How the Chaos Difficulty Level Works in Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Square Enix released a massive Star Ocean: The Second Story R update a few months after its launch, which brought with it a slew of changes and additions. All of these additions are free, including a brand new difficulty setting. Here is what you need to know about the Chaos difficulty level in Star Ocean: The Second Story R.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R Chaos difficulty explained

Chaos is the fourth and seemingly final difficulty setting for players in this wonderful JRPG remake. As you might surmise, Chaos is the most difficult out of all the different settings available, much more challenging than Earth, Galaxy, and even Universe. It is by far the ultimate test of strength and skill for players in this title, and it is certainly not for those looking for a breezier (or swifter) time in the game.

Fortunately, despite the overwhelming challenge in this mode, it is possible to switch to as long as you update to version 1.1. You can create a new game with the Chaos difficulty or even switch in the battle settings in the menu of an existing file. It is up to you how to go about it. Personally, I recommend trying this mode on a New Game Plus since you can now carry over your levels.

Should I play on Chaos?

The question remains: should you play on Chaos in Star Ocean: The Second Story R? Well, this comes down to your personal preferences and where you are in the game. I only recommend this difficulty setting to players who beat the remake at least once. This is because it is a huge step above even the Universe level of difficulty. I tried it out and you have to play nearly perfectly. This is even the case in the earliest fights if you want to stay alive and defeat your enemies.

You’ll want a true mastery of the skills and combat in this game, plus the highest level possible. This will only make it a bit easier since hits from even the most basic of foes can take out your entire health or a massive percentage of it in one go. That said, for experienced players, Chaos can be a rewarding and extraordinary test of skill.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R is available right now for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC.