Octopath Traveler 0 Preview
Whereas the first two Octopath games closely resembled one another, Octopath 0 is trying something a little different. Not a lot different, to be clear. But even minor changes are always welcome in any franchise, so long as they’re implemented well. So far, after playing several hours of the game, it seems like these new ideas are also good ones.
Octopath Traveler 0 isn’t a new game, exactly. It’s a remake of a mobile title, Champions of the Continent. At least, Octopath 0 takes story and gameplay elements from the 2020 mobile game. Regardless of its DNA, there are some cool new ideas here. You’re rebuilding and repopulating a destroyed village. You’ve got some agency in the specifics of the layout, which is nice. The story also feels more focused, more centered on a narrow cast of characters. It’s a significant departure from the eight disparate tales of the previous games.
On the other hand, there’s a lot that’s familiar about Octopath 0. The battle music, visuals, sound effects, and combat mechanics are all lifted directly from the other games. Which is fine by me, truly. Those games are some of my all-time favorites, so there’s real comfort in returning to this world. I’m not sure if specific moves are being reused or if those are new. But the core mechanics are just as I remember them.
Top-Tier Combat Returns
You’re also given the same freedom to choose your path forward, though there are fewer options at first. Hopefully, this just means the narrative progression is arranged differently than I’m expecting. Although if Octopath 0 is anything like the other games, my own runtime will be wildly inflated by the obsessive grinding I end up doing. So far, the plot is also something of a departure. After all, rebuilding a village means it has to be destroyed first. I’m curious about whether the weight of this event will persist throughout the story, or if it’ll serve as a clinical launch pad.
I’m not blown away by the building sections so far. You’re mostly just choosing where buildings go. You also have to clean up rubble before construction begins, but it’s an extremely simple process. It seems like the act of rebuilding is an extended metaphor about grief and healing. It’s a big swing in terms of narrative, but not that mechanically interesting. Thankfully, the combat is still a real joy to experience. I love the BP system, and it seems like your party will be even bigger this time around. I look forward to messing around with party mechanics and other intricate systems as I play. You can really sense the depth of these things, even in these opening hours of the game.
So Far So Good
As a serious Octopath fan, my expectations are pretty high. And yet, I’m confident in what I’ve seen so far. The plot feels like a big departure, and the building system has potential. I’m thrilled that the important stuff, like combat mechanics, is here and perfectly intact. I can’t wait to play through the rest of this game. If you’re also an Octopath fan, then you’ve got every reason to be psyched about Octopath Traveler 0.
***A PS5 code was provided by the publisher***
