Square Enix has confirmed that it will release Star Ocean: Second Evolution across Europe and every other PAL region you might care to mention in Spring 2009.

The title, if it's new to you, is a PSP remake of the creatively-named and well-received Star Ocean: The Second Story. It's already hit Japan and is planned for North America in January.

It follows Star Ocean: First Departure, a PSP remake of the first Star Ocean game.

Here, in Square's words, is the new stuff you can expect in the game - "...A revised game engine, an improved battle system and fully-voiced, all-new animated scenes displayed in 16:9 widescreen."

If you're in the mood for some corporate blather, here's John Yamamoto, president and CEO of Square Enix Ltd - “Star Ocean has already proved to be a popular series in Japan, we now hope that players around the world can discover why by experiencing the origin of the series through the PSP releases of Star Ocean: First Departure and the newly announced Star Ocean: Second Evolution.”

The next 'proper' new release for the Star Ocean series will be The Last Hope, due to hit the 360 sometime next year. For a bit more on Second Evolution, check out SPOnG's dedicated game page.