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Octopath Traveler
Critics Consensus (Play It)
The stories are a tad uneven, and the grinding required to progress the story can be frustrating, but Octopath Traveler largely succeeds in balancing new and old JRPG mechanics. At the end of the day, this is a beautiful game with an absolutely phenomenal soundtrack.
Game Info
The Producers of Bravely Default at Square Enix bring us a new fantasy world brought to life through a mix of CG, pixel art, and visual wizardry that the developers have termed “HD-2D.” Begin your journey as one of eight protagonists, each with their own origin, talents, and goals. Where will your journey begin? Who will you team up with? And where will you go next? All these decisions and more are completely up to you, the player.
0%
Recommended
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Average Score
Total Reviews: 90
Nom: Best RPG (2018)
Silver TIER
43% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- RPG
DEVELOPER(S):
- Square Enix
PUBLISHER(S):
- Nintendo
- Square Enix
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Single player
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
90
Critic Reviews
85
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
87%
Low Score
60%
Chris Schilling (PC Gamer)
[Date Unavailable]
76/100
“Never quite the sum of its parts, Octopath Traveler is a game with brilliant moments rather than a brilliant game.”
Peter Brown (GameSpot)
[Date Unavailable]
8/10
“Octopath Traveler finds comfort in tradition but doesn’t shy away from breaking the mold.”
Joe Juba (Game Informer)
[Date Unavailable]
8/10
“Combat is the highlight of the adventure. The stories unfolding between encounters are uneven, and the grinding required to progress is a frustrating roadblock.”
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (90 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33bits | David Fernandez | 85 / 100 | 11-28-2018 | Octopath Traveler is an honest title, it knows what it’s going for, it has a clear direction and it doesn’t try to fool the player. A JRPG that seeks to pay tribute to the genre’s brilliant times in the 16/32 bits but that knows how to take risks and propose novelties at a mechanical and, mainly, narrative level. The producer said at the time: “We want to make a game that we like ourselves and not to attract the masses” and this is evident in every minute of play. This doesn’t mean I don’t have problems. His system of combat, the construction and exploration of his world and his audio-visual output border on excellence. However, on a narrative level, although it explores new directions with very good ideas, it does not exploit its potential and its main game structure tends to become repetitive. | Read review |
| 3DNews | Иван Бышонкoв | 7 / 10 | 07-22-2018 | Quote not yet available | Read review |
| Areajugones | Urko Miguel | 9.3 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | There are many reasons to consider Octopath Traveler as one of the best games available for Nintendo Switch. An interesting story put together with several charismatic characters. A deep and addictive battle system as well as both excellent visuals and audio work together in order to create one the best releases for this year. | Read review |
| Atomix | Alberto Desfassiaux | 91 / 100 | 07-16-2018 | An espectacular tribute to the 16 bit RPG classics. Also, Octopath Traveler has it’s own ideas, with a spectacular combat system, great storytelling and graphics that will melt your heart. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Kyle Johnson | 4 / 5 stars | 06-18-2019 | Octopath Traveler may not be the perfect JRPG revival that many had hoped for, but this PC port takes what worked before and makes it just a touch better. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Kaveh Eskandari | 8 / 10 | 07-08-2019 | Octopath Traveler is an appealing title full of pleasant little stories, and offers solid combat mechanisms. However, some not-so-up-to-date decisions prevent it from reaching its full potential. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Gabriel Bogdan | 9 / 10 | 07-11-2018 | Octopath Traveler meets the high expectations and delivers despite some minor balancing issues and tiresome boss fights an amazing RPG experience for old and new fans of the genre. The incredible variety of possible actions and ways to go through the story and the extensive battle system are making this game a must-buy for everyone that owns a Nintendo Switch. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Derek Heemsbergen | 9 / 10 | 07-19-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a sublime mélange of classic role-playing sensibilities and modern conveniences that speaks to this RPG aficionado’s soul. | Read review |
| Chicas Gamers | Chicas Gamers | Recommended | 09-03-2018 | It is a game that has a slow start, both narratively and musically, combat is easy to learn and generally offers 60 ~ hours of pure old love, recommended for fans of the genre, knowing that it is a 16-bit game in 2018. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Jake Hill | 90 / 100 | 06-15-2019 | This kind of RPG may not be for everybody, but it is one thousand percent for me. If you too long to recapture what I’ve described, you would be a fool to turn down Octopath Traveler. | Read review |
| Critical Hit | Umar Bastra | 9 / 10 | 07-19-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a beautiful and modern JRPG that stays true to its roots. It can feel repetitive at times, but the amazing combat, heartfelt stories and extraordinary soundtrack counteracts its structural issues in almost every way. This is a definite must-play for Switch owners. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Ofisil | 9 / 10 | 07-07-2019 | Octopath Traveler is an extremely satisfying storytelling experience vastly different from other traditional JRPGs out there. The eight stories followed over the course of the game are all compelling in different ways, and each is engrossing in different ways. The combat is simple, yet nuanced, and building party compositions never stops being a fun exercise as the adventure presents each new challenge. The pacing does have some small missteps here and there, especially as the world opens up between each major act, but it’s a tiny hurdle in an otherwise magnificent experience. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Chris Carter | 7.5 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a small triumph in that it mostly delivers on its promise to give us eight stories worth seeing through. None of them push the envelope in any way, and several drag, but that’s not a huge issue when you have so many to choose from. Even if you skip one or several tales altogether you’re still going to get a handful of RPG goodness. | Read review |
| Digiato | Nima Farshin | 90 / 100 | 12-20-2018 | Octopath Traveler is your new best friend if you’re looking for new experiences, it’s just a full package. Artistic visual effects, an intriguing gameplay and soothing music, it has it all. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Matt Sainsbury | 5 / 5 stars | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a beautiful game that somehow never gets tired. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Jordan Boyd | 9 / 10 | 07-23-2018 | You can see everything Octopath Traveler has to offer in about 60 hours. If you want to do side quests without a guide, that time count could get even higher. Farming never got to the point where I was burned out or genuinely bored. My most significant issues with the game lay in its overall storyline structure, and that’s not even a big issue considering there’s no bad storyline in the game. There wasn’t an hour of gameplay in Octopath Traveler I can say that I didn’t enjoy, which is a feat all its own. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Ben Moore | 4 / 5 stars | 08-05-2018 | Octopath Traveler’s distinct style is only matched by its excellent combat. | Read review |
| Electric Bento | Christopher Joslin | 8.9 / 10 | 06-17-2019 | Octopath Traveler is a retro-inspired JRPG masterpiece that fans of the old days of Squaresoft RPG’s can enjoy, and is available now for PC. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Edwin Evans-Thirlwell | Recommended | 07-12-2018 | Another fine turn-based battle system and some charming dialogue and visuals make up for an occasionally dry ensemble campaign. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Stefano Calzati | 8.8 / 10 | 06-19-2019 | Octopath Traveler is] a work that has so much to tell, a journey that runs through eight streets at the same time, destined to unite, to be loved. | Read review |
| FNintendo | André Reis | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler tick all the boxes when it comes to recreate the formula of classic RPGs. Thanks to its use of individual story lines, which seems inspired by other iconic games of the same style, and to its marvelous visuals and amazing soundtrack, Octopath Traveler will set the players into an exploration effort that may take its time to fully take off, but will reward its players handsomely. | Read review |
| Forbes | Ollie Barder | 8 / 10 | 08-15-2018 | Overall, Octopath Traveler is a very solid and engaging game. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Joe Juba | 8 / 10 | 07-18-2018 | Combat is the highlight of the adventure. The stories unfolding between encounters are uneven, and the grinding required to progress is a frustrating roadblock | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Jason Faulkner | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-06-2018 | I heartily recommend Octopath Traveler to any RPG fan. Whether you cut your teeth playing Final Fantasy on SNES, or if you weren’t even born yet, this game has a lot to offer. The narrative and character interaction leave a bit to be desired, but the overall quality of the game overshadows its deficiencies. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Gianni Molinaro | 8 / 10 | 06-07-2019 | Ocotpath Traveler is a strong entry to the old-school J-RPG genre, even though its classicism may forbid it to reach the greatest titles its taking inspiration from. As simple as solid, this retro adventure features enough mecanics to offer a deep fighting system, well-balanced and which brillantly avoids countless levelling sessions. Too bad Octopath Traveler’s narrative simply serves us eight not-so-much-connected stories, otherwise it could have been an instant classic. | Read review |
| GameCrate | Angelo D’Argenio | 9.3 / 10 | 07-16-2018 | If you have a Switch and like JRPGs, then Octopath Traveler is a game you cannot miss. This is the next gen classic RPG we have been waiting for, a fusion of retro, indie, and modern design that could only be played now, and could only be appreciated because of the games that came before it. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Amirmehdi Namjoo | 8.8 / 10 | 10-09-2019 | Octopath Traveler successes in delivering a very good combat system along with gorgeous pixel-art graphics coupled with some post-processing techniques which make the game a very good choice for JRPG fans and those who want a more modern approach to pixel-art graphics. Its story offers 8 well-written different storylines that have English voice acting for main parts alongside Japanese, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have a unifying main narrative to connect all the 8 stories and there are also some grinding problems in mid to late game parts. Despite these minor problems, It is a must-buy for every JRPG fan. | Read review |
| GameMAG | xtr | 7 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is an atmospheric game with unusual graphics, which suffers from a number of strange design and story solutions, as well as problems with interface and many minor flaws. There’s also a lot of grinding, and that’s may be a big dissapointment for many gamers. If you are not against grinding, try Octopath Traveler. | Read review |
| GamePro | Ann-Kathrin Kuhls | 85 / 100 | 07-17-2018 | Octopath Traveler combines classic JRPG virtues with many unusual ideas, combining tradition and modernity. | Read review |
| Gamersky | 北方凛 | 8.7 / 10 | 08-06-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a classic JRPG which reminds me some former masterpieces like Romancing SaGa and Final Fantasy VI. I really appreciate the idea that using 8 characters to tell stories, and the unique talents that every character has. But I still think the storyline could be better, and these characters could have more interaction. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Ashley Gill | 9 / 10 | 07-20-2018 | A game that would be considered niche last gen, Octopath Traveler brings back classic JRPG gaming with style and class. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Peter Brown | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler finds comfort in tradition but doesn’t shy away from breaking the mold. | Read review |
| GameXplain | GameXplain | Recommended | 07-12-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
| GameZone | Cade Onder | 7.5 / 10 | 08-01-2018 | While it’s disappointing that Octopath Traveler doesn’t fully succeed on delivering a meaningful narrative or giving us any characters that will be remembered throughout gaming history, the game has enough meat on its bones to prevent itself from being below average. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Shubhankar Parijat | 9 / 10 | 07-20-2018 | Octopath Traveler takes a long, hard look at classic JRPGs, successfully emulates most of what we remember so fondly about them with our rose tinted nostalgia glasses, sheds their annoying or excessive parts that we choose to forget, and adds its own surprising and unique innovations that elevate it from being yet another nostalgic pander to becoming a proper modern wonder. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | Amy Kay Purcell | 85 / 100 | 08-06-2018 | Octopath Traveler is an all around enjoyable, nostalgic romp with some nice modern touches. While enjoyment of the storytelling will likely vary from character to character and from player to player, this retro-modern title is filled with sidequests, great music, slightly-hidden team banter, and a gorgeous new approach to pixel art, and is a must-play for any lover of old school JRPGs. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Scarlet Bell | 9 / 10 | 08-05-2018 | Octopath Traveler fills a gap in the Switch’s ever-growing market, putting forward a full and refined traditional JRPG experience in a way that will appeal to both experienced and new fans alike. Presenting a unique and visually enticing graphical style, alongside eight storylines and a plethora of bonus content, it is a game I unreservedly recommend for Nintendo Switch owners. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | Joe Morgan | 8 / 10 | 08-24-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a great game that shows the market still craves what classic JRPGs offer. It innovates in clever ways while keeping the nostalgic heart engaged. The individual stories are well-told but the core narrative never has them intersect in any meaningful way. Still, if you’re looking for something to spend plenty of hours pouring yourself into, Octopath is a fun, beautiful way to do it. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Mikhail Madnani | 8.5 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler feels like a gem from the golden age of JRPGs that is something I’ve been craving with stunning visuals, music that deserves a vinyl release, and so much more. | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Adam Beck | 4 / 5 stars | 07-25-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a charming throwback to classic Japanese Role-Playing Games. It’s brimming with life aesthetically and the turn-based combat system is old school yet surprisingly modern. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | Álvaro Alonso | 89 / 100 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler may not be the new Final Fantasy VI, but it is no doubt a great game. With an astounding presentation and a fantastic combat system, fans of traditional JRPG should not look any farther. | Read review |
| IGN | Seth G. Macy | 9.3 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a JRPG dream come true. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Alessandro Zampini | 8.5 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler manages to remain faithful to the glorious past of the JRPG genre without, however, seems outdated. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Ángel Almansa | 9.1 / 10 | 06-07-2019 | Long, deep, and with a combat system tailored to perfection. Octopath Traveler is an almost perfect ode to the old school RPGs. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | Hugh Mitchell | 4 / 5 stars | 07-29-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a gorgeous modern JRPG with a great combat system. Unfortunately, a messy and lackluster narrative progression slightly sours the experience. | Read review |
| INDIANTVCZ | Lukáš Lindner | 8 / 10 | 08-05-2019 | Octopath Traveler brings together the best from classic JRPGs and modern visual style. Well written characters and stories, diverse world, thrilling turn-based combat and a great soundtrack make this lovely title that pays tribute to it’s inspirations. Only weaker interaction between party members leave something to be desired. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Jason Schreier | Recommended | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a beautiful game with one of the best soundtracks I’ve heard. The combat system rocks and will hopefully be used in more Square Enix games to come. There are plenty of good ideas in here. But the game is too grindy, too repetitive, too full of structural problems to be viewed as much more than another botched JRPG experiment. | Read review |
| LevelUp | Rodrigo Muñozaltea | 8.7 / 10 | 01-01-1970 | Octopath Traveler is the magnificent missing link between pixels and polygons. It is game full of nostalgia with an incredible art direction, deep and addictive combat, a soundtrack worthy of the Squaresoft legacy and a lengthy although somewhat disjointed story line. If you are an old school player that enjoyed a classic JRPG , this game is definitely made for you and you will appreciate immensely. If you are new to the genre, it is a great opportunity for you to get to know turn based combat games, pixel art, and understand what all the fuss is about. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | A fantastic balancing act between old and new, creating a Japanese role-player that’s full of charm, innovative ideas, and clever nods to the past. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Josh Hinke | 67 / 100 | 08-07-2018 | If you’re just here for the combat and don’t mind a bad story, or if you’re looking to soak up the nostalgia of the golden age of the genre for hours on-end, there might be enough here to justify a purchase. It was perhaps too much to expect that Octopath Traveler would compete with the JRPG greats, as sadly it misses the mark in understanding the nuances of what made those titles so iconic. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | Carl Batchelor | 9 / 10 | 07-17-2018 | Octopath Traveler is all about taking the very best facets of every classic JRPG and combining it with newer features such as open world gameplay and non-linearity to create an extremely addicting and well built throwback RPG that fans both young and old will find hard to resist. Most of all, however, is the fact that the game feels like those who developed it truly love the genre and this is their love letter to it and its fans. | Read review |
| Nintendo Enthusiast | John Friscia | 8 / 10 | 07-15-2018 | Octopath Traveler isn’t perfect, but its major faults mostly pertain to the story. Beyond that, the game looks beautiful in a distinct way, interacting with NPCs in the game world is goofy fun, and the combat system is a multifaceted and rewarding revamp of Square Enix’s previous offerings. When you put it all together, Octopath Traveler is an engaging RPG with a unique identity that it can be proud of, even if its narrative falls far short of Square’s other classics. | Read review |
| Nintendo Life | Mitch Vogel | 9 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a special RPG, the kind of game that keeps an eye on the past while walking bravely into the future. Indeed, we’d even go so far as to say this is the best RPG you can find on the Switch to date, all elements of this game link together perfectly to make for a harmonious and immersing experience that you’ll find difficult to put down. We’d recommend Octopath Traveler to both fans and newcomers of RPGs; the game does a fantastic job of straddling that line of accessibility and depth, satisfying both camps with its dizzying amount of content. Classic-inspired gameplay, an orchestrated soundtrack, and a unique approach to storytelling make this a game that you won’t want to miss. This is an absolute must buy. | Read review |
| Nintendo Times | Craig Majaski | 9 / 10 | 07-29-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a fantastic example of taking a tried-and-true formula and applying new ideas to make it feel fresh and exciting again. The classic 16-bit graphics are enhanced with modern day effects to create a truly unique look. It features a fun turn-based battle system, wonderful music, and intriguing story. Don’t miss out on this Switch exclusive! | Read review |
| NintendoWorldReport | Neal Ronaghan | 9 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | The end result might not be the modern classic so many hoped for, but Octopath Traveler is an excellent RPG that’s only major sin is a loose story structure. | Read review |
| NoesPaisparaFrikis | Alberto Martin | 9.1 / 10 | 02-25-2019 | Octopath Traveler is a work with ups and downs in which highlights its wonderful combat system and its beautiful audiovisual section, but has a somewhat debatable argument proposal that will fall in love with those looking for a series of simple stories, but that will disappoint those who want enjoy the archetypal stories of struggle between good and evil. With this work, new paths are opened for the old paths of the JRPG: we will see how long we have to wait to get back on track. Whatever it is, I will wait enchanted, sitting on the edge of the road, yearning for the future journey to be as glorious as this one presages. | Read review |
| NoobFeed | Adam Siddiqui | 90 / 100 | 07-19-2018 | Octopath Traveler uses 2D sprites and low-resolution 3D models to create an RPG that faithfully combines retro and modern aspects in many ways. The graphics create a distinctive atmosphere that is complemented by artistic touches that bring every town, character, and enemy to life. Extravagantly drawn captures the essence of old-school RPGs such as Final Fantasy, Breath of Fire, and Earthbound while providing its own unique identity. Octopath Traveler hits you with its charming graphics and beautiful art style before sucking you in with its densely packed adventure that truly captures the essence of a great JRPG. | Read review |
| Pardis Game | Reza Liaghat | 7 / 10 | 07-07-2019 | Octopath Traveler could have beeen a flagship JRPG, but instead it is content with delivering a classic jrpg experience, Beautiful visuals and combat cannot bring the game to the place the game deserves and weak story and character writing only hurt the game further. But still if you miss those classic JRPGs then Octopath Traverler is deffinetly an experience you are going to enjoy. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Andy Moore | 8.5 / 10 | 07-31-2018 | Octopath Traveler’s choice to break away from the norm and explore an open world JRPG hybrid was a bold move, and while it doesn’t quite come through the other end unscathed, the game does do a great job at keeping you engaged. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | Chris Schilling | 76 / 100 | 06-07-2019 | Never quite the sum of its parts, Octopath Traveler is a game with brilliant moments rather than a brilliant game. | Read review |
| Polygon | Jeremy Parish | Recommended | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is the magical RPG the Nintendo Switch needed | Read review |
| PowerUp! | Leo Stevenson | 8.2 / 10 | 07-11-2018 | Octopath Traveler presents itself as a simplistic title thanks to the 16-bit HD visuals, but it’s anything but. It’s a deep, complex RPG, with multiple intertwining systems and a huge world to explore. | Read review |
| Press Start | Brodie Gibbons | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is truly a charming and wonderful J-RPG that has reminded me that there’s still a place for old classics. Some might call it dated, I’d call it ageless and even peerless when held up against a recent generation of watered down, Westernised role-playing games. Square Enix delivers a nuanced, tactical game and an endearing cast to boot. | Read review |
| pressakey.com | Tim Bissinger | Not Recommended | 10-09-2018 | In Octopath Traveler there is a lot of love and passion, you can tell at first sight. Octopath Traveler is a beautiful, fairytale-like diorama that recalls the classics of the genre time and again, but lacks the essential framework to bring the pieces together into a harmonious whole. The beautiful presentation and the great fighting system are contrasted by eight independent stories whose quality varies greatly | Read review |
| Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 9 / 10 | 07-27-2018 | Like a Datsun 240Z with a new engine, Octopath Traveler is a retro JRPG homage done right. This love letter to fans of old-school JRPGs is a great example of how to bring the classic JRPG formula to the present and make it look fresh instead of feeling old and tired. Admittedly, the narrative could be more cohesive and the level grind could have been done better. At the same time, its warmth and charming style is a nice change from the cold, factory-like approach adopted by games sometimes. It’s definitely a delight. | Read review |
| Rice Digital | Reuben Mount | 5 / 5 stars | 08-17-2018 | Thank you to Nintendo for kindly supplying a review code for this fantastic game. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Katharine Castle | Not Recommended | 06-07-2019 | It’s definitely a different and interesting take on the genre, but ultimately I fear this will be a path less travelled by those after a stone cold JRPG classic. | Read review |
| RPGamer | Matt Masem | 4.5 / 5 stars | 06-20-2019 | While those looking for a deep, story-heavy RPG might find Octopath Traveler lacking, the game is a hugely enjoyable modern take on traditional turn-based games of yesteryear with a collection of short story, rather than novel-length, narratives. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | عصام الشهوان | 8 / 10 | 07-28-2018 | A very successful attempt at an RPG that captures the simpler presentation of classic games while retaining their deep and challenging gameplay, and adding quality of life enhancements. It also succeeds in building a foundation for future entries that hopefully will fix the game’s few flaws such as a disjointed story and repetitive structure. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Leo Faierman | 5 / 5 stars | 07-12-2018 | Square Enix’s new conceptual return to 16-bit JRPGs is incredible. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Michal Korec | 9 / 10 | 07-20-2018 | Amusing adventure of eight different heroes can entertain fans of JRPG. Several stories can be a bit confusing but combat system is fantastic. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Kevin Tucker | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Too many developers have tried and failed to capture the nostalgic and often magical feelings that players have for the JRPG genre. Pared-down retro releases and fluffed-up remakes come and go, yet none of them seem to get things exactly right. Fortunately, Octopath Traveler succeeds where other classically-styled RPGs fail: the presentation is spot-on, the combat is addictive, and the potential for party customization is tremendous. Small stumbles with dialog and framerate can be forgiven simply because the rest of the game is an absolute delight. This is an experience that players can easily get lost in for dozens of hours, and it’s sure to be counted among the best Nintendo Switch exclusives released to date. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Jed Pressgrove | 3 / 5 stars | 07-19-2018 | The world design and storytelling often fail to match the high standards set by the game’s ambitious ancestors. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Róbert Herda | 80 / 100 | 07-05-2019 | Octopath Traveler is a magical game that is going to make pretty much every gamer smile. It shouldn’t satisfy only the veterans of the genre, due to its modernized gameplay that should make it possible to enjoy for the younger generation. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Spaziogames | 9 / 10 | 06-07-2019 | When old game mechanics and modern sensibility merge in such a glorious way, a smile appears on the face of million of JRPG fan: Octopath Traveler is an excellent throwback to a time when a whole world was stuffed into a tiny cartridge. After the two Bravely games, we really hope to see more in the future from Takahashi-san and his team. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Robert Grosso | 9 / 10 | 08-03-2018 | Octopath Traveler strays from the path of expectations. In taking the road less traveled, it becomes a journey that all should experience for themselves. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Gian Filippo Saba | 8.7 / 10 | 06-13-2019 | Octopath Traveler has several flaws, especially in the narrative component, but still remains a beautifully presented game, with tons of good ideas. | Read review |
| The Jimquisition | Jim Sterling | Recommended | 07-20-2018 | Octopath Traveler is exactly the kind of JRPG I’ve been needing. Yes please! | Read review |
| The Outerhaven Productions | Todd Black | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-27-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a must-have game on the Nintendo Switch for both RPG fans and fans of great games. It’s not a perfect RPG, but it’s definitely one of the best ones of recent memory. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Stefan L | 8 / 10 | 07-26-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a wonderful collection of adventures and stories, but the quirk of storytelling that lends it its name is both its greatest strength and weakness. While the turn-based combat and ‘breaking’ enemies makes practically every battle engaging, the eight tales this game tells don’t really feel like they need to be told together. It’s a little unbalanced because of this, but this remains a charming, beguiling JRPG. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Zhiqing Wan | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler feels like a much more personal collection of tales that might go against what you’d typically expect from a JRPG. More than anything else, the way the characters fall together feels like coincidence rather than providence, and the game is far more concerned with telling intimate stories about grief, friendship, adventure, and redemption. You might not get to save the world, but there’s joy to be had from just helping out someone in a bind and learning more about the deep history of Orsterra as you go. | Read review |
| USgamer | Nadia Oxford | 4 / 5 stars | 07-20-2018 | Octopath Traveler’s attempt to balance new and old JRPG mechanics is impressive, and mostly successful. There’s a charming one-of-a-kind title here that opts to talk about eight characters instead of focusing on one team, one world, and one story. Does this unusual method of storytelling work? I think so, but personal preferences will vary. Some over-long boss fights and questionable dedication to certain retro mechanics mar Octopath a bit, but if you own a Switch and love JRPGs, adopt this fluffy, lovely snow leopard of a game for your own. | Read review |
| VG247 | Alex Donaldson | Recommended | 07-12-2018 | A beautiful, challenging and often utterly brilliant throwback to the golden age of Japanese RPGs that somehow scuppers its chances of being a true classic through an ambitious but ultimately flawed narrative structure. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Nicholas Taylor | 9 / 10 | 08-28-2018 | It’s hard to imagine it going down as anything other than a true classic both for Square Enix and for Nintendo. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Adam Cook | 8 / 10 | 07-12-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a deep, diverse, interesting, sometimes risque and sometimes funny JRPG that you should play. | Read review |
| viewport | Albert Corsten | 8 / 10 | 08-06-2018 | Although Octopath Traveler has its flaws, primarily in the story department, it’s a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. The presentation of the game is extraordinary, the characters are likable, and the combat is addicting. If you are someone who is looking for a deep and engaging story, then this is not the game for you. But if you are a player that loves JRPGs that is looking for something a little different, this game won’t disappoint. | Read review |
| Wccftech | Dave Aubrey | 8 / 10 | 07-20-2018 | Ultimately, how much you will enjoy Octopath Traveler depends on what kind of JRPG player you are. Are you here for the story and characters, or are you the kind of gamer that loves maxing out stats and dealing massive damage? If it’s the latter, Octopath Traveler is perfect for you. If it’s the former? Well, sadly, you might get tired of it, but it’s still a fun JRPG that can last you for hours. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Jon Hueber | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-19-2018 | Octopath Traveler is a throwback to a simpler time, one that reintroduces a new generation to a beloved genre that is all but forgotten. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
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