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OXCGN's Star Ocean: The Last Hope Review

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OXCGN:

"Like most fans, I consider the Star Ocean series to be the spiritual successors to Tales of Phantasia; given that the series are so similar, if they mated they'd have deformed children. This is because virtually the entire design department of Phantasia left Namco to found tri-Ace and many of the design concepts of the Tales series can be found in the Star Ocean franchise.

Star Ocean:The Last Hope's story begins in the aftermath of WWIII. Our great and illustrious leaders have basically done the expected and kicked the hell out of each other. Not content with simply trading a few punches, they kick off a nuclear exchange that quickly spans the globe and makes life kinda like Parramatta (inside Aussie joke)."
9 / 10
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7.6
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gaminoz - contributor
Published: 207 days 11 hours ago | Review | Xbox 360
 
 

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gaminoz - 207 days 11 hours ago
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1 -
It's great so many JRPGS are on 360 this gen!
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1.1 La Chance | 207 days 9 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
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Immortal Kaim - 207 days 9 hours ago
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1.2 - @ LA Chance
I personally hope it is Lost Odyssey 2. Sakaguchi is a genius, Square-Enix hasn't been the same since he left.

I think Lost Odyssey is the current highest selling JRPG of this generation (880,000) so it would make sense for them to continue the series. It may even become the next FF series for the Microsoft platform?
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SaiyanFury - 207 days 9 hours ago
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1.3 -
It's amusing how the author of the article compares Star Ocean to the original Tales game on the SNES. I studied this in detail and I found that tri-Ace and Namco's Tales Team are related at their roots. Tales of Phantasia was released on the Super Famicom (SNES) in Japan back in December of 1995 by Telenet Japan's Wolfteam. After that, the developers of Tales of Phantasia disbanded from Namco and formed tri-Ace and subsequently went on to make the first Star Ocean game on the Super Famicom in 1996. They incorporated many elements of the Tales series into their game.

I started playing most RPGs on my original PlayStation back in 1996, and I bought Tales of Destiny and Star Ocean 2 on the platform. I also noticed a lot of similarities between the two games. I did not know then, what I know now, is that the two developers are directly related. I still play both series' now, albeit Star Ocean is my favourite of the two. I found it interesting how both series' have a common ancestry.
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Superfragilistic - 207 days 9 hours ago
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1.4 - @SaiyanFury
Yeah I had no idea either.

Props to the reviewer for doing their research and teaching me something. Nice! :D
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Jim Hawking - 207 days 4 hours ago
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1.5 - Jeez
This was the worst game I have played in 5 years. The story, characters and voice acting are so unbelievably bad that my brain nearly boiled over. When they added the angel chick I completely tapped out. I haven't quit an RPG in I don't know how long. I even beat Xenosaga out of spite. I loved star ocean III, but this game is cancerous.

DONT GET IT.
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darkmurder - 207 days 11 hours ago
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2 -
This game looks gorgeous, 360 has so many great JRPG's, loved Lost Odyssey and will evidently need to pick this up ASAP.
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Immortal Kaim - 207 days 10 hours ago
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2.1 -
Lost Odyssey is my favourite JRPG this gen by far. Looks like I will have to check out Star Ocean:TLH as well. Sweet.
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Superfragilistic - 207 days 10 hours ago
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2.2 -
I love Lost Odyssey. I doubt this is as good... LO was a 9/10 in my books.

But for AUD$50 that I saw it on sale today, I might just have to pick it up!

Agreed about the awesome RPG library. It's not close to PS2 greatness, but damn it's a mile ahead of the competition this gen.

However, you still need a PS3 for Valkyria Chronicles and Folklore. ;)
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allegionary - 207 days 9 hours ago
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2.3 -
I loved the story and RPG aspects of Lost Odyssey but didn't like the boss battles
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Immortal Kaim - 207 days 9 hours ago
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2.4 - @ Super
I would be very interested if I could get it for $50...

Agree about Valkyria Chronicles, when I get a PS3 it will be the first game I get.
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clintos59 - 207 days 9 hours ago
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2.5 - Totally agree superfragilistic..
Lost Odyssey, Valkyria Chronicles, & Folklore all were underrated games that were all amazing games that got overlooked. I hope they all get a sequel because they sure deserve sequals, I just wish ppl would buy these great games instead of wasting money on lousy third party games just to get trophies and achievements.
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Immortal Kaim - 207 days 9 hours ago
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2.6 -
Well said clintos, these games (from what I have heard about VC and Folklore) are all bloody fantastic. Gamers should certainly give them a try, irrespective of the damn Metacritic scores they received.
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Superfragilistic - 207 days 9 hours ago
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2.7 - @clintos & Kaim
Thanks guys.

It's funny you mention Metacritic scores. Whilst I think there a decent indicator of game quality I don't always believe its resolute. So I've started to invest money in buying those divisive titles with wide spread reviews or mixed scores.

Folklore, Lost Odyssey and Eternal Sonata have been more than pleasant surprises and I have Infinite Undiscovery on the way. Also worked wonders for Too Human, Banjo Nuts & Bolts, and EndWar.

Ordered more mixed titles today actually Viking: Battle for Asgard, Kane & Lynch and Overlord. Any other suggestions?
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clintos59 - 207 days 8 hours ago
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2.8 - Kaim: Yeah well metra in my opinion would give more accurate scores if they added every review that counts, not the reviews from obvious fanboy sites. Sad thing is games like these are those type where gamers have to find out themselves or it will be good because to be honest most friends on my xbox live or psn list wouldnt care less bout these type games and would rather play halo 3 or killzone 2.
Superfragilistic: Im not sure but im waiting on demon souls, white knight chronicles, and want to see what crackdown 2 looks like since the first was tons of fun.
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Godem - 207 days 10 hours ago
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3 -
This game is crap compared to the other 360 RPG's such as Lost Odyssey, Enchanted Arms and Blue Dragon..

I think that only fans of the series would love it. As someone new to star ocean I hated it.
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Superfragilistic - 207 days 10 hours ago
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3.1 - Really?
Man some people say really good things about Enchanted Arms. What's the appeal of it?
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socomnick - 207 days 9 hours ago
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3.2 -
Avoid enchanted arms like aids. Its so bad, really terrible game.
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Syronicus - 207 days 9 hours ago
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3.3 - Enchanted Arms was not so bad...
If you didn't mind the one button combat... For me, I like a bit of variety and with a "decent" story and very simple mechanics, Enchanted Arms was a rental at best.
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Redempteur - 207 days 4 hours ago
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3.4 -
enchated ams was not so good

weird dongeons design , weird story telling ..don't waste your time on it ..there are better rpgs now

SO4 is 9/10 ONLY if you like battle themed rpgs otherwise avoid it ... at least the english release ..the english voices are really bad ..
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Cheeseknight28 - 207 days 3 hours ago
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3.5 -
I could argue that both Enchanted Arms and Star Ocean 4 are awful games.

I play a JRPG for the story and characters, NOT for the battles. In which case both EA and SO4 are terrible, terrible games.

It's kind of sad when even the main character of a JRPG is obnoxious. At least Lost Odyssey didn't have character issues (in my opinion, at least).
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skatezero246 - 207 days 10 hours ago
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4 -
imo Rpg's are lacking in general this generation all I see is shooters and action games with guns maybe it's me but I miss the days with GREAT rpg's like FF7-FF10 Vagrant Story, Legend of Legaia, Legend of Dragoon<-- under rated imo, Suikoden 1-3, Dragon Quest 6-8 (only 3 I played) Crono Cross & Trigger bring back RPGs like those
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Superfragilistic - 207 days 10 hours ago
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4.1 - Can't argue with that in regards to JRPGs.
But I think that's largely a reflection of the decline of Eastern game developers and the rise of Western developers and console gamers.

This generation is quickly becoming a landmark for the Western RPG and I only expect it to get better.

And whilst the JRPGs are not as great as the collective of previous gen, this gen has yet to run and I'll always argue Lost Odyssey was amazing to my grave! lol
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GrathiusXR - 207 days 10 hours ago
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5 - It looks gorgeous...
But i'm so not willing to invest time in it.. I still haven't finished Lost Odyssey!!

And i so badly want to grrrr!!!

No doubt it is good to see more JRPG's on the 360 though
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gaminoz - 207 days 10 hours ago
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5.1 -
Yeah you certainly couldn't complain about the length of Lost Odyssey if you like your games long! And it had personality!
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XDF - 207 days 9 hours ago
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6 -
Can't wait for Tokyo game show 2009. Hoping for more goodies from Square and (figures crossed) Lost Odyssey 2!

Have Star Ocean...Voice acting is horrendous, but gameplay, story, and length are pretty good. A solid B plus in my book
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Dark-vash - 207 days 9 hours ago
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7 - I loved Lost Odyssey....
I bought my Xbox just for it...
Still waiting for Star Ocean... dunno why, but in portugal games are never available on launch dates...

* Screw you M$ for not releasing games here on the same day that they are released in other countries of Europe :(
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peeps - 207 days 9 hours ago
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8 -
might have to give this a look + its a reason to dust off the 360. downloaded FFVII the other day from psn and been loving playing through again. I hadn't touched an rpg in ages (well unless you count fallout 3 but it's nothing like the traditional rpg/jrpg) but playing through FFVII has really got me in the mood lol
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militant07 - 207 days 9 hours ago
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9 -
im on disc 2 , its boring

its no where near LOST ODYSSEY, tales of vesperia and eternal sonata.
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Vonsutton - 207 days 9 hours ago
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10 - Lost Odyssey FTW
I have to sympathize with GrathiusXR, I too think LO is the bomb, although I am yet to finish it also. Great game, I just haven't had the time this gen to finish an RPG, which is why I tend to steer clear of them.

I have a fear that with each generation of consoles, but allocated gaming time will dwindle ..
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blacksniper - 207 days 7 hours ago
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11 -
I don't understand why people say LO is the best JRPG on the 360. It had a nice story, the dream sequences were great, and it had good graphics, but that was all that was good about it. Did anyone like that battle system, cause it got boring to me after disk 2.
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mirroredderorrim - 207 days 7 hours ago
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12 -
The game looks awesome. I can only hope the PS3 version will match the quality shown here.
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XDF - 207 days 7 hours ago
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12.1 -
Don't worry it should be coming sometime in the near future after White Knight Chronicles' March 2010 release. :P
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Lucreto - 207 days 7 hours ago
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12.2 -
March? Level 5 said at E3 it was going to be Janurary.
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mirroredderorrim - 207 days 7 hours ago
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Defensive-much?
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Lucreto - 207 days 6 hours ago
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14 -
I have to play Star Ocean 1 and 2. I hated the third one but I heard the first 2 were better so I will give them a go.

Once the 360 gets rid of its hinderances I will get LO and possibly SO4.
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Cheeseknight28 - 207 days 3 hours ago
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14.1 -
Star Ocean 4 can be described as a worse version of Star Ocean 3. I mean, at least the characters were decent in 3. Not so in 4.
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mirroredderorrim - 207 days 6 hours ago
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15 -
The first two are wonderful. I don't know much of where Tri-Ace is at, in terms of how they changed, but I do know, or think, rather, that they did a great job for this title.

I like the look of the game and the textures are not bad at all either.
I heard it was very cheesy, but let me tell you something, IMO;
Lunar 2:Eternal Blue for the Sega CD, was cheesy as F! However, the game had a little bit of everything.

Death, Sadness, Comedy, SEXUAL INNUENDO, and of course, Cheese.
I endure things like that in a JPRG for the sake of amazing battles and hopefully a storyline that motivates me to the end of the game.
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360 Wii PS3 Yup - 207 days 5 hours ago
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16 - Great Game
I really like this game. I've beat it twice and currently am working on getting some achievment points. But yeah, lot of cool moves, weapons, characters, and locals. Only thing i dont like about this game is the....... english voice actors.............kay? (joke for people who have played the game :)
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