If you're wondering whatever happened to Square Enix's masterful remake of the well-loved Star Ocean series, then you'll be glad to know we've caught a glimpse of some new material from the game. Famitsu released some new screenshots featuring two of the hard-hitting playable characters from Star Ocean: First Departure.

Veteran gamers who've played the original version will be pleasantly surprised at the reworked designs for Ashlay Barnbelt and Tinek Arukena. Couple that with the fully voiced cutscenes for each of them and you've got a game which breathes new life into a certified classic RPG.

Without giving out too much spoilers,let's just say that both Ashlay and Tinek are optional characters that you can acquire through the course of the game. Both fit into the role of the hard-hitting melee characters in your party, although among the two Tinek is the more interesting fighter since he actually turns into a werewolf during combat (and not a buxom red-haired girl, despite popular opinion).

If you're interested in grabbing a copy of Star Ocean: First Departure, you may have to import it when it gets released in Japan this December 27. Hopefully, local publishers will find it in their hearts to release the game here in North America. While we're all crossing our fingers, you can enjoy the screenshots we have of Ashlay and Tinek.