Square Enix has quietly released Octopath Traveler 1 & 2 for PlayStation and Xbox consoles as the first step in the video game studio's new multiplatform strategy.
On top of being available on new platforms, the studio has also added both games to Xbox Game Pass. The first game in the franchise was initially released in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch and now it can be played on PlayStation consoles for the first time.
Octopath Traveler on New Platforms
(Photo : Square Enix / Screenshot taken from Steam)
On the other hand, Octopath Traveler 2, which was released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC in 2023, has finally come to Xbox users. Additionally, both titles will now be available in the Game Pass library across Xbox and PC.
The franchise is a highly popular role-playing video game series that features a unique HD-2D style that plunges 2D characters into 3D environments.
The two games are both standalone experiences that are set in different worlds with eight distinct protagonists each that have their own stories for players to explore and Path Actions to use, according to IGN.
Some reviews for the first Octopath Traveler game praised the title for its beautiful style and outstanding take on traditional turn-based combat. These factors allowed it to push JRPGs forward rather than simply paying homage to the great games in the genre.
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On the other hand, the second game in the series, while a very enjoyable JRPG sequel, some people felt that it was a bit too safe and familiar. Square Enix previously said that the Octopath Traveler franchise was able to sell more than four million copies worldwide.
This comes as the Square Enix group led by Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler designer Tomoya Asano, Team Asano, recently released a surprise update for the second game. This included the Extra Battle mode that players will get access to after they beat the final boss in the final chapter.
A Unique JRPG Franchise
The coming of the Octopath Traveler games to new platforms marks the start of Square Enix's new strategy following declining profits for its exclusive titles. This is a plan that the studio has outlined at the start of the fiscal year in an attempt to turn its financial situation around, said GamesRadar.
On top of the new mode for Octopath Traveler 2, Square Enix's update also adds the heroes of the first game to the sequel. You will also be able to explore the update's new endgame mode and take on the series' former protagonists as bosses.
The Octopath Traveler 1 game's basic set-up is that players are presented with a map of the game's world, Solistia. The region spans two major continents that are divided by a large ocean. When you start, you will choose one of the eight characters and place them on the map.
You will be able to unravel each party member's story until they all inevitably intertwine into a grand web. Every single one of the protagonists falls into a traditional archetype that is defined by their job, which is a staple in most, if not all, JRPGs, according to Kotaku.
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