Just got the game a day or so ago and am rather enjoying it, dubbed voices and all. And, second disc? Apparently, provided I know what I'm talking about (always debateable) we get the US equivalent of the Japanese Directors Cut release. Joy. B)
Something I'd like to see with future games like Xenosaga and FF games here in the North American market, as "International" or "Directors Cut" releases seem to be happening semi-often nowadays and getting some spiffy extras at that.

Anyway, the game.

It takes place at least several hundred years after the events of Star Ocean Second Story. So for those wondering if they need play the previous SO game, you don't have to. There are some little bits here and there, like referencing Expel
here and there is all I've seen so far. Otherwise, perfectly enjoyable without having played the last one. And starts out with our main character, Fayt Leingod on the planet Hyda IV, things happen (which I won't divulge because of spoilers), adventure (and at times hilarity) ensues.

So far I've put about six or seven hours into the game. And have thus far found it enjoyable, oh yes..or otherwise I wouldn't be playing it still (and for so long at a time). =P The graphics are pretty spiffy, though I expect something like Xenosaga Ep II will put it to shame it that department. The sound is good, however sometimes the music drowns out the dubbed vocal cast, who do a rather good job so far as I've seen (well -heard-).
The dialogue can be at times, I find, rather amusing.Particularly when a certain character shows up somewhat early in the game. Sometimes some characters (mostly NPC ones so far I think) performances sounds a bit hinky to me, a bit too scripted/stilted sounding, but this is a minor gripe..And isn't gratingly obvious (I'm picky, see). To me the battles of the previous SO seemed a bit more fast paced and frenetic as well as enjoyable, but not enough to be off putting and I am still early into the game. The main cast so far seems likeable enough, and have my favourites already. No random battles thus far, there are those that are scripted, yes, but otherwise it seems you have the enemies visually present on the field whom you can spot then try to dodge, run from or charge at.

At least rent it if you can, as I always advise, then if you like it, consider adding it to your RPG collection.

I've just reached the second disk in the game, and let me tell you all...this game is awesome. It isnt as good as SO2, but it is definately good.

Heh, I love the SO series, played the two before this one but never beat them, soemthing always came up (file got deleted, emulator died, etc) and it seems liek SO3 will be no exceptiong. Im underwater when Im not suppose to be 40 hours into the game with no way out, heh, oh well. Aside from that it was a great game, it seemed like it going to be kinda short and with a bit of a story cop out for a while there, but those Wiley ENIX writers threw one of those twists I love in right in when I was begining to dispear. I give it two "God I hate Rainbow Cores"s up.

uuuuuuuggghhh...This game had such potential. Then ENIX threw in a cop-out twist that ruined it. As bad as an it-was-a-dream-the-entire-time "twist." UGH! I hate the twist on the second disk. AGH!! I still played it to the last boss (or at least the first time you meet the last boss). Then I realized that I needed to lvl up a bit to beat him. I also realized that the combat system didn't seem as good as in SO 2 for some reason. I can't tell you why, but it does. It seems dryer and too much like a grind. Item creation was less than what I'd hoped for, too.

Overall, I blame Square for all my problems with the game. They should've stayed away. SO2 was a great game. SO1 was also. SO3 broke my heart. I fell in love with the series and SO3 let me down. I've found other games to fall in love with, but nothing will ever fill the place that the Star Ocean series had.

I have always wanted to play it and I've heard that it has good graphics, so that is what I've heard. It also seems cool. I mean the story line seems a little wierd, in my opinion. But overall it seems to be a cool game. It is kind of like a really cool adventure game, so it is pretty cool.

Thanks for all the imput on the game XD can't believe I missed this thread. Ragu! Why don't you IM me more!! *shakes fist*

Anyway, the only reason I didn't steal the game yet is because someone told me that some of the dubbing grates their nerves. Since you people don't seem to have a problem with it, I'll look into it. That is, after I play WildArms3, the remake to WildArms1, and finish playing Growlanser.

Just wanna ask. Is the animation like SO2? or do they make it all 3d (like kindomhearts or, say, Darkcloud)

It's not like SO2, it would be more along the lines of Darkcloud.

And I never actually had a problem with the dubbing either. =X

ah, that's a tad worrysome.. Darkcloud2 gave me motionsickness..

*holds up a finger all logically like* I cannot play games happily when they make me dizzy. You'd think games that had that possibility would have a big warning label on the back of hte game.

They do, you just have to have be able to read black on black text to see it.

> Ragu! Why don't you IM me more!! *shakes fist*<

Uhm, I've been hiding out and also not feeling well (hence the hiding out)? n_n;;;
And, er...wasn't it you who usually IMed me? ::.shakes fist at you.:: =P
I've hardly been on any IM proggies lately do to ickyness and general feeling of blahness. Blah.

As to dubbing, it's ok, I've heard much much worse. Might depend on what party you're using too. I have my favourites. >_>

I'd hope it wouldn't give you motion sickness. Erm.. I'd only say rent it or something and see if you think it will bother you, then if not, have at it.

I guess I haven't made it to the twist yet that Cornfed was talking about. n_n;;;; I haven't played in months (got distracted or something, then didn't get back to it).

Twist happens about an hour into the second disk. To me, it seems like a coppout twist, so I hate it. But Dran likes the twist...because I hate him.

I'm Henry the 8th I am!