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Hello everyone, this is Masashi Takahashi, producer of Octopath Traveler. If you’re reading this article, it means that you have at least a bit of interest in Octopath Traveler II… and if that’s the case, I’m delighted!
This game marks the first time the series has been playable on PlayStation, so I thought I should introduce the series for those of you who haven’t encountered it before. So read on, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Octopath Traveler II.
It’s a completely standalone game
Firstly, don’t worry if you haven’t played the original Octopath Traveler – there’s no continuous narrative between that game and Octopath Traveler II!
This is an entirely standalone game set in an entirely new world with entirely new characters. Even if this is your first time with the series, you’ll be able to enjoy all of its elements.
It uses a beautiful HD-2D art style
Do you enjoy pixel art games? Many of you may find yourselves drawn to this game due to its graphics. Octopath Traveler II uses ‘HD-2D’ visuals – a unique graphic style that combines pixels with 3D CG. It looks good in screenshots and video, but it’s something you really have to experience first-hand by actually moving around the game with your own hands.
It creates a captivating effect that feels both modern and nostalgic at the same time! It’s particularly appealing on PlayStation, thanks to silky smooth 60FPS gameplay that makes it feel as good to play as it looks.
You can play as eight heroes
You don’t get to choose just one hero in Octopath Traveler II – you get to choose between eight!
Each of the Travelers is unique, and once you pick your first character, you’ll be able to encounter the others, add them to your party and experience their adventures too.
So, who are these brave adventurers?
Hikari the Warrior – a young prince with a kind heart. After a coup leads his kingdom down a warpath, he sets off to find a path to peace.
Agnea the Dancer – a talented dancer who delights the locals in her small village with her performances. But she dreams of bringing smiles to more people and inspired by her mama, sets out to become a star.
Partitio the Merchant – a young merchant with an uncanny nose for commerce. After experiencing the decline of his hometown, he’s determined to find a way to save people from the pain of poverty.
Osvald the Scholar – framed for the death of his wife and child, this brilliant magical mind is muzzled and sent to prison. He vows to escape and find the man responsible for his suffering.
Throné the Thief – a talented member of a thieves’ guild trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of crime and death. She sets out on a journey to find the leaders of the guild and break free from this life of misery.
Temenos the Cleric – a laid-back Inquisitor for the Order of the Sacred Flame. An investigation into tragedy in his church leads to an exploration that will change his life.
Ochette the Hunter – a talented young hunter living a peaceful life on a remote island. In order to prevent an incoming catastrophe, she sets out on a quest to find the three Creatures of Legend.
Castti the Apothecary – a mysterious healer found drifting at sea. With no memory of who she is, she embarks on a quest to recover her memory.
Each of these heroes has their own distinct personalities, motivations, talents, and abilities that help them in and out of battle. Speaking of which…
Break and Boost combat system
Octopath Traveler II’s world of Solistia is full of dangers as you’ll regularly have to face off against monstrous foes. Combat is fast-paced and deeply strategic thanks to the ‘Break and Boost’ system.
The key to success is ‘breaking’ enemies. By exploiting their weaknesses, you can reduce your foes’ Shield Points to zero and stun them for a turn. What’s more, all your attacks do critical damage!
Boosting adds another tactical edge to combat. Each turn you earn boost points, which can be spent to take multiple actions on a turn, strengthen attacks and more. Knowing when to use your points and when to save them is just one strategic decision you’ll have to think about as you fight.
Using these features, along with a massive range of attacks, magic spells, special abilities and more, makes combat feel consistently engaging and satisfying.
Path Actions let you interact with the world and its people
The eight travelers don’t just have awesome attacks to unleash in battle, they also have abilities that let them engage with people in towns and cities. These are called ‘Path Actions’ and they let you do some really fun things.
Every character has two Path Actions – one they use during the day, another at night, and there are often different ways to achieve the same objective. For example, if an NPC has an object you want, you could either use Partitio to splash the cash and buy it from them, or use Osvald at night to mug them and just take it.
And that highlights another key feature of Octopath Traveler 2 – it’s your adventure. It’s all about letting you explore the story and gameplay systems at your own pace and allowing players to discover their own unique experiences.
I hope this rundown makes you consider playing Octopath Traveler II. The game releases for PS5 and PS4 on February 24.