Game Review #5

 

Title screen

Title: Octopath Traveler
Genre: Turn-based RPG 
Developer(s): Acquire, Square Enix
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Stadia
Release Date: July 13, 2018

About the story:

Octopath Traveler is set in the land of Orsterra, people believe that their world was created by 13 deities. 1 of the deities was sealed by the other 12 after trying to seize control and power. Play through 8 unique main and hundreds of side stories revolving around a rich lore.

World screen

Gameplay:

A turn-based RPG that mixes old nostalgic aesthetics with fresh gameplay features, Octopath Traveler gives you that old school turn-based battles with a twist which is the shield and boost points (BP). Every enemy has a set of number of shield(s) and weakness(es) which is hidden from the player if it's a first encounter with the said enemy or if the player hasn't exposed it through attacking / using magic that matches the enemy's weakness, hitting the enemy with a magic or weapon that it's weak to reduces it's shield and when the shield counter turns 0, a break happens where every attack to that enemy will be stronger regardless if it's an enemy weakness or not, the enemy also gets stunned for a turn.

Battle screen

Every start of the turn, the characters earn a BP (unless a character used a BP on the previous turn) which can be used to attack multiple times or to enhance a magic/skill making it stronger or last longer. A character that uses 3 BPs on it's turn can use a final skill.

Equipment screen

Status screen

Octopath Traveler features 8 main classes (1 for each character) and 4 additional advanced classes which are totally optional. The characters can't change their main class but you can add a secondary class (select from the other 11) to each character allowing them to equip different weapons and access to other skill sets. Every class boasts 4 different passive/support skills which can be unlocked every time a player purchases / unlocks a set number of active skills. Up to 4 (out of 48) can be equipped to a character given that the character has the said passive skill unlocked. Each character also has a unique path action and talent. Path actions can be used on the overworld to interact with NPCs or objects. Talents affect both the overworld and battles.

Verdict:

Gameplay: 4.5/5
Story: 4/5
Aesthetics: 5/5
Audio: 4/5

Octopath Traveler is a great game to pick up especially if you're looking for RPGs on Nintendo Switch. It features a familiar gameplay with it's turn-based system but it also incorporated some features to make it better. The game isn't really that challenging (aside from a couple of boss battles) and the game mechanics are easily understandable. A neat feature of this game is allowing the player to capture dungeon bosses which can be used as summons (limited use only). The player can also be rewarded richly for interacting with NPCs as some of the strong equipment can be purchased or stolen on NPCs, you can also invite NPCs to assist you on battles. Octopath Traveler has a low replay value due to the lack of a new game + system and end-game content. You can play through 8 main stories which aren't really connected aside from a few side characters appearing on some stories, the only time that those 8 characters interact is through the banters (mini cutscenes) that can be played in towns. Some stories are really great and there are others that are only okay, this game doesn't really follow the story pattern of most RPGs where the characters meet and team up to fight a common enemy, instead, this feels like more of an anthology series where you go and play multiple scenarios. The game has that retro look combined with high definition environment and effects, the characters and the world are well designed paired up with the utilization of the depth of field to give the game a rich and detailed look. The game's music on the cut scenes are really great, the world and battle themes are good, the voice acting on battles are good as well. However, some parts of the cut scenes seemed to be better without the voice acting in my opinion. Octopath Traveler is really one of best RPGs on Nintendo Switch, or maybe in the history of RPGs, it is a complete game which is suited for both casual and hardcore players. There are a few gaps but it doesn't take away the greatness of this game. I think i remember reading on some articles that the developers won't be providing a DLC for this game since they already made a "complete" game, while true that this game is really complete, i wish that the lore would be expanded (a prequel story maybe) but only one can dream.