A: No. This is the most hated feature of The 3rd Birthday. You must complete Easy to unlock Normal, complete Normal to unlock Hard, and complete Hard to unlock Deadly. Your save data tracks which difficulty you beat . Download a "Full Unlock" save if you want to skip this.

A: You are trying to load a save from a game that has a different update patch. If you installed a DLC patch or a fan-translation patch on your ISO, you generally need to remove the patch to read an old save.

Whether you are hunting for the secret ending or just trying to unlock the gym outfit, treat your like gold. It is the only thing standing between you and the horrific "New Game from Scratch" screen. Have a specific save data issue not covered? Check the comments section below or visit the /r/ParasiteEve subreddit for community help.