In the beginning of June, Sq. Enix launched the beloved RPGs Octopath Traveler on PS4 and PS5 consoles and Octopath Traveler II on Xbox One and Xbox Collection X|S consoles.
As well as, each video games had been added to Xbox Recreation Move and PC Recreation Move. This meant that you may lastly play all the Octopath video games on mainly each gaming platform that isn’t cloud-based.
On this second, Sq. Enix was sort sufficient to offer me with PC evaluate codes for each video games. Every little thing under is my very own opinion although.
For those who’d wish to seize your self a replica of both sport, you should purchase them out of your favourite shops together with those under which additionally help us right here at GeekTyrant as affiliate hyperlinks.
Octopath Traveler (PC) from Humble Retailer
Octopath Traveler II (PC) from Humble Retailer
Octopath Traveler II (Nintendo Swap) from Humble Retailer
Numerous Platforms from GameStop
Since its launch in 2018 with OCTOPATH TRAVELER, the OCTOPATH TRAVELER sequence has offered over 4 million copies worldwide*, popularizing the distinctive HD-2D artwork model: a placing mix of 2D characters designs in stunning 3D worlds.
Each video games are a standalone expertise set in numerous 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 evaluate. It is 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 need 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 a minimum of 4 hours in every sport earlier than penning this evaluate. I’d love to listen to your ideas concerning the video games under.
In case you’re unaware, Octopath Traveler is admittedly the sport that made the HD-2D artwork model 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.
Which means that 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 greater due to the 3D components. I’ve change into a giant fan of it.
As well as, the character and creature designs are phenomenal. It is a sport that invitations you to simply cease and have a look at it and take it in. The visuals are undoubtedly high notch.
Subsequent, let’s talk about the audio. That is most likely my favourite side of the Octopath Traveler sequence. Yasunori Nishiki has composed probably probably 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 unbelievable!
The sound results are additionally unbelievable although and I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out the voice appearing. The solid in each video games is killer and you’ll simply hear high quality seeping from nearly each side 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 title after which you must learn the textual content bubble (give me all or none personally), however that appears like such a minor grievance.
Now it’s time to speak about gameplay. Personally, turn-based RPG fight may be very hit and miss. Generally 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 closing boss that takes me dozens of tries, and generally it’s simply partaking sufficient not directly.
Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II are largely constructive experiences for me.Within the typical grind battles, it is extremely boring as you get in a set sample for small guys like bats and wolves. Nonetheless, in larger battles, I’ve felt challenged with out it ever feeling like an excessive amount of. I attribute this to 2 fundamental elements.
First, every enemy has a set of weaknesses and you’ll exploit these to interrupt their defenses. What’s good is that once 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 combat 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 fundamental issue is the increase mechanic. Each flip, every character positive aspects a lift level. You may 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, should you increase an space of impact fireball spell, it appears to simply multiply harm. Nonetheless, should 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 straightforward to know however takes time to grasp.
My primary grievance 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 possibly can unlock that assist you to 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 get together 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 grievance ought to inform you numerous about how unbelievable these video games are.
As you battle, you possibly can expertise factors which degree you up and JP which may be spent on new abilities. I really actually like this JP system. Additionally, after you have your fourth talent, the character unlocks their first help talent that are passive buffs. Extra help abilities are unlocked over time.
One factor I do discover odd about these video games is that there are occasions you go to combat a boss or one thing and the artwork shows the boss or some troopers as these huge, extra detailed, items of artwork, however your get together stays pixel artwork. I don’t hate it, however part of me does type of want that in larger fights we acquired to see larger artwork of the get together.
One other nice side in my view 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 comply with them. Others should purchase or promote issues to them whereas others nonetheless can steal from NPCs. Those that I’m not a fan of are when you possibly can problem an NPC to fight, particularly Provoke. It simply doesn’t appear very helpful so far as I’ve performed.
For those who had been interested in Octopath Traveler, I might say that it’s actually good and price it. In actual fact, its rating is true right here. It’s undoubtedly value enjoying should you like JRPGs.
