Initially of June, Sq. Enix launched the beloved RPGs Octopath Traveler on PS4 and PS5 consoles and Octopath Traveler II on Xbox One and Xbox Sequence X|S consoles.
As well as, each video games have been added to Xbox Recreation Move and PC Recreation Move. This meant that you possibly can lastly play the entire Octopath video games on mainly each gaming platform that isn’t cloud-based.
On this second, Sq. Enix was sort sufficient to supply me with PC overview codes for each video games. All the things under is my very own opinion although.
Should you’d wish to seize your self a duplicate of both sport, you should buy them out of your favourite retailers together with those under which additionally assist us right here at GeekTyrant as affiliate hyperlinks.
Octopath Traveler (PC) from Humble Store
Octopath Traveler II (PC) from Humble Store
Octopath Traveler II (Nintendo Switch) from Humble Store
Various Platforms from GameStop
Since its launch in 2018 with OCTOPATH TRAVELER, the OCTOPATH TRAVELER sequence has bought over 4 million copies worldwide*, popularizing the distinctive HD-2D artwork fashion: a hanging mix of 2D characters designs in lovely 3D worlds.
Each video games are a standalone expertise set in several worlds with eight distinct protagonists, every with their very own tales to discover and Path Actions to make use of.
Gamers will embark on a grand journey and steer their very own journey, relying on whom they select to play as.
I’ve made the choice to lump each video games collectively for this overview. This can be a little bit of an odd transfer, I do know, however on the finish of the day I felt like so lots of my ideas are the identical for each video games that doing two separate critiques didn’t make sense.
I do wish to additionally disclose that I performed these video games completely on my Steam Deck (they each run completely on it) and since they’re each very lengthy video games I set a requirement of not less than 4 hours in every sport earlier than penning this overview. I’d love to listen to your ideas in regards to the video games under.
In case you’re unaware, Octopath Traveler is absolutely the sport that made the HD-2D artwork fashion in video games very talked-about and extra mainstream again in 2018. Octopath Traveler II continued with the aesthetic when it launched final 12 months in 2023.
Because of this the characters are 2D sprites however they’re in 3D environments which creates a shocking visible. It feels nostalgic due to the pixelated artwork, nevertheless it feels extra alive and larger due to the 3D components. I’ve turn out to be a giant fan of it.
As well as, the character and creature designs are phenomenal. This can be a sport that invitations you to only cease and take a look at it and take it in. The visuals are undoubtedly high notch.
Subsequent, let’s talk about the audio. That is in all probability my favourite facet of the Octopath Traveler sequence. Yasunori Nishiki has composed presumably essentially the most good rating for a online game. On a number of events whereas enjoying I might simply cease and inform my spouse to take heed to the music. It’s so unimaginable!
The sound results are additionally unimaginable although and I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the voice appearing. The forged in each video games is killer and you’ll simply hear high quality seeping from nearly each facet of this sport.
I’m personally not a fan of little voice moments the place the voice actor simply recorded like the primary 1-2 phrases or the opposite character’s identify after which you must learn the textual content bubble (give me all or none personally), however that looks like such a minor criticism.
Now it’s time to speak about gameplay. Personally, turn-based RPG fight could be very hit and miss. Typically it feels an excessive amount of like a slog, generally I really feel like I don’t want to vary up my technique in any respect till I get to a remaining boss that takes me dozens of tries, and generally it’s simply partaking sufficient not directly.
Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II are principally constructive experiences for me.Within the typical grind battles, it is vitally boring as you get in a set sample for small guys like bats and wolves. Nevertheless, in greater battles, I’ve felt challenged with out it ever feeling like an excessive amount of. I attribute this to 2 foremost components.
First, every enemy has a set of weaknesses and you’ll exploit these to interrupt their defenses. What’s good is that while you hit an enemy with its weak point, it unlocks an icon under the enemy to function a visible reminder for that enemy’s weaknesses in that struggle and in all future encounters.
Utilizing a weak point additionally lowers their defenses and when that drops to 0, they lose their subsequent flip and are extra weak to assaults. This actually helps direct your methods within the second.
The opposite foremost issue is the increase mechanic. Each flip, every character good points a lift level. You’ll be able to then spend increase factors (as much as three) to make your assaults stronger and for some assaults it additionally multiplies what number of assaults you unleash.
For instance, when you increase an space of impact fireball spell, it appears to only multiply harm. Nevertheless, when you increase your sword assault then you’ll stand up to 4 swings of your sword. This may actually assist take down an enemy’s defenses based mostly on their weaknesses including one other layer of technique that’s simple to know however takes time to grasp.
My primary criticism about Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II is that I want that enemies confirmed a well being bar. I do know that there are abilities you may unlock that mean you can see how a lot well being an enemy has at that second, however I actually need a well being bar that I can keep watch over and higher gauge if my celebration is doing okay, if I might be losing stronger assaults, or if I’m not hitting arduous sufficient with my present technique. Actually, the truth that that is my high criticism ought to inform you a large number about how unimaginable these video games are.
As you battle, you may expertise factors which degree you up and JP which could be spent on new abilities. I really actually like this JP system. Additionally, upon getting your fourth ability, the character unlocks their first assist ability that are passive buffs. Extra assist abilities are unlocked over time.
One factor I do discover odd about these video games is that there are occasions you go to struggle a boss or one thing and the artwork shows the boss or some troopers as these huge, extra detailed, items of artwork, however your celebration stays pixel artwork. I don’t hate it, however part of me does type of want that in greater fights we acquired to see greater artwork of the celebration.
One other nice facet for my part is that every character has a novel motion they’ll take within the overworld to work together with NPCs. Some do useful issues like have NPCs observe them. Others should buy or promote issues to them whereas others nonetheless can steal from NPCs. Those that I’m not a fan of are when you may problem an NPC to fight, particularly Provoke. It simply doesn’t appear very helpful so far as I’ve performed.
Should you have been interested by Octopath Traveler, I might say that it’s actually good and value it. Actually, its rating is true right here. It’s undoubtedly value enjoying when you like JRPGs.
