Octopath Traveler 2 was one of the bigger announcements to come out of the recent Nintendo Direct, and it’s clear that, as any sequel should, it’s looking to ramp things up over its predecessor in a number of ways. Interestingly, that includes the number of platforms the game will be available for at launch.
Square Enix has announced that Octopath Traveler 2 will also be available for PS5, PS4, and PC (via Steam) at launch in addition to the Nintendo Switch. That’s curious for many reasons- but primarily because the original Octopath Traveler still hasn’t launched for PlayStation. It has launched for Xbox though, but it must not have done very well on Microsoft’s platform, seeing as its sequel hasn’t been announced for Xbox.
Meanwhile, several new details on the sequel’s world, characters, and gameplay have also been revealed. While Octopath Traveler and the mobile spinoff were set on the continent of Osterra, Square Enix says the sequel “tells a completely new story” revolving around a new cast of characters, and is “set in a different era and a brand new land” called Solistia. Square Enix describes at as “a vibrant setting that’s comprised of Eastern and Western continents divided by the sea.”
“It’s a time of trade and industrial revolution – large vessels navigate busy sea routes, and the power of steam has given birth to new technologies,” Square Enix says. “Some people live in luxury, cheering to the glamorous stars of the stage. Others struggle each day, brought to tears by war, plague and poverty.
“Over the course of the game, you’ll be able to traverse each area of this diverse world, uncovering the secrets and stories hidden throughout.”
Who are these new characters then? There’s the Warrior, Hikari; the Dancer, Agnea; the Merchant, Partitio; the Scholar, Osvald; the Thief, Throné; the Cleric, Temenos; the Hunter, Ochette; and the Apothecary, Castti. And yes, Square Enix says it’s addressing one of the biggest issues with the previous game- in the sequel, characters will interact with each other on a much deeper level, which will affect the story as well.
“One of the most common requests from players of Octopath Traveler was that they wanted to see the different protagonists interact with each other more. Consider that feedback well and truly received,” Square Enix writes. “In Octopath Traveler 2, there are more interactions between the different members of the group. Additional stories will unfold between the protagonists as their journey progresses, deepening the characters and their relationships.”
Additionally, as opposed to the original game, each character in Octopath Traveler 2 will also have access to two Path Actions instead of one, allowing you to interact with NPCs and the world around you in different ways.
Interestingly, which Path Action your character goes for will depend on a new day and night cycle. For instance, during daytime, Hikari can challenge NPCs to duels to learn new skills, while at night, he can bribe people to uncover hidden items or learn secrets about people.
Meanwhile, the battle system brings back familiar mechanics from the original game, including Break, Boost, and BP, while also introducing a new mechanic called Latent Powers. These are essentially ultimate abilities that can be unleashed in battles once a meter has filled up.
Finally, Square Enix says the HD-2D visual style has also seen various improvements. “Environments are more detailed, with more varied camera angles,” the company explains. “Character sprites are more varied, with even more animations to get their emotions across. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
Several new screenshots showcasing the game have also been released. Check them out below.
Octopath Traveler 2 launches for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and PC on February 24, 2023.
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