Octopath Traveler for the Nintendo Switch is finally here, and reviews have been mostly positive for the new Square Enix RPG.
The Octopath Traveler demo, which was released in September last year, showed the potential of the game, with its beautiful graphics and an interesting combat system. Nintendo then revealed in a Nintendo Direct stream in March that the Octopath Traveler release date is set for July 13.
Octopath Traveler: Story, Graphics, And Gameplay
Octopath Traveler is a modern JRPG that looks to evoke the magic of Square Enix's classic 16-bit RPGs, such as Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger. The game does not disappoint in that regard.
True to its name, Octopath Traveler offers players the choice between eight main characters, each with their own stories and abilities. After choosing the first character, the player then sets forth on an adventure to find the other seven characters of the game.
One of the most striking elements of Octopath Traveler, according to Polygon's Jeremy Parish, is its visuals. Square Enix used Unreal Engine 4 technology with vintage sprites, resulting in a world that combines modern and classic graphics. Parish describes the look as having a similar effect as Bravely Default, but with Octopath Traveler doing a better job at it.
Another major selling point is the Octopath Traveler gameplay, with a combat system that preys on enemy weaknesses like in Persona 5. With eight characters available to form parties of four, "there's a dizzying amount of potential and opportunities to optimize techniques," said Screen Rant's Leo Faierman.
Is The 'Octopath Traveler' Story Too Confusing?
One of the drawbacks with the non-linear approach of Octopath Traveler is that with eight characters, the story becomes "a messy one," according to Engadget's Mat Smith. This was echoed by Nintendo Life's Mitch Vogel, who said that the piecemeal storytelling may be viewed by some players as negatively affecting the story's cohesion.
However, Vogel goes on to say that due to the interesting storylines of each character, Octopath Traveler feels like an episodic RPG, with all parts set in a world that becomes clearer as the player progresses. The set-up works for the Nintendo Switch as a portable console, as each chapter only lasts about one to two hours, perfect for road trips and commutes.
Octopath Traveler: Must-Buy Nintendo Switch RPG
Destructoid's Chris Carter said that Octopath Traveler, despite blandness in some dungeon crawls, remains fun to play, with compelling characters and incredible graphics.
The Nintendo Switch was lacking a go-to RPG for fans of the genre, but it appears that the hole has been filled with Octopath Traveler.
