Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Preview

For those of you not familiar with Star Ocean The Second Story, it featured an intense real-time battle system, tons of abilities including cooking, metal working, and alchemy, and had a deep romance system where you could win the heart of any of your party members and earn one of over 80 different endings. Unfortunately the first Star Ocean has yet to be released here in America.

Start Ocean Till the End of Time takes place 400 years after the events of Star Ocean The Second Story and begins with our hero Fayt Leingod vacationing with his family and friend, Sophia Esteed, on planet Hyda. Hyda is suddenly attacked by an unknown enemy and Fayt is separated from everyone else. The story follows Fayt as he searches for the ones he loves.

The battle system is very much like the Playstation Star Ocean; it’s all in real time allowing you to attach special attacks to single buttons, and players can now commence synchronized attacks with their other party members to deal extra damage.

The North American version of Till the End of Time will feature all-new events, extended story sequences, new music, and new characters stories not found in the original Japanese release.

The graphics in Till the End of Time are breathtaking, featuring tons of detail and colorful textures. The player and enemy models are extremely detailed and well animated, and the in-battle effects are something to behold. The dungeons are more detailed now as well, and the North American version will feature two new dungeons - both with puzzle solving elements.

The sound will also be enhanced. Using Dolby Pro Logic II players will be drawn into the game and have the ability to hear things within the environment from all sides.

A Vs. mode has been added allowing players to battle CPU opponents, or up to two other players in a battle royale using the in-game battle engine. Multiple costumes can be unlocked for each of the 8 playable characters, too.

Star Ocean Till the End of Time takes the best from Star Ocean The Second Story and enhances it to create a deeper and more entertaining experience. We can all expect a fun and deep game, along with an involving story when Star Ocean Till the End of Time comes out this August.       

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