Square Enix announced Switch 2 versions for Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 recently and now Star Ocean: The Second Story R joins the party. As exciting as it is, Square Enix is repeating the same controversial decision it made with Octopath Traveler Switch two versions and opt out of an upgrade too Star Ocean: The Second Story R fans who already own it on the older console. Nintendo's upgrade package has helped original Switch players transition to the newer platform, but Square Enix is eschewing this path with some of its select games.
The announcement of Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 The Switch 2 versions were definitely exciting for fans who have been waiting to experience the game with better visuals, but the lack of an upgrade pack has been a disappointing revelation. No Switch 2 upgrade for Octopath Traveler means that players who really want to play the game on their newer consoles will have to pay full price for the game again, and Star Ocean: The Second Story R fans are unfortunately now in the same boat.
Square Enix not upgrading Star Ocean: The Second Story R feels like the start of a pattern
When Octopath Traveler before the Switch 2 was announced, I had hoped that maybe the lack of upgrade packs was a one-off for Square Enix. However, it seems that hope is being dashed. Star Ocean: The Second Story R is one of the best Square Enix games out there, and many fans probably already own it on the original Switch. Offering an upgrade pack to the players who already own it on the last-gen console seems like the only obvious decision, but Square Enix's choice to only release the Switch 2 version at full price is puzzling.
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Guess the games from the emojis.
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There are plenty of free Switch 2 upgrade packs out there, but Square Enix wouldn't necessarily have to go the free route to make fans happy. Many upgrades still cost around $5 to $10 on average. Several upgrades for first-party Nintendo Switch games, such as Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Super Mario Bros. Wonderare priced at $20, but that's still a much better deal than the $50 Square Enix is asking Star Ocean: The Second Story R.
Square Enix has offered upgrade packs before, so that makes the Octopath Traveler and Star Ocean situation even stranger
Square Enix games that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakeand Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven have all received the Switch 2 upgrade treatment. The first two were offered as free upgrades, while Romancing SaGa 2 was priced at a fairly reasonable $9.99. If these games can be upgraded, one would assume that the first two Octopath Traveler games and Star Ocean: The Second Story R could go the same way too.
This new trend of Square Enix Forgoing Switch 2 upgrade packs isn't just hurting fans
Fans of Octopath Traveler games and Star Ocean: The Second Story R undoubtedly gets the short end of the stick in this situation, but Square Enix is also doing itself a disservice. There will be fans who decide to buy the Switch 2 version of Star Ocean: The Second Story Rbut there will surely also be plenty of players who simply stay loyal to the original Switch version to avoid paying $50 for a game they already own.
The Octopath Travel 1 and 2 Switch 2 versions can be purchased separately for $60 or as a digital bundle for $75.
Square Enix can still make a solid profit on Switch 2 upgrades beyond full price versions of Star Ocean: The Second Story R. So it's not just a missed opportunity to serve the fans. It's also a pretty big missed opportunity when it comes down to it Star Ocean: The Second Story R's Change 2 player numbers. By offering both options, Switch version owners are encouraged to opt for the upgrade, and newcomers who don't own the older version of the game can be the ones to purchase the full-price copy.
Square Enix's new Switch 2 approach is hopefully short-lived
It's still unclear exactly why Square Enix has done this with Octopath Traveler and Star Ocean: The Second Story R when the company had previously allowed Switch 2 upgrades. Of course, die-hard fans will still buy it, but giving them a hefty discount via an upgrade is a much more consumer-friendly practice. The price of video games continues to strain many gamers' budgets, and the Switch 2 upgrade system has been a great way to help fans get the Switch 2 experience without completely breaking the bank.
Then Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 and Star Ocean: The Second Story RThe Switch 2 version has no upgrades, this also means players cannot transfer save data. So even if a player has put hours into these games, the Switch 2 version will require them to start from scratch.
There's no telling if Square Enix will continue to opt out of Switch 2 upgrades with future releases, but it looks like that might be the case. This is hopefully just a short-lived experiment, but only time will tell. Many games that are even more popular than Octopath Traveler and Star Ocean: The Second Story R have made way for upgrade packs, so the biggest question left unanswered is why Square Enix chose to single out these specific games and make them full price.
Regardless, Star Ocean: The Second Story R coming to the Switch 2 is at least good news for those gamers who have been interested in checking out the game without owning it on the last-gen console. It's a great addition to the Switch 2 roster, but Square Enix may need to rethink how they go about their Switch 2 releases that can easily be upgraded from their previous Switch versions.
- Released
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November 2, 2023
- ESRB
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T
- Developer
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Gemdrops, Inc.
- Publisher
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Square Enix
