Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review (PS5, also on PS4, Switch, PC)

[@BacklogBattle]

Hi everyone! I want to clarify a few things that people have been asking about in both my combat guide and this video. - You can change characters you can control during battle, but you can't swap members of your current party with your reserves. - You cannot change the abilities mapped to the bumpers in the middle of combat. (L1/R1 or L/R) - Magic fusion does not exist in this remake. The PSP version removed this functionality due to other characters dealing faster and heavier damage, which made this function moot.

[@1989Zealot]

So like a FFX swap in battle. Like I can switch when I want ? Making it smart to level everyone.

[@BacklogBattle]

@@1989Zealot I meant controllable party members in the main party. You can't swap in reserve members due to the Assault Action system.

[@DanielSantosAnalysis]

It's great to see so many older titles like Tactics Ogre, Live A Live and now Star Ocean 2 get so much love.

[@RobHavocKing]

And suikoden remaster

[@keieye814]

With this remake, I really hope I get to see a fully realized, remade, and completed Xenogears in my lifetime.

[@NovaWolf01]

That would be a dream come true. Xenogears was the 1st game I got on ps1 Christmas 98. To have that 2nd half of the game finally fleshed out. I'd pre-order most expensive version day 1 fully paid.

[@Cool-Vest]

Don't hold your breath, but Monolithsoft might get to it eventually. If they remake anything, Xenosaga is going to be first.

[@michaelmyersplays4992]

@@keieye814 only on PlayStation

[@jonathanhunter7670]

I really wouldn't mind more games like this, Octopath 1 and 2 and the like aren't enough ahahaha the character art is more than worth it

[@GilgaMax305]

Agreed! Imagine Chrono Trigger on this level? Would be awesome 🔥

[@DestroyAllDemocrats]

Go check out sea of stars and chained echoes you won't be disappointed

[@jonathanhunter7670]

@@GilgaMax305 oh absolutely!! We don't need flashy graphics to tell a heart warming story

[@kylerobinson6102]

What I want is the sprites in FF16 made into a full game - such as the save menu.

[@shinoff-tw4eq]

I'd like a game like this looking like ff7 remake. But I can't hate. It looks great

[@IncessantWake]

I played the original in 99 as well. We're getting old... sigh... 37 here.

[@Brandon667x1]

Can’t wait to give this a go. I’m getting it for PS5. I never got to play the original, but I’ve heard good things about it, so I’m eager to finally experience this game for myself.

[@slaydis666]

1 of my favorite Games ever made

[@erickreyes7902]

Play it, its a great game... tho you might want to read a WALKTHROUGH for RECRUITABLE CHARACTERS... and there are lots...

[@xleaselife]

Aaaaah, man, I cannot express how excited I am for this! This is such a brilliant idea for the remake/remaster concept. I'd be totally happy if Xenogears got something in this vein.

[@jasonwilson3420]

I would be super happy if Xenogears got a remaster!

[@FelixS.]

@@jasonwilson3420 *Remake

[@ricardorodriguez8497]

I am SO hopeful these incredibly successful remakes will eventually culminate in us getting Golden Sun 1-2 remade. Anyone who has not played those games can’t imagine it yet - but they would be SO good remade in a similar style.

[@lukekelly2575]

Absolutely agree

[@davehumphries7635]

Definitely! Golden Sun was one of my favorite games for so so long

[@Degnique]

I played the PSP version and I was absolutely in love with it back then and seeing this remake is just wonderful. I'm so happy it's more than I expected and I cannot wait to get it and replay this incredible story once more!

[@pumkinhead24]

I didn't wait. Usually wait for a sale or something. Not this time😂😅

[@GremDisaster]

Can't tell you how happy I am to see one of my all time favorite games getting such a great looking remake and to be getting all this praise since the embargo lifted. I hope this sells well, and gets SE to give a little more attention to the Star Ocean ip.♥

[@AstreaGT]

The demo was such a joy, so hyped to pick this up. The one thing that bugs me is the music is so very set on staying at 11 always. Same thing with other early jrpgs like star ocean and tales games suffer from. I usually end up just turning music off entirely after a while because I just need a break.

[@BacklogBattle]

I always turn the music down by about two notches whenever I start my games. The music volume became manageable then.

[@RicochetForce]

This ringing endorsement from Backlog Battle and others is REALLY selling me on the game. I'd heard for decades that Star Ocean 2 was by far the best game in the franchise, one of the GOATs, etc... But hearing this is dramatically better than that? Wow.

[@BacklogBattle]

Believe the hype! I seriously couldn’t put this down!

[@El_heizenberg]

The game was ahead of its time. I played the shit out of it growing up. There were so many secrets and so many things to do. I'm not trying to spoil anything but just so you know. The game isn't over after you reach the "final save point". This game wanted people to buy the strategy guides and I did. Same with Star Ocean Till the end of time. Both of the best games in the series.

[@Dacho_Shaki]

Star Ocean 2 is a first game that got me invested into JRPG's. I still remember it fondly when I first played it in 2000. The mix of fantasy and space opera is what always intrigued me about the series. I was extremely extatic when they revealed the remake. The demo was just what I wanted out of the remake. Can't wait for my copy to arrive. Honestly, I'd like to see Xenogears being remade in that style if they ever come up making it in a future which it happens to be my favorite JRPG of all times..

[@niklassjvar1635]

I hope they fix the end of xenogears where they ran out of time and just throw in slideshows in there tho

[@Cortana1703]

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.

[@HybridAngelZero]

Second Story has long been an all-time favorite for me, and I am just so excited to play this! I can't believe we got fantastic Star Ocean games two years in a row!

[@therealshadow99]

I really want to play this... I never got to play the original and my love for Star Ocean is based more on things outside the games (Anime, Manga, etc). The only one to come to PC before the latest (Divine Force) was The Last Hope and the timing has never worked out to let me finish it from start to finish in one go...

[@BacklogBattle]

It’s absolutely worth it! I hope you get to play it!

[@Pleaserewind]

This is my favorite Star Ocean (owned original second story on PS). Worlds above the ones that came after.

[@1989Zealot]

I got this as a kid, last time i got to play it was 17 years ago!!! Im far beyond exvited to get home from work to play this masterpiece once again. I started working and i was playing this on my ps2. In those 17 years my pc2 broke and ofcourse no new Playstation could play it. Also i never owned a psp and emulators sucked when trying to play it.

[@FC1_BlueSI]

Would give my left arm for a xenogears remake

[@jgreysquirrel]

This looks so good. More art styles like this! Thanks for the review! I’m still on the fence about the battle system. If you’re new to the series is there a previous title that you’d suggest to get your feel for the combat?

[@BacklogBattle]

If you’re new, just play the demo! The save carries over to the full game!

[@jgreysquirrel]

@@BacklogBattle thank you

[@AquaLady153]

so awesome but is the time still limited? @@BacklogBattle

[@widyhidayat1100]

am a 43 year old dad who is exploring again JRPGs first time since colllege days…bought this game on switch for a personal bday gift (buying a game is a splurge for me) and having a blast so far 10 hours in…the sense of awe and wonder of starting a new adventure is priceless. your vids on star ocean and other RPGs made me just take the plunge to love RPGs again. Already have in my mind after completing this, want to try Persona 4 Golden, never played it before. Just wanna say Appreciate what you do 🙏🙏

[@Fircasice]

Thank you for the bit about the NG+, I was actually really wondering about that. All of this sounds really really good.

[@RichBurrell]

Great review man! Can’t wait to boot this up tomorrow. The original was my favourite JRPG of all time!

[@mikeg5039]

I know everyone new to jrpgs is clamoring for remakes like ff7 but id die for xenogears to get this treatment

[@BacklogBattle]

Was actually thinking that while playing this game

[@ughaghost]

preordered, which is a rare thing for me to do. Ready to get stuck in asap. I had to make the call whether to grab this or wait and get super mario rpg because i can only afford 1 new switch game this month. but since i finished star ocean 1 earlier this year and from all the previews, i just knew this had to be the one. mario can wait til christmas lol.

[@skins4thewin]

Oh I am SO glad they give the option to use the original music! The original game had some of the best music of any JRPG ever! Sakuraba is a true legend of the genre.

[@louisdellalucca8969]

Time for Rena, Claude, Dias and Opera to save the world again

[@BacklogBattle]

You’re not wrong

[@briangroszek4798]

Ashton, or get out!

[@MrDarksol]

You know I was already planning on buying this game......But then you said New Game Plus and it was game over lol. I love it when games give you a new game plus because now it makes me want to go back and get other things I did not get in my previous run and since this game gives you a way better method of tracking affection with characters so you can get the endings, that means that there is no need for a guide to check for character endings anymore. Plus with the combat being more refined, there is more stuff to do even in comparison to both the original and the PSP version and you can summon characters like it is Marvel vs. Capcom, both this and TOA Beyond the Dawn will definitely keep me occupied until we get Granblue Fantasy Relink next year. As for this game, I am so excited to get this with the only negative being how annoying it has been with JUST trying to find a PS4 version of a game all of a sudden, because trying to get Star Ocean the Divine Force AND Disgaea 7 was very annoying. Now I have a new reason to dislike the whole PS5 version of games are out but the PS5 console still doesn't exist thing because relaying on the switch is something I REALLY don't like doing, however THIS will be an exception. Soild review overall Alex and I would consider Rena to be a monk class since they are healers who can PUNCH lol.

[@vinnymac102]

One of the few RPG reviewers i truly trust. Keep up the much needed work

[@Johnny_Dickerson]

Great review, gonna pick up ps5 physical copy tomorrow, curently playing First Departure R and i like it, also Yakuza Gaiden next week, good times :)

[@justinwhite2725]

I also played the original playstation version back in the day and i remember next to nothing about it. Only 2 things do i remember; the first time clive uses his blaster (that the locals started calling the sword of light) And the cooking show battles - clearly inspired by iron chef.

[@FelixS.]

Glad you cherrish this remake so much, I will get my copy today and will enjoy the weekend for sure :) I appreciate your opinion very much, your taste is very much in line with my own so that is a good indicator I will love this game :)

[@Carameldayaa]

I’m gonna be playing this later tonight too this review is awesome

[@NovaWolf01]

I wonder if they'll keep the feature of characters with close relationships getting buffs mid battle when character gets KO in battle.

[@soulechelon2643]

Not surprised at all with this review and, frankly, it only makes me annoyed that some other truly amazing oldschool jrpgs didn't get the same treatment - like the Chrono series. Man those still hurt. But games like Star Ocean 2, Trials of Mana, and Live A Live all showcase in their own ways how I want a remake/remaster to be. Updated graphics, updated QoL, additional content - but keep the soul of the games in question.

[@awesominabox1851]

Who would you suggest to play as first? I'm a new comer to the series and I loved the demo.

[@BacklogBattle]

Claude, for sure!

[@awesominabox1851]

@BacklogBattle Awesome, thanks!

[@Bowflex2480]

oh my god!! i cannot wait until tomorrow! i wiiish i could take off work but i cant! 😭😭still gonna play the heck out of this as soon as im done!! thanks for the review Alex.

[@IamYasha10]

Love all these nice games coming this november. Currently playing robocop but after that i really want to play this game. This is my cup of tea after sea of stars. Been watching some reviews like yours and i'm already sold.

[@Itzmebryy]

so excited to play this hoping we get Star Ocean First Depature in this style.

[@shelbytucker6325]

I would love a tails of destiny remake just like this game .

[@Dhalin]

Currently in the middle of a BoF3 playthrough, but definitely have this on wishlist and maybe I'll get a 10% off discount or something for black friday or Christmas sale, depending on how long BoF3 takes me.

[@PaisenNoticedYou]

Ohhhh I definitely need to pick this up

[@andrebaxter4023]

This guy’s channel name resonates with me. 😂So many games in the backlog to finish.

[@skins4thewin]

Was the footage shown the PS4 or Switch version? I am very curious how big the graphical, framerate & loading time differences there are between the two. I recently bought the Switch version but am seriously thinking about returning it for the PS4 version...

[@CC42_]

Honestly it looks amazing on Switch oled.

[@skins4thewin]

@@CC42_ Yes but how is the frame rate? Its 30FPS right?

[@jumaanecabrera8091]

Wow! Potentially your GOTY! That’s saying something!

[@lordhughmungus]

Great review. I never managed to beat the original but it's always been one of my favorite RPGs, especially the combat system. It was just so wildly different from anything else I'd played at the time. Been very hyped for this remake since it was announced.

[@Yongui-pi3fc]

Why you didn't beat it?

[@lordhughmungus]

@@Yongui-pi3fc Just didn't have time. I made it to the Ten Wise Men but I was in school at the time plus I had friends dragging me out every other night plus there were a ton of amazing games coming out practically every week back then, Star Ocean just got lost in the shuffle and I never managed to pick it up again. But I've always kept a soft spot for it, hell I even watched the crappy anime they made.

[@martindejong5396]

This is a masterpiece and they should next do with it Star Ocean 3 without the crashes but can't have it all back to the SO2 gem....later

[@GodzillasTodespranke]

Thanks, the game looks very interesting. I'll add it to my wishlist for the possible next game after i've finished Octopath Traveler 2.

[@Itsfayd]

We need Terranigma now

[@stewartnorton6386]

Damn, that's would be amazing with thos kind of graphical overhaul 👌

[@CYI3ERPUNK]

the combat reminds me a lot of Tales of Eternia ; looks great

[@keithgamingarchives]

Bought the PS5 Version but I can't change the text into English. On the settings I think its just changing to JP & Korean text. Does anyone know how to fix this?

[@smeartyke]

Its crazy how we have so many remakes but still no chrono trigger

[@BacklogBattle]

I'd much rather have them experiment with different styles of remakes on other titles than experimenting one with Chrono Trigger

[@alenezi989a3]

So after this game are we getting a Remake of Star Ocean 3? That's my favorite one.

[@eliotwildermann]

I was always getting this game no matter what since its basically the same as the original but just modern now but i always appreciate ur reviews 😊

[@Adam.C]

Thanks for this. Good to know I'm in for a treat. This will be my first Star Ocean game, and I'm excited

[@ty_sylicus]

This could be my first Star Ocean game.

[@LeviathanXVer3]

It's been two decades for me, but I am pretty sure the break system isn't new and was in the original game, minus maybe the breaking the boss breaks the other mobs. I look forward to playing this game again. It was my favorite RPG as a kid. I just have to beat some other games first.

[@BacklogBattle]

It's brand new. This is a quote from Square Enix: "The new Break feature lets you stop enemies in their tracks, setting them up for devastating combos with your party. Assault Actions are also new, and let you bring in allies to deliver massive amounts of damage very quickly!"

[@jgmaurer31]

..... I'm trying really, REALLY hard not to hate you for getting to play this early as I watch the Steam timer countdown :P

[@LateSleeper]

I just hope my early game farming area is still there. Nothing like being OP so early in the game.

[@camille6853]

Elaborate please?👀

[@LateSleeper]

@camille6853 If I remember correctly, once you leave Rena's village, there is a mountain area that you can access, but it's full of high-level monsters. You can still beat one if you get into a fight with just 1 or 2 of them, but they can still easily wipe your party. If you're lucky, you can get a really strong sword drop for Claude, which makes beating the monsters easier. With a bit of grinding, you can get to Lv 30 before meeting Celine, and with a LOT of grinding, you can get up to lv 50 before entering the castle town.

[@RyuDaBurninator]

I wish they gave FF6 this kind of treatment.

[@wiegraf9009]

I remember that casters were pretty bad in SO2. Did they rebalance the game to make them more viable?

[@BacklogBattle]

I’ve had Celine and Rena (my protagonist) in my party a majority of the time and I’ve not had problems

[@TripMX]

Oh yes, magic spells are now more balanced in this improved battle system and can do multiple hits on enemies, putting them much closer on par with non-casters than ever before.

[@andriharir]

Is the Eternal Sphere still in the game? And does the exploit to get it early still work?

[@vayneglory655]

After 5 I was worried about the series. But 6 was surprisingly good. It wasn't mind blowing or anything, but it felt like star ocean again. Now with the remaster of 2 I couldn't be happier. Here is to hoping 7 is fantastic and maybe hear about a 3 remaster?

[@BacklogBattle]

Would you want 7 to do something similar to what The Second Story R does? As much as I had fun playing 6, I do think that returning to their roots might be good for Tri-Ace, especially since their in financial straits at the moment.

[@vayneglory655]

@@BacklogBattle I would hope (big emphasis on hope) that nepro wouldn't let them go under. Ideally I think there is room for both types of games. But, as you said, if things are looking hard for them right now it might better to focus on smaller budget items that they know will sell fairly well, like remasters. Plus with square enix publishing all their games I'd bet they could work out a deal of some sort, worse comes to worse. I'd really like to see another game like 6. Either way, I hope they don't go under. They've been one of if not my favorite game company for a long time.

[@DreamcastTrash]

Ah, a fellow OG SO2 player

[@christopherrichardson2945]

Has nothing to do with anything, but I really want a Radiata Stories remaster/remake/sequel

[@StringKiller]

Has any of the recruitable character requirements changed? (In other words, can i recruit Dias in Claudes playthrough?)

[@BacklogBattle]

No, it's still the same.

[@StringKiller]

@@BacklogBattle Rena it is then, thanks!!

[@Mystra]

Thanks Alex ❤

[@goncaloferreira6429]

how does the combat compare to the tales of 3d games?

[@BacklogBattle]

IMO it's best to compare the gameplay to games like Tales of Vesperia and earlier Tales titles. That said, if I'm comparing Vesperia to this one, I vastly prefer the gameplay in this game than the former.

[@victorrepsher3315]

Wait you cant switch characters with holding square???

[@channelmovedseefeaturedcha3500]

is there an auto battle option?

[@buttertoast1146]

Is there a standard combo system or is it all arts?

[@BacklogBattle]

There’s a basic combo system that you can tie in Arts with

[@buttertoast1146]

@@BacklogBattle ooh right on that sealed the purchase 👌

[@velodricfabre6779]

It’s gonna be high standart for the next remake game, bow down to the developer, SO2 is more than just amazing! 🔥🔥🔥

[@j0hncarp]

Here's to hoping they're gonna remaster Radiata Stories next

[@gazzgaspay4841]

I didnt realize Celine is that hot lol. Time to replay this masterpiece

[@nawee242]

Is the ps version has multi dub options? Like japanese etc and do we have to download it first?

[@BacklogBattle]

Both sets of Japanese voice overs including English are already included

[@nawee242]

@@BacklogBattle thank you

[@natetoopi567]

Do party members on the sidelines also get experience? I kind of hope not. I like to level them individually

[@BacklogBattle]

Keep watching for the answer!

[@natetoopi567]

After work

[@KingK1421]

Does the combat get less button mashy? felt too automated for my liking

[@BacklogBattle]

It still is if you want to. I played Rena, so you couldn’t really mash as well as Claude. It really depends on who you use. You can also try a harder difficulty level to make it more strategic. The Break system actually adds to that quite well.

[@Zeppeli11.618]

Can you recruit everyone in the same playthrough? I want Dias but i don't wanna do another playthrough using Rena as my protagonist

[@BacklogBattle]

You can only have 8 members in your group, so you can't recruit everyone. And if you played the original, the recruitment requirements are still the same, meaning certain characters can get locked out if you recruit a specific person and so on and so forth.

[@Zeppeli11.618]

@@BacklogBattle oh I see, but can i recruit a certain character (while playing as Claude) like Dias who's a Rena exclusive character?

[@BacklogBattle]

You cannot. Dias is Rena's exclusive character, much like how it was before.

[@hian]

Wait, you can't swap characters mid battle? You could do so in the original and the psp version.

[@BacklogBattle]

You can change characters you control mid-battle.

[@hian]

@@BacklogBattle Thanks! You got me worried there for a moment with the wording in the review. (((^^;)

[@BacklogBattle]

Which part? I'd love to know!

[@hian]

@@BacklogBattle The part where you talked about battles and only being able to control one character at a time. I guess seeing as in basically any game with a party, you can only control or administer commands to one character at a time, the choice to put emphasis on this lead me to wonder if this meant that once you pick a party leader you're basically stuck with that character unless you change in the menu outside of combat. Not a big deal mind you. Might just me being way to sensitive to wording like that.

[@BacklogBattle]

Ah, I can see how confusing that can be. Technically, you're really only able to control one character at a time, though you CAN switch to any party member. Thanks for sharing!

[@skins4thewin]

Uh.... What? I feel stories were MORE complex & deep back in the 32 Bit days! Today I feel like things are more shallow & Anime Trope like than ever.

[@milletmongoose]

I put SO many hours in Star Ocean 2, but I quit before I finished the game. That's because I messed up the relationships and Rena was in love with Ashton, instead of Claude, and I didn't feel like running through the game a second time to make it work. XD

[@milletmongoose]

I have a question about NG+. Can you pick a different main character or are you stuck with the one you picked on your first playthrough?

[@BacklogBattle]

You can pick a different main character

[@PowerMetalQuest]

Please do this to chrono trigger 🙏

[@Chad-Dion]

But does it have the pyramid at the end of the game still

[@TripMX]

Absolutely!

[@ProwlerNY1]

I can't wait to play this tonight! Great review.

[@BacklogBattle]

Thank you!

[@hopeestheim7285]

I hope this game has a featuring English dub soon

[@BacklogBattle]

It has English dub

[@ZeNex74]

Still not sure on the combat. Demo seemed manic. But you break it down better than others have. Ill have to restart demo and retry

[@BacklogBattle]

I'm working on a combat guide that I plan on releasing today

[@ZeNex74]

@BacklogBattle perfect means I'll have to buy the game but damn the backlog battle. Still got Mario, 13 sentinels and disgea7 on go and looking at mario rpg and star ocean and trying to not look at persona tactics. Aahh

[@danielengel4593]

Played the demo yesterday, and I have to say the town music got on my nerves immensly, to the point I considered to stop playing...who else had a similar experience?

[@100Servings]

I'm still going to get this, but the crafting is a MASSIVE disappointment to me. In the original, your ingredients for making something would be rendered in 3D, then break apart and reconfigure into whatever you were making or failed to make. Guessing at what to make and getting random results (the internet was in infancy back then) was one of the most enjoyable parts. I know most players won't notice and it did take a lot of time, but I'll still miss it.

[@captainthunderbolt7541]

I would say that Second Story R's visual style is pseudo pre-rendered. It's not actually pre-rendered, but the 3D graphics are rendered in such a way as to be reminiscent of the way that pre-rendered backgrounds used to look. Maybe you could say that this is the 32-bit era of HD-2D.

[@thewise_1one856]

Who gives a fuck bro, the game looks dope and is super fun.. leave all that nerd shit for yourself

[@Riku2005]

this game is goated

[@shinultima2140]

I'm still waiting a remake of Xenogears and Legend of legaia.

[@davedoodlarsen6197]

Can only hope for Xenogears. With all the remasters taking place in recent years, would be great for 2D-HD remakes of Xenogears, Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. They would sell like flap jacks @ Ihop, I would be beyond thrilled if this ever happens.

[@Andrea-yf3hu]

Now PLEASE SE redo FFVII this way and I can die happy

[@gabrielhagetv]

GOTY? Okay, so let's play this one!

[@ericneo2]

Is magic fusion still a thing?

[@BacklogBattle]

They removed that in the PSP remaster and I don't recall seeing it while playing through this one

[@ericneo2]

@@BacklogBattle Really? I remember you had to turn off the "Motormouth" skill and then time spell activations for them to combine. Would be kind of a bummer if they're gone.

[@Zoeila]

So2 is good but 3 is my favorite though watching this review the trailers didnt do it justice

[@YhelloWish]

Wait what? You already finished the game?

[@BacklogBattle]

Yea. It's not like I got the game today LOL

[@Lady_Moonsong]

Team Rena! ♀️🌙

[@1wayroad935]

So...are all the old exploits still around?

[@BacklogBattle]

Opera is still OP, yes

[@1wayroad935]

@@BacklogBattle Oh man, the hilarity of old GameFaqs txt walkthroughs being totally applicable in this game when it comes out.

[@monsieurlefortune5092]

Second story is the second best Star Ocean game, Til the end of time is the #1 best! But man am I so stoked to play R. It is gonna be sweeet!!!!

[@JetBlackThreat]

is the Ps5 version alot graphically better than the Switch ?

[@skins4thewin]

Just started watching & I have to say that I agree, they SHOULD go back to their roots cus that was clearly when they were making the best games! The games since then have paled in comparison imo. It's why I hae fallen way from JRPG's a bit as the quality of them simply isn't the same anymore. I don't care about visuals, I don't care about flashy effects. I care about good systems in place & a good story! The stories & character designs have suffered the most imo, w out of this world & unrelatable stories these days, & characters designed in a way where they look like they're from another planet. I don't like that. I like being able to relate to whatever it is I'm looking at or reading. I miss the days when stories & character dialogue was more realistic & down to earth. Things have become too "Anime tropey" which I absolutely HATE!