OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

[h3]This is a very well-rounded JRPG that performs admirably in every aspect. I do recommend this title. However, there are also frustrating design choices present in this game that players should be aware of beforehand. These could be a deal breaker for many.[/h3] [h1]Pros[/h1] [h3] A freely explorable world[/h3] [b][u]This game is structured relatively openly, almost like an open world, which means it allows the player to explore largely out of curiosity.[/u][/b] Players are only vaguely restricted by the recommended levels of each area, which implies they have great freedom to determine their own pacing. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3722794122 [h3] HD-2D art style[/h3] [b][u] The Octopath series is the pioneer when it comes to this visual approach, which is becoming increasingly prominent these days.[/u][/b] Developers use modern technology to better present the vintage look of JRPGs from previous generations. Their attempts to rejuvenate a former legacy with modern presentation are admirable, and I personally find this aesthetic appealing. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3722794557 [h3] Combat system[/h3] [b][u] The combat system is not revolutionary, yet it is definitely above average.[/u][/b] The BP mechanic introduces an extra resource management layer that adds challenge and tests players' turn planning ability without overdoing it or making the system feel too demanding. There are different skills for the starting jobs and the hidden jobs. Most of these skills are varied and powerful because of their mechanics, not just because of their raw damage. [b][u] Mixing and matching skills from different jobs is extremely satisfying.[/u][/b] What makes the situation even better is that this game allows characters to take secondary jobs, which multiplies the skill combinations and makes exploring the synergy of different abilities generally very fun and rewarding. [h1] Mehs[/h1] [h3] Mediocre story[/h3] [b][u] The story of this game is generic.[/u][/b] It is serviceable, nothing more. To be honest, the writing for some characters is below average, but overall it is okay. [h3] Repetitive music[/h3] [b][u] The music generally suits the moments,[/u][/b] yet many of the tracks are heavily reused, which makes an epic string track feel like the background music of yet another generic miniboss. [b][u] The composition is relatively lackluster[/u][/b] ; the texture of the music in this game is boring, most layers of sound are basically playing the same rhythm with different instruments, and the harmonic layers are just repeating uninteresting and generic harmonies. Many tracks sound grandly orchestrated, but turn monotonously quickly. [h1] Cons[/h1] [h3] Trash mobs and overly frequent encounters[/h3] The enemies engage the player in random battles, which is already frustrating. To make matters worse, they are randomly assorted together, and the minion fights are just a bunch of trash mobs forcefully fed to the player. [b][u] The worst part is that fights occur extremely frequently, even with the scholar's passive skill, Evasive Maneuvers, turned on.[/u][/b] It is so nerve-wracking that the exploration pace gets disrupted every ten seconds. It is unbearable for a game that purposefully wastes players' time. [h3] Boring fetch quests and obscure side quests[/h3] [b][u] The side quests in this game are mostly fetch quests,[/u][/b] and to be honest, I think it would be good for the industry if there were no more fetch quests. Developers are not obligated to fill the world with 200 tasks if the budget does not allow uniquely designed quests; just do not do it. Less is more. Worse still, the conditions for quest completion are often extremely obscure, which forces players to look up external guides just to finish yet another simple errand. [h3] Unskippable credits[/h3] [b][u] The end credits are not skippable,[/u][/b] and honestly that is absurd. Some say it is good manners to acknowledge the effort of the developers and other contributors. I agree with that, but I do not want to sit through it; I just want to move on to other things quickly after beating the title. I hate that the developers force-feed the end credits to the players, which feels like pure arrogance. [h1]Overall[/h1] [b][u] Overall, it is a good game. [/u][/b]Nothing really stands out as exceptional, but nothing is really abysmal either. I think it is a great game for JRPG fans and also a potentially good starting point for different kinds of gamers who want to try getting into JRPGs. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3735647089 [quote=] For more reviews similar to this one, feel free to check out my curator page [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45590326-RPGs-ENJOIYERS/]RPGs ENJOIYERS[/url]. (English) [/quote]