Not everyone is going to jive with Octopath Traveler II, and I fully understand that. Its key flaws are that well, it's too easy compared to the original - and that its story is disjointed, just like the original. So it becomes niche in a genre that's already somewhat niche (JRPGs).
BUT - Octopath Traveler II is phenomenal if you can get past those flaws. Every party member is fantastic when it comes to characterization and voice acting. Their stories may vary in quality, but they're all at baseline good. There's more interconnectivity in OT2 compared to the original, more side missions where the party members mingle together, and the party members actually talk to each other mid-combat, etc. The new Latent Power system is great, as well as the other improvements to the first game's mechanics.
It's JRPG perfection, with a banger soundtrack to boot. It easily should've been nominated for Best Score and Best RPG of 2023. And quite frankly, it was my Game of the Year for 2023. Outstanding achievement for Team Asano, and I can't wait for what's next.
Score: 96
BUT - Octopath Traveler II is phenomenal if you can get past those flaws. Every party member is fantastic when it comes to characterization and voice acting. Their stories may vary in quality, but they're all at baseline good. There's more interconnectivity in OT2 compared to the original, more side missions where the party members mingle together, and the party members actually talk to each other mid-combat, etc. The new Latent Power system is great, as well as the other improvements to the first game's mechanics.
It's JRPG perfection, with a banger soundtrack to boot. It easily should've been nominated for Best Score and Best RPG of 2023. And quite frankly, it was my Game of the Year for 2023. Outstanding achievement for Team Asano, and I can't wait for what's next.
Score: 96