The Art Specialty can also produce very helpful support and recovery items. Make sure to have someone with the right talent to specialize this skill.
Determination
Don't spend your SP early in the game. Wait until you get the skill Determination and focus in maxing it out first. This skill lowers the skill points needed for all the other skills.
Extra Difficulty Modes
These new difficulty modes will be available on a new game file after completing the necessary tasks.
Mode
How to Unlock
Galaxy Mode
Defeat 2,000 monsters.
Universe Mode
Defeat 2,000 monsters.
Maze Of Tribulations
Use the save point immediately before fighting Gabriel. Once the saved game icon turns blue, return to the arena in Fun City. Talk to the old man in the audience in the north side of the arena. Accept his offer to recover your memories. You will return to Arlia on Expel. Leave Arlia and you will have your Psynard. You can now find the hidden Maze Of Tribulations dungeon at the lone dot on the desert island that is located southwest on the world map.
Mischief
If you can get a Thief's Glove before Kurik is destroyed, you can get this item in a private action. Go to Harly and buy the glove (do not forget the skills "Poker Face" and "Courage"). Get on over to Kurik. By doing a Private Action and going to the town square, you will see a woman warning everyone about the town's imminent destruction, but no one will pay heed. Once she is done talking, go up to her and pickpocket her to get the Mischief accessory. With this item, every step you take gives you a chance for items, Fol, and other things.
No Encounters in Dungeons
Like the other Star Ocean for PSP, if you open the disc tray while in a dungeon, you will not face any battles. Just remember to close the disc tray everytime you change screens (causing it to reload data), or before boss fights.
Pixie's Bracelet
In the second floor of Eluria Tower, go to the left to a find a secret room with three chests. The middle one contains the Pixie's Bracelet, which is an upgraded version of the Sprite's Bracelet that can be stolen from Filia early in the game. It will give you better, random items while walking and can be equipped alongside with the Sprite's Bracelet.
Removing Gabriel's limiter
First off, you must witness the Private Action in Kurik where a woman named Philia is warning the citizens to evacuate the city. Next, you must reach the final save point in Phynal. After that, you must leave Phynal and view a Private Action in Centropolis. You'll find Philia again in the lobby of the main building. After you talk to her, Gabriel's limiter will be removed and he will be much more powerful than his original form. It is recommended that you go through the Maze of Tribulations and get your levels very high (120+ at the very least) before attempting to fight him.
Sprite's Bracelet
It is probably one of the best kept secrets in the game and previous players of the game's Playstation version should know about this; getting the "Mischief" or what is known in the game as "Spite's Bracelet". This is a very, very rare accessory that can only be STOLEN only from a girl named Filia, just before the pending incident in Kurik. As long as it's equipped, it will give you random items while walking.
Sword of Marvels
Just as in the original Star Ocean: The Second Story, you can get a hold of one of the toughest swords in the game very early on. You will need to get a decent level in Pick Pocketing (about level 6 to 8) and a Thief's Glove at Harly. Go to Mars Village and pickpocket the old man by the inn to get the Goodie Box. Go outside and save the game. Open the box and you will get three items. If the Sword of Marvels is not in it, try again by reloading your saved game. Eventually you will get this magnificent sword, and may not need to switch again until much later in the game.
Unlocking the Cave of Trials
There is a secret dungeon in the game called the "Cave Of Trials". To unlock it, you must use the save point right before fighting Gabriel. Your save icon should turn blue. Then, return to the arena in Fun City, and talk to the old man in the stands in the north side of the arena. He says he can recover your memories; accept, and you'll return to Arlia on Expel. Leave Arlia and you'll have your Psynard; the Cave Of Trials is located at the lone dot on the desert island, southwest on the world map.
Voice Player
Beat the game once on any difficulty, and you unlock the Voice Player. Beat the game with additional characters in your party to unlock their respective voices.
Weapon Sharing
If there are anybody in your team that are using the same weapon, have one of them concentrate on leveling up his/her customization skill. This way, you will only need to have that character forge the weapons and share it with the other, saving SP.