Star Ocean 2 would likely have been one of my favourite games ever if it wasn't for that awful ending. Thankfully it felt way less rushed than Star Ocean 1's (whose final boss sucked?), but god from what I remember I did not enjoy how a lot of people got killed based on the decision of a couple of people who said "we've had our time :)". Bruh what?? We're meant to be the good guys?? The gravity of a decision like that was just not handled well tonally.

Aside from that, the combination of 3D pre-renders and pixel sprites are stunning, the not-turn-based combat is wickedly fun and takes the sting out of any grinding, and the cooking/crafting systems! The 3D models are so beautiful, suits my taste in PS1 retro just right. I've beaten everything in this game aside from XXXtra hard Gabriel cause I didn't meet that condition at the port town right, but damn was that extra dungeon fantastic. Those final extra bosses are burned into my brain as some brilliant final challenges, there's nothing I love more than hidden stuff like that. Do agree that as a kid I felt a bit let down by the lack of sci-fi it was advertised on, but going back into it as a teenager knowing the vibe I've had a great time on many replays since. Would still recommend despite the bizarre morality of that ending.