A Star Ocean: The Second Story remake has been confirmed, following last week’s leak

A remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story has been officially announced, a week after it was accidentally leaked by Square Enix.

Last week a banner found on the Square Enix Support website appeared to show a logo for a game called Star Ocean: The Second Story R.

In 2019, a remake of the first Star Ocean was released for Switch and PS4 under the name Star Ocean: First Departure R, leading to assumptions that a remake of the second game was in development.

This has now been confirmed, via an announcement during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, along with a November 2 release date. Square Enix has also announced that the game will be coming to PS5 and PS4.

“For the first time Nintendo players can experience the visually explosive and fast-paced action battles of the second installment in the Star Ocean series,” the game’s official description reads.

“After a mission goes wrong, federation officer Claude is stranded on an undeveloped planet. There, he meets Rena, who possesses mystical powers. Play as either Claude or Rena and make decisions that will impact your destiny.

“Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a full remake of the 1998 science-fantasy RPG, rebuilt with striking graphics that combine 3D environments and 2D pixel characters. Plus, new combat features let you execute battles with strategic precision.”

Star Ocean: The Second Story was developed by tri-Ace and published in Japan by Enix in 1998 (the company didn’t merge with Square until 2003). Sony then released it in North America in 1999 and Europe in 2000.

The game already received a remaster for the PSP in 2008 under the title Star Ocean: Second Evolution. This version featured newly animated cutscenes and a new soundtrack.