Octopath Traveler 0 is here, and it is a game that took me wholly by surprise for the sheer amount of content this once mobile-game-turned full-fat JRPG delivers.
Square Enix has smartly taken its 2020 mobile game release (in Japan) of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent and has eloquently transformed it into a standalone JRPG experience that can stand proudly next to the first two numbered entries into the beloved 2D-HD series.
Octopath Traveler 0 is the perfect jumping-off point for new players, and it offers enough content for returning travellers to feel at home while still setting them on a new, expansive adventure. Octopath Traveler 0 opens with the player character’s hometown of Wishvale falling to the tyrannical forces of corrupt individuals, each of whom shares a twisted desire for power, fame and wealth.
With the village destroyed, players begin a quest for vengeance and renewal, determined to rebuild Wishvale from the ground up. Octopath Traveler 0 gives players a decent amount of freedom, allowing them to confront the three villains responsible for razing Wishvale in any order. Along the way, players meet some of Wishvale’s displaced residents, unlocking pockets of exposition and short quests that eventually send these characters home, strengthening Wishvale’s revival. Gradually, the town becomes more customizable as the game progresses, echoing the town-building mechanics in Dark Cloud, though on a more rigid scale.
“Octopath Traveler 0 to last anywhere from 60 to 80 hours, depending on how thorough they want to be.”
Of course, this accounts only for the opening hours of Octopath Traveler 0, with the game divided into eight chapters and an extended epilogue. The epilogue itself lasts about six to seven hours, and the post-game content offers even more to do. This is also when players finally gain full control over rebuilding Wishvale. Prospective players can expect Octopath Traveler 0 to take anywhere from 60 to 80 hours to finish, depending on how thorough they choose to be.
Combat in Octopath Traveler 0 will be familiar to returning players, with its fast-paced turn-based battles that feature gorgeous, larger-than-life sprites for its enemy and boss encounters. With an emphasis on strategically placing your party of eight characters in different rows, on top of its Boost Point system, which allows party members to charge up their next move or attack, fans of classic turn-based JRPGs will be satisfied.
“Octopath Traveler 0 is the JRPG for RPG enthusiasts, featuring a perfect blend of retro and modern.”
One of the more unique aspects of Octopath Traveler 0 is the way it handles conversations with non-player characters, which often go beyond reading a short piece of exposition and moving on. Many of the NPCs across the continent of Orsterra offer players chances to gain extra insight, barter for lower prices, or receive powerful and valuable items. Some NPCs can also be recruited, either by hiring them with gold or by defeating them in combat, adding variety to the game’s encounters. These characters can then be deployed in battle as temporary support, usually lasting only a few uses before they expire.
Players can also enlist certain NPCs who can be sent back to Wishvale to become new residents, supplementing the dozens of additional heroes available as party members throughout the Octopath series. If you enjoy the mechanical depth of a long, winding JRPG, such as Suikoden or many games from the Super Nintendo era, you will likely enjoy Octopath Traveler 0.
Octopath Traveler 0 is a JRPG for role-playing fans, offering a balanced blend of retro and modern design. Beyond its solid gameplay loop, Octopath Traveler 0 carries the familiar, melodramatic tone of the series. It may not win awards for its writing, but it creates an uncanny sense of nostalgia that only Octopath can deliver, giving longtime fans a must-play role-playing experience.
Ultimately, Octopath Traveler 0 offers the same strong JRPG experience fans expect, enhanced by a unique town-building mechanic and many hours of content, while remaining approachable for both new and returning players.
