Whether it's the PS1 or PSP version of Star Ocean 2, one thing remains certain: Rena fails at naming dragons. Given that she's a 17 year-old who begins the game acting like she's 8, there's no way she'd have chosen names like Jake Steel or Admiral Wolverine Lightningbolt as Billy from the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy did for a reanimated Fred Flintstone and a hungry space monster. Best was probably when Grim turned Billy's mother into a little kid and Billy named her Corn. (Billy rules at naming things. Forgot what he named his temporary pet chupacabra, though.)
I wished that SO2 let us, the players, name the dragons. Like with the PS1 Final Fantasy games, I had a measure of fun with renaming. I cannot be the only one who renamed Claude to Clod.
My favorite Private Action was definitely the Fun City one where Celine has a mishap with the love potion. That one you get when you play as Rena.
As for sidequests, I often liked sidequests that had me rebuilding towns or even building and decorating a house that I bought (the Aveyond games do that.) Makes me feel like I'm leaving my own personal stamp in the world.
Rena looked like hell in the PSP version. Terrible outfit and her 8 year old face really pissed me off. I actually adored her old tomboy look in the PSX artwork.

The dragon thing was just some awkward translating. IIRC, didn't Gyaro and Ururun are more in tune with japanese sound effects or something about describing them? Kinda weird playing an English game that goes, "LET'S CALL HIM URURUN CUZ THAT'S SAD" or whatever. Creepy and Weepy were cute but cheezy.
I hated calling Claude "Crawd", I know that stuck around more than it should have, and yeah "Clode" is bad too.
Fun City PAs were awesome, and I did love playing Star Ocean Iron Chef.
...I COULD GO ON ALL DAY.
So could I! Time for a nerd out!
Dias's killer moves are terrible but since he can wield a Levantine, he's fine (Levantine + Angel Armband)
Anyone who can wield a Levantine + Angel Armband should just use normal attacks anyway (Claude & Ashton)
Chisato is special in the sense that she has a naturally high enough AGI that you can make her a dodger only. You can start her with a Mithril Dress + Jeanne shield and later go Valkyrie Garb + Star Shield. At level 255 with the prior items even Iseria Queen has a hard time hitting her. The Weird Slayer will also heal her whenever something does manage to hit her.
Bowman should only be used as a Poison Pill (and later Explosion Pill) tosser. All his other move are terrible and his normal attacks will never connect because of his 1 mm range. While it may sound bad, Poison Pill and Explosion Pill become REALLY strong with use.
Leon and Celine are both terrible later in the game but Leon is slightly better due to the Gremlin spell which is non-elemental and does multiple hits.
Ernest is bad... no saving grace. The only good thing about him is that you can steal 2 Battle Suits off him.
Noel has Earthquake and that's about it.
100% on all the above, you're right that Diaz can be good, I didn't mea to single him out.
Biggest offence with Noel....fucken terrriiible PAs.
Which reminds me, I love how other than doing the North City library sidequest, Giveaway is a completely skippable city.