Star Ocean: First Departure for PlayStation Portable includes a modification that enables the previously inaccessible Galaxy and Universe difficulty modes. These modes, originally part of the game's code but excluded from standard play, can be accessed through specific save files. Players can load these saves to start a new game at higher difficulty settings, enhancing gameplay diversity.
Note: Unlike most PSP hacks, this one is playable even on an unmodified PSP. This is because the hack lives in a save file, not in a patch!
This hack enables the Galaxy and Universe difficulty modes in Star Ocean: First Departure. Those difficulty modes were dummied out of the game, but still existed in the game's code. Load from one of the save files included in this hack to start a new game on one of the higher difficulty settings.
- Star Ocean: First Departure Difficulties v1.05 -Help support the
- By: Tzepish anti-ASCII art
tzepish at gmail dot com movement!
These save files allow you to access the Galaxy and Universe difficulty
modes. The higher difficulties were dummied out of the game, and there's
no normal way to select them without using custom PSP firmware and cheat
programs - that's why I made these files, so you can start a new game on a
higher difficulty, if you wish - even without cheats or custom firmware.
Instead of starting a New Game, simply load from the file that corresponds
to the difficulty you wish to play:
* Slot 28 = Earth mode (Difficulty = Normal = Default)
* Slot 29 = Galaxy mode (Difficulty = Hard = 150% Enemy Stats)
* Slot 30 = Universe mode (Difficulty = Very Hard = 200% Enemy Stats)
Since Roddick's starting Talents are normally determined randomly, they
have been blanked in these saves (he has no Talents). The Earth mode save
exists just in case you want to start an Earth mode game with zero Talents
on Roddick.
Also, you start the game with the Ocarina. This item does nothing, except
you need it to recruit Pericci and it's missable. Since I am against
really stupid missable items, I have added it to the starting inventory,
making it no longer missable.
I recommend keeping these three saves in the bottom slots (in case you want
to start new games from them in the future), and saving the games that you
start from them in different slots.
I'm on a constant quest to make the games I love more fun and
convenient to play, as well as extending their lifespans. I wanted
more people to have access to the higher difficulties than just the
people with custom firmware that know how to use CWCheat. It's hard
for me to imagine why the developers thought removing Galaxy and
Universe mode was a good idea - I wanted to undo their mistake. So
here you go: with these saves, you may now play through this game on
higher difficulties, just like Star Oceans 2 and 3.
2.) How did I make these files?
* Started a New Game.
* Activated the CWCheat code that blanks Roddick's Talents.
* Activated the Debug Menu code and added the Ocarina to the inventory.
* Activated the Save Anywhere code to save the game to slot 28.
* Activated the Galaxy difficulty code and saved to slot 29.
* Activated the Universe difficulty code and saved to slot 30.
* Used MS Paint to modify the save icons.
3.) Is using these files considered "cheating"?
Arguably, starting with the blank Talents is something that was
possible anyway - using these files simply saves you the time of
constantly rerolling them. If you want, though, you could waste Skill
Points by using them on skills before training the Determination
skill.
Starting with the Ocarina does nothing to make the game easier - it's
simply a safety in case you forget to grab the Ocarina in Portmith
after you rescue Pericci.
I would say that you shouldn't be considered a cheater if you use my
saves. Just play the game!
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