#Star ocean first departure r review psp#

The entire experience, despite having some interesting themes, is extremely formulaic and there are no gameplay mechanics worthy of special note. But the problem with First Departure is how all the minor annoyances add up to detract from the total package.

The game's loading times are also admirable and the background environments - while unfortunately static - are still very eye-catching and nicely detailed. First, Star Ocean is reasonably enjoyable and the combat system certainly has its moments. The game does a number of things quite well. That's really all there is to First Departure. Alternatively, spending points on the Knife skill is not only critical in developing your 'cooking' item creation ability, but it also raises the character's strength by ten points per level. For example, spending SP on the skill Godspeed gives your fighters boosted speed in battle and occasionally allows them to teleport to the selected target. Star Ocean: First Departure boasts an item creation system as well as a fairly extensive skill system which can be used to boost certain attributes of your party. Thankfully, you can switch which character you're controlling at any time with a quick press of the Circle button. Hitting either the L or R triggers will perform special attacks which you can assign prior to the battle. You can move around the battlefield freely and execute normal attacks with the X button. You control one character at a time while the AI handles the remaining three. The battle system in First Departure, however, is far more action-oriented. Outside of towns, you can hit Square to start a Private Action, which sends your characters into the town so you can talk to each of them individually to learn more story details and also get little glimpses into their backgrounds. You move about a world map on your journey and traverse the expected set of towns and dungeons, progressing the plot as you go. The gameplay of First Departure is fairly traditional for an RPG. Most of First Departure sticks with the fantasy backdrop and only rarely strays into sci-fi town, which was a little disappointing but understandable. Like any RPG, I could go on, but let's just leave the story at that. The majority of the game 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 two officers explain that the plague is actually a biological weapon that goes far beyond the medical technology of the planet, and the group soon finds themselves on board a space vessel discussing ways to save the people of Roak from this mysterious attack. To make a long story short, Ronyx and Ilia, members of a Terran Alliance reconnaissance mission, suddenly beam down to the surface and surprise the citizens of the 'underdeveloped' planet Roak with advanced technology. Unfortunately, a mysterious plague sets in and begins turning people to stone, so the three friends travel to a nearby mountain in order to gather medicinal herbs. Roddick, Millie and Dorne are three Fellpool youths trying to pass the time as sentries for a small village near the woods. First Departure begins firmly grounded in the 'fantasy department,' besides the entirely sci-fi riddled prologue. Regardless, First Departure is still an enjoyable game that RPG fans should consider, especially if they've liked Star Ocean games in the past. Although I have a special sentimental attachment to the series, considering my profound enjoyment of Second Story, I still feel that First Departure isn't as good as it could be, especially when compared to recent RPGs on the system.

#Star ocean first departure r review psp#

A PSP remake of the first game, First Departure adds a number of new elements to the experience, including all new backgrounds and a tweaked battle system, while still preserving the story and themes of the original. stores in the form of Star Ocean: First Departure. Thanks to Square-Enix, the original Star Ocean is now on its way to U.S.