Octopath Traveler 0 Reviews
A stellar combat system and multitude of strategic wrinkles are the glue that holds this well-told, if disjointed, episodic story together.
Octopath 0 maintains the series' gorgeous pixel-art aesthetic, while its adapted and evolved take on Champions of the Continent's gameplay ensures that it feels like a worthy console release.
It's one step forward, one step back for Octopath Traveler 0. Or maybe that's eight steps forward and eight steps back? Really, who's counting?
Octopath Traveler 0 is a perfectly solid instalment in the Square Enix franchise, though its overwhelming familiarity will make large parts of it feel like a retread. Its town-building mechanic and expanded party system are smart expansions, and the move towards a single, centralised story is a benefit. However, Octopath Traveler 0 will still feel largely the same in an experience below that of its predecessors.
Quote not yet available
Octopath Traveler 0 is a great game in its broadest strokes, but manages to miss the high benchmark that the rest of the series has set for me. The bones of a mobile game are still very much here, candied with the presentation of a console experience. Despite this, I still largely enjoyed my time with Octopath Traveler 0, and very much want to see more from this now staple franchise.
Octopath Traveler 0 shows that this game series still has serious legs. It has the most content in the series, the most playable characters, and some of the grandest moments.
Octopath Traveller 0 masterfully transforms the once mobile game into a fully fleshed JRPG romp that feels as feature-rich and engaging as the prior console and PC releases.
With addictive combat, a cohesive story, and greater accessibility for players less keen on the experimental nature of the series' other titles, Octopath Traveler 0 delivers exactly what is expected of it as an entry point to the series. If you have never played the franchise, start here. If you have, prepare to see the formula perfected and a story that will be highly rewarding.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Opencritic: Octopath 0 delivers the best turn-based combat of any RPG I've played, paired with the level of storytelling and twists we've come to expect from the series. With all of that, it just took me back to Square's golden age RPGs
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Octopath Traveler 0 might be a rebuild of a gacha game, but it's a fun, engaging and excellent stand-alone JRPG. There's no trace of the microtransactions and monetization, and what remains is a game that captures much of what makes the Octopath franchise so beloved. I expected something half-baked and got what might be my favorite entry in the franchise to date, and it's a title that I'd consider to be a must-play for fans of turn-based RPGs.
I have a few small issues, whether it's the late stages of the town building questline or the lack of class changing for all characters, but those are ultimately small potatoes to the successes that echo throughout the world of Orsterra in Octopath Traveler 0. The eight-player combat rules, the vignette-esque storylines are fascinating, and the overall world building is top notch. This is one of the best traditional turn-based RPGs I have played in ages and it makes me excited for what might be next from the folks involved with this excellent adventure.
Octopath Traveler 0 is a fine addition for the series, unifying the narrative while expanding the tactical depth of its renowned combat system. It still has minor flaws here and there, but overall is as solid as the premises suggested.
Review in Italian | Read full review
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 is a damn good JRPG. The world, despite my grievances with the main story, is interesting and fun to explore when the game lets you. Wishvale’s rebirth’s best parts aren’t the uninteresting city building but, again, the stories of the characters within. With great music and visuals accompanying all this, you can’t go wrong with SQUARE ENIX’s latest turn-based title. ∎
An unexpected delight, Octopath Traveler 0 isn't just a superbly polished addition to the franchise, it's one of the best RPGs of the year.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Octopath Traveler 0 refines many of the elements originally introduced in the first game, building upon the strong stories and gameplay additions of Champions of the Continent. It's a fusion of both, abandoning the gacha system and delving deeper into new protagonists and the reconstruction of Wishvale, a town that players can customize, adding depth to the characters. The welcome mechanic enhances the gameplay, along with the ability to field eight simultaneous fighters in the always visually stunning battles, the appealing 2D HD graphics, and a turn-based RPG that deserves more recognition for its achievements.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Octopath Traveler 0 builds upon the familiar foundation of its predecessors while introducing meaningful refinements that make this entry a must-play. The shift to a solo protagonist who embodies the destinies of the eight, along with streamlined mechanics, enriches both the narrative and gameplay, offering a more profound and cohesive experience. That said, the prequel remains firmly rooted in the series’ established formula. Longtime fans will recognize both the strengths and the recurring frustrations that have defined earlier entries. While a more linear approach to certain storylines might have provided smoother pacing, the branching paths ultimately preserve the distinctive charm that sets the series apart.
Quote not yet available
Review in German | Read full review
All of this doesn't make 'Octopath Traveler 0' a bad game, though. The prologue is fantastic, and neither is the final section of the story. There, the difficulty ramps up considerably, and your party composition becomes much more important. The middle section, however, is such a drag that you might wonder if it's even worth spending nearly 40 hours (the main story is about 60 hours long) on the same old thing for a happy ending. There are some really nice moments when characters in your village want to talk to each other, but even these are interspersed by several hours. That makes 'Octopath Travel 0' a game with great moments, but it's not a great game.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Octopath Traveler 0 is a fantastic RPG that features stunning HD-2D visuals, rich storylines, a mesmerizing soundtrack, and fast strategic turn-based combat. Combining all of these elements into a fantastic package that is rewarding and fulfilling, it reminds players why they fell in love with RPGs in the first place.