The first review of Octopath Traveler 0 has sauntered out of the Japanese magazine Famitsu like a majestic unicorn, complete with sparkles and an unshakeable sense of superiority.
The Scores are In!
Thanks to that ever-so-reliable source, Ryokutya2089, a sneak peek of Famitsu’s opinions is available before the magazine even hits the shelves. The editorial team, clearly well-fed and perhaps caffeinated, bestowed upon the game some relatively glowing scores: 8, 9, 9, and another 8, totaling a respectable—or should that be suspect?—34 out of 40.
Epic Tales and Empathy
The review for Octopath Traveler 0 waxes poetic about the game’s riveting narrative that’s apparently as engaging as a good novel, except with less coffee and more pixelated graphics. The emotional resonance it triggers from players is positively praised. Who doesn’t enjoy shedding a tear over 16-bit characters, after all?
Furthermore, there are all-new layers of strategy in battles, which sounds thrilling until one recalls that command menus can be as confusing as assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions. The town rebuilding mechanic offers players rewarding moments, presumably as they struggle to gather all those pesky resources.
Shaken, Not Stirred
On the flip side, the game seems to come with a side dish of nausea, thanks to some dubious screen-shaking effects during combat. One brave reviewer claimed it felt like the world was doing the cha-cha, claiming they almost needed a bucket to survive the experience. Apparently, there’s no option to turn this “feature” off, which could make for some memorable gaming nights—assuming the goal is to give players a rollercoaster ride without leaving the couch.
Freedom and Frustration
In a twist that would make even the most resilient players question their life choices, the reviewers found themselves divided over the game’s structure. The freedom for players to leap between various story routes is all well and good until someone realizes that it feels like being stuck in a labyrinth with only one cheese at the exit. While it allows for variety, the inability to focus on a single route leaves room for a cringe-worthy case of FOMO—fear of missing out.
The Lengthy Endeavor
For those looking to invest a small lifetime, the game promises to take 80 to 100 hours to complete. It’s like committing to a Netflix series that never ends, minus the popcorn and pajamas. Ironically, some players might feel let down that there’s no eight-player party system, which, believe it or not, would make multiplayer gaming feel just a touch more chaotic.
Competition in Review Land
Family-friendly competitions don’t just end here. The top dog this week is none other than Kirby Air Riders, strutting in with a solid 36 out of 40. That’s right, folks, nothing says “game of the week” quite like a pink puffball giving high-fives. Meanwhile, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond limps behind with a mere 32 out of 40. Apparently, even the Metroid franchise can’t escape the fickle nature of critiques.
A Brief History
Flashback time! The original Octopath Traveler made waves back in 2018 on the Switch, introducing the world to Square Enix’s HD-2D art style. It went on to charm fans across multiple platforms in subsequent years. Its sequel, Octopath Traveler 2, joined the party in 2023 on various consoles, proving that sequels are like potato chips: impossible to resist.
A mobile prequel, released first in Japan and later elsewhere, received mixed reviews primarily due to its incessant nudging for players to fork over cash. Who doesn’t love free-to-play, right?
