Octopath Traveler 2 is a kind of video games the place I couldn’t even comprehend how particular it was till it was over. I went into it anticipating extra of the unique Octopath Traveler, which I preferred however didn’t love (just like Chris Carter’s take). But when Octopath Traveler was a love letter to golden age SNES/PSX RPGs, Octopath Traveler 2 is an ideal encapsulation of them.

That is, indubitably, some of the enjoyable RPG worlds I’ve ever explored. There are secrets and techniques and executives round practically each nook, rewarding each ounce of curiosity you’ve gotten. On the identical time, it by no means feels such as you’re simply reducing via filler content material both. Octopath Traveler 2 is immaculately paced, all the time tantalizing your senses with story goals and uncommon treasures to pursue.

Equally, the sport’s fight mechanics provide a beautiful stage of depth. Random encounters by no means gave me that typical feeling of tedium, since I felt constantly engaged in determining methods to dispatch foes sooner and sooner. Octopath Traveler 2 does a implausible job of providing wealthy ranges of get together customization, but it by no means bogs the participant down with them. I used to be continuously getting big “aha!” moments every time I found totally different synergies with my expertise and gear. This did ultimately make the sport really feel straightforward, however I additionally felt like I’d earned it. Even after spending practically 100 hours with the sport, I used to be twiddling with my workforce and experimenting with new concepts.

The segmented story has grown on me on reflection too. Whereas I initially didn’t like how separated every character’s story was, that construction felt so actual to me this 12 months. Our paths typically cross with associates and comrades, however finally, we’re all of the heroes of our personal tales. All of us have our goals we’re reaching for, and people targets might create non permanent friendships of comfort.

However that’s to not say that these sensible relationships can’t turn into significant. It’s human to wish to make connections the place we are able to, and we see the characters in Octopath Traveler 2 do this too. Hikari’s mission to steer Ku will naturally diverge from Agnea’s aspiration to turn into a star. However that doesn’t imply that, for a short time, they’ll’t share a narrative collectively. Folks typically come and go in our lives, and seemingly lifelong friendships might turn into fleeting over time. However these recollections, nonetheless non permanent, are essential. And by the top of Octopath Traveler 2, that’s the sense I received from these eight unlikely, however finally relatable allies.

There’s no telling the place our paths in life will take us. But when we solely look forward at the place we wish to be, we’d miss the journey we are able to have now. And within the case of Octopath Traveler 2, there are few adventures I’ll ever look again on as fondly. Right here’s to what 2024 might convey, and should Workforce Asano relaxation straightforward understanding they’ve created such a particular, charming recreation.