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 Collection X|S consoles.
As well as, each video games have been added to Xbox Recreation Cross and PC Recreation Cross. This meant that you can lastly play the entire Octopath video games on mainly each gaming platform that isn’t cloud-based.
On this second, Sq. Enix was type sufficient to offer me with PC overview codes for each video games. Every thing beneath is my very own opinion although.
Should you’d prefer to seize your self a replica of both recreation, you should buy them out of your favourite retailers together with those beneath 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 collection has offered over 4 million copies worldwide*, popularizing the distinctive HD-2D artwork fashion: a hanging mix of 2D characters designs in stunning 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 opinions 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 at the very least 4 hours in every recreation earlier than scripting this overview. I’d love to listen to your ideas in regards to the video games beneath.
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 surprising visible. It feels nostalgic due to the pixelated artwork, however it feels extra alive and larger due to the 3D parts. I’ve develop into an enormous fan of it.
As well as, the character and creature designs are phenomenal. This can be a recreation that invitations you to simply 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 most likely my favourite side of the Octopath Traveler collection. Yasunori Nishiki has composed probably probably the most excellent rating for a online game. On a number of events whereas enjoying I’d 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 solid in each video games is killer and you may simply hear high quality seeping from nearly each side of this recreation.
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 criticism.
Now it’s time to speak about gameplay. Personally, turn-based RPG fight will 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 alter up my technique in any respect till I get to a last boss that takes me dozens of tries, and generally it’s simply participating sufficient not directly.
Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II are principally optimistic 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. Nonetheless, in greater battles, I’ve felt challenged with out it ever feeling like an excessive amount of. I attribute this to 2 essential elements.
First, every enemy has a set of weaknesses and you may exploit these to interrupt their defenses. What’s good is that whenever you hit an enemy with its weak spot, it unlocks an icon beneath the enemy to function a visible reminder for that enemy’s weaknesses in that battle and in all future encounters.
Utilizing a weak spot additionally lowers their defenses and when that drops to 0, they lose their subsequent flip and are extra susceptible to assaults. This actually helps direct your methods within the second.
The opposite essential issue is the enhance mechanic. Each flip, every character good points a lift level. You may then spend enhance 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, in the event you enhance an space of impact fireball spell, it appears to simply multiply injury. Nonetheless, in the event you enhance 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 grasp 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 permit you to see how a lot well being an enemy has at that second, however I actually desire a well being bar that I can keep watch over and higher gauge if my celebration is doing okay, if I’d be losing stronger assaults, or if I’m not hitting laborious 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 will be spent on new abilities. I really actually like this JP system. Additionally, after getting your fourth ability, the character unlocks their first help ability 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 battle 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 form of want that in greater fights we acquired to see greater artwork of the celebration.
One other nice side for my part is that every character has a novel motion they will take within the overworld to work together with NPCs. Some do useful issues like have NPCs observe them. Others can purchase 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 in Octopath Traveler, I’d say that it’s actually good and value it. In truth, its rating is correct right here. It’s undoubtedly value enjoying in the event you like JRPGs.
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