Star Ocean: The Second Story R - Exploring Romance Options with Your Party Members

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a story-driven JRPG with multiple playable characters and two main protagonists. Players have the option to experience the game from either Rena's or Claude's perspective, selecting different characters to join their party. This feature may lead players to wonder if there is a romantic aspect to their relationships with their companions. While there is a form of romance system present in this Star Ocean installment, it differs significantly from modern friendship and romance systems.

Romance in Star Ocean: The Second Story R

The romantic aspect of the Star Ocean 2 remake follows a fairly straightforward path. Similar to numerous JRPGs from the late 1990s, the narrative and progression within the game world are quite linear. Nevertheless, the conclusion offers considerable flexibility, with each ending being influenced by the relationship meter that measures the bond between the various characters.

Relationship Meters in the Star Ocean 2 Remake

Upon completion of the game, following the ultimate confrontation, players will be treated to a brief recap of the current status of each member within their party. In the event that the affinity levels between companions have reached a significant threshold, a personalized relationship scene shall unfold between those specific characters.

Engaging in shared journeys, battling side by side, and witnessing pivotal narrative moments collectively enhance the bond between characters. Conversely, the main character's actions can also swiftly erode relationships with other characters. For instance, employing the pickpocket ability in Star Ocean: The Second Story R will inevitably diminish the rapport between the character utilizing it and all other companions.

Fighting alongside each other in boss battles strengthens the bond between every character involved.

There are potions available for pickup that enhance the friendship levels among one character and their comrades.

Pickpocketing lowers the relationship between the one using it and all other characters.

The Contraband skill can significantly lower relationships between characters and the one that uses it.

Once the Super Specialty Publication is unlocked, every character has the chance to craft one-of-a-kind books. The ordinary books elevate or diminish their friendship level with a character to 16, whereas the rare books raise or lower it to 28.

Private Actions, abbreviated as PAs, carried out among Star Ocean 2 characters, can enhance their relationship level.

In the remake of the game, LP (love points) and FP (friendship points) have been consolidated into FP for all players. The romantic undertones in the endings of the game are determined by the characters' history and relationship.

Every character has an affection score out of 40 for each other character. The level of affection between characters not only determines which of the 99 endings players will experience, but also affects the dialogue between character pairings as the game unfolds.

How Relationship Meters Change the Endings of Star Ocean: The Second Star Story R

Completing the final battle in Star Ocean: The Second Story R, after playing for 40 or more hours, triggers a series of follow-up endings. The endings that players will experience depend on various factors, including the companions they chose during the game and the relationships between them. For instance, if a player's party consists of Claude, Rena, Dias, Celine, and Ashton, the endings will involve only these five characters.

When the relationships between all the characters are poor, each character will have a solo ending where the player learns what they are currently doing. However, if the relationships between characters are strong, players have the chance to witness friendship or romantic endings between two characters instead of their solo endings. In total, the remake of Star Ocean: The Second Story R offers 99 endings, an increase from the original 86 endings in Star Ocean: The Second Story.

13 Solo Endings for each of the 13 characters.

All possible combinations of characters will have couple or friendship endings, except for pairings that cannot be in parties together, such as Percis and Bowman. If players choose one of these characters, they will be unable to have the other one.

Additionally, there are unique endings that require a certain level of relationship between the characters. For instance, if Claude and Rena have a high relationship in a Rena playthrough, they will have a different ending compared to if they have maximum hearts in either playthrough, and a third ending if they have a high relationship in a Claude playthrough. This has been slightly changed from how it originally worked in the remake of Star Ocean 2.

The following is the order of the tiebreaker list used by the game to determine the ending when characters have an equal affinity for each other:

1. [First item on the list]

2. [Second item on the list]

3. [Third item on the list]

4. [Fourth item on the list]

5. [Fifth item on the list]

6. [Sixth item on the list]

7. [Seventh item on the list]

8. [Eighth item on the list]

Note: The higher up a potential partner is on the list for a player, the more likely they are to be included in the chosen ending.

Claude

Rena

Celine

Bowman

Dias

Precis

Ashton

Leon

Opera

Ernest

Noel

Chisato

Welch

How Many Playthroughs of Star Ocean: The Second Story R are Needed to See All Endings?

Looking to unlock all 99 endings in this Square Enix title? To experience every single pairing, players will have to play the game at least two times and create numerous storylines for each character. First, a playthrough from Rena's perspective is required, where she must recruit all the available characters. Then, players need to embark on a Claude playthrough, including his exclusive characters and the ones Rena did not recruit. Due to certain characters being mutually exclusive, it is impossible to witness everything in just one playthrough.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is available now for the PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.

Editor's P/S

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is a classic JRPG with a unique and intriguing romance system. The game features multiple playable characters, each with their own unique story and motivations. As you progress through the game, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with your party members, which can lead to romantic endings.

The romance system in Star Ocean: The Second Story R is not as complex as some modern JRPGs, but it is still very rewarding. By taking the time to get to know your party members and build relationships with them, you can unlock special scenes and endings that will give you a deeper understanding of the characters and their stories.