Octopath Traveler was a real treat for JRPG fans when it launched back in 2018. The game blended together retro-fuelled 2D visuals, turn based combat and an extremely deep and layered tale. And it was all crafted by Acquire and Square Enix, who know a thing or two about JRPGs. So, it’s a bit of a no brainer to see the Japanese studio dishing up a follow-up with Octopath Traveler II.

Octopath Traveler II aims to refine the foundation set in the first game, as well as giving fans more of what they love.

Every Epic Journey…

The game doesn’t mess around as it gives you the choice of one of eight different character. Agnea Bristarni, a dancer; Partitio Yellowil, a merchant; Hikari Ku, a warrior; Osvald V. Vanstein, a scholar; Throné Anguis, a thief; Temenos Mistral, a cleric; Castti Florenz, an apothecary; and Ochette, a hunter.

Which starter you pick will affect where you being in the game’s world, Solistia. Solistia is composed, for the most part, of two weighty continents divided by a huge sea.

Don’t fear on missing out, though, as each of the characters you could have picked from will eventually end up fighting by your side. The choice really boils down to your character being the highest level in your party.

Patience and Thought

With each of the crew joining you on a quest of their own and as you play you learn more about them; what drives them as well as filling in their past. This adds a feeling of bonding, and building a relationship to this rag tag group. Crew interactions also play a significant part of building Octopath Traveler II‘s main tale. No spoilers.

Octopath Traveler II is not a title for those looking for a quick hit of gaming fun. The game encourages you to take your time and really explore the world, going off the path or sneaking into houses in towns for better loot.

Given that when new members are Level 1 when they join you, the exploring does pay off in the end. Although there are a few tricks to bump them up a level or two. For example, playing their chapter or power levelling through the use of particular skills.

And though each member will have a core job, you can assign them a secondary job. This will in turn open even more quests for them to do, as well as giving you more options in combat based on the jobs.

Time-Based Combat

Octopath Traveler II uses an interesting combat system where the time of day or night will affect your enemies, as well as your party. Sometimes picking when you fight is almost be important as how you fight.

It’s a turn based affair though so a real slice of classic JRPG action, where you use buffs and chain attacks to defeat enemies, often using their elemental weaknesses against them.

Your party’s job also grants them access to a number of support skills, which, based on their role they can earn by spending points elsewhere.

Japanese Roleplaying Games 2D pixel art sprite-based

You can speed up encounters but beware some areas in the game will see you falling out of one battle one second, only to start a new one the next. Though there are a few support skills to help you having to go through this.

Beauty Is Power; a Tile Is Its Weapon

Visually, Octopath Traveler II is stunning. Like its predecessor, the game mixes together a blend of 3D and 2D, complete with a pixel art style that creates something very unique on the visual front.

Sound wise, Octopath Traveler II is as epic as you would hope. There are a few cracking tracks in the mix that change tone and vibe depending on which area of the world you are in. And the game’s voice work is solid across the board. You can even switch between Japanese and English as you see fit.

On the negative side, the UI leaves a lot to be desired. Octopath Traveler II‘s UI is just a bit to minimal for its own good at times. And the mini map is more often than not just a foggy mess that sees you having to open the map in the main menu, rendering it pointless.

Also, we like a bit of a mystery, but some of the side quests point you in a direction and that’s your whack. It can end feeling like luck, or a fluke, completing them at times.

Octopath Traveler II is an epic title that evolves the formula set in the original game, while streamlining some of its issues.

There are still a few bumps in the road, but if you’re looking to lose 80 or 90 hours of your life exploring a magical world, Octopath Traveler II isn’t far from perfect.