Octopath Traveler II Reviews
Octopath Traveler II is the rare sequel that manages to improve on the original without changing too much, finding success by expanding and polishing.
Octopath Traveler II doesn't reinvent the wheel to stay relevant. Instead, it dives deeper into what made the first game so much fun. It doesn't hold up quite as well as the original, but it's still an excellent JRPG to play!
As a fan of JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II shines as an excellent classic JRPG experience for the PS5. It is a very easy recommendation for PS5 owners wanting a good JRPG while they wait for Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters to make their way to next-gen consoles. If you're a PS5 owner and are curious about JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II works as a great entry point into the genre, giving some players a taste of party management, mild grind, and incredible storytelling. I'd caution some newer players unfamiliar with the genre to consider using a guide, but the combat is easy enough to pick up and play without feeling like a text guide is required.
When compared to the original, Octopath Traveler II is largely more of the same but better.
Octopath Traveler 2 makes a number of improvements to the original, yet it is still an extremely similar game — for better and for worse.
While Octopath Traveler II is a better game than the first overall, thanks to improved writing, visuals and combat, we would have liked to see more courage from the people at Square Enix and Acquire, which both did a great job with this IP five years ago. Nonetheless, this is an absolute must buy for RPG fans all around the world.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Octopath Traveler II outdoes its predecessor and adds in a lot of missing features as well as new mechanics, making it feel like a grander journey to embark on.
Modern games are all about the player experience, but Octopath Traveler 2 isn't. If you change your mindset and take the time to experience it, you can feel the magic that keeps people hooked despite its awkwardness. It's like a thick adventure book, with exciting content no matter when you open it, and once you close it, you won't miss it too much. Octopath Traveler 2 is indeed a game that chooses its players, and I am happy to go back and forth with it.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
I had high expectations for Octopath Traveler II, and yet it somehow managed to meet basically all of them. It certainly doesn't deviate much from Octopath Traveler I's formula and thus will probably not convince detractors of that game, but they managed to improve upon every aspect of it while also making a beautiful self-contained experience that doesn't require any knowledge of said predecessor to be enjoyed. The battle system is expertly designed and incredibly fun, the characters and their stories are wonderful, and the presentation is top notch – there's really not much more I can ask for in a JRPG. So if you like that genre even a little bit, this game is one of the easiest recommendations I can give.
There is a profound sense that the developers learned a lot of lessons from the criticisms of Octopath Traveler. This sequel addresses every single one of them and at the same time, they got so much more creative with the characters and writing. Octopath Traveler II may not reinvent the wheel, but it is one of the best and most reliable wheels around.
For the most part, Octopath Traveler II plays it safe but the end result is still engaging and compelling.
Octopath Traveler 2 is made with love and care that can be felt by whoever decide to give this game a shot, from the breath taking 2D HD Pixel art to the legendary soundtrack and engaging combat mechanics. Square Enix gave us their first huge win this year with this legendary game
Review in Arabic | Read full review
However, if you really enjoyed Octopath Traveler and want a better, improved version of the combat and overall exploration, Octopath Traveler II will deliver that in spades. This is a strong RPG that I enjoyed my time with, but it's not a bold new step forward. Instead, it moderately iterates on an enjoyable formula to good success.
Octopath Traveler II is an excelent example of how to release a classic JRPG with a modern flair. Its engaging narrative and captivating characters by themselves already deliver a highly valuable title, but it is on the rich simplicity of its combat where it reaches an even higher bar. The small technical issues, excessive random encounters and simplistic character evolution system are the only complaints that can be made about a title that delights at every minute.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Octopath Traveler II is a case of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Almost everything is very similar to the first game, but there's more content, and the features are smoother. There are a number of areas where the developers clearly had more confidence than they had in the original Octopath. I loved the first game, and I found the second to be a more enjoyable experience in pretty much every way. It's a charming, delightful, and incredibly fun JRPG experience that fans of old-school RPGs should relish.
Octopath Traveler II’s core strength is its characters, and this bunch of eight heroes are some of the finest you’ll find in the genre. There’s a real emotional rollercoaster built into the way you’ll experience their stories stacked on top of one another, and it’s backed by some amazing worldbuilding, a slick and strategic combat system, and, of course, those stunning HD-2D aesthetics. The original was already exceptional. This is even better.
Octopath Traveler II is a solid JRPG that shines beyond its nostalgic tricks. With fantastic storytelling, beautiful visuals, an exceptional soundtrack, and engaging combat mechanics, the game delivers 8 memorable journeys. While it stays in line with its predecessor, Team Asano and Acquire understood the areas of improvement and worked to deliver a great experience
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Octopath Traveler II's solid artistic design, unforgettable characters, and sublime music make it not only a great sequel but a fantastic RPG experience that nobody should miss.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Despite some shortcomings, Octopath Traveler II is one of the best JRPGs of the year. It’s nice to know that developers have took all feedback to heart and addressed the main issues with the original game, while adding new mechanics and improvements across the board.
Octopath Traveler II demands 50-60 hours for eight uneasy stories in a RPG world which doesn't needs just its saving, but redemption for characters, reaching lifegoal, truth or fulfilling their ambition. Part of originality is gone, but new elements are reliving good formula for veterans and new players too.
Review in Slovak | Read full review