Star Ocean: The Divine Force

At the end of infinite space... When our two heroes cross paths, the fate of the universe awakens.
― Debut trailer

Star Ocean: The Divine Force
Release information
Developer	tri-Ace
Publisher	Square Enix
Release date	PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, Steam October 27, 2022 / October 27, 2022 October 27, 2022
Rating	CERO: B (12+) ESRB: Teen (T) PEGI: 12+
Platform	PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Steam
Series information
SOA ←
SOA ←
SO6
SO6
→ SO3
→ SO3

Star Ocean: The Divine Force (スターオーシャン６ ザディヴァインフォース, Sutā Ōshan Shikkusu Za Divain Fōsu?) is the sixth installment in the Star Ocean series for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Steam, released on October 27, 2022.

It was announced at Sony's October 2021 State of Play livestream conference. The story follows its dual protagonists, Raymond Lawrence and Laeticia Aucerius, in their adventure to save the cosmos. It takes place in S.D. 583, forty-six years after the events of the previous mainline entry, Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness.

Gameplay

Hero select screen.

For the first time since Star Ocean: The Second Story, dual protagonists will be featured. The events of the story will unfold from a unique perspective depending on whom the player chooses: Raymond's perceptions offer more sci-fi know-how, while Laeticia's focuses more on fantasy elements. Companions who join the party will differ depending on the chosen protagonist, and the both of them have endings dedicated to all the party members.

Parties consist of four people in the active party, excluding guests, and up to five reserve members. The transition from exploration to combat is seamless, so players can start slashing and hitting enemies as they please. Combat skills—the series' special arts and symbology—are assigned to and cost a fixed amount of AP to perform. The maximum AP available changes depending on certain conditions in battle. There are Chain Combo shortcuts to pick a sequence and activate skills faster than doing each action individually. Players can also use Stop Mode to freeze the screen so as to give instructions to allies, change targets, and carefully plan strategies. Stats, elements and status effects return, as does the Dodge mechanic by pressing . Character growth is done by consuming SP accumulated by leveling up, and strengthening already learned skills or acquire entirely new ones from their individual Skill Trees.

Essential to gameplay is D.U.M.A., who gives the player access to the Vanguard Assault mechanic for a variety of uses. For example, in explorations, it allows all characters to fly to traverse areas and cities, or scan areas to find treasure. In battle, by depleting the VA Gauge, it allows access to high-speed attacks, shields, Blindsides, and aggression radar. Also available via D.U.M.A. are the Vatting (akin to Rush Mode of previous entries) and Estery Cage options. Finally, D.U.M.A.'s abilities can be boosted with Gems, which can be found throughout the world.

Series mainstay features Item Creation, Talent, and Private Action return. There is a wide range of items to be collected by picking up green crystals, opening treasure chests, completing quests, destroying objects with Field Skills (press ), and more: Weapons, armor, accessories, materials, usable items, food, and valuables. There is also a new mini-game, Es'owa, whose pieces make reference to characters from previous entries in the series. A number of trophies and achievements are available.

Story

Setting

Main article: Star Ocean 6 timeline

The Divine Force takes place in S.D. 583 (A.D. 2670), between Star Ocean: Anamnesis and Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. The Pangalactic Federation, a force of peace in the galaxy that historically stood for justice, has changed: Wreathed in darkness, they are assimilating planets against their will.

Raymond Lawrence, captain of the merchant vessel Ydas, leaves the non-federated planet of Verguld on a standard transport mission for his family's company. Things go awry when the Ydas is attacked by the Astoria: a dedicated battleship commandeered by Bennett Maudsley and carrying a member of the Federation's preeminent Kenny family, Marielle L. Kenny. Raymond and his crewmate Chloe Kanaris are forced to abandon ship amidst the chaos and head for the remote, underdeveloped fourth planet in the Aster System.

Upon landing, Raymond is separated from Chloe and immediately attacked by some of the less-than-friendly local wildlife. But when all seems lost, his life is saved by the crown princess of the Kingdom of Aucerius, Laeticia Aucerius, and her knight, Albaird Bergholm. Amazed by his uncanny origins, Laeticia asks Raymond to help save her kingdom from the threat of the neighboring Vey'l Empire and help her find the elusive Midas Felgreed. He accepts in exchange for help finding Chloe. So begins their journey on Aster IV, both heroes setting on an adventure that will shake the foundations of the entire universe.

Characters

Playable characters

Playable cast artwork by akiman.

• Raymond Lawrence - Member of Lawrence Logistics, and reckless captain of the Ydas.
• Laeticia Aucerius - Crown princess of the Kingdom of Aucerius on a mission to save her homeland.
• Albaird Bergholm - Obstinate Aucerian knight, loyal retainer to Laeticia and distrustful of Raymond.
• Elena E-014297 - Raymond's calm and collected first officer.
• Nina Deforges - Cheerful iatrimancer from Delryk seeking to cure a deadly disease.
• Midas Felgreed - Ornery hermit, engineer, and brilliant semiomancer exiled from Aucerius.
• Malkya Trathen - Wise leader of the Trathen from Nihlbeth.
• Marielle L. Kenny - Dutiful and just lieutenant working aboard the Federation battleship Astoria.
• Theo Klemrath - Knight commander of the Aucerian Navy, and cousin of Laeticia. He can be recruited on Laeticia's side.
• J.J. - A Scorpium-aligned swordman whose entire body is fully mechanized. He can be recruited on Raymond's side.

Supporting characters

• D.U.M.A.
• Chloe Kanaris
• Gaston Gaucier
• Velanj Garfuul
• Lola Jornaus

• Antonio Lawrence
• Welch Vineyard
• Raimbaut Aucerius
• Neyan Khezal
• Bohld'or Il Vey'l

• Ger'ralt Vey'l
• Bennett Maudsley
• Marquis Yzen
• ...

Music

Series composer Motoi Sakuraba returns to compose and arrange the soundtrack to The Divine Force, compiled into the four-CD set of Star Ocean: The Divine Force Original Soundtrack. Battle themes in-game change depending on the main character the player has selected, with Raymond's being progressive rock-oriented and Laeticia's tending towards the orchestral.

The theme song for the game is "PANDORA" by HYDE, prominently known as a vocalist for L'Arc-en-Ciel then Vamps.

Development

Upon making Star Ocean: Anamnesis as a "sequel" of sorts for Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness, series producer Shuichi Kobayashi expressed that if Star Ocean's popularity continued, and there was enough demand from fans, Kobayashi hoped to be able to do the next thing for the series. On April 4, 2020, for the Star Ocean x Valkyrie Profile Anniversary Fes 2020, Yoshiharu Gotanda mentioned they want to keep making new games for both series, but that it was up to Square Enix.

Details of the game's production cycle are unknown, but key players were Gotanda, who wrote the story alongside authors Satoshi Wagahara (previously involved in The Beacon of Hope and Twin Eclipse) and Shunsuke Sarai; Motoi Sakuraba, returning to compose the music; and Akira "akiman" Yasuda, who handled character design, having previously worked on the cast of Integrity and Faithlessness and the mobile entry Anamnesis.

The Divine Force was finally announced on October 27, 2021, during Sony Entertainment's State of Play livestream conference with a trailer showing off the two main characters, party members Elena and Albaird, as well as some combat and exploration, to be released sometime in 2022. The release date was later revealed in a second trailer, posted on June 29, 2022, alongside the first of a "Mission Report" video series that focused on giving an overview of The Divine Force's gameplay elements. The day after, Otako Nekomura's Star Ocean☆Report began publication. On September 4, the theme song, "PANDORA", was announced.

A free consumer demo for the game, offering players the chance to experience the beginning of Raymond's story (from the opening movie until the party's arrival at Delryk), was released on September 20, 2022. It was available for the PlayStation and Xbox consoles.

Beside the stardard edition of the game, The Divine Force has a digital Deluxe Edition that includes a special version of the Original Soundtrack, two armors (Radiant Hildegrim, Holy Sigrdrifa) and four accessories (Bunny the Lagomower Brooch, tri-Emblum, Gold Bunny Statue, Andvaranaut's Ring). Pre-order bonuses are the weapons Lionheart's Blutgang and Flashing Naglering, and the Es'owa pawns Lenneth, Lezard, Jack and Ridley. The Japan-only Collector's Edition includes The Art of Star Ocean: The Divine Force, the soundtrack with an additional arrange disc, rubber keychains of Raymond and Laeticia, an art card with a standee, a special box, and the pre-order bonuses. Finally, announced on August 24, 2022, there is also a Star Ocean: The Divine Force Official Material Collection, to be released on October 27 as well.

Gallery

Main article: /Gallery

Cover art (PS4).

Cover art (PS5).

Cover art (Xbox).

Trivia

• For Japan-only early purchasers of both The Divine Force and Valkyrie Elysium, their copies will come with a special postcard and a medley track composed by Sakuraba including themes from both games. The themes are "Theme of Elysium", "Star Ocean Forever: Twin Beacons", "Be'elze: Forest Area", "Battle at Be'elze: Grassland Area", "Twin Blades to Stir the Soul", and "The Weald". The promotion concludes on October 31, 2022.

External links

• スターオーシャン6 THE DIVINE FORCE | SQUARE ENIX