Raw excellence and classic charm versus the genuine feeling of timeless adventure. Octopath Traveler 2 is the best side of that Square Enix that knows how to return to its own origins without getting stuck in the nostalgia factor. The one that she doesn’t stumble when raising, sometimes impudently and others subtly, those clichés that we like so much. The one that hits the mark when it comes to plunging into turn-based battles without losing perspective on what is truly essential: her characters and stories have a special and distinctive draft in the player. Something that manifests itself from the first to the last minute.
And, in the process, through the exquisite sequel to the game that we fell in love with in 2018, Square Enix once again teaches something that it masters like very, very few: the ability to get to the essence of the JRPG and, from there, expose everything that differentiates the best from the rest.
From here, a contribution: most of the elements and strengths of Octopath Traveler 2 not exactly new to us. That’s how it is. It’s not a bad thing, for the record, but that results in the impact generated through its very careful artistic and sound section or those mechanics typical of Senda or Rupture and Impulse actions (we’ll get to them, don’t worry) are not surprising from the same way as the original. However the Team Asano y ACQUIRE they keep their own aces up their sleeves.
Octopath Traveler 2 Balance the balance between the new and the already seen through an exciting adventure that takes place in a new world created to be discovered. even of new ways or at different times. And, in the process, it validates the successes of the original without one overlapping the other in excellence. Which is not easy. As a result, in front of us is a new classic.
A JRPG that not only lives up to Octopath Traveler, which is already a high bar in itself, but also stands as a game and is enjoyed without depending on it. Being completely independent of each other. In fact, one of its great milestones is how, even starting from that base, it allows us to once again experience each and every one of its successes, its milestones and those elements that turned the original into a new mold for a way to experience the timeless role
But, as we will see, it is also a wonderful blank canvas to embark on new adventures. And, as you will see, boarding goes in the most literal sense of the expression.
Two continents, eight heroes and one destiny
A new era of great revolutions begins to sprout throughout the world of Soloist. In the region of the Radiant Landswhere at the slightest carelessness your wallet disappears, or in the Harbor Lands An industrial revolution has begun that is little transforming society. Although it is not always for the best: the wonders of science, knowledge, technology or mere prosperity are overshadowed by the interests or greed of a few against the good of many.
There are exceptions in very specific aspects, of course, such as the exotic inhabited areas of the desert region of Hinoeuma in which time and customs pass at their own speed, or a curious island in Toto’haha inhabited by demi-human creatures called terios. Relatively isolated regions with one element in common with the rest: in these times of great change heroes needed more than ever.
Driven by fate and circumstance, eight travelers begin their journey through the two continents of Soloista. A guerrero, and merchant, a huntress, a apothecary, and erudite, and cleric, a ballet dancer and, of course, one thief with skillful hands capable of pulling the chestnuts out of the fire. None of them is aware that at some point on their journey they will end up sharing an even greater adventure with the rest. Nor are they aware that much more is at stake than their own motives.
Unlike other JRPGs, and as with the original, in Octopath Traveler 2 there is no main protagonist. It is, rather, eight adventures that intertwine the destinies of its protagonists and progressively, as the game evolves, they end up being part of a larger story. The first big difference compared to the 2018 game, by the way, is that now the destinies of our heroes are not only interconnected, but they go on adventures together.
Although we will start by choosing any of the eight heroes and the story will begin from him (or her), little by little the context will expand as we travel. In this way, we will insert the new chapters of some with the continuation of the ones we already had. So far everything the same as in Octopath Traveler. However, in this installment new stories are enabled that only appear when carrying certain travelers.
Without going into too much detail, Osvald (the scholar) and Partitio (the merchant) will end up in a new mess when they run into an astronomer. Fostering more and better chemistry and dynamics between the characters themselves and, in the process, addressing one of the aspects that deserved to have more weight and be better posed from the original. Inviting us to squeeze more and better the possibilities of the game. Above all now that we can travel in new ways.
Pure classic RPG. News that brings new nuances
The artistic section of Octopath Traveler 2 is simply exquisite. It’s a feast for the eyes, while also drawing ties to JRPG classics by combining traditional pixel art and matching 3D environments. The result is a world that seems miniature, almost like a diorama, which looks even better with the wonderful soundtrack whose scores are provided by one of the stars of the house: Yasunori Nishiki He signs other works such as Final Fantasy VII Remake or Kingdom Hearts III and he is always right. This time, she directly nails it.
Although it is fair to say that for some time now we have become somewhat accustomed to the 2D-HD style by Square Enix, the quality, the plans and the employee of the same that is given in Octopath Traveler 2 It is on another level, much higher than the first installment and other RPGs in the house.
Not only in the narrative field or at the level of generating an atmosphere in which it is a pleasure to get lost, which also, but because in addition to the above, in this sequel, duality is sought much more.
In Octopath Traveler 2 we can toggle between day and night with a button. And that matters. First, because that affects the events, the enemies and the characters that we are going to find in the course of the game. But it is that, in addition, our heroes will have different unique abilities, called path actions, depending on whether the sun shines or they take shelter under the moonlight.
Thus, if we play with Throné Anguiss (the thief) in her story or that of any other hero during the day we will have access to the Steal action, which will allow us to reach into other people’s pockets, although if we mess up we will lose reputation. This already happened in the first game. What’s interesting is that at night Throné herself changes her lane ability to Ambush, which allows her to knock other characters unconscious. Opening many more alternatives when playing or continuing the story.
The changes and novelties of this duality add up to a very well planned turn-based combat system, in which the delicious Pixel Art of the enemies is complemented by a very simple, intuitive attack system and with a very successful strategic background in which we can not only enhance our initiatives, but also take advantage of our classes. And, as a novelty in this sequel, the Potential is added: each hero has a special characteristic capable of turning any event around.
Although it does not affect the game mechanics as much as the exploration itself, another of the great successes of Octopath Traveler 2 it goes through trips through the water. First in canoes and small boats and later on board our own boat. One that, by the way, we can customize. Something that will not only make it much more interesting to travel across the two continents, but also open the door to new stories, new unexplored islands, new treasures and, by extension, new adventures in the face of a JRPG that has already been left over for hours. . And decisions.
Because in Octopath Traveler 2 what we choose throughout the development of each individual story matters. The destination of all travelers may be written, but it is the nuances that make it different. At a certain point, and to give an example, Ochette will have to choose which two of her adventure companions from the island of Toto’haha will accompany her throughout the great story. One of them works better during the day and the other at night. Once we are clear, there is no going back.
Different elements that give character and an own value to the adventure itself, make it much more personal and that, added together, round off a JRPG that will meet the expectations of fans. A new classic in each and every one of its aspects.
iGamesNews’s opinion
Octopath Traveler 2 revalidates the base, the essence and the greatness of the JRPG. He shows that it is possible to achieve excellence and dazzle fans of the genre from beginning to end through those sensations that until not too long ago seemed reserved for 16-bit classics. And although it does not surprise as much as the original in terms of art, despite surpassing it, it revalidates everything that you already liked about it and He knows how to bring his own personality.
Although it cannot be said that it is a blank canvas, since many of its successes are directly inherited from the 2018 game, it does find a great balance between what is new and what is already liked. In part, thanks to its heroes with their own charisma and multiple nuances. With human stories with a touch of melancholy and room for optimism. With a great plot that is spinning at our own pace and that will end up obsessing us with each new advance.
Not everything is perfect, for the recordgiven that Octopath Traveler 2 it stumbles upon a stone that was already very present in the original: sometimes there are excessively contemplative sections (which can be circumvented with a button) and in others their difficulty skyrockets in an incomprehensible way. Nothing that can’t be solved by taking a couple of extra detours to get new weapons, better jobs and some money with which to buy, haggle -or steal- better weapons.
In any case, Octopath Traveler 2 It is an example of how and why good JRPGs hit the player so well. How a saga can move in the right direction, starting from scratch at the content level and without dispensing with anything that made us fall in love. Something that only great games made with timeless classic wood can do without.
Octopath Traveler 2
Platforms | Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 y PC |
---|---|
multiplayer | No |
developer | Team Asano / ACQUIRE |
Company | Square Enix |
Launch | February 24, 2023 |
The best
- An exquisite JRPG experience with classic and absolutely flawless art.
- Eight heroes who exude charisma and who star in stories with a lot of depth while the larger plot unfolds.
- The decisions and interactions between the protagonists have much more weight
- New ideas that give an extra character and variety to its classic touch
Worst
- The difficulty is irregular: a simple story can lead to a great challenge that will take us directly to the last save point
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