It isn’t always necessary for a sequel to provide something novel, and while that method might not be one that everyone can support, it is undoubtedly how Octopath Traveler II was created. Masashi Takahashi, the team’s producer, says they “determined that ‘development’ was what the fans desired.”
Even if it looked like the first Octopath Traveler’s release had just happened a short while ago to us, it has been five years since then. As a result, the producer’s team debated whether the new title should signify “change” or “evolution.”
“We decided that the majority of players would not seek an altogether new game from Octopath Traveler II, the first installment in five years, but rather a fresh reimagining of what made the first title so much fun, with new characters, new places, and new experiences.”
In fact, the game’s setup—eight distinct characters, each with their own backstory—remains intact, and the turn-based battle system is still entertaining and engrossing for fans of JRPGs. Another aspect that contributes to the impression of something new but still familiar is the new setting of Solistia, a country made up of an eastern and western continent split by a body of water.
The importance of preserving that freshness was recognized by Takahashi and the other developers. Making Octopath Traveler II’s universe more varied and interesting than the first helped make that possible.
The story in the prior title was told within a rather small geographic scope. But in this game, the player is free to explore a broad range of fresh and distinctive environments that weren’t there in the original, such as a city on the cusp of the industrial revolution, an island populated by monsters, and a place with an oriental flair.
In the end, it all boils down to “the thrill of travel,” where players are “rewarded for exploring every square inch of the landscapes they encounter.” In Octopath Traveler II, the day/night cycle was included, which makes it possible for players to experience dramatically different things in the same location. In addition to the environment, players will also encounter people who will reveal different sides of themselves to them.
“This game offers the player the chance to explore and uncover a rich and varied world full of nuances and secrets for themselves,” Takahashi said in his conclusion.
The producer is aware of what his fans would want having worked on projects like Bravely Default and its sequels, Live A Life, and of course the Octopath Traveler series. For all intents and purposes, Octopath Traveler II is living up to its name rather than undergoing a radical transformation.
The Bandai Namco Shop is selling Octopath Traveler II for $79.90.
Comments are closed.