“We found it extremely important to present to gamers what was envisioned by the developers,” said Jun Iwasaki, Co-COO, Square Enix, Inc. “I have personally played STAR OCEAN™ for countless hours and believe the team has created an amazing game. We hope people will pick it up and experience it for themselves.”
The North American release of STAR OCEAN™ is packed with extras as it contains all of the features of the Japanese “Director’s Cut” version. The development time was extended to implement what is considered to be the developers’ true vision for the stateside release. Multiple added features allowed by the additional capacity include extended high-resolution cinematic sequences, two new areas with varied gameplay such as elemental based puzzles, new playable characters that expand the story and several VS. modes in which players can also choose from a variety of looks for the characters.
STAR OCEAN™ overflows with action, exploration, fast-paced combat and an intricate plot, which results in an immensely deep gaming adventure. Character development is versatile and open-ended, allowing for true freedom in character growth through battle. The fully 3D battlefields allow players to move freely and control a party of three simultaneously, utilizing the advanced real-time battle system. Players can execute synchronized attacks and collaborate to unleash a deadly blow to the enemy. While moving from one section of the game to the next, fully polygonal graphics create a magnificent environment for one to explore. The multifaceted story is presented in gorgeous CG movies and event sequences. The entire experience in STAR OCEAN™ is also enhanced with Dolby Pro LogicRII sound.
Set in SD 772, four hundred years since the climactic battle with the “Ten Wise Men,” humans and aliens now co-exist together in both advanced and less-developed societies, as the Galaxy Federation continues to research the cosmos to gain more influence in Space. The story begins as STAR OCEAN™’s protagonist, Fayt Leingod brings his family and childhood friend, Sophia Esteed to the Federation-managed resort planet Hyda for a vacation, but the dreamy holiday is abruptly ended when Hyda is attacked by an unknown space military. In the heat of the attack, Fayt is separated from his family and Sophia, and he begins an emotional quest into the unknown to find his loved ones. Along his journey, he gets caught up in the war of an uncharted planet, but in the end, he learns the terrible untold secret about the world and himself.
STAR OCEAN™ has received accolades from the enthusiast press, including placing in Official PlayStation Magazine’s “The Big Games of 2004” (January 2004). Other mentions include:
“Possibly the hottest ticket in role-playing games this year…
Till the End of Time promises to carve out a respectable chunk of that [gameplay] territory and hold its own with other epics on the market…”
- GMR Magazine (July 2004)
“Potential: Excellent. Stateside gamers have been waiting for Star Ocean after what seems like forever. But after its strong reception overseas, excellent presentation aspects, and action heavy-centric battle system, it has the ingredients to become one of the most prominent RPGs this year. In all truthfulness, Star Ocean's biggest problem is gamer expectations which are already incredibly high.”
- IGNPS2 “The RPGs of 2004” (June 4, 2004)
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated STAR OCEAN™ “T” for Teen. For more information about the ESRB, visit http://www.esrb.org.
About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 60 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 35 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix, Inc is a 100% subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. It handles operations in North America, including the development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at www.square-enix.com.
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