Hard Mode: how to enable it and what to check
Capcom added Hard Mode in the October 9, 2026 title update. Game8 documents enabling it from the title screen for the current save slot, with an important warning: returning to Normal or Casual requires reaching the ending.
Before you confirm
| Question | Answer | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| When was it added? | October 9, 2026. | Capcom official update history. |
| Where is the setting? | Title screen: Options, then Game Settings, then Hard Mode. | Game8 Hard Mode instructions. |
| Does it affect every save? | Game8 says only the current save slot. | Read the selected slot and confirmation carefully. |
| Can it be switched off immediately? | Game8 says you must reach the ending before returning to Normal or Casual. | Do not use it as a temporary farming toggle. |
| Is there a prerequisite clear? | Game8 says it is selectable when starting a new game after updating. | A finished campaign is not its unlock condition. |
How to enable Hard Mode
- Update the game and check which adventure slot is selected.
- At the title screen, open Options and Game Settings.
- Select Hard Mode and read the confirmation before accepting.
- For a new adventure, choose the difficulty during the new-game setup instead.
What changes?
Game8 describes stronger enemies and resistances, with additional experience and DCP from defeating enemies. These gameplay descriptions are community-guide evidence; Capcom's October 9 log confirms the mode was added but does not publish numerical damage, XP, or DCP multipliers.
No exact percentage bonus, universal recommended level, or guaranteed reward set is claimed here. Difficulty depends on equipment, vocation, party, and the encounter. If the current campaign is already difficult, build a reliable party before committing to a setting that cannot immediately be reversed.
Hard Mode is not New Game Plus
Difficulty and replaying the story are separate choices. The same October 9 update added restarting with current data carried over. New Game Plus has its own carryover and reset rules; neither feature should be described as identical to buying Dark Arisen.
Questions
How much extra XP or DCP does Hard Mode give?
Game8 reports increased rewards, but the official update note checked on October 17, 2026 does not state exact multipliers. No percentage is asserted here.
Can I switch back to Normal right away?
Game8 warns that after selecting Hard Mode you must reach the ending to switch back to Normal or Casual. Check that restriction before confirming.