Hot on the heels of inadvertent leaks from Atlus for Persona 5 Tactica and Persona 3 Reload, Square Enix now finds itself in a similar whirlwind of unintentional news leakage. The source of excitement? An intriguing logo that made an unexpected appearance on Square Enix’s support site, hinting at a possible revamp of the classic role-playing game, Star Ocean: The Second Story.
Star Ocean: The Second Story, fondly remembered by JRPG fans for its immersive gameplay, engaging plot, and captivating characters, made its debut in the far-off year of 1998.
Released for the original PlayStation, the sequel found a comfortable home in the hearts of gamers across the globe. Since then, Tri-Ace, the game’s developer, has solidified the franchise’s status in the gaming scene. In fact, last October, Square Enix heralded the launch of Star Ocean: The Divine Force, a testament to the series’ longevity.
For those unacquainted with the game’s charm, Star Ocean: The Second Story, the second installment in the series, ranks as one of the franchise’s finest offerings, standing out even among the rich array of role-playing games available on the first PlayStation. But what truly has gamers on the edge of their seats is the potential remake of this cherished classic, a project Square Enix has yet to officially announce.
Interestingly, the leak didn’t take the form of an extensive report or insider tip-off but rather a discreet logo. Now under a new name, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, its logo was spotted on a banner on the Square Enix support website by RPG Site. The image has since been removed, but has ignited enough speculation to fuel a frenzy of anticipation within the gaming community.
Despite no official details about the release date or the platforms for this possible remake or remaster, Square Enix has set a precedent for this kind of surprise. In 2019, the company delighted fans with the release of Star Ocean: First Departure R for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, a beautifully updated reissue of the PSP version of the original Star Ocean game. The character art in the re-release received a fresh, modern update, raising expectations for the speculated remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story.
Adding to the intrigue is the precise wording of the leaked logo. The ‘R’ in “The Second Story R” has sparked a flurry of speculation about the game’s nature. Is it a remake? A remaster? Or something entirely different? The original PS1 release carried the subtitle “The Second Story,” while the 2008 PSP remake bore the subtitle “Second Evolution.” The choice to revert to the original title has left fans scratching their heads and yearning for more details.
Yet, Square Enix isn’t new to such re-releases. In 2015, the company re-released Second Evolution for the PS4 and PS Vite in Japan with no English available even though the original game had an English translation and dub.
This history leaves fans hopeful for a more comprehensive English re-release.
Given that Square Enix is currently in the business of remastering, remaking, and reviving its most iconic franchises, we have high hopes that Square Enix will shed some light on this leak soon enough.
