Firstly 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 had been added to Xbox Sport Go and PC Sport Go. This meant that you can lastly play the entire Octopath video games on principally each gaming platform that isn’t cloud-based.
On this second, Sq. Enix was variety sufficient to offer me with PC evaluation codes for each video games. Every little thing under is my very own opinion although.
If you happen to’d prefer to seize your self a replica of both recreation, you should buy them out of your favourite retailers 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 bought over 4 million copies worldwide*, popularizing the distinctive HD-2D artwork type: a putting mix of 2D characters designs in lovely 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 evaluation. 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 wish to additionally disclose that I performed these video games fully 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 evaluation. I’d love to listen to your ideas concerning the video games under.
In case you’re unaware, Octopath Traveler is de facto the sport that made the HD-2D artwork type in video games very fashionable and extra mainstream again in 2018. Octopath Traveler II continued with the aesthetic when it launched final yr in 2023.
Which means 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 greater due to the 3D components. 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 have a look at it and take it in. The visuals are positively high notch.
Subsequent, let’s talk about the audio. That is in all probability 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 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 seems like such a minor criticism.
Now it’s time to speak about gameplay. Personally, turn-based RPG fight could 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 remaining boss that takes me dozens of tries, and generally it’s simply partaking sufficient in a roundabout way.
Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II are largely 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 larger 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 may exploit these to interrupt their defenses. What’s good is that if you hit an enemy with its weak spot, 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 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 foremost issue is the enhance mechanic. Each flip, every character good points a lift level. You’ll be able to 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, should you enhance an space of impact fireball spell, it appears to simply multiply injury. Nevertheless, should 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 primarily based on their weaknesses including one other layer of technique that’s straightforward 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 expertise you’ll be able to 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 regulate and higher gauge if my social gathering is doing okay, if I might be losing stronger assaults, or if I’m not hitting onerous sufficient with my present technique. Truthfully, the truth that that is my high criticism ought to inform you a large number about how unbelievable these video games are.
As you battle, you’ll be able to expertise factors which degree you up and JP which could be spent on new expertise. I truly actually like this JP system. Additionally, after getting your fourth talent, the character unlocks their first help talent that are passive buffs. Further help expertise 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 massive, extra detailed, items of artwork, however your social gathering stays pixel artwork. I don’t hate it, however part of me does type of want that in larger fights we bought to see larger artwork of the social gathering.
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 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’ll be able to problem an NPC to fight, particularly Provoke. It simply doesn’t appear very helpful so far as I’ve performed.
If you happen to had been interested by Octopath Traveler, I might say that it’s actually good and value it. Actually, its rating is correct right here. It’s positively price enjoying should you like JRPGs.
