Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Star Ocean: The Second Story had big “but we already have Final Fantasy at home” energy when it first came to PlayStation back in 1998. It was the game your friend would try to get you into if you loved Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VII but weren’t super well acquainted with the wider world of hardcore RPGs. Second Story embodied the excesses of the genre, for better and for worse, like no other, and became a cult classic as a result. Second Story R is the rare retro remake that does the original justice and makes up for many of its bigger shortcomings.

Classic pixel art sprites join gorgeous HD-2D environments for a presentation that’s as good as anything else that came out this year. An all-timer soundtrack and meaty battle system make for a compulsive globetrotting adventure that, even when weighed down by a bloated script and some overly worn tropes, still takes you somewhere magical. Second Story R is the rare RPG that feels chock-full of secrets and side content without ever feeling too overwhelming or inscrutable. Plus, now there’s a minimap that will always tell you where you need to go. — Ethan Gach