Octopath Traveler is a rarity in the current evolution that J-RPGs have followed. It is a return to the roots of the genre, a tribute to the users who once enjoyed the first Final Fantasy. The developers do not hide it. That has been the intention. We tell you if it is coming true after having played it in depth.
We have been playing Octopath Traveler for more than ten hours ... and the sensations can not be more positive, especially if what you expect is a J-RPG like the ones of yesteryear. Those in which the pace is slow but rewarding, with countless lines of conversation, amount of hours of exploration and many others fighting to level up and move on. Classic scheme, vintage flavor, but result adapted to the possibilities of Nintendo Switch , and that the most veteran will know to thank.
I recently read an interview in Game Informer, in which the developers admitted that they wanted to create an old-school RPG that would take us back to the early nineties, but without renouncing the new times. In that thin line move Acquire workers , once responsible for sagas such as Tenchu or Shinobido. However, the J-RPG did not treat it too much. Therefore, it is even more surprising that Octopath Traveler has achieved such high quality levels.
Effectively. We can already say it without fear of making mistakes: we are before a great exponent within the genre and one of the best Switch titles for this 2018 . While playing, memories of when I discovered classics such as Breath of Fire, Illusion of Time, Secret of Mana came to my mind ... The aura of that era, with grandiose stories, sensational settings and incredible melodies is manifested with nostalgia in this video game. Sensations from another era recovered in a very durable adventure, of great quality and that you can see that it is made with care and passion.
A nod to the classic J-RPG
The best conclusion we get is that Octopath Traveler does just what it wants: satisfy veterans who expected a classic J-RPG. Here there is no action in abundance or high-budget cinematic sequences. It looks more like a classic Final Fantasy , as we already defended in an article. This is: turn-based, random, with a fairly tight difficulty, a great need to level up, equipment system and simple but effective skills. Of course, also the ability to take us between a good variety of situations with enough talent.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is how the essence of the SNES era has been rescued. The developers themselves have come to claim that the game has been developed as a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI.
High capacity of choice
We have discovered the differentiating key of Octopath Traveler. It consists in that we can choose between eight protagonists at the beginning of our journey, to later visit and recruit the rest to move forward. The surprising thing is that we can trace the route we want on the map, since it is actually open. Do you want to continue with Olberic and complete their chapters, or stop to meet Primrose or the rest of the characters? Maybe you want to lose yourself in some alternative way, in search of a grotto or hidden treasures. All this is possible.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is that each character has different chapters, which we must complete to advance the adventure. The best thing is that we can do it in the order that we want. Olberic, Primrose, Therion, Cyrus ...? You choose.
Adjusted difficulty
How does Octopath Traveler adjust its difficulty? Let's say that the game, as you advance, establishes danger zones according to your level of experience. The more you progress in a character's story, the fiercer the challenge is, but always maintaining balance. As far as we have come, the adjustment is satisfactory, offering especially complicated final heads . Of course, there is always the option to raise, but the adventure is designed so you do not have to stop too much in it. The fact that random combats are quite frequent helps a lot.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is the rush that the final bosses provoke. They are complicated, and require a tactic to win. It has happened to us in a case, for example, that it is not only important to attack, but to know how to defend ourselves.
An elaborate story
Primrose is a dancer mistreated by her employer. Olberic a gentleman hidden behind a disturbing past. Tressa a merchant with desire for adventures. So up to eight protagonists with different personalities, backgrounds and motivations. This causes a slow start , until you get to know all of them, but also ingenious, because rarely is such a detailed approach made. The good thing about Octopath Traveler is that it gives us enough time to understand each one of them, and also with passages in which there is no shortage of topics such as death, high treason or prostitution. He is quite adult and profound.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is the very high number of dialogues. If you come here, you are warned: there is a lot of history. It is flooded with clichés of the J-RPG genre, but they are more like a tribute than a lack of ideas.
Tactical and challenging combat
What differentiates Octopath Traveler from other J-RPG with turn-based battles? The answer lies in two essential strategies. One is the break , consisting in attacking the weaknesses of the enemies. It could be swords, axes, daggers, spears ... or some magic of darkness, wind, fire or electricity. To provoke a break means to leave the opponent without his turn, and this is very important to win battles, especially the most complicated ones. The other strategy is the impulse , which is recharged with each turn and allows us to perform a kind of attack loaded with powerful implications, provided that it is used at the opportune moment.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is the simplicity but effectiveness of the combat system. We learn it at the beginning of the game and it lasts for many hours, trusting in the acquisition of new skills for the characters.
Deep but simple
As you can see, it is not that Octopath Traveler is lost in complex game schemes. It is another great point in favor. Flee from complications and looks at the simplicity but efficiency of the classics. The equipment is extensive (weapons, helmets, armor ...) but easy to optimize. There is even an option for the CPU to do it for us. Then there is an unlockable skill system , purchase of items, many save points (we have nine slots) and a diary that is useful to see where in the game we are. It is always easy to get lost, especially if you have not played for several days.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is the ease with which we equip ourselves. We go to the store, we look, compare and equip as soon as we complete the transaction, without entering any menu. It is appreciated how fast and intuitive it is.
Each protagonist is a world
Another of the distinctive features of this J-RPG is that each of the characters has its known as path action . What does it consist of? In that, for example, the dancer Primrose can approach any NPC to seduce him and thus allow him to accompany us in battles temporarily. The merchant Tressa can buy items for small townspeople, the Olberic knight challenge them to a fight and the thief Cyrus steal their belongings. The detail is that if we fail to steal or go around harming people, our reputation will go down and they will stop interacting with us.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... is that each character is practically dedicated one hour of presentation, to explain where it comes from, as well as its main mechanics. There is great respect from the workers regarding the story they are telling.
A beauty pixel-art
The ability to acclimate Octopath Traveler situations is amazing. It is very worth concentrating to play. Find your moment, focus on the screen and put some headphones. The audiovisual experience is fantastic. First, for that exquisite combination between 2D sprites and 3D perspective , which recalls another era, but without losing sight of the present. Second, but not least, by a soundtrack to remember , composed by Yasunori Nishiki, who adapts with talent to the issues and situations addressed.
WHAT WE HIGHLIGHT ... especially music. Nishiki commented that his work is influenced by the SaGa and Final Fantasy series. Also for classical music, and quotes Bach. The truth is that all this is noticeable, because it has created themes for the memory.