Octopath Traveler II

Memory is a funny thing. It can distort our perceptions of our lives, and our experiences aren’t ever really what we remember. Even when the specifics of a memory fade away, though, the feeling of the moment remains. Octopath Traveler II captures the feeling of those memories beautifully, and it’s not a game I’ll soon forget.

It’s utterly engrossing without ever feeling overwhelming, and every system feels fine-tuned for maximal enjoyment.

Octopath Traveler II's solid artistic design, unforgettable characters, and sublime music make it not only a great sequel but a fantastic RPG experience that nobody should miss.

Octopath Traveler II is a worthy successor to the first game, considering it improves upon many of the faults from the original whilst introducing refreshing new systems. The beautiful pixel art, engaging turn-based combat, gripping storytelling, and immaculate soundtrack make this game one of the must-plays of the year. The essence of nostalgia it manages to capture is simply unparalleled.

An outstanding achievement from start to finish. Octopath Traveler II takes what made the original such a success and builds on it. It may feel more of the same but why fix something if it isn't broken. The additions made to exploration and combat are all for the better. The only real issue is that not much effort went into making the game less grandy or addressing the various difficulty spikes Octopath Traveler II suffers from.

Octopath Traveler II is a case of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Almost everything is very similar to the first game, but there's more content, and the features are smoother. There are a number of areas where the developers clearly had more confidence than they had in the original Octopath. I loved the first game, and I found the second to be a more enjoyable experience in pretty much every way. It's a charming, delightful, and incredibly fun JRPG experience that fans of old-school RPGs should relish.

Octopath Traveler II is the worthy second chapter of a series that made the history of the genre to which it belongs. The influences deriving from the predecessor are more than obvious, but the filings made to the formula, the additions and the large amount of content make it one of the best JRPGs out there.

Octopath Traveler II is an excellent example of how to release a classic JRPG with a modern flair. Its engaging narrative and captivating characters by themselves already deliver a highly valuable title, but it is on the rich simplicity of its combat where it reaches an even higher bar. The small technical issues, excessive random encounters and simplistic character evolution system are the only complaints that can be made about a title that delights at every minute.

Octopath Traveler II presents enough rich, turn-based action to forgive its minor combat system flaws. It's a breath-taking work of art, filled to the brim with story and adventure, bolstered by a cast of incredible characters who will leave you wanting more at every turn. A masterfully crafted RPG.

Octopath Traveler II will correct what was not convincing in the first game. Although the game is very close to what has already been seen, it is still an excellent JRPG. Now we have new mechanics that make it a more strategic game. The interaction between characters is much better because of how they relate to each other. If you liked the first game, you'll love this one for sure.

Modern games are all about the player experience, but Octopath Traveler 2 isn't. If you change your mindset and take the time to experience it, you can feel the magic that keeps people hooked despite its awkwardness. It's like a thick adventure book, with exciting content no matter when you open it, and once you close it, you won't miss it too much. Octopath Traveler 2 is indeed a game that chooses its players, and I am happy to go back and forth with it.

Octopath Traveler II is what a JRPG should be. It does have eight compelling stories, solid and fun combat, and quite relaxing music. It should be in the collection of any JRPG fan.

Octopath Traveler 2 is a successful sequel that builds on the strengths of its predecessor and brings meaningful improvements.

Octopath Traveler II is a solid JRPG that shines beyond its nostalgic tricks. With fantastic storytelling, beautiful visuals, an exceptional soundtrack, and engaging combat mechanics, the game delivers 8 memorable journeys. While it stays in line with its predecessor, Team Asano and Acquire understood the areas of improvement and worked to deliver a great experience.

Underneath the beautiful presentation lies a great JRPG that unfortunately lingers a little too much in its old glory. Being nostalgic for the past is super fun, but things like the random encounters, the turn-based battles and the story have really gotten better in modern RPGs. I also expect that from Octopath Traveler 2.

Octopath Traveler had set the bar so high in 2018 that it was not certain that its successor would manage to do as well. If it is not necessarily very daring in terms of novelties, this second opus above all strives to refine an already almost perfect formula by integrating ever more subtleties. Fascinating in terms of the scenario, the game system and the strategy resulting from the fights, the title also displays a mastery of HD-2D more fascinating than ever with striking light effects. Too bad the emotion is a little less palpable throughout the adventure.

Octopath Traveler II plays it safe when it comes to its core gameplay, offering a handful of small positive tweaks that don’t entirely make up for returning problems like clumsy party management and battles that take too long to wrap up. Thankfully, the game also takes a big, confident step forward in writing, offering a cast of well-wrought, interesting characters and a vividly-detailed world you won’t soon forget. Octopath Traveler II may have the same old engine under the hood, but the road trip it takes you on is well worth experiencing.

Another great nostalgia trip to the time of the pixelated JRPGs that doesn't bring many new things, neither to the Octopath series nor to this long-lived genre, but it still introduces us to eight unique characters and stories that you shouldn't miss - if you have 100 hours to spare.

Beautiful presentation and captivating characters make up a little for the lack of grand narrative, plus there’s a clever and engaging battle system. [Issue#25, p.88]

If you loved Octopath Traveler or are just a fan of expansive JRPGs, Octopath Traveler II is for you. Its cast is appealing and varied, even if the accompanying shifts in tone and stakes between each character’s storyline can feel jarring at times. The combat is also a joy, rewarding experimentation and customisation, despite the amount of level grinding required later in the game. If you want a fun, if familiar-feeling, JRPG that will last you a while, Octopath Traveler II will absolutely do the trick.

A JRPG that refines, polishes and perfects the formula explored by its predecessor, delivering an experience that borders on excellence in each of its sections, including its addictive combat system. A must for fans of the genre, especially for those who miss the stories that do not tend to grandiloquence.

When compared to the original, Octopath Traveler II is largely more of the same but better. The battle system is just as enjoyable as it was the first time around with additional layers of strategy added. Solistia is a great new world to explore, and the added day and night cycle help make everywhere feel more alive. While at its core it plays like a classic turn-based JRPG, the Break and Boost system helps set it apart from the classics that inspired it. The HD-2D graphic style does a fantastic job in making Octopath Traveler II feel both contemporary and classic with one of the best soundtracks among recent games. It hits the sweet spot where it brings enough elements of contemporary gaming to the classic JRPG format.

When all is said and done, and the eight storytellers have finally found a way to make their narratives line up and come together to deliver the exciting finale, Octopath Traveler 2 makes for a satisfying night at the bar. It’s full of pathos and excitement that pushes you forward, and the gameplay is tight and enjoyable. You can’t help but wish it was a little more well-structured, but seeing how the storytellers learned so much from their previous attempt, it’s hard not to look forward to the tales they’ll tell next time.