Octopath Traveler 2 Review – Goin’ Places That I’ve Never Been

Multiple Blue Rings

The 2.5 HD visuals and the feel of an old-school JRPG enticed many. Upon release, however, some were turned off by the game’s grindy nature and disconnected plot.

Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

Despite providing eight protagonists, their stories didn’t interconnect in any real manner. As a result, despite enchanting graphics and a memorable core, Octopath Traveler failed to ascend to the upper echelon of JRPGs.

Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 2 MAKES YOU CARE ABOUT ITS CHARACTERS It’s not as interwoven as I would have preferred, but the game does find a way to wrap a bow around everyone’s adventure. Furthermore, there’s a lot of back-and-forth play between characters during battle.

Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

I would have enjoyed more banter outside of combat, though. Something akin to the Tales series, where talking heads discuss recent story events in the overworld, would have been perfect.

Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

THE TURN-BASED COMBAT IS EXCELLENT The initial appeal of the Octopath Traveler games is the visual style, but in reality, the combat is what hooks you. The turn-based system feels like a traditional JRPG combat system, but some tweaks and nuances help make it stand out.

Multiple Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

Battling enemies feels like an expanded game of “rock paper scissors.” Your job is to discover and exploit an enemy’s weakness. Not only will this do extra damage, but also help stagger enemies.

Multiple Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

These two systems go together perfectly, like peanut butter and jelly. Once you’ve learned enemy weaknesses and isolated the most intimidating foe, you can build up boost points to break them in one attack. Usually, it may take up to four or even five hits to break an enemy.

Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings
Blue Rings
Multiple Blue Rings

It needs to be noted, though, that battles tend to run on the longer side. Trivial enemies will put up a fight while you’re under-leveled. Over time, however, they can be effortlessly defeated. Thankfully, this can be done without endlessly grinding out levels.

Click Below to Read More

Click Below to Read More

Unwording Review – Best Left Unsaid

NEXT ON THE LIST: