In October 2021, Square Enix announced that a newStar Oceangame was in development at tri-Ace.Star Ocean: The Divine Forcewill be the latest main series release in the decades-old JRPG franchise, the sixth main series title overall. The plan was always to deliverStar Ocean: The Divine Forcein 2022 as part of a worldwide release, but some doubt was cast on that in early 2022 when a new trailer was delayed. NowSquare Enixis back and ready to confirmStar Ocean: The Divine Forcewill launch in 2022 as promised.
The latest trailer forStar Ocean: The Divine Forceconfirms that thefantasy JRPGwill launch on October 27 worldwide for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The trailer runs over three minutes and features a mix of in-engine cinematics and gameplay. It’s a trailer that introduces the game’s characters and story, touches on its core themes, and overall tries to sellStar Ocean: The Divine Forcein a single pitch.
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Accompanying the release date trailer forStar Ocean: The Divine Forceis a second video that delves more deeply into the JRPG’s story, characters, and combat. Namely, it introducesStar Ocean: The Divine Force’s protagonists, the spaceship captain Raymond and princess Laeticia, and the “dual-protagonist” system that allows players to choose whose perspective to experience the game as.
Both of theStar Ocean: The Divine Forceprotagonists, as well as the rest of the party, play differently in combat as they each fill differenttraditional JPRG roles.Star Ocean: The Divine Forcefeatures an action-based combat system, but also allows players to pause the action. Stop Mode allows players to offer quick strategic orders and switch targets as necessary mid-combat. It’s not quite a turn-based option, but it should provide a healthy middle ground.
Some other important details confirmed as part of the release date announcement for thenewestStar Oceangame in the franchiseinclude plans for both physical and digital editions. Square Enix has confirmed thatStar Ocean: The Divine Forcewill indeed have a physical release worldwide. However, it won’t have a physical collector’s edition outside of Japan. Instead, a Digital Deluxe Edition will be made available that includes the game’s soundtrack and some basic DLC.
There was some worry thatStar Ocean: The Divine Forcewould receive a delay into 2023. That’s because Square Enix initially planned to share more information about the JRPG earlier in 2022, only to delay it to June because more time was needed. It seems development has remained on track, though, andOctober will see the arrival ofStar Ocean: The Divine Forceafter all.
Star Ocean: The Divine Forcereleases October 27 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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