This is a very japanese game. I agree with IGN when they say you have to play with japanese VA on to like the characters more:

"The most important thing to note about Last Hope International is that it is much more enjoyable than its 360 counterpart, if only because of the Japanese language track. This is a very Japanese game. Unlike some JRPGs, Last Hope International contains characters that possess Japanese personalities and mannerisms that just don't quite fit with an English voiceover. The Japanese language track makes the characters feel much more natural and -- in turn -- more likable. " - from IGN

Definately, i started playing it after i was done with XIII and i liked XIII a lot i thought it was a very good game just that it wasnt one of my favorite FF games but still a great game. When i played SO4 though i was like wow this game is awesome IMO better than FF XIII.

Combination of factors:

- It's Star Ocean, and despite being an amazing series there have been a few people following the games solely to complain about them (like modern Sonic in that sense but much less extreme)

- Xbox 360 former exclusivity created a lot of bitter tears, the community that usually forms around Star Ocean games was non-existent as much discussion devolved into fights with angry Sony fanboys. If you stick around the International version you'll probably find a decent community despite being the same game, but the PS3 release did draw less attention to itself, and by then there was no point in a console war.

- Scarcity of console JRPGs have forced the elitists to play games they normally wouldn't bother with, and as such those few RPGs tend to get judged based on what's not there rather than the actual game itself. See: PS1 RPGs in a post-FF7 world, where anything that wasnt FF got ripped a new one.

Brilliant explanation. Those facts really speak for themselves. How much time until we see a new Star Ocean game? Any recent news about development of Star Ocean 5?

yea a few months ago i read triace where working on a new project one their main series. so its prob starocean or valykyrie profile.

The game was horrible. I hid the game when I had friends over or turned it off, I was that emberresed by it. KAY?

Play it with japanese VA turned on, kay? :D

It was pretty good game in the end. It had its problems like doll character models and cheesy dialogue but somehow I still liked the story and art. Some characters also grown on me (I still hate sarah with passion though...). Battle system was also great so gameplay itself was fun.

I can't stop with feeling sad for you :(...  Also I know it is just you having bad taste ..

Then again I did not enjoy SO 3 aswell...SO the second story then again was one of my favourite JRPG's back in time.;. 

Did you get ToV PS3 version?  Lost Odyssey/ Tales of Vesperia are my favourite JRPG's this gen..  SO4 bah...

i loved the game, put over 150hrs into it and will slowly go back and try to get a higher percentage in the game.  :)

its my 3rd fav jrpg this gen , only behind

1. lost odyssey

2. final fantasy 13