Octopath Traveler 2 arrives for PlayStation, Switch, and PC platforms some four-and-a-half years after its predecessor. Notably, a couple more games have borrowed the original Octopath Traveler's spectacular HD-2D engine since - the tactical RPG Triangle Strategy, and the surprise remake of a cult classic, Live A Live.
For some, the special appeal behind the gorgeous engine itself may have begun to fade. In that case, it must be asked - does Octopath Traveler 2 stand on its own enough to appeal to a wide variety of potential players, including those who are looking for more than (admittedly terrific) eye candy? Here's what several of us here at TheGamer have to say on the matter.
Review
Evergreen Editor Ryan Bamsey sums it all up with a promising tagline: "eight wonderful tales well-told." If you aren't familiar, both the original Octopath Traveler and its 2023 sequel follow the unusual narrative approach of giving eight playable characters their own individual, chapter-based stories.
A common complaint regarding the first game is that there was next to zero interaction between party members, as this fairly unique structural spin prohibited it. "Compared to the previous game," Bamsey happily reports, "Octopath Traveler 2 is surprisingly competent at handling its disparate narratives." There's more party banter, a shared climactic story chapter, and even a handful of quests that pair the 'travelers' up in duos to give them plenty of interaction. Smart stuff.
When you get to the paired chapters and the final sequence, all eight characters finally interact at last, and it feels like the rest of the game is full of missed opportunities.
That said, there could still have been more. As he notes above, Bamsey mulls over how much more could have been done with the cast if they were allowed to see each other for more than a few hand-picked moments.
In other areas, Bamsey is more relentless in his praise, labeling the combat and job system 'robust' and the graphics 'incredibly beautiful'. Despite a few misgivings, he gives the game 4 out of 5 stars.
Time Expenditure
Octopath Traveler 2 is a game that is packed with content. Players who found the first entry somewhat sparse in offerings beyond the core narrative will probably be much more pleased here. Conversely, those who thought Octopath Traveler was somewhat of a slog may not love the fact that its follow-up feels that much longer.
If your goal is to clear every chapter, including the grand finale, but you aren't too keen on spending time elsewhere, you're looking at around 60 hours. We wager you can rush that down to around 45 if you don't linger around the lengthy areas leveling up or grinding JP to unlock nifty skills.
On the other hand, completionists should prepare to set aside a hefty chunk of time. Finding all the optional dungeons, snagging every side quest, grabbing every license and legendary weapon - it all adds up to around 90+ hours.
Cost
Octopath Traveler 2 is available on the following platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Its MSRP is $59.99. There's no 'Digital Deluxe Edition' for an extra cost or anything of the sort, nor is there any DLC planned (that we know of at the time of this writing, in any case) to tag on a Season Pass.
There is, however, a Collector's Edition - for a whopping $179.99. Whether you find its art book, soundtrack, and collection of eight character busts worth the price hike may prove irrelevant, as interested parties are put on a 'waiting list' on Square's online store. We're not sure there'll ever be further copies of this thing, but feel free to try!
What People Are Saying
A Turn-Based RPG At Its Finest -Seth Palmer
Octopath Traveler 2 improves upon everything the first game nailed and irons out all of its kinks to deliver a profoundly emotional and magical experience from start to finish. Every character, story beat, and encounter is executed on such a high level that it will be impossible not to recommend this to fans of the genre or those looking to break into it for the first time!
A Wonderful Second Outing -Ryan Bamsey
The reason everyone keeps saying that Octopath Traveler 2 is just the first game but vastly improved is because it's the truth. This game features a wonderfully-constructed world, a compelling cast of characters, and a fantastically flexible combat system. It evokes feelings of excited wanderlust and adventure, and tells some brilliant stories. It is absolutely worth the price of entry and the time commitment it demands.
Better In Every Way -Quinton O'Connor
I've long defended the admittedly flawed Octopath Traveler as one of 2018's finest role-playing game releases. That said, I had a veritable grocery list's worth of ideas for how it could be improved upon. It's almost like Team Asano over at Square Enix read that list - or maybe my list was simply the same as everybody else's. I could wax poetic over a dozen different elements, but I'd like to draw primary attention toward the writing; this script is head-and-shoulders above its predecessor's in all the right ways.