Octopath Traveller REVIEW: Amazing Nintendo Switch JRPG has one major flaw

Octopath Traveller is a brand new and exclusive Japanese role-playing game for Nintendo Switch.

Developed by Square Enix, Octopath Traveller has one foot firmly in the past, featuring a distinctly 16-bit visual style that wouldn’t look out of place on the SNES.

It also features the kind of turn-based combat system that’s been cast aside by bigger-budget releases seeking mainstream acceptance.

It’s clearly an approach that’s working, because at the time of writing you can’t buy a physical copy for love nor money. Is Octopath Traveller worth the hype? Read our review to find out.

As the name suggests, Octopath Traveller focuses on eight different adventurers, each with their own unique quest and back story.

Primose, for example, is a down-on-her-luck dancer who seeks revenge against the men who murdered her nobleman father. 

The there’s Olberic, a former royal guard who works as a mercenary in a remote mountain village after his king was betrayed by fellow knight and sparring partner Erhardt.

While some stories are better than others, it’s hard not hard to get drawn into these individual tales thanks to effectively implemented flashbacks, excellent voice acting and a rousing musical score.

The soundtrack really is amazing, elevating each scene and heightening every emotion. It’s the best score since Nier Automata, and up there with the very best from Nobuo Uematsu in terms of how it conveys a story.

Unfortunately from a storytelling perspective, Octopath Traveller’s biggest strength is also one of its biggest weaknesses. 

Each tale of love, loss, honour and revenge is exquisitely executed in isolation, but clumsily weaved together as a collective.

If Square Enix had managed to find a more elegant way (or any way, for that matter) to bring these tales together, then Octopath Traveller would be near flawless.

After all, the visuals are absolutely stunning, the combat system is superb, and did we mention the music?

Octopath’s pixelated visuals may look old-fashioned at first glance, but there’s more going on than you might think.

Shimmering lighting effects, dark shadows, 2D sprites and 3D backdrops come together to create environments that are intimate one minute and expansive the next. 

The combat system also straddles the line between old and new. Fans of JRPGs will feel instantly at home with Octopath’s menu-heavy turn-based battles, but less so with its innovative boost system.

Characters earn boost points after taking turns, and can spend these points to increase the power of their attacks.

Whether you’re looking to finish a battle quickly, or are struggling against a powerful boss, the boost system increases your engagement and adds some depth.

It’s a good thing too, because Octopath Traveller is a challenging game that can be a bit of a grind. You’ll fight many a battle, but won’t mind doing so.

A few narrative missteps aside, Octopath Traveller is a wonderful game with excellent characters, evocative music, an engaging battle system and a beautiful art style.

Octopath Traveller may owe a debt to the past, but here’s hoping it shapes the future of a genre that clearly ain’t dead yet.