Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler is a semi-Retraux RPG by Square Enix on the Nintendo Switch that combines pixel art with 3D graphics. The premise is that you control 8 different characters (at different times), each with unique skills, for 8 different stories.

A demo was released today on the Switch's eShop, so you can try it out.

edited 13th Sep '17 4:23:47 PM by Karxrida

game looks fuckin dope

also made by the Bravely Default team so shit is gonna be good

edited 13th Sep '17 4:24:44 PM by MetaflarePrime

FYI I know I fucked up the thread title (made this on my phone and autocorrect is a bitch) and already asked for a rename.

Gonna download this later. The game looks gorgeous and I need more Switch games.

I was gonna wait til Pokken to pick up my Switch but I might get it early for this one's demo. It looks fantastic.

I hope they go all in on the duel command. I want to duel dogs, kids, and old women.

Man, everything about this game looks like they went "Hey, what does IniuriaTalis like? Let's tailor this to her tastes exactly." I am sadly sans Switch at the moment so I can't play the demo, but I'm super hyped and buying it at launch no matter what happens.

I wonder how much your starting traveler affects the story? It looks like you'll get them all in your party eventually, but it would be cool if each one gave you a really different experience.

Downloaded the demo. Went with Primrose.

This game has voice acting (at least during cutscenes, just started), which I didn't expect. However, the sound balancing needs some work since the music downs out the dialogue.

Played around 20 minutes of the demo, and have not even gotten to a part with a fight yet. So far, the graphics are phenomenal. Too much bloom in some places, and too little bloom in some others, and the framerate was a bit choppy, but overall I was giddy with how good it looked. Music is also JRPG goodness. Story-wise, actually somewhat serious and dark, at least Primrose's side of things. No magic crystals or warring gods or what have you, and the writing is more than decent. Hope we can skip cutscenes though.

Basically, I am so goddamn sold.

I wonder if Path actions will change over the course of the story. The Allure action makes sense for Primrose in her prologue chapter; but considering her backstory, personality, and the way the chapter ends, it might feel a bit out of character for her to keep that as her main ability.

Huh... that name immediately has me thinking of Buddhism's Noble Eightfold Path, the means by which one is supposed to achieve nirvana. Which relatedly has me thinking that reincarnation (perhaps in the guise of a New Game Plus) will be important to the storyline.

Glad they are using voice acting, since not all 2D rpgs need to be without dialogue. *cough Dragon Quest in Japan. cough*

The Eightfold Path interpretation could be an interesting thing, if they were going for that. Path actions could potentially change over the story, as characters change themselves and get closer to the Buddhist ideal of those aspects of a person.

If I had to guess, I'd say the dancer is Speech, Resolve, or Effort, and the duelist is Conduct.

Actually a lot better than I thought it would be at the reveal. The battle system is showing off some nice depth even with only one character playable. Beating up or seducing random villagers probably won't get old. Olberic's story is nice, but Primrose's sure goes places. Not the sort of thing I'd expect Nintendo to promote that heavily in their own Directs that's for sure.

It took me too long to realize the significance of the shield icon on enemies. There's some strategy to be had with this combat system.

Played Primrose's chapter yesterday, I am definitively sold on this game.

The story hooked me with it's dark Low Fantasy take and the combat managed to be an improvement of the Bravely games, now you actually have to plan ahead when to go all out with your BP and it is worthwhile to buff up before breaking the shield gauge on enemies.

Primrose's Alure gimmick was also interesting and makes one care for the NPC's because each might be a valuable ally.

edited 15th Sep '17 2:04:15 AM by Kiefen

OK, this game is definitely the real deal. Played Olberic's story first and the combat system is intuitive and feels first rate. I do have some concerns to share in that survey later, but I'm hooked.

Item one on page one for improvements: add a cutscene-skip option. Prim's boss is preceded with a long and emotional cutscene that can't be skipped; only mashed through if you're returninafter a loss.

Primrose is finished. And this was the first time I noticed there were sidequests. Did Olberic have any I wonder.

People who downloaded and played the demo should now have an email with a feedback survey. You can let the team know what needs improvement through that.

Yeah, I died a number of times on the boss of Primrose's story before grinding out some levels and money to get gear.

Unfortunately, I forgot to mention the cutscene skip on the survey, only mentioning the voice acting getting drowned out at times.

Finished Olberics demo.

I like it a lot. The art is beautiful, the combats great and the Voice Acting is also pretty good,

I do hope I get the survey though, because I have a couple of suggestions.

The sound mixing everyone else mentioned, plus I think the rumble is way too intense in the left Joycon when you score a Break. I had to turn it off it was so loud and distracting.

Also I think the menu cursor speed could stand to be sped up 30-40%.

Now on to Primrose

Actually, you can adjust the voice and music levels in the settings menu. Didn't realize that till someone pointed that out.

So is it just me or is anyone else getting a live a live vibe from this game. I don't know what it is but this game is definitely reminding me of Live a Live.

It reminded me of Live A Live almost immediately, but the reactions I've seen never really mention it. Pretty sure never getting an official localization is the reason for that though.

I just got the demo and played a bit of Oldric's story. I'm immediately taken in by everything except the battle system, which was part of the reason the Bravely Default demo didn't sell me on the series. At the moment, I'm not sure Octopath is a must-buy for me, but I need to try more of the demo first.

Regardless, I do hope the game does well. I want to see other games done in this style (not necessarily RPGs either).

I noticed on Olberic's story that you can pick a fight with a barmaid who is somehow even stronger than the captain of the watch, but she disappears after Phillip's kidnapped. Is there anyway to get her to come back?

She doesn't disappear, she just moves. I don't remember exactly where she moves to, but it's near where she was standing before.