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First ever review. The warm feelings this game gave me have spurred me to write one, so this will probably come off as me simping for it. I will try to highlight some key components of what the game has to offer, without going into too much deep detail. If you're on the fence about getting it, allow me to push you over that fence (onto the side where you buy the game). You don't need to play the first to enjoy this piece of art!
It's unconventional to jump into music as the first topic, but it is absolutely worth talking about before getting into any other topics:
The Music
There are plenty of reasons Octopath's OST is unanimously loved and praised by everyone who plays. This soundtrack is a huge part of what gives the game its life, emotion, and charm. The compositions and instrumentation are immaculate for the substantial 131 tracks within it. Yasunori Nishiki goes so far above and beyond many other composers in crafting countless songs to perfectly match what is happening in the game. Many of the towns and overworld locations not only have one version of a song, but also have an entire second arrangement of that same song if it is nighttime, each aligning with the vibe concisely.
Like its predecessor, each of the 8 protagonists have their own theme that perfectly fits their personality and their story. These themes are also meticulously crafted to seamlessly transition into the game’s multiple, heart-pumping boss battle tracks. The hype behind each and every battle theme in this game cannot be understated.
For those who loved the music in the first game, this one takes it even further. Nishiki-san absolutely deserves awards for this OST when the time comes later this year.
Gameplay
Octopath 2’s core gameplay follows the same format as the first game, but improves upon it in many ways. Examples of this include the day-night cycle in the overworld and new additions to the already genius turn-based battle mechanics such as latent power. There are multiple quality of life improvements added such as being able to use path actions easier and increase the speed of battles. For those who have not played the first, you will feel a comforting nostalgia in the classic JRPG gameplay cycle of exploring, turn-based combat, buildcrafting, and quests.
Being driven by 8 different stories throughout most of the game allows a truly non-linear experience where you’re able to tackle things in whatever order you please. Depending on your pacing and how much side content you plan to do, expect anywhere between 60-100 hours of content to enjoy.
World & Exploration
The continent of Solistia was a gem to explore. You are open to go nearly anywhere from the start, but higher level areas will encourage certain directions over others in the earlier portions of the game (similar format to OT1). Each of the 8 biomes and towns within them have their own unique vibes and tales, and you will constantly be going back & forth between them as you progress each story. Off the beaten trails you will also find many hidden treasures, caves, mini-dungeons and more. Even within each of the villages, towns, and cities you will discover interesting little places with unique side quests and NPCs to interact with. Taking your time to explore this game never feels like a chore, and often ends up being rewarding.
Story
In most cases, the main stories within Octopath 2 are a major step up from the first. A key notable difference is how each character has a different format for how their stories unfold, some of which have branching paths that you can tackle in any order. The chapters themselves still do follow a similar format to OT1, but have enough variation to still feel fresh each time. I found some stories were stronger than others, but they each have their own charm. Though I admit many moments are a bit cheesy and hard to take seriously, but that is pretty common of JRPGs as a whole. A new addition are “crossed paths” side stories between different pairs of 2 characters. The execution wasn’t perfect, but still a huge step in the right direction based off some common criticisms of OT1.
Without spoiling too much, the game’s 8 stories do manage to converge towards the end in some interesting ways. Overall the many stories range from wholesome to tragic and it will ultimately come down to personal taste on which you may enjoy. Oh and the voice acting is great in most cases.
Graphics
Easily the best use of 2D-HD graphics I’ve seen. The character sprites, animations, lighting, and FX have been improved from OT1’s already beautiful aesthetic without taking away its unique identity.
Minor feedback on improvements
The main way I could see the game being improved is by doubling down & adding more things along the lines of world changes after quests such as the Wellgrove department store being added after Partitio Chapter 3. Or more abundance of side challenges like The Five-Tiered Tower. Also, a bit more endgame content would be nice. Once you’re overpowered from levels and items, it can get a tad too easy in the end. Finally, just a bit more story interconnectivity would’ve been nice (maybe some mid game quests that are similar to the combined final quest.)
But all in all they could add these as improvements in Octopath 3.
(In other words, please make an Octopath 3, Square Enix).