Octopath Traveler is one of those games that really benefitted from being an early Switch standout. There just weren’t a lot of RPGs on Nintendo’s hybrid console back in early 2018 and the game’s then-unique HD-2D art style and story structure helped distinguish it even more. Nearly 5 years later, Octopath Traveler II is set for a multiplatform launch under rather different circumstances. The HD-2D style isn’t the novelty it once was and expectations for “choose your own narrative” style stories have arguably been raised by the long-awaited Western release of Live A Live (the 16-bit classic that clearly served as a major inspiration for the makers of Octopath Traveler).
Does Octopath Traveler II still have what it takes to stand out in 2023? Or have its tentacles lost some of their grip? I’ve had the opportunity to tackle around 10 hours of Octopath Traveler II on PS5, playing through all the introductory chapters for the game’s new cast of characters. Scroll on for my impressions…
Octopath Traveler II follows a structure similar to the original game – you pick one the game’s eight characters to start as, and once you’ve completed their introductory chapter, you’re set loose to wander the world. You’ll run across the game’s other seven core characters as you explore and can add them to your party, at which point, you have the option to play through their prologue before continuing on. All of the eight characters have their own individual stories divided into chapters, and you’re free to pursue them in whatever order you so desire.
Combat is also mostly the same. Battles are usually random and always turn-based, with the Boost and Break systems returning. Every turn each of your party members gain a Boost Point, which can be traded in to double, triple, or quadruple the power of your attacks. All enemies also have Shield Points, which you can reduce by attacking them with weapons and spells they’re vulnerable to. An enemy becomes “broken” once their Shield Points are depleted, leaving them much more vulnerable to attack. And so, the simple yet effective core of Octopath Traveler’s combat is to whittle down opponents’ shields, then attack with saved up Boost Points once you break them.
Octopath Traveler II does make some tweaks to combat, including a new meter that fills up as you take damage or break enemies, eventually allowing you to unleash new “Latent Abilities.” These only last for a turn and generally boost your other skills and abilities, doing things like instantly giving you maximum Boost Points or allowing a single-target spell to hit all enemies on screen. These Latent Abilities feel like a somewhat superficial tweak, but they can be powerful when deployed at the right moment.
While Octopath Traveler II offers a new cast of characters, they stick to the same eight classes as the original game – you have Hikari (Warrior), Throné (Thief), Agnea (Dancer), Partitio (Merchant), Ochette (Hunter), Temenos (Cleric), Castti (Apothecary), and Osvald (Scholar). This is a bit disappointing, as the original Octopath Traveler’s unique take on traditional JRPG jobs was one of its best features. Each class does have two “Path Actions” that can be used outside of battle now, which work in conjunction with the new day-night system. For instance, Throné can steal from people during the day and stealthily knock them out at night. A welcome change, but one that feels pretty minor in the big picture.
That said, I don’t want to be too critical of the job system, as I haven’t had the opportunity to delve too deeply into its most significant change – secondary jobs. These can be unlocked as you explore the world and can be assigned to any of your characters, providing them stat boosts, new weapon proficiencies, and moves. I only unlocked one of these secondary jobs (the Inventor, specifically) during my first 10 hours with Octopath Traveler II, but it seems like they should be a powerful and useful addition.
Ultimately though, the quality of its writing is what really seems to set Octopath Traveler II apart thus far. The first Octopath offered decent yarns that sometimes offered minor twists on familiar JRPG tropes and other times played things a bit too straight. While Octopath Traveler II offers up the same archetypes as the original game, it takes them in some interesting new directions. The introductory chapters for the Scholar Osvald take the form of an extended Escape-from-Alcatraz-style prison break. Cleric Temenos is essentially a religious Sherlock Holmes with the ability to visualize crime scenes. Merchant Partitio has fallen victim of the harsh realities of capitalism and is out to eradicate poverty rather than line his pockets.
While its world remains relatively grounded, Octopath Traveler II takes its stock JRPG characters and settings and presents them in ways you aren’t quite expecting with storytelling that’s more emotional and visceral than typical for this sort of retro RPG project. It helps that every inch of the game looks gorgeous. The tech behind these types of HD-2D games hasn’t changed much, but Octopath Traveler II is infinitely more detailed than its predecessor. From gritty urban alleyways, to a merciless frozen prison, to various bucolic villages, this game serves up countless uniquely-beautiful locales.
Of course, there’s always the possibility Octopath Traveler II’s writing dramatically runs off the rails later on. The original Octopath’s stories felt a bit episodic, with the quality of the writing sometime shifting from chapter to chapter, but this game’s intros hint at more cohesive arcs for most of its characters. Square Enix also promises there will be more connection between your party members, with some even sharing certain chapters, which sounds like another step in the right direction. Overall, I’d say I’m optimistic about the journey ahead.
Current Thoughts on Octopath Traveler II
So far, Octopath Traveler II seems very much like a variation on a concept, with the game’s structure, combat, classes, visual style, and other elements feeling more than a little familiar. That said, almost everything also feels better – the game’s characters and world will surprise you, its visuals are more vibrant, and combat has been tweaked in smart ways. If you felt done with this journey by the end of the first Octopath, you may not find this sequel that enticing. But if you’re still raring to wander, Octopath Traveler II seems like it will provide plenty of interesting new sights to see.
Octopath Traveler II launches on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch on February 24. Expect Wccftech’s full review closer prior to launch. In the meantime, you can check out a newly-released demo on all platforms that allows you to play through the introductory chapter of one character of your choosing.
