Octopath Traveler II arrives on Xbox Game Pass

Octopath Traveler II has arrived in the Xbox Game Pass catalog, offering players a fresh experience in the realm of classic RPGs. In this sequel, Square Enix moves away from the turn-based combat that characterized its most iconic saga, Final Fantasy, and adopts a real-time gameplay style.

Totally detached from Final Fantasy

The game, which blends classic pixel art with modern lighting effects in its stylized HD-2D, stands out visually and captures the essence of old RPGs while introducing innovations in narrative and combat systems. Instead of following a single linear path, players can choose from eight protagonists, each with their own story to explore. This approach allows for a non-linear experience where players can organically attract new members to the group.

Octopath Traveler II offers a strategic combat system, in which players must identify and exploit enemy weaknesses while managing boost points, generating tactical decisions during battles. This mechanic adds an additional and satisfying dimension to each encounter, thus promoting a rich and dynamic gameplay that recalls the best moments of turn-based RPGs.

Although the narrative may not be on par with the most memorable stories from Square Enix, the game manages to connect the characters as their plots intertwine, offering rewarding moments. While Square Enix’s direction may suggest a definitive departure from classic RPG mechanics, Octopath Traveler II serves as a testament that the turn-based genre still has much to offer, standing out as a possible precursor to what could be a new Final Fantasy title in this style.