Octopath Traveler lovers rejoice! We’re getting a sequel!
In September of 2022, Nintendo Direct announced several upcoming titles that we’ve all been waiting for and among them was Octopath Traveler 2. The trailer was promising and it looks like they will continue their vintage-style RPG, which fans loved from the first game. Here’s what we know so far about what’s to come in Octopath Traveler 2.
Though it’s a sequel, it won’t follow up on the original story from the first game. There’s going to be a new story with new characters, a new setting and eight party members with the same classes as the first game, but with unique path-action abilities. For the sequel, we’ll see more interactions between the characters and their environment, something that wasn’t as apparent in the first game.
The gameplay is the same but the main change Octopath Traveler II will bring would be the introduction of “Latent Abilities”, which will appear to replace the max boost abilities for each class in the first game. We don’t know if you need to still use a max boost to activate it or if it gets stronger by boosting them. Traversal is also getting a huge update as you can ride small boats along any river you can access and there’s a mechanic that can aid this exploration. Additionally, you can engage in battle in your ship and you can travel to ghost ships, which will most likely replace the fast travel mechanic.
The sequel is keeping its old-school style RPG, but it’s more clear and very detail-oriented, with more varied camera angles and more animations throughout the game to get the emotions across, something players of the first game will notice right off the bat. You can also have control of the day/night cycle so you don’t struggle with doing quests that only require you to do it at a certain time frame.
Octopath Traveler II is set to release PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on February 24, 2023. A physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to preorder via the Square Enix Store which will include the game, figurines of the eight party members, a 44-page art book and an extended battle tracks CD.
Valerie is a senior studying Digital and Print Journalism and minoring in French at the University of North Texas. After her cousin introduced her to video games at nine years old, it was love at first sight and plans to experience the world of gaming journalism in the future. Though her favorite game varies, Kingdom Hearts will always forever be her number one game series. Outside of her studies and gaming, she drowns herself in coffee and tries new food places with her friends and family.
