The HD-2D game lineup from SQUARE ENIX is still a huge hit, with Octopath Traveler’s lifetime sales currently surpassing 3 million. With Octopath Traveler 2, a new JRPG that once again combines eight diverse characters and stories, there will be much more to come. While the new Octopath shares a striking resemblance with the original, the story and environment appear to be far more expansive, and there are also some minor gameplay changes in the works. Here is all the information you require about Octopath Traveler 2.
Unexpectedly, Octopath Traveler 2 received a release date at the September 2022 Nintendo Direct, with the game going on sale on February 24, 2023. The sequel to Octopath Traveler won’t be a Nintendo Switch exclusive, unlike the original instalment. The game will be available on PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch on launch day. It’s noteworthy to note that the first Octopath is presently only accessible via PC and Nintendo Switch, not PlayStation devices.
Even though Square Enix hasn’t officially made a demo announcement, it seems highly likely to happen soon. The majority of Square Enix’s most recent titles, such as Triangle Strategy, Harvestella, Star Ocean: The Divine Force, The DioField Chronicle, and Valkyrie Elysium, have prologue demos as well.
The setting of Octopath Traveler 2 is Solistia, a brand-new world that differs significantly from the one found in the first game. The reveal trailer depicts towns in Solistia that have more of a steampunk flair and feature steam engines, horse-drawn carriages, and impressive castles. Solistia appears to be in the midst of an industrial revolution.
Players in Octopath Traveler 2 will be able to select from eight distinct characters, each with their own unique story. This is similar to the original game. Although you can choose your starting character, you can also enlist the other heroes. This time, though, there is a significant distinction since in “Crossed Paths,” the hero’s stories truly narratively intertwine. You won’t only have other people as voiceless party members because it seems that when two certain protagonists meet, they can begin a new story that incorporates both of them. Here are the eight characters from the first game who belong to the same classes.
- Hikari, The Warrior (For Home)
- Agnea, The Dancer (For Stardom)
- Partitio, The Merchant (For Prosperity)
- Osvald, The Scholar (For Revenge)
- Throne, The Thief (For Freedom)
- Temenos, The Cleric (For Truth)
- Ochette, the Hunter (For Legends)
- Castti, The Apothecary (For Memories)
Turn-based combat, a sizable global map, route actions for each character, and a tonne of side missions are all included in Octopath Traveler 2 in the same manner as in the original game. If you haven’t played the previous game, the fighting is your typical turn-based combat with a twist thanks to the Break & Boost system.
Characters get one Boost point every turn, which can be spent to acquire extra actions in a turn. At the same time, adversaries have a shield gauge that decreases when you strike them with attacks they are vulnerable to. When the gauge runs out, they enter a “Break” condition and are unable to perform for a few turns. In addition to the previous game’s fighting features, each character in Octopath Traveler 2 will have a talent and a latent power that impacts battle. For example, the merchant Partitio has the talent “Business Partners,” which might result in bonuses during battle depending on who you employ. His latent ability “Hoot & Holler” may rapidly refill the BP of a party member.
Path Actions, on the other hand, are character-specific skills that may be utilised for a number of tasks, such as challenging NPCs to a duel or pickpocketing. This time, each character will have two distinct course actions based on the new day/night cycle. Square Enix has so far outlined the actions of four separate characters: Hikari, Agnrea, Partitio, and Osvald.
Hikari may challenge NPCs to combat during the day, which might lead to him gaining new battle skills. He may bribe NPCs at night to get access to information and regions. During the day, Agnea’s Path Action is Allure, which may be used to persuade NPCs to follow you and help in combat. Agnea can use Entreat at night to persuade NPCs to offer you times. As a merchant, Partitio’s route action is Purchase, which allows him to buy stuff from NPCs, however he requires money to do so. At night, his route action switches to Hire, allowing Partitio to pay money to bring along NPCs to assist in battle. Osvald, on the other hand, can utilise Srcutinize to get information from NPCs, albeit failure in the action will damage your reputation in town. At night, his route action transforms into Mug, allowing him to attack characters and forcefully seize objects and money.
Aside from the usual path activities and exploration, Octopath Traveler 2 will also bring new ways to travel across the planet. Players may explore rivers and bodies of water by hopping into canoes. A ferry system will also allow you to move between Solistia’s continents.