Octopath Traveler II Reviews
Octopath Traveler II is a spectacular sequel, and the easiest recommendation I could ever give to RPG fans.
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.
It didn't take me long to realise how special Octopath Traveler 2 is. It is a game that has so much to do and explore, but never feels overwhelming or watered down in any way. Featuring one of the best turn-based combat systems I've ever encountered, alongside an emotional and deeply connecting narrative on all fronts, Octopath Traveler 2 is truly a monumental achievement that confidently stands among some of the genre's finest entries.
There’s little doubt that turn-based RPG fans will find incredible satisfaction from the title, and those who enjoy expansive lore and deep, customizable job systems will fall head-over-heels in love.
Octopath Traveler 2 is a JRPG unlike anything I have played in recent years. Its combat system feels so fresh compared to the original considering the latest powers and EX abilities. The focus on character interactions, as well as their respective voice cast, allowed me to fall in love with every character from the main cast. As well as leaving me stunned by the calculated risks taken in the finale of the game that deliver emotionally impactful moments. The sites of Solistia and the freedom I had to explore with the soundtrack accompanying me left a lasting impact on me. Octopath Traveler 2 is an absolutely fantastic time from start to finish even when reaching the 70-hour mark. You do not want to miss it. As I believe it is the best in the class of Square Enix’s 2D-HD games so far.
The developers proved they listened to their fans by including more travel banter and all-new companion sidequests, giving them believable reasons as to why they would be traveling with each other. All the new features enhanced an already great concept, making Octopath Traveler II a true masterpiece of a RPG.
Octopath Traveler 2 is all about losing yourself in mini stories that connect to a wider, more epic tale – a little bit like The Lord of the Rings or a Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones in that regard. It’s also a game that lets you flex your strategic muscles as it plays on your nostalgia, all while delivering something new.
You will begin your playthrough by selecting one of the eight protagonists as your main character. I went with Hikari, the Prince of the kingdom of Ku. You can experience every character’s storyline, but the main character will use their own Path Actions. This sees a return from the previous game and allows one to interact with NPCs in unique ways, such as stealing, gaining information or an item. However, there are two available; daytime and nighttime.
Octopath Traveler 2 is a Game of the Year contender in my eyes: not only because it is an exceptional experience in its own right, but also because it does everything that a good sequel should do.
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is one of the best JRPGs I’ve ever played. 2D-HD graphics, in particular, have a striking visual flair. All these path acts contribute greatly to providing the player with an enjoyable experience, as the game features some interesting stories and a highly interactive universe. Those interested in the genre should check it out, and those who enjoy JRPGs with a strong emphasis on exploration and story should consider it a must-play.
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.
Octopath Traveler 2 is one of the best JRPGs ever made. It continues to deliver on what made the original so good while improving on its weaknesses. Its only true flaw is that the new Crossed Paths stories are treated as a side act rather than the main selling point. Despite this shortcoming, when all is said and done Octopath Traveler 2 will be remembered as an all-time great.
Octopath Traveller II is a brilliant RPG that improves and expands upon every aspect of the original game. The narrative feels deeper thanks to the newly introduced Crossed Paths, exploration is fleshed out thanks to the day-and-night cycle, whilst combat feels more strategic than ever thanks to the secondary jobs and Latent Abilities. And don’t get me started on the visuals, which are simply gorgeous throughout. It does have a few minor missteps, most notably with the narrative tying together and some battles dragging out longer than they need to, but they don’t stop Octopath Traveller II from being another unmissable RPG hit from Square Enix.
Octopath Traveler 2 is a fantastic follow up to the first Octopath game and an incredibly fun and rewarding JRPG adventure with a large but deep party of characters. It’s music will captivate you right from the start and it’s combat and job system provided plenty of room for individual customisation. It’s taken what worked in the original game and further advanced aspects as well as fixing up a number of the issues pointed out with the original game some fans didn’t particularly like to create a great adventure game, and one of my favourite JRPGs from recent years. It’s a long adventure, but it’s one well worth checking out.
Thanks to a fantastic combat system, entertaining stories and a spectacular visual style, Octopath Traveler II is the sequel we have been waiting for so much. It is a JRPG for those of us who love JRPGs.
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Octopath Traveler II takes everything that works about the original, makes it better, and is a fantastic game steeped in appropriate nostalgia.
Octopath Traveler 2 is another love letter to Square Enix’s golden years. It’s a greatest hits comprised of mechanics from across several franchises, even if it doesn’t build on the original’s formula too much.
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
Octopath Traveler II manages to improve on almost every aspect of its predecessor, whether they needed it or not. The exploration is deeper with more nooks and crannies to nose your way through. The combat is far more intricate, giving greater options to build your party and skillset, and a large degree of player choice. The visuals are absolutely beautiful, and the sound design is phenomenal once again. Honestly, Octopath Traveler II has basically negated the need to play the first title, and I cannot think of higher praise.
Octopath Traveler II surpasses the original in every way. The additions to combat were greatly needed and spiced up battles, the story, characters, and pacing are leagues better, and somehow the music cranks it up another few notches. There are still a few issues to be ironed out, like grinding, but this is a retro-style RPG you won't want to miss.