Octopath Traveler 2 Review

Introduction to Octopath Traveler 2

Step into a world where nostalgia and modernity collide, where Octopath Traveler II reigns supreme. In a time when game developers strive to recreate the essence of classic games, Octopath II takes it a step further. With its modern design, the game breathes new life into the turn-based RPG genre while paying homage to the SNES era. It’s a remarkable feat, capturing the spirit of adventure and style of the old-school games.

On the surface, Octopath Traveler II may seem like a replica of the original. However, the game takes a step further, presenting a refined and more complex experience. You start by picking one of eight adventurers and journeying through the world, collecting the remaining seven. The interconnected storylines, though loosely connected, make the game feel more immersive than the original game.

Most of the storytelling is nuanced and compelling, with a sense of depth that elevates the game. Even the trite narratives are interesting, with each character’s backstory being relatable. Take Osvald, for example, who is on a mission of revenge, but his character is so profoundly broken that he speaks primarily through internal monologues. And Ochette’s story is not just about an ancient force but also touches on the deeply-rooted issue of racism against her people. That said, the eight stories don’t seem to mesh together very well leaving it feeling a bit disjointed.

It captures the classic RPG feel while delivering an exciting and immersive experience.

Octopath II is not a perfect experience. But the small and subtle changes and improvements make it an innovation in the turn-based RPG genre. It captures the classic RPG feel while delivering an exciting and immersive experience.

Story and Characters

In Octopath Traveler II, not every character’s story is equally engaging, but some are standouts that will leave you wanting more. The cleric Temenos, for instance, has a carefree and non-devotional attitude towards religion that is genuinely endearing, and his exciting murder mystery plot will have you on the edge of your seat. Similarly, the dancer Agnea’s journey to become a star may not have serious drama, but her doe-eyed determination is a welcome breath of fresh air amongst the more one-note stories.

The writing in Octopath Traveler II is smarter, sharper, and more willing to make characters messy, making for a more immersive experience.

Octopath Traveler II introduces Crossed Paths, a feature that allows for shared stories between certain party members. This is a direct response to criticism that the original game felt too disjointed and lacked connection between party members. While Crossed Paths do improve this, they are essentially throwaway side stories that fail to build to something more meaningful. Unfortunately, the second time around, the group still doesn’t feel like a group, and this is a missed opportunity to build upon an otherwise strong foundation. Crossed Paths provide some much-needed variety, but once they’re over, it’s back to pretending everyone else doesn’t exist.

The individual storylines of the characters still don’t seem to mesh very well.

Fundamentally, the game’s freeform structure means that you can’t guarantee other characters will be present or part of your current party at any given moment. Despite Crossed Paths effort to rectify this, the individual storylines of the characters still don’t seem to mesh very well. During cutscenes and important moments of exposition, it’s only ever the central character whose plot you’re following that’s onscreen, and the rest of the party effectively ceases to exist.

The Battle System

Octopath Traveler 2 has a new addition to its already excellent battle system – ‘latent powers.’ These special abilities trigger once each character has been hit enough times to fill up their tiny circular meters. While they don’t fundamentally change the rhythm of your battle tactics, they’re enough of a trump card to turn the tide in large boss fights. Crucially, they add some much-needed variety to the same eight character classes you’ve probably played before.

Each character class brings something unique to the table from standard sword-wielding warriors to spellcasting scholars. And if you’re lucky, you might even get to play as the merchant, who prefers to chuck money (and other hired muscle) at their problems.

Octopath Traveler 2’s battle system is where the game truly shines. The process of identifying an enemy’s weakness and exploiting it before timing your ‘break’ point is a thrill like no other. With the added feature of ‘latent powers,’ there’s now an even greater variety of abilities at your disposal to take down your foes. Each character class brings a unique set of skills, making for an engaging and exciting gameplay experience.

The World

The battle themes from returning composer Yasunori Nishiki set the tone for each encounter, drawing you into the game’s fantastical world.

Too, the game’s map is a significant improvement over the original, crammed with secrets and surprises around every corner. You never know what you might find – a hidden dungeon, a secret job, or an abandoned village with a fascinating new questline that only appears at night. For every common treasure or restorative item, there’s always something more to discover.

The game feels bigger, better, and more alive.

The game’s highly detailed environments and layers of interest are a feast for the eyes. And the best part? The filter that blurred anything not immediately around you is gone. The result is a gorgeous, rich world that’s truly a joy to explore.

Verdict

Although the game doesn’t move the dial forward in a significant way, I still find myself drawn to its captivating combat system and gorgeous HD-2D world. Those battles are just the absolute business, and it’s hard not to get swept up in the game’s enthralling gameplay.

Sure, I dislike things about the game, but it’s hard to deny the joy it brings. There’s something inherently satisfying about returning to the world of Octopath Traveler. For those who missed the boat the first time around, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the game’s rich world and engaging combat system.