STAR OCEAN 2 REMAKE - Character Recruitment Guide! 

All the Star Ocean Games RANKED? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-h94bmHDOVRw.html Getting ALL Party Members! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tdzRCH1o7Zg.html Let's RANK all the Star Ocean 2 Characters! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0PG6fza3rKk.html My Star Ocean 2 R Review: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rD6Rz28GCyI.html Hints and Tips For Beginners: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oVYI9J-vee4.html

This is the kinda game you bought the strategy guide for. I wish they still made those

Thank you so much for putting this together! The character recruiting is honestly the most intimidating part of SO1 and 2 for me, and it really helps to have it explained rather than have to dig into a text guide.

I love games that give you a bunch of characters it really encourages replays and switching up your play style.

Ty for this- I can’t stand missing out on characters 😬

Thanks for the quick and to the point video David! I'm truly enjoying SO2R.

Hi David! I can't get enough of your SO2R vids. When I get the game, I am going to feel much more prepared for what the game has to offer after watching them. I appreciate it. Have a blessed day everyone!

cant believe i finished the game already. Its CRAZY how many hours not having fast travel added to this game in the original. I remember back in the dayi must have played like 60 hours. I finished it with all side content done (but not all missions) at 26 hours. I am not complaining about it! Only reason I wish it was longer was because I had such an incredible time. Def my personal JRPG of the year.

It always kills me that you cant recruit Ashton and Opera in the same playthrough. It's always a tough choice having to decide between the two.

Lickily it alot easier on remake since it tells you if new optional and pas. But there a few nuisances which this vid helps tremendously

Thanks for the video David, I’m still on my first playthrough and I was wondering how to get Opera and Earnest for my second playthrough so this was really helpful. Just wanted to say I’ve been a big fan for a while and you’ve gotten me into so many great games like Mana Khemia 2 and others.

This was Beyond Helpful! Thank you So much!

I will note you can skip getting Earnest by not going back to the village. It's actually worth doing if you're trying to get endings with Opera without having to go through a lot of things to get them.

I saw in the status screen "race: secret" on welch, im 99% she is a 4D now. they cant even call her a "human".

The one thing that's missing from this, and is by design since this is a recruitment video. Is the assault gauge so some of your throwaway characters could be useful when you put them in the assault bracket

Man, I blame you for making me buy this game when I shouldn't be spending money! 😂 I was mid-playthrough in Sea of Stars, yet you've hyped Star Ocean so well I put it on pause to start this up instead! And I'm actually thankful. Already 8 hours in, and it's the exact game I was looking for to give me a break from Baldur's Gate. So thank you 😁

Good guide! Just a remark tho, you can get Precis before the Lacour tournament, just visist Linga before it

Gotta catch em all!

Perfect timing on this video! If I'd gotten any further before watching this I probably would of recruited Ashton and missed the other two..

Thanks for this always had a problem with these characters recruitment 😊

I still remember the original from back on the PS1 and have only good memories of this game. The demo lasts a maximum of three hours, but that's enough to get a first impression. Personally, I enjoyed it from minute one and I give it a clear purchase recommendation to anyone who likes role-playing games.

I played this game way back on the PS1 and chose Claude. I'll be playing Rena in the remake (and going with Opera over Ashton)

I was attempting my first play through on Universe Mode and thought I’d go ahead and set up my second play through as the other character. I… overwrote my save file. So guess I’ll be starting over but not on Universe Mode. At least this time Claude has some talents (somehow he literally had none). Just debating which party members to take. I kind of want Opera with Claude as my hero (both being offworlders) but I want Précis with Ashton as she has a Killer Art with him. So debating the party makeup this time around.

Hey Daddy, I hope you're having a great weekend ❤ love the video as always

*note that you must press a button to enter Private Action Mode to trigger character cut scene. some character, you do not need to trigger these cut scene specifically at that specific time in your game as you can do it anytime before post game.*

Your star ocean videos have been awesome. Great work and thanks bud!

scouting+training+enlightment while knowing how to get early game strong weapons utter breaks the game. Just hit lacquer and I am level 85 lol love that they didn't remove the ability to break the game one of the best parts and is completely optional so doesn't ruin anyone's playthrough if they don't want to.

My original PS1 playthrough I missed Ashton entirely and somehow managed to get Opera and Ernest playing blind. Ended up with Claude, Rena, Celine, Opera, Ernest, Bowman, Leon and Noel. Whatever you do, don't end up with this group of 8. It's terrible and missing out on Chisato for Noel is a crime.

First playthrough: I chose a Rena as my hero and recruited : Claude (obviously) Celine Bowman Opera Ernest Welch (I never used her before and so far, by level 40, she sucks. Her special arts are so crappy so far - does she get better in end game?) Dias I played this game a hundred times on PlayStation. Ernest seems a lot better in this version so far. Meteor ring with his regular attacks seems like it they have great stun locking potential while staying mid range!

Note, if you have Precis when you check Opera's ship, Opera gains a new weapon. And you missed a step on Chisato, you also have to see her in North City.

Thanks for doing this - it was not super obvious to revisit Claudes first area to see the crash site for Opera

For Claude playthroughs I prefer to recruit Ashton, Precis, Welch, and Chisato. With Rena I prefer Opera, Ernest, Bowman & Noel. Very balanced setups that way. Post-game does slightly favor a party of two guys/two girls though, and while Dias + Ashton is powerful, with three male swordsmen who largely share equipment, it will take a while to get each of them their ultimate setups. Though that is a fun team as well as there are many overpowered swords toward the end they can all utilize.

I bungled my preorder and had to return the copy that I go on release day. Amazon said that I won't get my intended platform copy until 11/19. Oh well. My plan is to first play through as Rena. Final party: Rena, Claude, Celine, Ashton, Welch, Precis, Dias, Noel. Next year or so, I will replay with Claude and chose a party of Claude, Rena, Celine, Opera, Bowman, Leon, Ernest, Chisato. Your guides have been useful since my style of play has evolved in to playing in the moment but trying to at least have a broad understand in order to make informed enough decisions. I used to play glued to guides. If I remember, that's how I played First Departure 15 years ago. I promise to play my third SO game soon than 15 years from now! Haha.

Finally some one posted a updated recruitment guide! Thanks bro

I'm first time player of this game and i missed almost everyone lol then i was like screw it and i watched a video. so i was lucky missed dragon boy and got Opera then her crush later on and i tell you Opera is awesome and that heal of her is OP. Great video Ty for tips on recruitment.

Aiming for Claude Rena Opera Chisato myself. Thanks for the guide David!

Thank for the info yet again. I’m running Celine, Opera, Precis, at the moment during my Claude playthrough. I’m interested in recurring Chisato so this tip to recruit her will be helpful.

Thank you for this. I still remember that I cannot get all available character, but do not remember which one lock out one another. I definitely pick Opera, Precis and Chisato. Also thank you for reminding me when to get Welch.

Also to recruit Welch you have to have at least 4 characters in your party or she won't appear.

My dude, you're ripped. Thanks for the guide

Hey David, I am 30 hours into the game and I love it!! Never played the original.. I love this game so much... Played Till the end of time about 5000 hours now and never believed that it could get better,,,,,,,, Well I was wrong hahaha... What a great great game this is. Thank you for all your great videos

Thank you for your dedication ❤ Love from Belgium 🇧🇪 ❤

OG Noel had one of my favorite taunts though - "Why don't we become friends? ... I guess not." Oooh! lol Such a pacifist burn.

Hey sir! Love your videos on my all time favorite game. You have a great voice for it! Ive always struggled w picking the right gear and choosing the right km for people. Now w the new link combo going to everybody, im sure folks would love a breakdown of what you think are the best setups. Leon broke my heart tonight. Even in the remake, he just cant hang w the big kids 😢

This is such a great thing to have on hand. I do wonder how many times I played through before I ever got Opera as a kid? I always really liked Ashton, so it was hard for me to say no to him xD

Thanks, this was a good refresher.

Remake version aside, OG SO2 is by far my all-time favorite game in the series and this Remake just made everything about the original so much better! The fact that you can only have certain characters in your party depending on how you recruit them along with the multiple endings definitely encourages replay! The UI interface is the best in the series as well, and also the graphics gives this game it's unique charm. With all that said, I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if this game had the 2.5D cel-shaded graphics of Genshin Impact to look like the anime trailer that was shown before the game was released. I bet it would have looked badass! Btw, I'm about 20 hours into the game and so far my party consist of: Claude, Rena, Celine, Ashton, Precis, Welch, and Leon w/ Leticia and Fayt Leingod as my "summon characters". I really like Ashton as a close range fighter to go along with Claude and have Rena work from a distance with the option of close range fighting as well. Will most definitely replay on my second run with different characters! Gemdrops did a great job remaking this game! I'm sure Tri-Ace is really proud of them!

i should have followed a guide for this cause i missed out on like every fucking character lol

thanks david for the informative video. just started this again. Haven't played since the psp version lol.

I remember as a kid being the only one out of my brothers who figured out how to obtain Precis & Chisato. my older brother always grabbed the easy to get people Ashton & Noel & my younger bro I think figured out how to get Opera & Earnest pretty easily but I felt like I found two secret characters. not like they helped me much. I never could beat the game.

I kind of like to play into the sci fi aspect of it by having as many alien species as possible in my party. I play as Claude to get Leon and then go with Opera over Ashton. Final Roster: Claude, Rena, Opera, Ernest, Leon, Celine, Chisato, and then either Bowman or Precis

Video of all missables would be amazing!

Just started my new game plus playing from Rena's side and I didn't realise you can only have 8 characters in total in your party. So, I'll be going with Opera, Ernest, Welch, Precis, Dias and Chistato. Considering I completely missed out on those characrters on my first playthrough, so It'll just be Claude and Rena for the first of couple of hours lol

David u are an official Star Ocean god! Brady and Prima have nothing on your guides lol

A lot of people will probably recruit certain characters at least once just for the achievement and then promptly reload their save and proceed without that character. That's what I plan to do with Noel on my first playthrough.

Hey David, just got the game and looking forward to seeing you do a playthrough (if you plan to)!

i just downloaded this so you have great timing

Discovered Welch's recruitment PA will not appear if you're only three characters, tou need four at least.

Thanks, just started playing the game.

I really should've watched this video before I missed literally all of the cool characters that I wont be able recruit anymore because of story progression

My god, this sounds like a total nightmare. So far, I'm in Linga and I already missed a few.

I wouldn't mind trying to get Ernest on my first run. Since i don't think I ever got him back in the original.

Aww man I messed up . I didn’t get a prompt for Ashton to join my party so I went back to the cave and helped him out . Now I’m locked out of Opera:(

I pre-ordered this game on Amazon and it's not here yet. This is the last time I will pre-order anything on Amazon.

Kind of makes me sad you can only get so many of the recruitable characters. I'm the type of person who would want to grab every secret character that I'm able to in a game ever since Yuffie and Vincent in FF7.

Just an idea, how about a video comparing how every characters compares to in battle in the original game with the remake. I haven’t played the remake but from the videos some characters seem better than their original counterpart.

Claude, Rena, Celine, Opera, Welch is my party so far, gonna get Ernst, Bowman and Leon. Since Welch was with Claudes parents in SO1 remake, I feel obligated to bring her with me- EVEN THOUHG- I know she wasnt in the original game back on the ps1.

This game is so cool. Thanks again my man.

As Claude the best composition I can recommend only is: Claude, Rena, Celine, Ashton, Precis, Leon, Noel, Chisato. Yes, you may have a Healer lesser, being more reliant on Items a bit, but you have therefore all Spell Casters and Celine/Leon rock together and nuke later anything with their strongest spells once you can spam them like crazy with Extinction, Explosion, Star Flare, Southern Cross, Shadow Flare youve all the most powerful Spells with these 4, Noel might have not been the best, but hopefully he has been rebalanced now , to be more competitive with the other Spell Casters, however, hes the only Character with Earth and Air Spells that are more powerful than what Celine has, which is more specialized in Lightning Spells, so hes useful agaisnt Enemies that are weak to these Elements. Here you have the option to play a Full Caster Party with Celine, Leon, Noel and Rena or a Full Melee Party with Claude, Ashton, Chisato and Precis/Rena, which provides you more build diversity. As Rena, youd have to take then in order to have all Characters in two runs this setting: Rena, Claude, Celine, Opera, Ernest, Bowman, Dias, Welch, Chisato/Noel as my recommendation. depending on whom you like more Noel, or Chisato, but technically Chisato is much better for DPS. This team is more healing balanced due to Opera being a good second Healer, so that you dont need to rely yourself only on Rena, which makes this composition more recommendable for the second playthrough, when you play NG+ then on highest difficulty. For easier difficulty Rena as healer is more than enough and every now n then you using items This composition is a more Melee Focused team only, because based on your decision, will be eventually Celine your only real Spell Caster, while all others are Melee Fighters mostly, except Opera as a ranged fighter. So if you like close combats, this will be your compostion you will likely see yourself using this most: Rena, Dias, Chisato/Ernest, Opera, thats at least the most balanced setting. However, use and combine in the end, what you want and like most, this is just basically my personal recommandation for a person, who played the PS1 original a quarter decade ago xD

In my first everplaythrough, I found Ashton and Precis completely by chance. I reloaded after hearing Precis' voice, but I had already saved and was stuck with her.😂😂 You should get Ashton at least once by the way. Everyone needs to experience him and his love for barrels. 3:37 also, Ashton's new profile picture is kind of hot 😍

Just go on vacation already bro ❤️😉 Seriously though; you need some time off from the busy upload schedule once in a while. Glad you're FINALLY taking some R&R

I already know my team. For Rena, it'll be Rena, Dias, Opera, Bowman, Ernest, Chisato, Welch. Claude will have everyone else. 😊

Hey man. Super helpful. Question. Do you keep character after ng+ so you can have all of them eventually?

Seeing this video right now makes me sad as by the time i start disc 2 on the original game,the only characters that i recruit on disc 1 was: Celine Precis Dias

Thanks for the pointers

If you wanted Opera, but not Ernest, couldn't you just skip going back to Arlia? By not taking that step, you wouldn't complete the storyline. Correct?

I wanted to wander through blind but I mean, I guess I can watch, and you know F it.

Still have can't get them all in a single playthrough huh? Had my fingers crossed that they might change that because it always was the one thing I disliked about the the Star Ocean series. Glad to see Welch is here at least. I was worried this might end up being yet another example of JRPG remasters/remakes that leave out exclusive content from previously existing handheld ports.

Great guide!

im kicking myself for missing ashton, and i skipped bowman, but i did get opera

I can never get Opera or Bowman. I mean I am at level 97 (54 hours in) and just got to Lacuer. Having to do all of that with only Celine as a possibility is now something I could do. Cant say no to twin dragon Ashton (so never had Opera or Ernest). Bowman is long after getting to Lacuer, sheesh no. So I always end up with Ashton and Precis.

The Star Ocean 2 Character ranking guide is pretty outdated for SO2R. Could you maybe do a look into the characters from the changes of SO2R?

Having not played Baldur's Gate 3 or FF16, this is probably going to be my RPG of the year. My only complaint so far is that "Earth" difficulty is far too easy, even without the Aeterna blade. I've found myself laughing at how overpowered I was on several occasions, so I'd recommend Galaxy for Star Ocean veterans. Also, how crazy is it that Celine and Leon are useful?! And Noel is...well, he exists.

Since the moment I've gotten to Kross I've been doing private action. I've gone ahead and come back and continue to try private action and never got the ernest scene of him running from the castle. I even have a backup save before ever getting to Kross. That private action never happens in my game. I am playing star ocean 2 r for ps4.

is it just me or no english va during assault attacks from other S.o. heroes? japanese dub has voices during assault atttacks i wonder

David after playing the game again do you still have the same impression or ratings on some of the characters as you did with the original?? I know the remake has change the usefulness for some of the characters for me.. precis celine Rena leon seem to be holding their own pretty good on universe diff. The addition to plug in a party member as a assault formation is a game changer. Overall i now have a different opinion on characters usefullness then i did in the original. Got to say really am loving this remake.

I'll square with ya'll, I'm going for the Claude + Female Harem route so we're going Rena, Celine, Opera, Precis, Welch and Chisato. In the interest of balance, who should I get for the last member?

I don’t plan on using him for my final party but Ernest seems better in this version

i build my old ps1 group celine opera ernset chisato the girl wiht the robo arms

Damn it. I got Ashton. Fml… I’m too far to restart.

Maaan i love dias. I wish he could join on claude's side

I expect all davids chars to be maxed at 255 already

8 plus Rena and Claude or Rena and Claude + 6….

i did everything for chisato and for some reason claud tells her to stop following him after i went to give her card back in the office and it wont give me the option to let her join my party... what did i miss?

I played this on the psp, reached the final boss and I kept getting my behind kicked, in the end I quit the game. But up until that point I enjoyed my experience of the game. I am just terrible at action RPG's

Great I missed him already such bs I'm on my second go didn't know about him the first time why tf did they make him missable to quickly

Regarding Chisato, you did not take my previous comment to heart. :( Thank you for the video.

Would you recommend doing that specific start strategy so many people made videos about? The one where you restart until your MC begins with Nimble Fingers talent & work towards buying that Goody Box for a chance at the strong sword? Or do you think that makes the game unfun for new players? I just started a file in the demo, my Claude began with Nimble Fingers, and now I'm about to buy the game. Just not sure if it's something that's recommended for everyone, or just people trying to min/max everything possible, as early as possible.

Chisato is pronounced 'Chi-SAH-toe". JP names are very straightforward. 😉

Will this video spoil too much of the story? I dont want to miss any character in my playthrough but dont want to spoil myself with character guides