STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R
Hooks you right away
What the data shows
- 90% of first-hour reviews are positive — about the same as players with 20+ hours (94%).
- The opening is criticised less than in 94% of games we track.
- At least 30% of players who start reach the ending.
- The biggest drop-off is between “The Evil Stone” (Proof of solving the incident in Salva Mines) and “Kidnapped No More”: from 96% to 74% of starters.
- 88% of owners got the first achievement.
When it gets good
Share of positive reviews by how many hours the reviewer had played when writing the review.
before it gets good opening up fully opened up
Based on all 4,073 Steam reviews in every language. Median playtime in a sample of 297 reviews: 30.6h for positive, 17h for negative. Almost every game is rated lower in the first 2–3 hours: that window includes refunds and quick first impressions. What matters is how deep the dip is and how fast the game recovers.
Where players quit
Share of players who started the game and reached each story milestone. 100% is the most common achievement (88.3% of owners), so people who bought the game and never launched it don't count.
- Started playing 100%
- The Evil Stone Proof of solving the incident in Salva Mines. 96% −4
- Kidnapped No More Proof of rescuing the town of symbologists from their plight. Most players quit here 74% −22
- The Ore of Hope Proof of finding the precious mineral in the Hoffman Ruins. 57% −17
- Revenge! Proof of defeating the commander of the monster army. 54% −3
- An Otherworldly Paradise Proof of miraculously reaching Energy Nede despite the perilous circumstances. 54%
- The Warmth of Long Ago Proof of learning Rena's past in a certain laboratory. 42% −11
- A Crack in the Seams Proof of defeating one of the Ten Wise Men for the first time. 41% −1
- The Final Battle Awaits! Proof of a final night spent in L'Aqua. 40% −1
- Hero of Light An honor bestowed upon those who complete the game as Claude. ≥31% −10
story milestone ending (most common ending) biggest drop-off
Story milestones were labeled by AI from achievement names and descriptions; mistakes are possible.
All achievements (51)
story milestone ending side
- Place of Interest Proof of discovering a unique spot for the first time. 100%
- The Evil Stone Proof of solving the incident in Salva Mines. 96%
- Time to Hone Our Skills! Proof of improving a battle skill, IC, or specialty skill for the first time. 95%
- Visitor from Afar Proof of starting the adventure as Claude. 84%
- Let's Make Something! Create an item with an IC skill. 84%
- The Sultry Symbologist Proof of recruiting Celine. "If you want to pick a fight, you had best choose your opponents more carefully..." 79%
- The Wanderer's Way Proof of walking more than 8,000 steps. 78%
- Kidnapped No More Proof of rescuing the town of symbologists from their plight. 74%
- Super Duper Proof of learning a super specialty. 73%
- The Ore of Hope Proof of finding the precious mineral in the Hoffman Ruins. 57%
- Revenge! Proof of defeating the commander of the monster army. 54%
- An Otherworldly Paradise Proof of miraculously reaching Energy Nede despite the perilous circumstances. 54%
- Personal Relations Proof of deepening friendship through lots of personal interactions with party members. 53%
- Let's Do This as a Team! Proof of using assault actions 20 times with set party members. 53%
- A Growing Experience Proof of crossing blades with mighty opponents at the Armory Contest. 51%
- Now I'm Really Ticked Off! Enter Rage 10 times due to fallen party members. 51%
- Blue Wings Racing through the Sky Proof of soaring with the Psynard. 51%
- The Cursed Swordsman Proof of recruiting Ashton. "I said, 'You have to take responsibility for this!'" 50%
- The Young Inventor Proof of recruiting Precis. "It's just kinda like, la la la!" 50%
- The Spitfire Creator Proof of recruiting Welch. "C'mon, we're gonna whip you into shape!" 49%
- A Fateful Encounter Proof of starting the adventure as Rena. 45%
- Astute Angler Proof of a first-class fisherman who has caught many kinds of fish and obtained the Masterwork Rod. 44%
- Trustworthy Forerunner Proof of doing battle with an advantage due to the Super Specialty "Bodyguard." 44%
- The Gang's All Here Proof of assembling a full party of 8 characters. 43%
- The Warmth of Long Ago Proof of learning Rena's past in a certain laboratory. 42%
- A Crack in the Seams Proof of defeating one of the Ten Wise Men for the first time. 41%
- Steady Progress Proof of completing 100 challenge missions. 41%
- The Final Battle Awaits! Proof of a final night spent in L'Aqua. 40%
- Heroic Feet Proof of walking more than 40,000 steps. 35%
- The Scientific Whiz Kid Proof of recruiting Leon. "This is nothing for someone like me. I am a genius, after all." 35%
- The Gentlehearted Zoologist Proof of recruiting Noel. "Survival is a battle, and only the strong survive. Isn't that how it works?" 31%
- Hero of Light An honor bestowed upon those who complete the game as Claude. 31%
- The Hot-Blooded Journalist Proof of recruiting Chisato. "Well, duh! I've got to find out how your story ends." 29%
- Tearful Bunnies Upset bunnies 10 times. 29%
- The Fiery and Fixated Aristocrat Proof of recruiting Opera. "I already have somebody in my life." 28%
- Whatever the Outcome... Proof of seeing the Armory Contest through to the end. 26%
- The Itinerant Archaeologist Proof of recruiting Ernest. "I'm an archaeologist...and if you lived in the States, chances are you've heard of me before." 24%
- The Scholarly Pharmacist Proof of recruiting Bowman. "Every expedition needs an experienced, knowledgeable scientist in the party, doesn't it?" 23%
- The Lone Wolf Swordsman Proof of recruiting Dias. "I'm strong because I wanted to protect myself." 22%
- The Almighty Proof of reaching max level in all 28 IC skills, specialties, and super specialties. 21%
- Intergalactic Thief Proof of successfully pickpocketing 20 times. 20%
- Angel beneath the Earth Proof of victory over the being who awaits in the depths of the Maze of Tribulations. 16%
- Hope of Nede An honor bestowed upon those who complete the game as Rena. 16%
- Rapturous Angel Proof of defeating the crazed celestial being summoned by the Devil's Aria. 14%
- The Destroyer's Truth Ultimate proof of learning the truth and besting the ultimate destroyer. 11%
- The Wise Are No Match for the Grind An honor bestowed upon a stalwart soul who emerged triumphant in the Ten Wise Men Return. 9.3%
- Five-Star Chef Proof of an ultra elite chef who bested Yarma, the God of Food, in Cooking Master. 8.9%
- Outstanding Insight Proof of having 5 correct predictions at the Bunny Races. 7.1%
- Seven-Colored Voices Proof of freeing the entire Voice Collection. 5.8%
- Intertwined Futures Proof of seeing more than 15 endings. 5.4%
- Master of the Star Ocean Proof of one who has completely mastered the ocean of stars. 3.9%