Star Ocean: The Second Story R gets version 1.1 update with new raid enemies, and more

Square Enix and developer Gemdrops revealed Star Ocean: The Second R version 1.1, which adds a plethora of new content such as a new raid enemies, new difficulty mode, and more.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R version 1.1 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch. Fans will be able to download the update automatically the next time they boot the game while connected online.

Below are the list of updates included in Star Ocean: The Second Story R version 1.1:

• New ultra-hard difficulty level, CHAOS, and more endgame content to explore after completing the story! Sink your teeth into even more satisfying battles with the addition of the hardest difficulty level, CHAOS, and new postgame Raid Enemies!
• New illustrations for NPCs and collection features added! New illustrations will be added for six NPCs! A Character Graphics Collection that allows you to look at character illustrations and expressions and an Ending Collection feature allowing you to replay the ending event scenes have also been added!
• New items and new Assault Action characters! The update will add new items to the game! Furthermore, new characters will be added to the Assault Action feature in battle!
• ■ New Content: Combat
• New, super-hard difficulty: CHAOS! You won’t be able to let your guard down for even an instant in this hard mode!
• CHAOS mode will be added to the game as a new difficulty level that’s harder than UNIVERSE. Enemy stats will be higher, and you’ll need even more strategy and preparation to take on these challenging battles. Train up your party and pit them against this new challenge!
• —On EARTH difficulty, the first enemies are easy to defeat…
• —But on CHAOS, even these initial enemies are too strong to be *NON-PUBLIC defeated by a straightforward attack!
• A new challenge: face the Ten Wise Men as Raid Enemies!
• The Ten Wise Men, Claude’s adversaries in the main story, will now appear as Raid Enemies that appear throughout the world!
• As Raid Enemies, the Ten Wise Men will be even more powerful than they were in the story battles. Victory over these Raid Enemies will give you a “Jewel” that allows you to call forth the Ten Wise Men with the Assault Action system.
• —Victory over these even more powerful versions of the Ten Wise Men…
• —…will give you “Jewels” that allow you to use the power of the defeated member of the Ten Wise Men!
• ■ Additional Content: Exploration and IC
• New equipment added to Item Creation!
• New weapons for each party character and new armor will also be added. These new items can be obtained through Item Creation or as drops from Raid Enemies.

Update Details

The official overview for Star Ocean: The Second Story R can be found below.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Overview

The highly acclaimed second installment in the STAR OCEAN series, returns as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R. 

Brought to life with a unique 2.5D aesthetic, which fuses 2D pixel characters and 3D environments, this remake includes everything that made the original release so great while adding new elements too!
Experience new battle mechanics, full Japanese and English voice overs, original and re-arranged music, fast-travel and so much more! Discover the definitive version of a classic but modernized JRPG that’s perfect for newcomers and long-time fans alike.

Story

Space Date 366 – A Federation officer finds himself transported to a mystical planet. While searching for a way home, an encounter with a young girl draws him into a quest to save her people, just as an ancient prophecy foretold… 
Choose your path and witness an awakened destiny. 

Key Features

– Fantasy and Science Fiction collide in a unique visual style
From dangerous dungeons to bustling towns, the world of STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R is depicted in a stunning 2.5D style that combines beautiful 3D graphics with nostalgic 2D pixel characters. 

– Experience a story with dual protagonists
Start your journey with either Claude or Rena. Depending on your choice, the perspectives and the allies you can recruit will change. 
Get to know party members via the unique Private Actions system, grow relationships and unlock various endings.
New character illustrations have also been created by long-term series artist Yukihiro Kajimoto. 

– Thrilling, visually explosive battles!
Enjoy fast-paced combat and use new mechanics to strategically defeat foes. 
“Break” by continuously dealing damage and order your allies to follow-up with an Assault Action to deal massive damage.

– Pair powerful gear with a plethora of skills
Customize party progression with a large selection of skills, including Cooking, Art, Alchemy, and many more. Build up to Specialty levels and master the enhanced Item Creation system to craft ultimate equipment with different effects.

– Japanese and English voiceover
All event scenes are now fully voiced using the same voice cast from the original game. In addition, the dialogue from STAR OCEAN SECOND EVOLUTION (2008) is also included and can be selected. 

– An iconic soundtrack rearranged by Motoi Sakuraba
All tracks have been re-composed, including full-band performance and strings sound. Exploration and movie scenes themes also have new recordings that take them to even greater heights.

– 3 difficulty modes
Pick EARTH for a relaxing journey, GALAXY for a satisfying challenge or UNIVERSE… if you’re brave enough to really put your skills to the test.

Steam Listing