Our critique of Octopath Traveler 2 , the tremendous subsequence to Square Enix ’s most underrated JRPG .
In 2019 , Square Enix releasedOctopath Traveler , a JRPG that has cash in one’s chips on to become recognized as one of the literary genre ’s premier titles . With its world - social class display , gorgeous throwback visuals , and stellar turn - based armed combat , there was n’t much on the grocery store that could compete . Almost four years later and we got the chance to reviewOctopath Traveler 2 , which promises to construct on the rattling instauration of the original .
Much like the first secret plan , Octopath Traveler 2follows theadventures of eight hero . Each of these Hero fills a fantasy role , be it a stoical warrior , plucky merchant , or tragic scholar . In addition , each of them has a consecrate storyline cross five chapters that explores their theme and sees them grow into Solistia ’s okay adventurers .
WhileOctopath Traveler 2does keep the same core design as the original this is by no means just a serviceable subsequence . Square Enix has listened carefully to feedback on the first game and follow up some central change that help address its biggest defect .
A more connected party
The most criticized aspect ofOctopath Travelerwas how its company member just acknowledged each other . Despite the eight party members working together , they would n’t mouth to one another or interact much at all . It offend the taradiddle big clock time . The narrative felt disconnect , as though each party penis exist in a separate timeline despite sharing the same world .
The sequel makes an attempt at repair this by greatly increase how often the political party interact . The full-grown gain is the new Crossed Paths plot line which see party penis work together on a common goal . These are fun add-on that help flesh out each character ’s personality . unluckily , there are only four to act as through . This is a actual shame , as these Crossed Paths storylines produce some of the best moment .
There are also some smaller changes that help make your company finger alive . For one , you could no longer omit out on the change of location give-and-take between party appendage as they can all be replayed in the daybook . Plus party members will call out to each other during battle . We ’re only talking simple idiom like “ Nice one , Osvald , ” and “ splendid work , Hikari , ” but it make a bigger difference than you might expect .
Screenshot by PC Invasion
To be clear , Octopath Traveler 2is still noPersonaorThe Legend of Heroes . While company member do interact more often than the original , these interactions precipitate unretentive when compared to other character - centrical JRPGs . Square Enix has no plans of discarding this franchise ’s identity with its master focus still being to deport eight gamey - quality single plot line .
The power that lies within
If you did n’t delight the combat inOctopath Travelerand it was a deal - breaker , I ’d nullify its sequel . Octopath Traveler 2doesn’t make many change to the combat , choose to stick to the same template . This is n’t necessarily a bad thing , as the first game had some of the better good turn - based machinist in the industriousness , but it is something to be aware of .
The one significant variety is the introduction of Latent Powers . These are a series of unequalled powers that each graphic symbol can use once their latent power gauge fill up . Some of them are big attack , others declare oneself unbelievable debuffs and a few even temporarily change the prescript of battle . The addition of Latent Powers aid each eccentric finger more distinct from one another .
Outside of Latent Powers , most combat - related changes inOctopath Traveler 2revolve around gameplay balance . Many jobs have been rebalanced and expanded to make a fairer and less plot - breaking meta . Although it ’s still possible to deal some preposterous price even as early as the mid - game if you hump your stuff .
Screenshot by PC Invasion
Explore this wonderful world
The public of Solistia is a delight to explore , volunteer greater diversity than its forerunner , Orsterra . There are now two freestanding continents that offer all character of cultures and landscapes for you to experience . From the beastling tribes of Toto’haha to the ore minelaying town of Orerush to the city that is New Delsta . If you’re able to think of a community of interests , there ’s probably some equivalent in Solistia . Plus this fantastic world is supported by equally sensational visuals which pick up right where the first game left off .
On its own , the novel daylight and night cycle does n’t add all that much . It ’s pretty to reckon at as some of the cities see especially gorgeous at nighttime , but the gameplay implications of this mechanic are limited . However , what is telling is that just about every vocal inOctopath Traveler 2has both a day and Nox rendition .
The daytime songs tend to be more uplifting and pollyannaish while their nighttime equivalents are dull and soothing . Having two disjoined soundtracks and being able to switch between them at will is the sort of nuanced gameplay design that you just do n’t see all that often these sidereal day .
Screenshot by PC Invasion
That sentiment lend itself to the rest ofOctopath Traveler 2 , which is just a well - craft experience . I mean no exaggeration when I sayOctopath Traveler 2is one of the well - made games on the marketplace today . In my playthrough , I experienced zero crash , no celebrated bug , and a flawless frame rate . In an industriousness that is obsessed with launch unfinished games and promising to fix them later , Octopath Traveler 2proves that it ’s still possible to release a Cartesian product that feel complete .
Another defining entry
When it was released in 2019,Octopath Travelerbecame the delimitate JRPG of its year . Four years later , Octopath Traveler 2carries the torch by doing exactly the same . Square Enix has done a great Book of Job of not falling into the bunker of reinvent the wheel . This sequel just continues deliver on what the original did well while tidying up and improving its weakness .
The only true disappointment is how Crossed Paths have been manage . These new storylines should have been given the limelight but are or else treated as a side number . The four Crossed Paths inOctopath Traveler 2are awesome , but the fact that there are only four is a problem . Hopefully , if we see another incoming in this series it can take that last stride and cement itself as perhaps the best JRPG ever made . For the time being , I ’ll continue playing this incredible plot that does almost everything right .
Screenshot by PC Invasion
Screenshot by PC Invasion
