Product Description

Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the fourth entry in the futuristic space opera RPG series, the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy RPG series. This prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines sci-fi and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's famous real-time battle system, introducing amazing graphics and next-gen visual effects

• Limited Edition Star Ocean: The Last Hope Box: Unique 'digistack' packaging with dual gatefold, inside a special collector's sleeve.
• Star Ocean Soundtrack Compilation CD: The Star Ocean Sound Best Collection showcases key themes from across the series that are specially chosen by the game creators and series fans.
• Five Star Ocean: The Last Hope Character Cards: Collectable prints of lead characters from the game, using rare artwork not officially released in Europe and other PAL countries.
• Brady Games Official Miniguide: 32-page game guide printed in full colour, with extra character artwork, descriptions and walkthrough information - to help you on your journey through the universe.
• Three Star Ocean: The Last Hope Game Discs: Expansive galactic adventuring goes across three game discs, accompanied by full colour play manual.
• A prequel that combines sci-fi and fantasy elements, spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe.
• Exhilarating combat expands upon the series' famous real-time battle system, including the amazing graphics and visual effects only possible on the Xbox 360.
• Features breathtaking CG movies by Visual Works, the cutting-edge studio whose previous work includes cut scenes for the acclaimed Final Fantasy RPG series.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5584 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Square Enix
• Released on: 2009-06-05
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Format: Unknown format

Manufacturer's Description
Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the latest release in the celebrated science fiction and fantasy Star Ocean RPG series. This prequel set during the aftermath of Earth's fictional World War III combines sci-fi and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean Universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's famous real-time battle system, introducing amazing graphics and next-generation visual effects brought to life on the Xbox 360 gaming system.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope Players: Offline: 1 Other: HDTV 1080p.

Crystal clear graphics. View larger.

Compelling combat. View larger.

Classic RPG functionality. View larger.

Story
A.D 2064...Planet Earth was on the brink of destruction as clashes between the World Republic Federation and the various nations that opposed it sparked the outbreak of World War III. Weapons of mass destruction, deployed with complete impunity razed the land in the blink of an eye. The dire situation forced the two opposing factions to negotiate a cease-fire and an agreement was quickly reached, but although the war may have ended, its effects remained. With the deteriorating environment, Earth's population was drastically reduced and those who survived lived a confined existence trapped in underground cities. Eventually countries joined together to form the Greater United Nations and turned their eyes skyward, to space. With the establishment of the USTA, the Universal Science and Technology Administration, man began to seek new worlds beyond the stars.

AD 2087...The first year of the spacedate (SD) calendar. Thanks to the success of Professor Trillas Bachstein's warp drive experiments, mankind's dream of a spacebourne existence has inched closer to reality and the USTA secretly began to implement its SRF project, the Space Reconnaissance Force. Now it is SD 0010, and the first official SRF mission and your adventure has begun.

Characters
Players of Star Ocean: The Last Hope will meet and interact with a wealth of characters from different parts of the galaxy, each with their own history and weapons of choice. Just a few of the more prominent characters to familiarize yourself with include:

	Edge Maverick Although generally possessing good judgment, this young Earthling commander of the maiden deep space voyage of the SRF ship the Calnus, can be reckless. His signature weapon is the sword.
	Faize Sheifa Beleth A young Eldarian committed to etiquette and logic, and capable of astounding feats of engineering, Faize is always honorable of those possessing abilities he lacks. His signature weapon is the rapier.
	Reimi Saionji The kind and levelheaded navigator of the Calnus, Reimi was born in an aristocratic Saionji family and has a shared history with Edge back on Earth. Her signature weapon is the bow.
	Lymle Lemuri Phi Orphaned on her home planet of Lemrick long ago, Lymle is mischievous, but friendly and inexplicably retains the appearance of a young girl. Her signature weapon is the wand.

Gameplay and Combat
Although Edge Maverick is the main character in Star Ocean: The Last Hope, players will of course experience gameplay action in the form of a number of different characters and utilize the signature attacks assigned to each. The game features a real-time combat system which allows for up to four party members to remain active in battle at a time. Improvements to the game's combat system include 'Rush Mode,' where players can switch out active members of their combat groups for reserve members in real-time; 'Sight In/Sight Out' which allows for timed evasive and counter moves against enemies; and the BEAT (Battle Enhancement Attribute Type) system, through which players can change a character's fighting style at will. Other actions players will master through gameplay include piloting of the spaceship Calnus, a first in the Star Ocean series; item creation in the form of weapons, healing items and accessories; and Private Actions (PAs), a cause and effect relationship between character in-game actions and the acquisition of new abilities and scenarios. Through the increased flexibility mastery of all these skills provides, players should be able to more easily increase their team and individual team member's combat experience and status, and so unlock more advanced combat styles and linked combinations.

Key Game Features:

• Series prequel - Star Ocean: The Last Hope is a prequel in the classic series, combining sci-fi and fantasy elements, spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the Star Ocean universe.
• Exciting Battles - Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's famous real-time battle system, including the amazing graphics and visual effects only possible on Xbox 360.
• Compelling Scenes - The game features breathtaking CG movies by Visual Works, the cutting-edge studio whose previous work includes cutscenes for the acclaimed Final Fantasy RPG series.

• Limited edition Star Ocean: The Last Hope Box: Unique 'digistack' packaging with dual gatefold, inside a special collector’s sleeve.

• Star Ocean Soundtrack Compilation CD: The STAR OCEAN Sound Best Collection showcases key themes from across the series that are specially chosen by the game creators and series fans.

• Five Star Ocean: The Last Hope Character Cards: Collectable prints of lead characters from the game, using rare artwork not officially released in Europe and other PAL countries.

• Brady Games Official Miniguide: 32 page game guide printed in full colour, with extra character artwork, descriptions and walkthrough information - to help you on your journey through the universe.

• Three Star Ocean: The Last Hope Game Discs: Expansive galactic adventuring goes across three game discs, accompanied by full colour play manual.

Customer Reviews

Love it
I enjoyed this game very much, the battle system is fairly unique and comes as a welcome change for an RPG. Just like all the previous star ocean games it has a great storyline that keeps you guessing right to the end. most of the complaints I have been getting a lot of complaints about it and most are to do with the voice acting but my opinion is the while the voice acting was downright cheesy (and incredibly annoying during a certain characters emo phase) at times it was still quite enjoyable, in fact the only time I had a problem with the voice acting was when there was someone else in the room and I felt embarrassed for enjoying it. This game is rather odd when it comes to play time, during my first playthrough I finished the game in 36 hours where as in my second I was pushing 150 by the time i beat the end boss, theres certainly plenty to do if you go looking for it. I feel odd saying this but my biggest problem with the game is the item creation and the apparent shortage in items you were able to invent when compared to the last star ocean game (till the end of time).

in summary I very much enjoyed this game and I think i will play it for a third time to mop up some more battle trophies or to find new crew interactions. my recommendation is buy it because as a game series it takes a welcome deviation from the norm.

Great game shame about the voice acting
I confess I'm a sucker for Square Enix games, I bought my PS2 for Final Fantasy X, and I bought an Xbox 360 for Star Ocean IV and Final Fantasy XIII, so perhaps unsurprisingly I'm a little more tempted to look at the positives than the negatives in the game. As to if you should buy the limited edition or not, personally I'm of the opinion that if you played the previous games and loved them then sure go ahead, but the extra features for your money are fairly minable, a different box, some cards, and a soundtrack CD with music from the game and previous one's in the series, so if you have the extra money sure, but its not really a big thing.
However despite this and the main reason I'm giving this game four and not five stars is the terrible voice acting, it is just well bad, this could have being corrected somewhat by including the original Japanese sound track, and given how like so many JRPG's this one relies extensively on cut scenes, the voice acting really does matter.
That aside the game is fun and engaging, the battles are fought in real time, although in a separate screen, and the range of side quests and post-ending features are impressive.
Also the continued use of item creation, although in a somewhat changed form from the previous version. Graphics are I guess impressive, although kind of what is too be expected of a current generation console game.
Overall its a fun and enjoyable RPG and a welcome addition to a console still somewhat lacking when it comes to RPG's, although somewhat let down by bad voice acting.

Star Ocean
Fab game.Over 60 hours of gameplay minimum. Lots of optional sidequests including obtaining items for shopkeepers and finding missing people and cats. Its your everyday Square Enix game where the quality is great as always.