Among the better RPGs of 2022 wasStar Ocean: The Divine Force. It presented a sprawling, space-faring epic with bad guys to fight and activities to try. Moreover, it reinvigorated theStar Oceanseries.
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Part of the game’s fun comes from its fan service. Though they’re all in one universe, eachStar Oceanentry tells its own story. Those stories are sometimes hundreds of years apart. Regardless,The Divine Forcefinds ways to pay homage to past characters, concepts, and events. Only a seasoned galactic explorer will recognize them all.
7Blindside
This is a melee move fromThe Last HopeandAnamnesis. It begins with players charging at enemies in a mad dash. With precise timing, though, they can instantly course correct. Such misdirection catches foes off guard, and
the heroes can then exploit that opening for massive damage.
It’s convenient for flanking and bypassing the sturdiest defenses,equally useful here as in past entries. The major difference is thatDivine Forceuses D.U.M.A. in the initial charge. That said, the result remains immensely satisfying.
6Es’owa
Minigames are standard fare, especially in RPGs. With Square Enix titles,they’re where the developers like to self-indulge. Such is the case with Es’owa. This is a board game where the pieces are miniature likenesses of characters from pastStar Oceanentries and even other IPs. Jack and Ridley, for instance, hail fromRadiata Stories. This lets some of the more obscure titles make an infectiously cute comeback.
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Of course, that cuteness occasionally breaks the continuity in half. Some pieces represent characters fromStar Ocean: Till The End of Time. Considering this takes place long afterThe Divine Force, its inclusion shouldn’t be possible.Maybe Es’owa is a universal miracle that transcends space and time.
5Name Drops
When arguing the benefits of breaking the Underdeveloped Planet Preservation Pact, Remington mentions a few individuals. Ronyx F. Kenny is one of the heroes of the originalStar Ocean. His son, Claude C. Kenny, acts as a protagonist ofStar Ocean: The Second Story. Suffice it to say, this series keeps it in the family.
That holds true forThe Divine Force.Among the party members is Marielle L. Kenny. She’s a descendant of the previous protagonists and destined for similarly heroic deeds. With a bloodline as renowned as this, greatness must be the expectation.
4Superbosses
Star Oceanhas several recurring enemies, but perhaps the most notorious are the superbosses. Two of these familiar faces graceThe Divine Force. The first is the Ethereal Queen, also known as the “Iseria Queen.” She debuted inThe Second Storyand has shown up in several entries since. Players can find her in the post-game Ultima Thule dungeon. Like in past appearances, they must drain her health three times to defeat her. In short, this queen is a royal pain, though not as prolific as the other superboss.
Gabriel Celeste goes back to the originalStar Ocean. He lies in the Gauntlet, another post-game dungeon. Vanquishing her also calls for three defeats. Fans should be sensing a pattern here, and an annoying one at that.
3A Healing Herb
While exploring Rythal Port, players come across a sickly woman.They can ease her painwith a side quest, one which involves collecting Dillwhip plants. On the surface, this seems like a simple mission with a random collectible. However, Dillwhip’s healing properties are well-known in theStar Oceanuniverse.
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The herb first appeared inThe Second Story. Specifically, it grows in the Sanctuary of Linga. Players find it when Bowman sends them on a fetch quest. He makes a point about it being an undiscovered herb. The heroes don’t consider that at the time, but Dillwhip has clearly circulated since then.
2Welch’s Antics
A mainstay ofStar Ocean, the upbeat Welch has business with the heroes once again.She sends them on a series of errands related to alchemy and crafting. As they complete these tasks, she adds more and more decorations to her house. All of these are pleasing to the eye and cement the sense of progression. However, one should draw fans' attention.
Among Welch’s possessions is a mannequin. Thus, she’s decked it out in the same outfit she wore inIntegrity and Faithlessness. She presumably has her other fruity looks stashed somewhere. Frankly, it’s a missed opportunity not to display them the same way. After all, why not go the whole nine yards?
1Two Protagonists
While not a direct callback in continuity, this gameplay mechanics hearkens back to a particular entry.Star Ocean: The Second Storyrevolves around two protagonists: Rena Lanford and the aforementioned Claude C. Kenny. Fans choose which of them to follow in the narrative. This formula adds ample replay value, so it’s curious that no entries since have followed up or expanded on it.
As if answering that call,The Divine Forcebrings it back. The latestStar Oceantitle also features dual protagonists: Raymond Lawrence andLaeticia Aucerius. Like the prior title, the plot plays out differently depending on whom fans select. Their choice affects which characters join the party, which traits to rely on, and which ending unfolds. These factors potentially multiply the number of hours played.
Star Ocean: The Divine Forceis available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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