UPDATE: Star Ocean The Divine Force Interview Reveals Potential for 7, No DLC & Hopes for Valkyrie Profile 3

Japanese outlet Inside recently conducted an interview with Star Ocean The Divine Force staff, namely tri-Ace Producer Shingo Mukaitoge and Director Kentaro Arakawa. The interview mainly contains previously revealed information, like how Marielle was initially meant to be a choosable protagonist instead of Laeticia, but there are new tidbits here worth emphasizing.

The following particular passage is noteworthy for Valkyrie Profile fans. Thanks to our team’s Ryuji for translating this:

Interviewer: I’m aware that nothing is set in stone yet, but on a personal level, what do you wish to challenge yourselves with? Do you have plans to make a Star Ocean 7, perhaps?

Shingo Mukaitoge: The Divine Force has just been released (this interview was conducted shortly after the Japan release), so I can’t think of doing a seventh game at the moment…We truly made Star Ocean 6 while trying to meet everyone’s expectations, so if it sells well, then I suppose the possibility and opportunity for a Star Ocean 7 would arise.

However, and this is an entirely personal thought of mine, but I would love to make a Valkyrie Profile 3, as it has been quite a long time since Valkyrie Profile 2 was released.

Another interesting point regards how Mukaitoge would rate his work on The Divine Force:

Interviewer: If you were to rate your own work, how many points would you give it?

We had time and budget constraints and wanted to make endless things. From a developer’s standpoint, there are literally countless things you could do to improve Divine Force. But I felt that I had to release the game feeling like an 80.

Lastly, the following exchange confirms that no DLC is in the works, but potential updates could be on the way:

Interviewer: Do you have any plans for additional downloadable content or update patches?

Shingo Mukaitoge: We have no plans for additional downloadable content. Everything is already included in the current version of the game. As for update patches, we are currently discussing some improvements with Square Enix.

UPDATE 11/12/2022: Famitsu conducted its own interview, with staff revealing that in the Japanese version of the title, the Es’owa minigame is instead called ‘SOA,’ directly referencing the now shut-down mobile game, Star Ocean: Anamnesis. In fact, the pawn pieces use the Anamnesis character models as bases.

• If you missed it, check out our review of Star Ocean The Divine Force.
• 5 Beginner Tips
• Celebratory Launch Artwork
• Japanese Interview Info
• English Mini Manga
• Opening Movie
• Full Opening Song
• Launch Trailer
• Character Designer Art Piece Timelapse
• Star Ocean franchise soundtracks now available on streaming services
• How to Cheese the Difficulty Trophies/Achievements
• Spirit Ethers Guide
• How to Access Both Post-Game Dungeons
• How to Get All Character Endings
• All Mini-Bunny Locations
• Concept Character Designs

In case you’ve missed it, we recently spoke to the Star Ocean Development Team, who revealed that fans’ voices might be what’s needed for Star Ocean: Second Evolution’s PlayStation 4 port to come West.

Check out our beginner’s guide to the Star Ocean franchise, in which we list every mainline title, discuss their premises, gameplay, chronological placements, and more.

Star Ocean The Divine Force is now available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Star Ocean The Divine Force is the newest RPG from developer Tri-Ace. The game features a sci-fi setting as the sixth entry in the franchise with an action-focused battle system. This narrative tells an original story led by protagonist Raymond, the captain of a space trading ship, along with Ydas, and Laeticia, the princess-knight of an underdeveloped planet. After how lukewarm  Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness was, it’s relieving to see this series be given another new chance.

Throughout Star Ocean The Divine Force, players choose between protagonists Raymond and Laeticia, witnessing the story from multiple unique insights. Raymond’s perceptions offer more sci-fi know-how, while Laeticia’s perspective focuses more on fantasy elements. Combat is real-time. Further, the addition of Stop Mode allows players to literally pause the action, letting them form new stratagems on the fly.