When I ask people for their thoughts on the original Octopath Traveler, opinions are varied, but seem to flow in a broadly positive direction. Gorgeous visuals, breathtaking music, engaging battles, and an overarching charm — that's what folks tell me. And I concur. Yet even as this praise is heaped, it's often followed with a rather damning caveat: that Octopath Traveler overstays its welcome, and players seldom seem to stick with it the whole way through. There are several reasons for this, but they share a common thread. I'm told that its charm can't hold it together, that the magic of the HD-2D engine flickers and fades. All the more frequently, there are gripes galore toward the tedium of its repetitive storytelling structure. Eight characters. Four chapters apiece. And that's a wrap. It's too dull an approach to hold one's attention for dozens of hours, and worst of all, the sense of repetition is heightened exponentially because the protagonists of Octopath Traveler almost never speak with each other in any capacity. There's no growth between them, only on their lonesome, and none of the supporting NPCs in their respective stories remotely covered the bill for that costly creative decision. While I nevertheless adore

I've been spending some serious time with Octopath Traveler II, Square Enix's next big HD-2D adventure and the sequel to the game that started it all for the increasingly popular aesthetic. To be blunt, I'm pretty much in love with it. Let me be clear, however. I adore the original Octopath Traveler. I'm a big fan of the HD-2D engine it brought into the world, and I was impressed with its continued usage in Triangle Strategy and Live A Live. I think composer Yasunori Nishiki's soundtrack for the first game is outstanding. The fast-paced combat feels great, too. Best of all, I love interrogating the hundreds of townsfolk in that game with its 'Path Actions' - reading profile blurbs about them, robbing them blind, compelling them to become my minions, so on and so forth. I mentioned all that with the hope of establishing some precedent before I dive into my time with the sequel. Octopath Traveler II, you see, does not reinvent its series' wheel. Rather, it refines that wheel. Having experienced the inaugural story chapter for each of the game's eight playable characters, I'm feeling very good over here. I'd go so far as to say it's an improvement

During today's Nintendo Direct presentation, Square Enix's incoming RPG Octopath Traveler II will get a free demo on the Nintendo eShop later today. The full game is set to launch on February 24, 2022. The demo, which features the opening hours of the game, will allow you to transfer progress to the main game. Octopath Traveler II is also coming to PlayStation 4, but a demo announcement for that platform is not immediately available, but expected. Update : Demo launch timing for the following platforms has been shared: PlayStation 4/5 — February 8, 2023: 3pm PST / 11pm GMTNintendo Switch — February 8, 2023: 3pm PST / 11pm GMT.Steam — February 9, 2023: 9am PST / 5pm GMT. Stay tuned for the latest! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoQ-VpcXDZg

Square Enix's latest update on Octopath Traveler II features information about two more of the eight protagonists you can choose from: Throné the Thief and Temenos the Cleric. Each protagonist comes from a different background and has unique "path actions" or skills they can in the field - which actually differ in day or night. They also have special latent powers and abilities they can use in combat by way of their jobs. Additionally, we also get a look at how each story will have important decisions in how they play out. For example, Ochette can choose between one of two travelling companions on her journey. The game will also have a speed boost mode, useful for times where you want to characters levels in a shorter amount of time. Furthermore, protagonists will cross paths on their journey, and when said two meet there will be a special scenario that plays out. You can also check out Throné the Thief and Temenos the Cleric here. Octopath Traveler II will launch on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on February 24, 2023. Square Enix has a physical Collector's Edition for the PlayStation and Switch platforms, an exclusive to the Square Enix store. Ochette & Castti Character

A new update on the upcoming Octopath Traveler II offers up a look and overview on two characters being introduced for the first time. These characters are Partitio, the Merchant and Osvald, the Scholar - a pair of protagonist that will make up eight in total. Having witnessed the rise and fall of his hometown, Partitio journeys across the land to expand his abilities as a salesman. He can purchase items from folks in town and hire others to join his own party as guests. He also has the unique skill to obtain discounts from Business Partners. Osvald has an entirely different outlook. He was sentenced to a life term in prison following the murder of his wife and daughter. Having been jailed for 1,879 days at the start of the game, Osvald's story begins mapping out his daily life in prison. Osvald is unique because he can scrutinize people and gain information to fight against townsfolks and claim their belongings. He can use a Study Foe ability that points out enemy weaknesses whilst in combat. The character video also offers up a look at Latent Powers too. Osvald, for example, uses Concentrate Spells, which can increase single target spell potency, and

Fresh off the announcement of Octopath Traveler II at today's Nintendo Direct, Square Enix shared an overview of the title's updated features in a new blog post. Set to release February 24th, 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, this game marks the first simultaneous multiplatform launch for the series. It's interesting to note that this game features a whole new premise with a new cast of characters, who will now interact more often — a criticism of the first game's handling of its eight disparate stories. The 'Break and Boost' battle system returns, and a new Latent Power gauge will allow you to execute flashy special moves. The HD2D style Square Enix has developed "evolves" here, with some 3D camera work in combat and more animation applied to the sprites to increase their emotiveness. Check out what Square Enix had to share below: Eight new travelers, each with their own stories In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, you choose one of eight characters and set off on an adventure. Along the way, you’ll meet the other seven characters, and maybe even join them on their own adventures! All these characters come from different walks of life, making for a particularly varied and interesting group

Square Enix revealed the next installment in their HD-2D Octopath series and full sequel to the original, Octopath Traveler II. The series will be expanding to multiple platforms with a release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam in addition to Nintendo Switch and is currently available for pre-order on select platforms. Octopath Traveler II follows up on the release of the 2018 original that promises to take the series into greater heights. Players will explore the world of Solistia and experience the adventures of eight new travelers in a new era. New and returning gameplay features and elements include: Break & Boost Battle System – Players must act strategically to exploit enemy weaknesses to “Break” them in order to inflict more damage, and “Boost” their travelers to enhance their abilities.Path Actions – Players can interact with NPCs throughout the world in various ways by using actions unique to each character. Path Actions will vary depending on the protagonist and whether it is day or night.Brand-New Story and Characters – Players can embark on a grand adventure in the new land of Solistia and experience the intertwined stories of eight new travelers: Hikari (Warrior), Agnea (Dancer), Partitio (Merchant), Osvald (Scholar),

Square Enix's latest update on Octopath Traveler II features information about two more of the eight protagonists you can choose from: Throné the Thief and Temenos the Cleric. Each protagonist comes from a different background and has unique "path actions" or skills they can in the field - which actually differ in day or night. They also have special latent powers and abilities they can use in combat by way of their jobs. Additionally, we also get a look at secondary jobs, those that can be acquired and assigned to characters in addition to their primary job. For example Throné is a Thief, but can learn abilities belonging to the Cleric job if it is assigned as a secondary job. These are unlocked by obtaining the requisite license from guilds across Solistia. Support skills that are acquired from training jobs are added to a pool that can be used no matter what support job you assign; some can even be used outside of battle. Furthermore, protagonists will cross paths on their journey, and when said two meet there will be a special scenario that plays out. You can also check out Partitio the Merchant and Osvald the Scholar here. Octopath Traveler II will launch

Square Enix has the latest salvo of Octopath Traveler II info courtesy of the official blog. This time, we get a preview of two of the eight protagonists you can choose from: Osvald the Scholar and Partitio the Merchant. Each protagonist comes from a different background and has unique "path actions" or skills they can in the field - which actually differ in day or night. They also have special latent powers and abilities they can use in combat by way of their jobs. Additionally, we also get a look at travel by ship, a primary method of navigating the world of Solistia. You'll be able to customize the appearance of your ship, namely the color and emblem on the sail. Some areas can only be found sailing like sunken ship sand uncharted islands. Furthermore, protagonists will cross paths on their journey, and when said two meet there will be a special scenario that plays out. Octopath Traveler II will launch on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on February 24, 2023. Square Enix has a physical Collector's Edition for the PlayStation and Switch platforms, an exclusive to the Square Enix store. Osvald & Partitio Character Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuQnpuseDZ0 The world of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II The story takes

I still recall how happy I was the day Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light was announced for the Nintendo DS. As someone who had enjoyed both of the system's classic remakes -- Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV -- I longed to see a fresh spin on an old-school formula. Alas, I wasn't as smitten with The 4 Heroes of Light as I had hoped. Its customary franchise trappings felt forced and I failed to engage with its narrative. Its strongest aspects were its most foreign; chief among them was the "Boost" command, which gave players the choice to pass on a character's turn, coming back stronger with more powerful abilities when next permitted. Above all else, there was a sense in my mind that The 4 Heroes of Light held promising gameplay mechanics let down by tradition. Along came Bravely Default, the next project from the talented group of creative gurus affectionately known in fandom as "Team Asano." Producer Tomoya Asano elected not to serve up a direct sequel to his previous work, requesting instead that Square Enix allow him the liberty of developing something more akin to a spiritual sequel with a name and style all