Octopath Traverler, the game that managed to put everyone in agreement that Old School JRPGs with modern mechanics are still at the top. And all the more reason 5 years later to see a sequel arrive with a new story to tell us. But surprise this time, not only on Switch, but also on PS5, PC and PS4.
Where to start?
First of all, it’s good to remember that Octopath Traveler 2 uses the same technique as the previous installment called HD 2D. This means that the title is in 3D using pixelated 2D textures to offer a better rendering and more depth. Not to mention the superbly placed 3D lighting effects that offer much more brightness to the divergent slideshow.
Moreover, this kind of technique allows the use of a 3D camera. This offers totally different depth shots than a classic 2D RPG. This offers a unique dynamism to the title and also what makes everything work so well in a retro title.
To the adventure, companions…
Octopath Traverler 2 is not a sequel to the first part. But a bit like Final FAntasy, Dragon Quest and others. The title is indeed a new unique adventure. But has the strength to offer the start and the chronology of events freely.
But apart from that, Octopath Traverler is above all a game that is deeper than a classic turn-based JRPG. We are on strategy at all levels. Knowing that we take almost everything from the first title, the old players will quickly be in conquered ground.
A story for eight paths.
If the beginning of the game seems difficult and crucial. We realize that little by little, it is increasingly easy. The hardest part will be choosing a first character. Because you can quickly join the other 8 characters of the title and follow their adventures in the order you want when you want. But do it quickly enough in the sense that all of them will be level 1 when you join and therefore won’t be very useful until you have trained them a little.
The particularity of your first choice and the following one will be especially the unique abilities of each character. On our side, we chose the swordsman Hikari who wants to save his people. For example, the character can either fight an NPC and get a new ability or bribe for information.
So each character has unique abilities of the kind. Like bribing NPCs to help you in battle. So it’s up to you to see what you want to start the adventure with.
Strategy at the core.
We talked about it above, but the title is a turn-based game. But with a central strategy aspect. Basically, if your fantasy is to farm and hit without thinking. You’ll just get run over by simple monsters.
You will first find the weaknesses of the enemies facing you. If at the beginning, these are weak to what you have as equipment and abilities. Later on, all this becomes more complex. Once you have found the weaknesses, you will be able to cause rifts and thus hit behind with big damages.
To do this, you have the right to your abilities. A gauge of exaltation that allows you to make several moves. And finally a reserve of energy that will allow you to use powerful and devastating techniques. In other words, everything is set up to quickly hurt your enemies by exploiting their weaknesses.
Finally, Octopath Traveler 2 is above all a title that relies on the first part. It’s a pity and at the same time the title avoids taking risks. It is still very good with some corrections. But it would be better if the title offered more scenarios linked to each other rather than stories that are done without much connection.
