Motoi Sakuraba
The first ‘’Star Ocean’’ was composed by Motoi Sakuraba, and included orchestral samples, including flutes, and even included digitized battle cries during combat. The scores for "Star Ocean" and "First Departure" were composed and arranged by Motoi Sakuraba. Critics praised Sakuraba's progressive rock style, and highlighted his musical experimentation throughout the original "Star Ocean" score and "First Departure". Tracks added from "" received mixed reviews on the "First Departure" album, adding some familiar "Star Ocean" themes but also some lesser known songs to the mix. Several musical pieces were missing from the original album and were added to the remake's release. The "First Departure" remake features the theme song "Heart" performed by Japanese music group Asunaro, which accompanied the game's opening animation as well as the end credits, and was included in that version's official soundtrack in 2008. This theme was replaced for the "First Departure R" release with the song by Yauchi Keiko of Shadow of Laffandor.