Guide Note:
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (TtEoT) is the third main game in the Star Ocean series. Set 400 years after the original Star Ocean, the game centers around a Pangalactic Federation and a young, spoiled college boy name Fayte. After a rushed evacuation from Hydra IV when it is attacked, Fayte ends up on an underdeveloped planet with his friend, and of course later love interest, Sophia. Unfortunately, it seems like he's being followed. This is among the many mysteries that you solve in the game. Currently, Square-Enix is developing Star Ocean 4.
Game Play:
Unlike traditional RPGs, Star Ocean: TtEoT utilizes real-time combat. You can control three different characters by pressing the R1 button and you can put the characters your not using into automatic mode. The combat is the strongest point of the game. Each character has several different moves to choose from and you can assign two different moves to the same button. So while the X button can be used for short-range attacks, you can also have a move for distance attacks on the same button. Characters can also setup support skills for additional effects. All of this leads to complete customization of your character and combat. During the actual battle, you can string together melee attacks with magic attacks to increase the damage.
Extras:
A quick run through of the game will last around 40 hours. However, for the completist RPG players, the game also includes the Battle Collection mini-game. Basically, you receive an award each time you complete a stellar task. With over 300 total trophies, this can double the time you spend on the game. Once you complete the Battle Collection, you receive prizes, such as four different outfits for your characters. Like many games in this genre nowadays, Star Ocean: TtEoT offers ten different endings depending on the choices you make. Once you've uncovered one of the endings, you can load the save near the final boss and discover some new dungeons, an inventor, and other extras. You can also load a 'new game plus' feature where you can reload the Battle Collections each time you play through. Be forewarned that some of the Battle Collections you can only receive after you finish the game on a higher difficulty setting.
Fast Facts:
- Developer: tri-Ace
- Platform: PS2
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Mode: Single Player/Two-Player Versus Mode
- ESRB Rating: T
- Release Date: August 31, 2004
