Octopath Traveler

[Kong Wen]

Has anyone been playing the demo of Octopath Traveler? The full game is coming out on Switch on 13 July.

The graphics are wonky in a good and/or bad way. It looks great but it also does some jittery, visually annoying stuff.

My feeling is that this is exactly the kind of game the Switch needs. As someone who hates handheld gaming unless absolutely necessary or in very specific cases (repetitive grinds, puzzles, anything that can be picked up and put down on a moment's notice in bed, etc.), this seems like the kind of RPG that will be friendly to play in fits and starts on the handheld as well as in dedicated sessions on the TV.

[The Shoemaker]

I'm definitely looking forward to it, despite not knowing exactly how it will play. I tried the original demo and liked it, but I figured I'd wait for the full release rather than play the recently released demo.

[Jordan]

I agree that this is an ideal game for the Switch. I would like to see more RPGs and non touch controlled rhythm games on the Switch in general. I'm pretty much the opposite of Kong. I prefer handheld gaming. That said, though, I think his assessment is spot on about the types of games that work best on a handheld device.

[SkyPikachu]

I’m worried about how spread out each story is and that it’ll will be frustrating restarting as a new character over and over again. I’m about 20 minutes into the demo.

[kawaiipikachu]

I’m worried about how spread out each story is and that it’ll will be frustrating restarting as a new character over and over again. I’m about 20 minutes into the demo.

You pretty much don't really need to reset as a new character over & over, you pretty much encounter each character along the way your journey & build up your party.

[The Shoemaker]

I've been enjoying this game very much, clocked in just over 30 hours now. I've done a few chapter 2's and the chapter 1's for all characters.

I choose H'aanit as my original character, and it seems to have worked out not bad. Her beast taming ability has given her a lot of options in terms of breaking enemies, and in most cases she's the only one in my party with a bow or axe.

I've been rotating through characters to keep everyone roughly the same level. Everyone has their own strengths, but I'd say Alfyn is the least useful in his base class, though I haven't really been messing with his crafting abilities.

I'll also say I love the music in the game. Lots of really great pieces.

[Kong Wen]

An Octopath prequel is coming to mobile platforms in Japan this year. No word on a North American release date.

[The Shoemaker]

They also mentioned a new console entry is in the works.

I don't have too much interest in a mobile title, but I imagine the art style would work well for the platform.