At this point in the Xbox 360 timeline, we can no longer complain that we aren’t getting a steady fill of saucer-eyed heroines and pretty-haired, sword-swinging dudes fighting monsters for experience points. And for those of us who treasure time spent level-grinding against pastel-hued backdrops, the recent deluge of JRPGs (Tales of Vesperia, Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey) has paved the way for one of the big daddies of the genre: Star Ocean: The Last Hope.

With a sizeable series already under its belt and spanning systems from way back (including the Japan-only Super Famicom’s first episode), Star Ocean has always set its sights on space, rather than fussing with the more conventional medieval-tech settings of most Eastern-developed RPGs. But for Last Hope, newbies and veterans alike have the chance to discover the roots of the franchise — why did the series launch into space to begin with? Just how decimated was Earth after World War III? How did they develop the technology to travel into space?

Young, strapping Space Reconnaissance Force warrior guy Edge plays tour guide to the universe, equipped with his own galaxy-faring vessel that serves as a main hub when jet-setting between planets. In fact, you can use the Calnus much like you used the Normandy in Mass Effect: pick a destination from the star map and you’ll be transported there. And when you’re not in transit, you can explore the ship itself, including an area for item creation called the Conference Room — a feature that developer tri-Ace has lovingly wedged into all past Star Ocean games, as well as a few non-Ocean RPGs like Infinite Undiscovery. If it’s anything like it was in, say, Star Ocean 2, we bet you’ll be able to whip up a tasty chocolate parfait alongside a suit of armor. Unbeatable combo, really.

As in Undiscovery, you’ll also be able to trigger what the team calls “PAs,” or “private actions.” These mini-cutscenes or conversations build relationships with each of the characters you interact with. But unlike IU, the fruit of your chats and team-building triggers the possibility of different endings.

It’s Ocean’s battle system that’ll capture most of your time, though. Franchise fans will recognize it as a more refined, completely 3D version of Star Ocean’s past fighting systems, but for those dipping into the series for the first time, know that you’ll have complete control over one of four battle-party members (though up to eight can travel in your party), and actions are mapped to various buttons (like a hot-keyed special attack that you execute with RT, or the ability to jump to get some air into a combo attack). Combat feels a lot like a more frenetic version of the system in Tales of Vesperia, even down to letting you swap out which character you’re controlling on the fly.

You’ll be able to practice your slick monster-killing moves in the Calnus’ Planetarium, which holds a battle simulator. That’s important, as combat isn’t just another rote exercise in turn-based fighting: it earns you more points to slot into different skills and attributes. Being ready to scrap at any time comes in handy as you travel the milky blackness of space, dropping onto distant planets to discover which can support human life. Well, in between making delicious cupcakes in the Conference Room, that is.