Back then, the now well-known JRPG, Star Ocean, only remained exclusively in Japan. However, over the years, it gradually spread worldwide, solidifying its position as one of the top RPG video game series globally.
Nevertheless, like many beloved franchises, the Star Ocean series has seen its fair share of highs and lows. That’s why I’ve come up with this tier list to share my thoughts on my most favorite and least favorite games in the installment. Let’s take a look!
Star Ocean Series Tier List
S – Tier
Star Ocean: The Second Story
Widely regarded as the best in the series and a personal favorite, The Second Story offers a unique dual-protagonist choice: Claude and Rena. The game boasts a deep, branching story with multiple characters to recruit, leading to over 80 different endings.
The game’s expansive world, rich lore, and intricate content make it one of the best RPGs ever. It’s a timeless classic that deserves multiple playthroughs to experience all its facets.
A – Tier
Star Ocean: The Divine Force
The second to the most recent addition to the series, The Divine Force is a fantastic one. The game returns to the series’ roots, offering dual protagonists, multiple expansive worlds to explore, and engaging combat. You can soar and blindside enemies, making combat more dynamic and enjoyable.
The world is massive and a joy to explore, thanks to the addition of the D.U.M.A., which serves both for exploration and combat. The game also includes references to previous entries in the series, making it a love letter to fans.
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
This game marks a significant step forward in planet exploration, with multiple planets to explore. It’s the first in the series to go fully 3D and features fully voiced dialogue.
The game’s story is set 400 years after the events of The Second Story, and its chronological position in the series works in its favor.
The game offers a revamped, dynamic battle system with three-person parties, but it’s marred by an MP death system. The plot twist towards the end of the game, however, holds it back from true greatness.
B – Tier
Star Ocean: First Departure
This game is a gem that didn’t reach Western shores back in the 90s, much to the frustration of RPG enthusiasts. It tells an ambitious story of a group of friends fighting a mysterious disease that turns people into stone.
You have crafting, private actions, and a fast-paced, fun action battle system. The PSP remake enhances the combat system and makes it a fantastic RPG experience.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Now, The Last Hope takes a step towards greatness. The story, combat, dungeon design, and environments are well-executed.
However, the characters, especially Sarah and Lymle, can be insufferably annoying, which can be a significant drawback. The game explores the series’ lore, explaining why humanity had to leave Earth and how the underdeveloped planet protection treaty began.
The game offers solid planetary exploration, but its pacing can be an issue with lengthy dungeons and cutscenes. The combat system is innovative but hindered by an MP death system. Nevertheless, it’s a decent addition to the series.
C – Tier
Star Ocean: Blue Sphere
This entry isn’t necessarily a bad game, but it suffered from the limitations of the Game Boy Color. Trying to create a PlayStation-quality game on a portable NES wasn’t easy.
Now, Blue Sphere features a return of all 12 main characters, taking place two years after the events of The Second Story.
While it has on-screen encounters, inventive puzzle-based dungeons, and plenty of party members, it’s held back by the Game Boy Color’s hardware limitations.
The story isn’t particularly noteworthy, focusing on the crew’s quest to find Ernest and Opera while searching for spare parts to return home and uncovering the mystery of the planet’s cyclical destruction.
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
I hate to say it, but the much-anticipated and hyped fifth game in the series, Integrity and Faithlessness is easily the worst. The introduction of new technology doesn’t always lead to a better game, and this time, it made things worse.
After a seven-year gap between the fourth and fifth games, many fans thought the series was dead in the water. Unfortunately, the game didn’t live up to the hype.
You’re limited to exploring just one planet, which is quite small, and there’s a lot of needless backtracking with no fast travel to artificially lengthen the short 10–15 hour game.
The plot is lackluster, with random characters giving evil speeches only to be killed immediately, leaving you wondering, “Who was that guy?” Private actions are shallow and unfulfilling. It was a major disappointment for a long-awaited entry.
Now, in case you’ve been playing Star Ocean: 2R, you might want to check out this guide on How To Get All Characters in Star Ocean Second Story R.
That sums it up for this tier list ranking the Star Ocean Series. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on your favorite and least favorite games in the series, and let’s have a discussion. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
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