with Star Ocean, it's that at times the game can get too dialogue-heavy: you have game events that drop into the middle of the action, talking sequences transitioning you from one place to another, conversation events at entry & exit points as mentioned above, plus animated sequences, cutscenes, and moments that yank your hands off the controls and either freeze you in place or take over the movement of your party, making you wait on the accompanying dialogue. It can be very jarring, and at times it can make you feel like you've spent two minutes hammering 'X' to beat up some bad guys, only to then spend half an hour just reading and pressing 'X' to continue.

If you really love the JRPG genre, you like character depth and story, and you're willing to grind levels in a light arcade-style way, First Departure is a breath of semi-fresh air. Meticulous leveling and skill-picking will reward you. If you're new to the genre, this might test your patience, especially when it comes making decisions about your party's future and to the jerky, fast-slow pacing.

I had just bought myself a psp and this is the first game I decided to buy for it. I had heard how great this series was and decided to give it a go. I am very glad I did.

This game was amazing. The original was never released in America, so for people who played the later games it must have been great to play it. The story is fascinating and gets you really connected to all the characters. I only wish that every playable character was able to be on your team.

The voice acting was great. It was fun to listen to and you might recognize some famous voice actors in there if you are an anime fan. The world was huge and I got lost one too many times. I highly recommend this game for people who love the storyline and beauty that rpg's can have if they are made right.

One thing that made me crazy though was that in some cases after you had traveled really far, you would have to backtrack all the way to the beginning to do something and it takes up an hour of your time. For example, at one point you have to go all the way back to the beginning to look at this ship that crashes on the planet and that is all you do. You have to go back otherwise you can't progress in the story, but all that walking can make a person crazy.

All in all, I loved this game and I am definitely looking forward to playing the second one.

I'm a huge fan of "Star Ocean: The Second Story", so when I heard its predecessor came out, I had to give it a try.

The battle system is identical to the Second Story, except for the addition of a 3 attack combo you can perform by pressing the attack button in succession (which is great if you're doing level grinding and want to conserve MP). The technique's you assign to the L and R buttons in my opinion are a lot better in this game than Star Ocean 2. They're virtually identical, except this time gaining proficiency when you have a Secret Fighting Technique (SFT) in the ability menu allows the character to unlock powerful new techniques (such as Ilia's Tortoise Smash from Explosive Kick). Most of these new techniques hit the enemy an insane number of times and cause daze, rendering opponents towards the latter half of the game pretty helpless if you have a lot of Melee fighters in your party.

The voice acting in battle is a bit repetitive, but so was the voice acting in Star Ocean 2. The story isn't incredibly deep, but it's not as shallow as some people claim. Performing Private actions in towns are pretty hilarious most of the time and adds a lot more depth to the story (and changes the ending for different characters based on your actions). My only major problem with the game is that it doesn't have a world map you can go to. It's great when the game tells you to go a certain town, but if you're like me, you'll probably forget which of the red dots on the mini map is the town you're looking for.

The shining point of the game for me is really the character recruitment and weapon customization. If you level up the customization ability and modify one of your older weapons with a decent mineral, you normally create an absurdly good weapon, which eliminates all the level grinding. There are a ton of great weapons that can only be made this way and feels less constricted than in SO2. the character recruitment is surprisingly complex if you hope to recruit Erys (the original form of Mavelle). I'm currently playing through again just to try out some of the characters I never recruited before and get more backstory on them.

Overall, it's an outstanding game if you were a big fan of the Playstation game, and an RPG fan in general. The battle system of star ocean makes random battles kind of enjoyable at times. The extra dungeon at the end of the game has great weapons exclusive to the remake and the secret boss you get from playing the "Devil's Aria" is deadly. Anyone who would like some background into the Star Ocean universe would be very pleased.

I love Star Ocean games (except the ones for the Xbox 360. That game is just terrible). I bought this game, First Departure, and was *very* excited to play it. I've only gone a few hours into the game, and I'm already ready to trade it in to Amazon. Horribly disappointed in how utterly *boring* this game is, as well as how tedious and frustrating it is. The characters are shallow and dull. The random battles are *incredibly* annoying. The gameplay is dull and repetitive, and I'm just not having any fun with it whatsoever. I hold no illusions that it will 'get better'. From other reviews, and just how the game is going and doesn't seem to be changing any time soon, I am fairly certain I'm going to be trading this one in.