- Highly anticipated PSP remake of the original Star Ocean that was never released in the United States.
- Classic RPG action with private actions that alter the outcome of future actions.
- Enhanced game play and more dynamic battle features, as well as new playable characters.
- New artwork and animation make for beautiful backgrounds and cut-scenes.
- Item creation system and skill system allow for character development throughout the story.
Product Description
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Star Ocean: First Departure chronicles mankind's journey into
space and the adventures that await them there. Space Date 346:
The crew of a Terran Federation ship arrives on the planet Roak.
With the help of a stalwart band of local heroes, the crew must
work together to unravel a mystery and halt a galactic war. This
release marks the first time that the initial installment in the
popular STAR OCEAN franchise is available in North America.
.com
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Thanks to Square-Enix, the original Star Ocean has finally made
it to the United States in the form of Star Ocean: First
Departure. A PSP remake of Star Ocean, which was never released
in the U.S., First Departure adds several new elements, including
all new backgrounds and a tweaked battle system, while still
preserving the exciting storyline and themes of the original.
Star Ocean: First Departure has been given new artwork and
animated cut-scenes. View larger
( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/B001CM62UM-1-lg.jpg )
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Enter battle with basic melee attacks, special arts, or spells
View larger
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In battle, you can control a character while the AI handles your
teammates. View larger
( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/videogames/detail-page/B001CM62UM-4-lg.jpg )
. Back to the Beginning
It is Space Date 346, and in a y town on the planet Roak,
defense-force members Roddick, Millie, and Dorn are on yet
another dull patrol when a mysterious plague begins turning
people to stone. Fortunately, Ronyx and Ilia, members of a Terran
Alliance reconnaissance mission, beam down to the surface just in
time. They explain that the plague is actually a biological
weapon, and they take the defense-force to the space vessel to
discuss how to save Roak from this mysterious attack.
The majority of this role-playing game (RPG) actually takes
place in the past, because the party realizes that the only way
to save the people of Roak is to collect a particular genetic
sample from the Roak of old. The game play of First Departure is
fairly traditional RPG that has you moving about the world on
your journey, traversing towns and dungeons, progressing the plot
as you go.
Choose the Right Strategy
You enter battle either using basic melee attacks, special arts
that require MP points and that can grow more powerful with use,
or spells that also require MP points but take time to cast and
can be interrupted before completion.
Tactics let you set strategy commands for your characters before
they enter battle and can be changed in the middle of battle. All
characters will fight according to their set strategy, with
different situations requiring different strategies.
Private actions are sometimes offered as a character approaches
a town on the world . These private actions depend on timing
as well as which characters you have with you as you enter town..
The outcome of these private actions will affect subsequent
private actions, for better or worse.
All New Artwork and New Characters
Star Ocean: First Departure uses a slightly altered version of
the engine used for Star Ocean: The Second Story, but with many
similar features. However, the pre-rendered backgrounds and 3D
battle fields have been given new artwork and animated
cut-scenes, and new playable characters have been added.
First Departure has been given a much more dynamic battle
system, letting you control a character while the AI handles your
teammates. During battle, characters can move freely about the
field, executing normal attacks with the X button, and performing
special attacks with the L or R triggers. What's more, you can
switch characters at any time with a quick press of the Circle
button.
First Departure also features an item creation system that lets
you create new weapons and items to help you in battle, and an
extensive skill system for developing your character as you play.
You can boost certain party attributes, spending SP on skills to
increase your fighters' speed in battle, for example, or spend
points that develop your item creation ability and raise your
character's strength.