![]() ![]() Then we come to combat, which is the most satisfying and engaging element of Octopath Traveler II. There is overlap in the functions of characters' Path Actions, but judging which is most useful in a given situation adds a fun layer of strategy not typically present in JRPG town exploration. For example, merchant Partitio can buy items from NPCs during daytime at discounted prices, while at night he can hire characters as assistants in combat. New to Octopath Traveler II is a day/night cycle (which, thankfully, you can control at will) that changes which NPCs appear and what Path Actions are available to you. Path Actions are available when interacting with the majority of NPCs, allowing you to engage with them in a variety of ways: acquiring items, learning abilities, gaining extra information needed to complete main and subquests, and even recruiting them as helpers in combat. One of the most interesting facets to exploration are the Path Actions unique to each character. Octopath Traveler's lack of hand-holding compared to many other JRPGs may be off-putting at first-it doesn't offer much guidance aside from very basic tutorials-but the freedom it grants you to explore and attempt challenges at the comfort level you choose is one of its strongest points. In fact, going into risky places can yield some major rewards, but there's nothing particularly punishing about playing it safe, either. That doesn't mean you can stroll anywhere in the world without a care, however: Some areas feature significantly more dangerous foes than others, and trying to stumble through them with a low-level party is quite an extreme risk-albeit one the game doesn't prevent you from attempting if you feel confident in your survival skills. My personal favorite questline is the story of Osvald, who I chose as my starting character-a tale of a scholar who plans a Count-of-Monte-Christo-style prison escape and revenge after being framed for the murder of his own family by a scheming colleague.Īs soon as you finish the first part of a character's story, you're allowed to continue on to the subsequent chapters, as there are no hard barriers to progressing how you choose. Agnea's star-struck search for fame is notably bland, for instance, while Temenos' investigation into a murder plot by a religious cult and Throne's quest to kill the adoptive parents who raised her are excellent stand-outs. Some of them are comparatively weaker, but others command and hold your attention and keep you eager for more. ![]() The focus on individual character arcs rather than a huge, high-stakes threat for most of the game's runtime is refreshing, allowing Octopath Traveler II to tell a variety of intriguing stories that vary wildly in both tone and focus. Now Playing: Octopath Traveler 2 Video Review Eventually, you'll meet the other seven characters, allowing you to bring them into your party and follow their storylines as well, all culminating in a finale that ties the individual story threads together.īy clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's After an introductory story chapter, you are then free to explore the world to your liking. This character has their own unique background, story arc, and goals, and will serve as a constant presence throughout your playtime. Where most JRPGs present a linear method of progression, however, Octopath Traveler takes a very different approach: You begin the game by selecting a "main" character from eight candidates. The core of Octopath Traveler II is a traditional, turn-based JRPG with many of the usual gameplay elements: towns and dungeons to explore, objectives to complete, etc. And, for the most part, it has succeeded admirably. ![]() Perhaps the developers recognized this as well-with Octopath Traveler II, Square Enix seems to be trying to add new gameplay elements that give the franchise a personality of its own. These are great inspirations to draw from, but it resulted in a game that, while excellent, seemed to be struggling for a distinct identity. Its then-new HD-2D engine was a delight to behold, and the gameplay drew inspiration from some of Square Enix's most storied franchises: a deep Final Fantasy-style class and customization system mixed with the non-linear exploration and story of the SaGa series with a dash of combat that took cues from Bravely Default. Octopath Traveler was a pleasant surprise when it debuted a few years back. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |