Star Ocean: The Divine Force

 PlayStation 4
User Score
4.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 19 out of 38
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  1. Orcbolg
    Nov 6, 2022
    9
    Star Ocean The Divine Force is a game that modernizes the series without losing its early JRPG charm. Loveable characters and a fantastic battle system are the main selling point here. Each of the party members you recruit play differently while still being fun. The story is PS2 golden age JRPG bliss. The PS4 version has some issue with framerate and performance but beyond that it is aStar Ocean The Divine Force is a game that modernizes the series without losing its early JRPG charm. Loveable characters and a fantastic battle system are the main selling point here. Each of the party members you recruit play differently while still being fun. The story is PS2 golden age JRPG bliss. The PS4 version has some issue with framerate and performance but beyond that it is a great return to form for a time when these kinds of games were king.… Expand
  2. PersonAHAHAH
    Nov 5, 2022
    10
    Great game I really loved it.
    the +
    - battle system
    - script
    - lifetime
    - we want to play the other opuses of the saga

    The lessers
    - a little aliasing (but it's not annoying)
    -drops in fps (but it's not annoying either)

    I highly recommend this game if you are curious, it is available on PS4/PS5, XBOX one/ serie XS & PC on steam
  3. OldAndCynical
    Oct 29, 2022
    6
    Star Ocean is certainly pretty, and fun to play. Problem is that it no longer feels Star Ocean. The modernization of the series has just turned it into another painfully generic mainstream action JRPG that tastes very bland indeed. I bought the game because I'm longtime fan of the series, but after this, I prolly won't be playing any more Star Ocean.
    Is the game worth getting for the fun    Star Ocean is certainly pretty, and fun to play. Problem is that it no longer feels Star Ocean. The modernization of the series has just turned it into another painfully generic mainstream action JRPG that tastes very bland indeed. I bought the game because I'm longtime fan of the series, but after this, I prolly won't be playing any more Star Ocean.
    Is the game worth getting for the fun and exploration? Depends. Since you can play Genshin Impact for free on your PlayStation, it makes little sense to pay full price for Star Ocean. But if you're bit tired of Genshin and other similar free/cheap action JRPGs, then Star Ocean might offer you something fresh, although not much.    … Expand
  4. YoCHIDAHHH
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    This game has an amazing plot, likeable characters with developed personalities, and a memorable art style. The ending will stick with you for a very long time. I cannot give a 9.9 so a 10 shall suffice.
    Thank you for reading my review.
  5. khalil1984
    Nov 18, 2022
    10
    Star Ocean The Divine Force is a game that modernizes the series without losing its early JRPG charm. Great game I really loved it.
  6. KovyPell
    Mar 10, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My favorite Star Ocean title up until now has been Til the End of Time. It still is. Something about that game, when I first played it I couldn't put it down. Probably played it all the way through (with lots of grinding) at least 5 times. It was a lot easier to straight up miss out on things, which encouraged exploration (just to get the crafting boosters if nothing else) and replays.

    I have not yet finished Divine Force, but I've spent enough time with it to say that it seems to capture the spirit of TTEOT better than the prior titles. I was mad at Star Ocean for a bit, but this game has cooled my temper and brought those fond sounds back into my life. Like when you push a button, for anything. I love the Star Ocean button sound. *stares off for long time*

    Oh, forgive me, my mind started wandering....what's that? I missed an important part of this cutscene I think, I'll figure it out during the next one. This is not how I should feel. I should be wanting to reset the game, the graphics are really very nice. The fuzzy bunnies are a good example of how they gussied up a bit. *SPOILERS AHEAD*

    The plot just won't take. Albaird's arm is the most interesting thing going on. I can't seem to get off this planet, but I think I might be about to? I just want to fly or sprint to where the map marker is. Even though I enjoy playing, I don't feel that the combat is anything but pressing buttons and making crazy things happen. I know, I know, they all do that but there was just something satisfying in my old favorite. The skills themselves were cooler too.

    It's missing characters like Albel. Cliff. Just goofy, but just cool enough to make the party interesting. What I think is important to note, is that I haven't finished the game and I'm catching myself just limping to the finish. I'm not even paying attention to what's actually going on most of the time. I can see myself trying this one again one day, but I won't be playing it again right away like my favorite games.

    It sits in a weird spot. All I've done is talk about how it doesn't stand up to my favorite in the series, yet here I am enjoying myself, Just not as fully as I would hope with a game like this. Same thing happened with FF7R. Nothing wrong with it. Beautiful game. Just....wish they did things just a bit differently, and I'm not even sure how.

    Oh and Welch is a real pip in this one, You'll love her nonsense.    … Expand
  7. judgementblade
    Feb 23, 2023
    7
    Graphic is sufficient I guess and could be better but game has a lot more greenery than any other RPGs I've played in recent years though A LOT of 2D textures for it. Occasionally to an annoying degree. However, rocks/mountains look TERRIBLE.
    While speaking of graphics, I'm not that far into the game yet and am already pissed at the ridonkoulous amount of pallet-swaps. Sure, can't be    Graphic is sufficient I guess and could be better but game has a lot more greenery than any other RPGs I've played in recent years though A LOT of 2D textures for it. Occasionally to an annoying degree. However, rocks/mountains look TERRIBLE.
    While speaking of graphics, I'm not that far into the game yet and am already pissed at the ridonkoulous amount of pallet-swaps. Sure, can't be avoided in games of that scale and that is fine but 5 enemy types with at least 5 pallet-swaps within the first 7 areas of the game? That is just insulting.

    Another thing that annoys me surprisingly, no NPCs to talk in cities other than those involved with quests, shopping and some kind of mini game I couldn't even try through 4 cities because I only got a starter pack in the 5th and I already have no interest in even trying it out. You won't even get a tutorial upon receiving the pack and the Ranking is weird the lowest 4 Ranks all have unique descriptions and then it's just Master Level 1-9 and Grand Master with multiple Levels and all are just slightly bigger white dots on the map but to find out which level they are and if you can play against them you need to talk to them.

    Then, they really botched the menu, especially in terms of shopping. Why the heck would you have to confirm twice if you want to buy 1 of something. It even defaults to cancel and why can't you have the same piece of equipment with the same abilities and values in one stack? Just confusing and cluttered.

    While playing I had a weird audio bug that made it sound like dialog was the echo of a tin can in some places though that could be fixed by now.

    Something else they screwed up was the crafting system. You have 8 types of item creation. Some of it is restricted to just a few party members but the issue is, everyone has random varying random factor for success and a unique set of items they can make in each category. You have 10 levels to reach. That isn't that much of an issue as it is that the level ups take so freaking long, unless you spend all your level up points into strengthening creation skills and you have to waste A LOT of money and materials to increase the level otherwise. A couple of sidequest require you to create a number of things only accessible on higher levels and are at the mercy of rng.

    In other cases sidequest don't give you markers or even enough information to solve them and your not really encouraged to figure them out yourself since it takes way to long and way to specific variables need to be met.

    The AP battle system is one of the most stupid systems I have ever witnessed. Not only does it reset if you reload the game every hit you take reduce it by one, effectively forcing you to at best attack twice until you have to wait a few seconds to attack again. This gets increasingly annoying as the insane health pool of enemies and especially bosses swells peaking in plenty bosses you can hardly, if at all blindside to bring it up again.

    The last dungeon is one of the worst I have ever played and almost made me ragequit. Not only has it random, invisible warps but also see-through walls you may or may not need to break to move on an on top you have to re-fight the two worst enemies in the game one of which you can only damage after breaking his shield which takes multiple attacks and it he has a multi-hit attack that instantly reduces you to basic AP gauge and now you have to hammer through the shield while he keeps killing the party even when your at a level that theoretically would make the final boss afterwards very easy.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. PLAY
    Dec 14, 2022
    70
    If you want to take your time teasing out the story while also looking like you came off the cover of JRPG Vogue, then you’re in for a good time. [Issue#22, p.74]
  2. LevelUp
    Nov 20, 2022
    70
    Star Ocean: Divine Force is a great role-playing game that arrives 15 years too late. It's a game that will keep you busy for hours, and a good effort to keep alive an lesser-known franchise.
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  3. TierraGamer
    Nov 14, 2022
    76
    Star Ocean: The Divine Force is a game that needs more development. It has pretty solid and charming points, like its characters and gameplay mechanics, but on the other side, it does game some flaws that would discourage the purchase of any experienced RPG player. However, it is a fun and entertaining game. It has beautiful landscapes and mechanics that gradually become versatile and entertaining.
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