Octopath Traveler is a good JRPG that successfully channels the spirit of 16-bit classics like Final Fantasy VI (released as Final Fantasy III in North America). However, its biggest inspiration is the 1994 Japan-exclusive RPG Live A Live, whose remake was later released worldwide by the same Team Asano at Square Enix that developed Octopath Traveler.
In Octopath Traveler, you experience the stories of eight different protagonists, each with their own self-contained journey. As those stories unfold, the game drops increasingly obvious hints that something much larger is happening behind the scenes. That leads to one of my biggest criticisms of the game: the so-called "true ending" is hidden behind an optional chain of side quests, a design decision that I find baffling. After spending dozens of hours teasing a larger mystery, the game locks its actual conclusion behind content that many players will likely miss.
Overall, the HD-2D visual style is fantastic and, in my opinion, one of the best ways to pay homage to classic pixel-art RPGs while making them feel modern and visually striking. I absolutely love the art direction, and it's complemented by an outstanding soundtrack. Team Asano did an excellent job bringing this world to life through both its visuals and music.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the Break and Boost combat system. It adds a satisfying layer of strategy to every encounter, rewarding players who carefully manage their turns and exploit enemy weaknesses. Combined with a flexible job system, it allows for creative party compositions and some genuinely fun character builds and synergies.
Where the game falls short for me is in its storytelling. While the individual character stories have occasional emotional moments and a few memorable scenes, most of them lack compelling development or meaningful twists. The overarching narrative is even weaker. Rather than feeling like the natural culmination of the eight stories, it comes across as something that was added late in development, as if the writers never quite figured out how to weave the individual narratives into a cohesive whole.
For most of the adventure, the difficulty is well balanced. If you understand the combat mechanics and keep your equipment up to date, the game offers a satisfying challenge without becoming frustrating. The exception is the optional final boss, whose difficulty spikes dramatically compared to the rest of the game and can easily catch players off guard.
Overall, I would recommend Octopath Traveler to hardcore JRPG fans. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the excellent combat, gorgeous HD-2D presentation, and phenomenal soundtrack make it a worthwhile experience. Here's hoping the later entries—especially Octopath Traveler II, which I haven't played yet—build on these strengths while delivering a more compelling and better-integrated story, as many fans suggest they do.
Octopath Traveler is a game I enjoyed despite its shortcomings. It excels in presentation and combat, but its fragmented storytelling and disappointing handling of the overarching plot prevent it from reaching the heights of the JRPGs that inspired it. Score: 7/10
