Is it?... I've kinda been wanting to try it since i've never played a game in the franchise before but all the negative comments and that shit metascore has me thinking otherwise. Anyone here played it and can say whether the hate is justified or not?

If everyone says its bad, then its probably pretty bad...just saying.

I am curious as well. That boob lady makes me want to give it a go but the reviews turn me off

Nope. Its better than 4 by miles. The crafting system is legit and the combat is familiar. Notice some framerate issues but all in all its really solid. I'm at the end now and will best it tomorrow. Short but good. I will be playing this game for a while.

Edit: I will start a combo marathon in a few days.  It will take some tweeking but my first goal is 1000 hits.  I will post a video when it happens. 

Thats another thing, whats the combat system like? I see gameplay videos of it and it looks kinda shallow to be honest.

Noo noo noo.
If you like jrpgs you like star ocean.

Nuff said.

From Basil-kun's thread, it sounds like the people who own the game like it. So if you like JRPGs and SO, likely you're gonna like it.

It's much better than Star Ocean 4 is the general consensus.

If you like the Star Ocean franchise, you'll eventually like this one too

It's Star Ocean after all

Everyone who? Metacritic?