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Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler's beautiful style and outstanding take on traditional turn-based combat make it a game that pushes JRPGs forward rather than simply paying homage to the greats.
Octopath Traveler Game Cover
85%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, monetization
87% User Score Based on 8,289 reviews
Critic Score 86%Based on 42 reviews

Platforms

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Octopath Traveler Game Cover

About

Octopath Traveler is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Square Enix and was released on June 7, 2019. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Octopath Traveler" is a nostalgic RPG with a modern twist, taking place in a vividly rendered 2D world. The game features eight distinct characters, each with their own unique abilities and storylines. Players can explore a vast open world, battle enemies in strategic turn-based combat, and uncover the mysteries of the land and its people.

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Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
Octopath Traveler screenshot
+15
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87%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,289 reviews
story1.3k positive mentions
grinding775 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and art style that evoke nostalgia for classic JRPGs.
  • Engaging turn-based combat system with a unique 'Break' mechanic that adds depth to battles.
  • Excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and is enjoyable to listen to.
  • The stories of the eight characters are largely disconnected, lacking meaningful interactions and an overarching narrative.
  • The game can feel grindy, requiring significant leveling to progress, especially for the final boss.
  • Some character stories are clichéd and uninteresting, leading to a lack of emotional investment.
  • story
    5,308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Octopath Traveler" is characterized by its structure of eight separate character arcs, each with four chapters, leading to a fragmented narrative that lacks significant interconnection between the characters. While some players appreciate the individual stories and their nostalgic JRPG elements, many criticize the overall plot as predictable, formulaic, and lacking depth, with minimal character interaction during story segments. The game is often described as a collection of short stories rather than a cohesive narrative, which can detract from player engagement and emotional investment.

    • “One of the best storylines, and fantastic gameplay of any JRPG out there.”
    • “A truly unforgettable game, although it appears to be simple, it has a very deep story.”
    • “Great storytelling with well-written characters.”
    • “Story-wise, this game is creatively bankrupt.”
    • “During the actual story parts, it is pretended that they are alone for some reason, even though that's when you would most want to see the other characters butt in.”
    • “The only story I was genuinely interested in was H'aanit's, but again, when compared to Square games of the past, it's not much to get excited about.”
  • music
    2,080 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Octopath Traveler" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its orchestral quality and emotional depth. The soundtrack is described as beautiful and immersive, enhancing the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience, often evoking nostalgia for classic JRPGs. While some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, making it a significant reason to play the game.

    • “The music is great and I have the battle themes stuck in my head.”
    • “There's a lot of great things about this game, but the music probably stands head and shoulders above everything else - give the OST a listen on YouTube!”
    • “The meticulously crafted soundtrack, immersive voice acting, and stunning environments deserve high praise.”
    • “The only thing redeeming about this game is the music and the visuals; there is literally nothing else of substance to be found here.”
    • “The music while neat gets insanely repetitive for an overly long game like this.”
    • “The music is mediocre; it's trying too hard to be nostalgic but it's just not there.”
  • graphics
    1,924 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Octopath Traveler* have received widespread acclaim for their stunning HD-2D art style, which blends nostalgic pixel art with modern visual effects, creating a visually captivating experience. Many players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and character designs, while the vibrant colors and dynamic lighting enhance the overall aesthetic. However, some critiques mention occasional graphical bugs and a disparity between the beautiful backgrounds and simpler character sprites, leading to mixed feelings about the visual consistency. Overall, the game's graphics are often highlighted as one of its strongest features, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “The graphics, scenario and challenge, everything is well balanced.”
    • “The music and art style of the game are amazing.”
    • “Octopath traveler truly excels in its graphics and sound design, earning a solid 10/10 rating in my book.”
    • “Boring, bland, ugly visuals, uninteresting story and characters.”
    • “Oh and the graphics have too much light special effects, which makes the game kinda ugly.”
    • “The graphics are pixel art, you can look at the art style quite well, but when you look at the price tag of the game, it's a shame how low the game's production values are.”
  • gameplay
    1,551 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Octopath Traveler" is characterized by its classic turn-based mechanics, enhanced by unique features like the "break" and "boost" systems that add strategic depth to battles. While many players appreciate the engaging combat and customization options, some criticize the repetitive nature of encounters and the grindy gameplay loop, which can detract from the overall experience. The game's beautiful graphics and soundtrack are frequently praised, but the narrative and character interactions often feel disconnected, leading to mixed feelings about the game's pacing and story integration.

    • “One of the best storylines, and fantastic gameplay of any JRPG out there.”
    • “The art style and gameplay are top-notch, the soundtrack is a banquet to the ears, and the storytelling is among the best in the genre.”
    • “The gameplay is excellent turn-based fun.”
    • “Also, the combat lacks any interesting features or mechanics; it is very basic, boring JRPG combat.”
    • “Sadly, it quickly becomes apparent just how much of a slog this game can be; combat encounters simply take too long and the encounter rate is far too high, no matter what level you are - mostly due to the break mechanic - and some of the character stories really start to decrease in quality the further you progress.”
    • “Simply because the gameplay quickly feels repetitive, and I mean boring repetitive.”
  • grinding
    793 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly when preparing for boss fights or progressing through character storylines. While some players enjoy the grind as a nostalgic element of classic JRPGs, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making the game feel unbalanced and frustrating. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a core component of the game, it can become overwhelming and may deter those who prefer a more streamlined gameplay experience.

    • “Not too grindy.”
    • “The combat is well-designed and can be strategic if not farming levels too hard.”
    • “Here again, it is not tedious, which makes the experience more enjoyable in my opinion.”
    • “The game became tedious.”
    • “Well, I loved the combat at first but it became so tedious I never even recruited my 4th party member and I threw in the towel.”
    • “The amount of level grinding required to complete the final dungeon is simply not worth it.”
  • emotional
    128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the character stories heartwarming and touching, while others criticize the overall narrative as generic and uninspiring. The music is frequently highlighted as a standout feature that enhances emotional engagement, despite some characters feeling flat or underdeveloped. Overall, while there are moments of emotional depth, the fragmented storytelling across multiple characters can dilute the impact of individual arcs.

    • “Yet, it is the emotional resonance of Octopath Traveler that truly sets it apart.”
    • “The storytelling is where it truly shines, with each of the eight characters having a unique narrative arc that is deeply emotional and relatable.”
    • “Beautiful, touching, and heartwarming stories.”
    • “Very little character development, quite a boring story.”
    • “It really does get to the point where you're skipping nearly every cut scene, because they drone on and on about each character's boring storyline.”
    • “Once the novelty of the comfy visuals and satisfying (until you backtrack and one-shot bosses) combat wears off, then you are left with a boring story and characters.”
  • character development
    105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and uniqueness of individual character arcs, while others criticize the overall predictability and lack of compelling narratives. While certain characters, like Tressa and Cyrus, are noted for their engaging stories and designs, many feel that several characters lack significant growth or conflict, leading to a surface-level experience. Overall, the game offers a visually stunning presentation and enjoyable character interactions, but it falls short in delivering a cohesive and profound character development experience.

    • “Octopath Traveler is a visually stunning JRPG with an engaging storyline, captivating art style, and deep character development.”
    • “The character development of and between the eight main characters is exceptional, and I really enjoyed the travel banter in different cities and towns.”
    • “Great stories and character development; the jobs/classes system is well done, the boss fights and combat are fun, and the world feels like there is a lot to explore!”
    • “Character development: because I played this after Octopath 2, I had a very hard time with how...surface level...some of the characters in this game were.”
    • “Tressa's story, though a good breath of fresh air compared to a multitude of tragic stories of betrayal and mystery, really has no purpose and offers very little character development.”
    • “Ophelia's story is incredibly predictable and has no real character development, which is extremely disappointing.”
  • atmosphere
    69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful 2.5D pixel art and immersive soundtrack, which adapts to various environments and situations, enhancing the overall experience. While some players note the high-contrast and dark tones may not appeal to everyone, the combination of nostalgic graphics and modern effects creates a captivating and cozy ambiance. Overall, the visuals, music, and storytelling work harmoniously to deliver a memorable and enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of classic JRPGs.

    • “The artistry that breathes life into the game's visuals and the enchanting melodies that accompany the journey create an atmosphere that is nothing short of mesmerizing.”
    • “Using 16-bit textures for a majority of the characters and environment while using high-quality rendering for some aspects like lighting, water, and sand creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgically familiar and modernly enthralling.”
    • “The musical score sets the perfect mood and allows for a really relaxing atmosphere, especially after a long day at work.”
    • “The 2.5D art style is really beautiful for today's pixel-art standard, but some people may complain about the high contrast and excessively dark tone used for the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Whole atmosphere of the game is very warm and cozy, even though some side stories and even main quests have quite horrendous implications.”
    • “8/10 - the old Squaresoft glory channeled via a FFIII(6) thematic atmosphere with flaws.”
  • humor
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying nostalgic and lighthearted moments, while others find certain attempts at comedy fall flat or feel forced. Character interactions often provide amusing scenarios, such as absurd quests and humorous dialogue, though some mission scenes lack coherence, leading to unintentional humor. Overall, while there are standout funny moments, the humor may not resonate with everyone, particularly those familiar with more sophisticated storytelling in the genre.

    • “The individual characters come together to make humorous and touching scenes.”
    • “The unique ways each of the members can interact with the townsfolk is hilarious simple fun, from risking stealing candy from a baby to challenging an old lady to a duel in the street.”
    • “There's a hilarious part where your party approaches the lone wolf thief who needs to steal a jewel in a heavily guarded mansion (which your noisy, stealthless members would absolutely compromise) and he goes, 'Bah, I need to go alone but you're following me anyway, aren't you?' The true mark of friendship.”
    • “It's ok I guess, and kinda like a lot of other games that are similar: funny but not funny, bouncy but not bouncy, neat but not neat sometimes, kinda boring but not really, kinda groany but not always really groany...”
    • “It doesn't waste my time for labyrinth and not funny puzzle.”
    • “If you feel this game is not funny, you can leave a negative review but don't blame the price.”
  • replayability
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its open structure, diverse character stories, and tactical gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs. While some reviewers highlight the significant replay value due to different character combinations and story paths, others feel that the lack of incentives for replaying diminishes its overall appeal. Overall, it seems that the game offers substantial replayability for those who enjoy exploring various gameplay styles and character interactions.

    • “The open nature of the game creates replayability for those who want that.”
    • “I truly adore this game and it has constant replayability for most, as you can simply choose a different starter and do the storylines in whatever order you want, speaking of which the story is absolutely phenomenal as there is loads of world building and character development as the story progresses.”
    • “With different paths to take, it seems like it has a lot of replay value compared to other games that just offer new game+ or harder mode.”
    • “Not much to say, the game is overpriced in my opinion, for the amount of content and lack of replayability factor.”
    • “There's no replayability, there's no desire to go back and maybe try something different.”
    • “But replayability is 0.”
  • optimization
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed reviews; while many players report smooth performance even on lower-end systems, others experience significant frame stuttering and issues with post-processing. The game is generally praised for its technical performance and visuals, but some users feel it could be better optimized for a wider range of hardware. Despite these criticisms, it runs well on recommended setups, indicating a solid optimization for current generation systems.

    • “The game is optimized very well.”
    • “Art style is great and the game runs smoothly on my not so great PC, so that's a plus.”
    • “As far as technical performance is concerned, the game runs perfectly at highest settings in 1080p on my 2-year-old Asus gaming laptop (equipped with a GTX 1060 3GB, a 7th gen Core i7, and 12 GB of DDR4).”
    • “Massive issue with frame stuttering.”
    • “It seems to be a problem with the game being a giant, un-optimized piece of trash.”
    • “I love them, but I really wish they'd have optimized the game better to allow low-end PCs to run it.”
  • stability
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting smooth performance on both PC and Steam Deck, and no game-breaking bugs. However, some users have noted occasional graphical issues, such as buggy shaders and texture clipping, as well as input freezes when using the character swap menu. Despite these minor concerns, the game is considered stable and enjoyable.

    • “Glad to play it now, it runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “The game runs great on PC and on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Oh, also, the game runs great. I have a $40 processor and have had 0 issues with the game.”
    • “The character swap menu freezes all inputs on multiple occasions if activated too quickly (5 forced restarts).”
    • “Some of the effects are buggy, and can make dark dungeons difficult to explore.”
    • “There are some buggy graphics with the shaders and some floor textures clipping into each other.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as either a significant waste of resources or a blatant cash grab, with players feeling misled by marketing promises regarding character choice and gameplay paths that ultimately do not deliver.

    • “This was either a massive waste of resources or a cheap cash grab.”
    • “Additionally, if you're like me and thought that the marketing and advertising about choosing your character or path meant anything, throw that out right now, it will only disappoint you.”
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86%Critics’ scoreBased on 42 critic reviews
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37h Median play time
50h Average play time
61h Main story
103h Completionist
14-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 58 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Octopath Traveler is a role playing game with fantasy theme.

Octopath Traveler is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 61 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 103 hours to finish. On average players spend around 50 hours playing Octopath Traveler.

Octopath Traveler was released on June 7, 2019.

Octopath Traveler was developed by Square Enix.

Octopath Traveler has received positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Octopath Traveler is a single player game.

Similar games include Octopath Traveler 2, Chained Echoes, Sea of Stars, Bravely Default 2, I am Setsuna and others.