There isn't much to say here that hasn't been said, but regardless, Octopath Traveler II is one of my new favorite turn-based JRPGs.

I have some small nitpicks and think it could have perhaps been a bit more adventurous as a sequel, but it made good on nearly every promise the first game couldn't. The game systems are much tighter and more well-balanced, the pacing is better, the writing is much more interesting, there's a lot more voice acting, the structure of each character's stories is much more thoughtfully crafted with a vastly improved extended cast... you really get the sense they put their all into this one.

And oh my lord the soundtrack. This is easily one of my new favorites, Yasunori Nishiki never goddamn misses. Some of the tracks in this game got such a visceral reaction out of me.

I feel as though a common complaint is that the stories still don't cross over enough, but between the excellent final chapter tying it all together, the countless unique voice lines between characters, the wonderful crossing paths chapters, and the leaps and bounds better written party chats, there was enough of a sense of camaraderie amongst the party to satisfy me, personally.

I could go on, but I'll leave it at this: the game is absolutely wonderful. Could not have imagined this being as good as it is. Team Asano, I kneel.