In July, Sq. Enix unveiled the newest entry in its Octopath Traveler series of role-playing video games within the writer’s HD-2D retro pixel sprite type. This prequel, Octopath Traveler 0, provides options however in my brief time with the sport I really feel it loses among the attraction of the previous video games within the sequence, which could disappoint followers.

Octopath Traveler 0 comes out in December and I’ve performed the early elements. What I’ve seen up to now has the identical caliber of gameplay and storytelling because the earlier video games within the sequence nevertheless it’s lacking these fascinating characters that have been the guts of Octopath Traveler 1 and a pair of. As an alternative is a town-building mechanic that, whereas most likely interesting to some gamers who desire a cozy element to their RPG, wasn’t making up for the dearth of storylines.

Solopath Traveler 

In Octopath Traveler 0, as an alternative of gamers choosing certainly one of eight distinct characters with totally different lessons and backstories as within the earlier video games, they’re caught with only one silent protagonist, which is an unlucky departure. The primary draw of the primary two Octopath Traveler video games was selecting heroes and watching their tales unfold and intertwine with one another, so turning to the mute-hero trope present in so many different video games feels uninteresting. Octopath Traveler 0 even begins in essentially the most acquainted approach potential: The hero wakes up the morning earlier than an enormous city pageant that inevitably ends in tragedy.

After the fireplace that destroyed the hero’s hometown with the predictably tragic identify Wishvale, years have handed and now it is as much as them to hunt revenge and rebuild. When you’re caught with one protagonist, you may determine which of the three fundamental villains behind Wishvale’s destruction to pursue first.

Despite the fact that there is not a number of pre-made characters to select from like the opposite Octopath video games, this hero could be personalized. You possibly can select their look and sophistication: warrior, hunter, service provider, apothecary, cleric, scholar, dancer or thief. The apothecary can deal bodily harm and solid therapeutic or assault spells, whereas the dancer buffs allies and weakens enemies. I selected the service provider, who earns further expertise, job factors, and cash after battles. Later, gamers can change lessons in the event that they need to attempt one thing new.

And when you do meet up with different characters who be part of your adventuring celebration, it is not almost the identical expertise as enjoying a number of storylines of those people from totally different backgrounds with their very own motivations that converge in dramatic trend. Your hero is the focus of the sport, and the one characters who obtain some further plot improvement are the villains, who’re simply being evil in far-off castles. 

From Ruins to Glory

One other large new side in Octopath Traveler 0 is the rebuilding of Wishvale. This side jogged my memory of the Breath of Hearth and Suikoden video games, the place you construct your personal neighborhood. Wishvale, now a wreck of the city, could be constructed up anew over the course of the sport. Rebuilding the ruined city requires supplies like wooden, stone and fabric, which could be discovered all around the world map over the course of your journeys. Characters you meet on the street can transfer in to assist the city develop. It is a high-quality concept, although I am not a lot of a city-builder participant. Others will probably spend hours crafting the RPG city of their goals.

Together with these two new options, one new mechanic is having eight gamers in a battle. As in earlier Octopath video games, battles are turn-based utilizing the sequence’ “Break and Increase” system, the place enemies have a sure variety of Protect Factors and when depleted, the enemies “break,” inflicting them to enter a stun state. Crew members have increase factors earned in every spherical of a battle and can be utilized to unleash mult-hit assaults on a weak enemy. I’ve all the time been a fan of this extra lively turn-based type of fight, and whereas I did not get far sufficient to expertise the eight-player groups, I am excited for when that occurs, as I am all for giant celebration battles in RPGs. 

Whereas I nonetheless have a lot to play earlier than ending Octopath Traveler 0, I am disillusioned by the dearth of memorable characters, which have been the soul of the sooner video games. I have not discovered any substantial flaws up to now, nevertheless it simply appears like one other strong, conventional turn-based RPG with out the signature Octopath novelty of a number of storylines assembly as much as inform a bigger story. Possibly the story will hook me later, however that continues to be to be seen.

Octopath Traveler 0 shall be launched on Dec. 4 for $50 on the PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Swap, Swap 2 and Xbox Collection X and S consoles.