Octopath Traveler II Review: The Great Eight

Don’t let the generic name of Octopath Traveler II fool you, because it’s not just a half-baked sequel to the first one released in 2018. I would’ve preferred the name to be a bit more unique, but hey, who can complain when there’s a genuinely special experience here? Square Enix’s nostalgic pixel art turn-based JRPG sees the paths of eight different protagonists cross in an epic adventure across the world of Solistia. This retro masterpiece improves upon many of the systems that dragged the first game down whilst retaining the beautiful HD-2D visuals that so many fans fell in love with.

Surprisingly enough, you actually don’t need to play the first Octopath Traveler before diving straight into the second. Because the sequel is a completely standalone experience, both fans of the first game and newcomers can enjoy it. The story, again, follows eight (octo, get it?) different characters who are all unbeknownst to each other but come together as part of the overarching narrative. You choose one protagonist to start your story off with, meeting the rest along the way naturally. Should you choose Agnea, the dancer, Hikari, the warrior, or Osvald, the scholar? The choice is yours! Don’t worry because you’ll experience all eight stories eventually and needn’t start a new game with a different character. That being said, whoever you choose as your starting traveler is stuck with you permanently until you complete their final chapter.

Returning Systems

Octopath Traveler II is a perfect example of don’t fix what isn’t broken, as Square Enix has retained many of the systems from the first game. Those who played the original Octopath Traveler will feel right at home here with the sequel. While the developers did attempt to address some of the criticisms from the predecessor, it’s still a mixed bag at times. Examples are inactive party members continuing to not gain experience points or having to travel back to taverns in town to swap out characters. There is some mitigation made here as under-leveled party members do get a slight boost in exp so that they can catch up faster. Some chapters are also locked behind a level cap, forcing you to grind out a few more levels to progress the campaign. These are all minor annoyances, admittedly, but they still should be mentioned nonetheless.

Combat continues to follow traditional turn-based fashion focused on “boosting” and “breaking” that was present in the first game. Path actions make a comeback as well, which are special abilities unique to each traveler. Every turn, party members can accumulate boost points that can be saved for extra attack power or moves in the future. Emphasis is put on exploiting enemy weaknesses to break their shield points, which leaves them vulnerable to attacks. Every character has their own special class and job, and each comes with its own unique moveset and combat style. Characters can also be slotted with a subclass, for further party build variety and customization. What is new here is the introduction of latent powers, which sort of act like the limit breaks from the Final Fantasy games. A gauge fills whenever you take damage, deal damage, or break the enemy, and the result is a devastating skill that can be unleashed once full. It’s a welcome addition to gameplay that only enhances the overall battle system.

And Refreshing New Ones Too

Other new additions include the day and night cycle, which can be triggered on the fly or naturally from progression. Every character inherits different skills and abilities at night, such as Castti’s power to soothe townspeople and send them to sleep. The time of day also affects the appearance of the town itself, resulting in different NPCs to interact with. Scattered throughout the world are also guilds that you can obtain licenses from to snag a new job for one of your party members. Lastly, even though the overarching story remains the same, the game does feature subtle changes depending on small choices you make during gameplay. What I admire most is the freedom of choice and exploration, as you can do virtually anything you want in any order you please. There’s just so much to get lost in, and I always tell myself that I will play “just a little more.”

Octopath Traveler II is a deeply fleshed-out game, with every character’s own personal narrative feeling extremely developed and engaging. Without spoiling anything, there are quite a few unexpected plot twists to be unraveled. Square Enix has taken the extra step here by further fleshing out character interrelationships with the crossed paths side missions, that see pairs of party members work together towards a common objective. The excellently voice-acted travelers further enhance the narrative experience. It’s not just the travelers either, but the world of Solistia is stunning with the pixel-perfect HD-2D art style. Environments are wildly unique, ranging from cowboy towns and eastern battlefields to icy mountains and lush forests. Each also features a good variety of enemy types and designs, with their own unique challenge.

Superb Soundtrack & Unparalleled Performance

Those who know me already understand how much of a role music plays in my life, and the elegant soundtrack created by Yasunori Nishiki does not disappoint. The evocative music from both the choir and orchestra bring the game to life with its multitude of arrangements. Whether it’s the heavy rock from the In Pursuit of themes or the solemn piano themes of night, the songs never fail to keep me engaged. It’s a shame that the official soundtrack isn’t available on streaming services yet, but whenever it does, please have a listen because it’s absolutely phenomenal. Even if the game isn’t your cup of tea, the music is something that should be appreciated.

I think most people interested in this game would probably opt for the Nintendo Switch version, thanks to its portability and the fact that retro-inspired games like this feel better on a handheld device. Did you know that the first game wasn’t even released on any PlayStation consoles? However, I am here to tell you that I played through Octopath Traveler II on the PlayStation 5, and it is flawless. The PS5 version of the game almost loads instantaneously thanks to the SSD, and even DualSense haptic feedback features are supported. The HD rumble implementation feels immersive, and the game runs at a crisp 4K 60 frames per second. If you don’t really care too much about portability, then the PS5 is hands down the way to go.

Conclusion

Octopath Traveler II is a worthy successor to the first game, considering it improves upon many of the faults from the original whilst introducing refreshing new systems. The beautiful pixel art, engaging turn-based combat, gripping storytelling, and immaculate soundtrack make this game one of the must-plays of the year. The essence of nostalgia it manages to capture is simply unparalleled.

Final Verdict: 4.5/5

Available on: PC,  PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch; Publisher: Square Enix; Developer: Square Enix, Acquire; Players: 1; Released: February 24, 2023; ESRB: T; MSRP: USD 59.99

Full disclosure: This review is based on a copy of Octopath Traveler II provided by the publisher.