Review | Octopath Traveler 0

A short review

I love me some turn-based JRPGs! And I also love these 2D-HD games; they're next-level retro RPGs as we know them. Did you know that Octopath 0 was a mobile game? It got stripped of all the gacha systems, and we have a full entry in the series, worthy of the throne. I mean, they are not the best RPGs out there, but they're really good, fun, and worth your time.

• Review | Octopath Traveler
• Review | Octopath Traveler 2

Octopath Traveler 0 is developed by Square Enix and DokiDoki Groove Works, and published by Square Enix. The game serves as the prequel to Octopath Traveler, and a console adaptation of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, as mentioned. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on December 4, 2025.

From a technical standpoint, there is nothing that doesn't work, except the weird brightness here and there, but I would say it's due to Unreal Engine 5 - some scenery is just too bright, while other areas feel really dark. Weird stuff, it bugs me. Other than that, prepare for an 80-100h journey that will test your skill, tactics, and probably bore you near the end due to many pacing issues, but more on that below.

Story and the characters

You get to create the protagonist, and you are mute the whole game, except when giving some answers (that can change the ending, but only later). I'm not a fan of secondary characters such as mute protagonists, so that is a minus because I don't really want to spend 100h and not bond with my guy (or girl).

The main difference in this game is that you can recruit 30 characters, and you can use 8 in battle. You will meet party members from the first game, and the skills/jobs are basic, just like in the first game. The voice acting is top tier, but to me, the pacing is way off. For example, you start the game and you get to follow 3 stories - and you will need to go through a chapter of each, then the next... Otherwise, you are too weak. That creates issues; you don't get to follow the stories in a linear manner, so it kind of creates pacing issues. That keeps going, and the ending... is like 10-15h of dungeons and story bits that could've been 3-4h, and it would be more than enough.

The core of the story and the tone is really good. It's dark, it's mature, and the voice acting, alongside an almost perfect soundtrack, just gives you everything... except good pacing.

Game design, exploration

I was not a fan of 8 different stories and then they combine. I love following a mostly linear path and growing party members, and just progressing with them all. That is the case here, and I love that. I also love the exploration, all the QoL improvements that you can enable (but only if you unlock them!), and exploring the world map with the ship. Good times for retro game lovers!

In between quests, you can find side quests and you get to build your own village (that gets destroyed at the beginning of the game). Building your base and keeping it growing, unlocking shops along the way and whatnot... I love that so much. It's well done here, and you constantly have interesting things to do - whether you want to capture monsters, grow cabbage, or just unlock quests or conversations with townspeople. Of course, you first need to recruit everyone - so, the inspect system is back! You can inquire about information from every NPC, ask them for items, beat them for items, or get their support in battles - all that was already in the Octopath games. I love this system!

Combat

The combat is for sure the main star of the show. It's a classic boost turn-based system with jobs and skills that will occupy you for 80-100 hours without issues. I prefer double jobs from Octo 2, but this is also not bad, although I was expecting something more than the basic jobs that are already in the first game as well. The new thing is equippable skills that you can master from any job and replicate to equip into 1 of 3 equippable slots on any character. For example, your Warrior has a good skill that can be mastered, and when you do so, you get to give that skill to any other party member. It expands on the main job system quite well, considering there are so many skills out there. Some can't be mastered; these are mostly special-related skills unique to certain characters. The main reason I love this system is because early members have weak skills, so equipping stronger ones keeps them relevant if you want to use them throughout the game.

In battle itself, once you sort your equipment (basic stuff), you get to look for enemy weaknesses to stagger them. You do that when you perform the exact number of armor-decreasing attacks (1 per weakness), and then it's go time! The boost system grants BP each turn if you don't spend it, so boosting 3 times means stronger attacks or multiple single attacks. I love this system.

Another new thing is having 8 party members, so you always get to have a back row for each party member, and some skills are stronger if you move from the back row and attack (changing members is instant and without penalty). The whole combat system and more than 100 boss fights will for sure give you everything you need from a turn-based game. The balancing is good, but one part before the ending seems a bit too easy, but only if you do all quests and grind a bit.

Side Content

Side content was mentioned already, and it's about recruiting characters, collecting optional lore (that opens some dungeons later on), weapons, keys for chests, the arena, town building... There is really a lot to do in the game, and although I love the side content here, the pacing and overall quality of the lore are not that great. I think it lacks impact; it feels like chunks put together to justify the core of the game, but I fail to see the relevance of some scenes and characters.

I guess the main idea was to provide fun through collecting stuff, and to me it's a good and fun idea, because whatever you do, there is a skill or piece of equipment that you get, and everything counts. The whole system is well refined, worthy of your time, and the optional challenges are cool.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a game that fits your needs - a good turn-based JRPG with a more mature story - Octopath offers that for sure, just don't expect improvement, and be ready for some pacing issues. Still, a 100h game that feels fun most of the time is something I would easily recommend, and even at full price I consider this title to be worthy of its price tag.

If I were to rank all 3 games, I would say the second game is the best, then this one, and then the first one. They all come with one of the best OSTs in the genre, so if you start, raise the volume and be ready to invest a month or more. Ah, good times.

I'm such a huge fan of 2D-HD games, especially when they have so much good art and awesome music!

I would be happier if they didn't repeat some boss fights and story bits with the main antagonists, but hey, it's still pretty!

When you see the ship and the world map, you cannot unsee it anymore! Loved every second of that part!

You will probably spend most of your time building your settlement and recruiting characters. It pays off, so don't even worry.

Of course, there is hell to beat, devils to defeat, and a world to save!