StarTopic Octopath Traveler II |ST| Boosted Journey Day & Night

[Kitty Paws]

Real talk: I took like 300 captures while playing through this game It's been fun going through them and keeping the OctoVoid filled. Hacked everyone's Fin illustration together:

Oswald looking dapper af.

 

[PixelKnight]

They’re mostly gameplay related, not story or spoilers. Basically, similar to the first game, I wish there were more jobs, more ability customization, and better pacing with unlocking things. Early on, it feels good to unlock and try out new abilities and new skills, and then when you unlock secondary jobs you get the fun of mixing and matching things, and that’s great! My issue is that by the end of Chapter 2s/start of Chapter 3s I had unlocked pretty much everything I wanted to and basically ran out of “new” stuff to do and character mechanical progression screeches to a halt. There are of course a few hidden jobs that spice things up again but they come very late (like level 45-50) and there’s not as much as I’d like, and it leaves a huge chunk of the game where there’s not mechanical tinkering to be done. And it feels like around Chapter 3s JP becomes pretty much pointless since you have enough on everyone to always buy whatever you want, which takes a lot of the shine off.I really like having long term builds and things to work toward.

I think I just prefer how Bravely Default 2 does it, where you’re constantly gaining new jobs and new toys to play with and new fun ways to bend the game systems and completely change how you approach combat throughout the entire game. I prefer that level of customization and “mechanical tinkering” for lack of a better phrase.

I think that’s a fair point, the extra classes were highly specialised, two needed a lot of searching to really get the most out of and two were locked to late game. I loved Armsmaster and searching for the rune weapons, and inventor seemed fun (although too much effort for me). The others were advanced support classes perfect for the late game, but there could have been a lot more ‘basic’ level ones to find. My Characters maxed out their classes fairly quickly by the mid game, and had enough spare JP to the point that they could, if they chose to respec entirely, pick a new class or two and instantly master them. Having an extra 3 or 4 classes (particularly melee ones) would be cool.

Octopath’s lore assigns particular importance to its handful of weapon options, but I’m sure there could have been more options within it. Given the prominence of water, I’m surprised there wasn’t a ‘pirate’ class, something like swords/axes plus other thematic skills. Or some kind of heavy knight class that trades out Warrior’s flexibility and aggression for better cover/counter skills. In terms of magic, more specialised mage classes would be good- such as a dedicated lightning mage where you get a massive boost to your lightning spells if you aren’t wearing heavy armour or something. Or perhaps have the paladin/church knight class available from their base once you reach x point in Temenos’s story, give it swords and light magic and cover/counter.

(This is all minor mechanical crunch- i still think the game is the best rpg I’ve played in years).

 

[Yamanoi]

They’re mostly gameplay related, not story or spoilers. Basically, similar to the first game, I wish there were more jobs, more ability customization, and better pacing with unlocking things. Early on, it feels good to unlock and try out new abilities and new skills, and then when you unlock secondary jobs you get the fun of mixing and matching things, and that’s great! My issue is that by the end of Chapter 2s/start of Chapter 3s I had unlocked pretty much everything I wanted to and basically ran out of “new” stuff to do and character mechanical progression screeches to a halt. There are of course a few hidden jobs that spice things up again but they come very late (like level 45-50) and there’s not as much as I’d like, and it leaves a huge chunk of the game where there’s not mechanical tinkering to be done. And it feels like around Chapter 3s JP becomes pretty much pointless since you have enough on everyone to always buy whatever you want, which takes a lot of the shine off.I really like having long term builds and things to work toward.

I think I just prefer how Bravely Default 2 does it, where you’re constantly gaining new jobs and new toys to play with and new fun ways to bend the game systems and completely change how you approach combat throughout the entire game. I prefer that level of customization and “mechanical tinkering” for lack of a better phrase.

Fair. I was put off by BD2's visuals quite a bit. Even the late PC port didn't help much since the aesthetic was jarring for me. I should revisit it since I bought it 3 times. LOL.

 

[NabiscoFelt]

They’re mostly gameplay related, not story or spoilers. Basically, similar to the first game, I wish there were more jobs, more ability customization, and better pacing with unlocking things. Early on, it feels good to unlock and try out new abilities and new skills, and then when you unlock secondary jobs you get the fun of mixing and matching things, and that’s great! My issue is that by the end of Chapter 2s/start of Chapter 3s I had unlocked pretty much everything I wanted to and basically ran out of “new” stuff to do and character mechanical progression screeches to a halt. There are of course a few hidden jobs that spice things up again but they come very late (like level 45-50) and there’s not as much as I’d like, and it leaves a huge chunk of the game where there’s not mechanical tinkering to be done. And it feels like around Chapter 3s JP becomes pretty much pointless since you have enough on everyone to always buy whatever you want, which takes a lot of the shine off.I really like having long term builds and things to work toward.

I think I just prefer how Bravely Default 2 does it, where you’re constantly gaining new jobs and new toys to play with and new fun ways to bend the game systems and completely change how you approach combat throughout the entire game. I prefer that level of customization and “mechanical tinkering” for lack of a better phrase.

Yeah while I'm not sure which game(s) I like overall, I do think Octopath 2 solidifies for me that I prefer Bravely Default 2's job and combat system

Fair. I was put off by BD2's visuals quite a bit. Even the late PC port didn't help much since the aesthetic was jarring for me. I should revisit it since I bought it 3 times. LOL.

The aesthetic is pretty jarring at first but it really does grow on you. I went from disliking it to it honestly being one of my favorite aesthetics for a video game

Man I really hope Bravely Default 3 is soon

 

[Yamanoi]

Yeah while I'm not sure which game(s) I like overall, I do think Octopath 2 solidifies for me that I prefer Bravely Default 2's job and combat system


The aesthetic is pretty jarring at first but it really does grow on you. I went from disliking it to it honestly being one of my favorite aesthetics for a video game

Man I really hope Bravely Default 3 is soon

I think we will get that remake/remaster of BD1 first.

 

[Layalseif]

Finished Partitio's story, I can now remove him from my party.

But Arcanist Partitio is so good I'm probably not going to, lmao.

I agree. Rest and Sidestep are the best.

 

[Layalseif]

Yeah while I'm not sure which game(s) I like overall, I do think Octopath 2 solidifies for me that I prefer Bravely Default 2's job and combat system


The aesthetic is pretty jarring at first but it really does grow on you. I went from disliking it to it honestly being one of my favorite aesthetics for a video game

Man I really hope Bravely Default 3 is soon

I really really hope we get Bravely Default 3!!! I hope that card game is back. It was fun, once you understood it.

 

[Layalseif]

Do we think we'll get in the future and probably on the next Switch Octopath Traveler 3? I hope they make a third game in the series.

 

[Yamanoi]

Such a good rpg. I think MHS2 has legit got a fantastic combat system.

I made the thread. If people like it, I will make more on games I feel went under the radar.

 

[PixelKnight]

I made the thread. If people like it, I will make more on games I feel went under the radar.

Please do! I always like digging over rpgs I felt went a bit unnoticed

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

Finally finished all the individual stories, Hikari's was last. Now I just have to do the crossed paths and then the final chapters.

This has been such a fantastic game, and it's really interesting to me that what are fairly minor changes add up to such a much better experience from the first game (which I loved too!).

 

[Thunder84]

Gotta say, I'm running out of steam. Still have 6 more final chapters to go, and then all of the crossed paths, and then the final chapters, along with any additional exploration I want to do. Not sure if I'm gonna do all of that though, that's probably another 15-20 hours on top of the 50+ I already have, and I just don't care enough about the stories here to justify that level of commitment. Probably just gonna finish all of the final chapters and see how I'm feeling after that.

Great game, one of Team Asano's best works yet, but it just doesn't have the legs to carry me all the way through.

 

[Maronic03]

It's over...

 

[k samedi]

Gotta say, I'm running out of steam. Still have 6 more final chapters to go, and then all of the crossed paths, and then the final chapters, along with any additional exploration I want to do. Not sure if I'm gonna do all of that though, that's probably another 15-20 hours on top of the 50+ I already have, and I just don't care enough about the stories here to justify that level of commitment. Probably just gonna finish all of the final chapters and see how I'm feeling after that.

Great game, one of Team Asano's best works yet, but it just doesn't have the legs to carry me all the way through.

I'm feeling the fatigue too. I think less characters with more meaty stories and more diverse game play would have been better. You get the abilities for every class pretty fast and I have yet to be properly challenged by any of the story sections.

Finishing Partitio's chapter 3 was very enjoyable though. The game does a lot of things right but after 40h the game kind of outstays its welcome. I'm still going to finish it because I want to see how far I can push the characters to the max.

 

[Herb Alpert]

No Seriously what's the deal with ochette lava boss ?!? Tera, I think...
I keep getting rekt dammit it's infuriating

 

[big lantern ghost]

Found a new way for this game to live on at my house: surprising my kid by yelling “ARROW OF FOR—TUNE!” for absolutely no reason

 

[Weebos]

In the Epilogue now, fantastic final sequence.

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

All I have left is the epilogue. Wow, what a fantastic final boss.

Spoiler: Mechanics spoiler

Getting to use all eight characters in one fight was amazing, and the ability to switch back and forth really added a cool layer of strategy. I didn't even mind that the whole thing (including the first two phases) took me an hour, it was a blast.

 

[SammyJ9]

All I have left is the epilogue. Wow, what a fantastic final boss.

Spoiler: Mechanics spoiler

Getting to use all eight characters in one fight was amazing, and the ability to switch back and forth really added a cool layer of strategy. I didn't even mind that the whole thing (including the first two phases) took me an hour, it was a blast.

Spoiler

It really makes you think on a whole new level, with all your 'all' effects suddenly hitting the entire eight people even though only four of them get attacked. It seems almost unfairly difficult at first until you start realizing just how much you can abuse the lineup and how things play out with the new formation. I loved it. Also MVP to the Foreign Assassin hire from Partitio, that's so crazy good against it especially when the arms are alive.

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

Spoiler

It really makes you think on a whole new level, with all your 'all' effects suddenly hitting the entire eight people even though only four of them get attacked. It seems almost unfairly difficult at first until you start realizing just how much you can abuse the lineup and how things play out with the new formation. I loved it. Also MVP to the Foreign Assassin hire from Partitio, that's so crazy good against it especially when the arms are alive.

Spoiler

I actually didn't get that hired help, I kinda forgot it was available, haha. Partitio still came in clutch as an arcanist though.

 

[SammyJ9]

Spoiler

I actually didn't get that hired help, I kinda forgot it was available, haha. Partitio still came in clutch as an arcanist though.

I SHOULD have done that, but didn't. Especially with 8 targets that combo is probably stupidly good.

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

Okay, epilogue done, what a wonderful game. As much as I loved the first game, this one is such a fantastic improvement in almost every way. I'll have to think about it a bit but this very well may be my favorite JRPG.

I SHOULD have done that, but didn't. Especially with 8 targets that combo is probably stupidly good.

I was genuinely surprised at the amount of attacks I could negate with it, haha.

 

[PixelKnight]

There are so many unsung, tiny QoL improvements in Octopath 2. I’m now about a dozen hours into its predecessor, and stuff like OT2 by default showing the most recent item you’ve picked up in your item list (as it’s likely the one you are looking for the description of) is really cool. Also the dungeons on the map displaying their threat level.

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

I spent an hour this morning fixing the tags on the OST I ripped from the CD set. Worth it so now I know that the beautiful song I'd been thinking of is called "At Your Back".

 

[SammyJ9]

I spent an hour this morning fixing the tags on the OST I ripped from the CD set. Worth it so now I know that the beautiful song I'd been thinking of is called "At Your Back".

Sure would be nice if I could buy individual tracks somewhere other than buying the entire soundtrack for like $55. Apparently it's available via Apple Music, but it's not on the OG iTunes store as of yet - come on, Square!

 

[KilgoreWolfe]

Sure would be nice if I could buy individual tracks somewhere other than buying the entire soundtrack for like $55. Apparently it's available via Apple Music, but it's not on the OG iTunes store as of yet - come on, Square!

It was definitely expensive (considering I had to pay fuckin $20 for shipping) but imo completely worth it. The interview in the booklet it comes with is really good.

 

[Leviraps]

Thinking of picking this up. Played the demo on Swtich and PS5 and conflicted on which to get. Was initially dead set on getting it on PS5 because of how good it looked but I went back to the switch version and honestly I think this game would be perfect for portable play. What platform did you guys pick it up on?

 

[PixelKnight]

Thinking of picking this up. Played the demo on Swtich and PS5 and conflicted on which to get. Was initially dead set on getting it on PS5 because of how good it looked but I went back to the switch version and honestly I think this game would be perfect for portable play. What platform did you guys pick it up on?

Switch, but to be honest I play all rpgs on portables if at all possible. The bonus of me finding it easier to fit an hour of play here and there in means I actually finish them

 

[39Subrosia]

Don't think I've posted in here since I first started the game. Just beat the superboss, so I pretty much only have the epilogue and whatever location on the map I missed before I'm done with my 100%/all achievements run.

Spoiler: both games

I don't remember Galdera being that bad in the first game outside of having to redo the boss rush if you die, but I had a lot of trouble with the second phase this time. I was using an Alpione 1HP build with Temenos, but couldn't get the damage for it to work before Galdera could wipe my party. I eventually realized it was because I forgot to change the time to night for Moonlight Judgement to activate. I didn't notice until I had already started the run that I ended up beating Galdera on, so I could have saved a lot of time had I remembered that sooner. Even before that, I failed a few times because I forgot to check what support skills I had on Throné lol.

I might make a post later with some of my thoughts on the game and the final chapter. I loved the game a lot, and it might be one of my favorite JRPGs, but after playing for over a month and putting in 100+ hours, I'm ready to move on lol.

 

[39Subrosia]

after playing for over a month and putting in 100+ hours, I'm ready to move on lol.

I retract this statement

 

[PixelKnight]

I retract this statement

I was so unready to move on that I started playing Octopath 1 afterwards

About 22 hours in now, I think I’ll make a thread on the differences when I’m done as I doubt many reviewers played them so close together, there’s so many minor improvements outside of the obvious ones.

 

[Ozzie]

After 72 hours, I have completed the main story.

I'm in awe.

Enjoyed every minute of this game, from amazing Team Asano turn base gameplay, phenomenal soundtrack, beautiful HD 2D vistas, a world full of secrets and brimmed with amazing content and finally but not least, a genuinely good story. I enjoyed every single path and the way the stories weave together is just perfect.

That epilogue really touched my heart as cheesy as that sounds. This game has instantly joined in my most favourite RPGs.

I honestly can't praise this game enough.

Truly, Team Asano is absolutely GOAT. Favourite team from Square.

I score this game a perfect 8/8.

 

[TheBlade]

I am currently doing chapter 2s of the stories. I bought an OP axe I gave to Castti and she's cleaning house.

I love the visuals, the soundtrack all of it.

However I dont know if I ve broken the game or if I just have my tactics from octopath traveller 1 that still work (then it took a while to figure out) - I find it a little bit too easy atm.

In Octopath 1 I remember clutching to victory in a lot of the bosses after at least 2 3 tries.

Will this change later on according to your experiences?

 

[PixelKnight]

I am currently doing chapter 2s of the stories. I bought an OP axe I gave to Castti and she's cleaning house.

I love the visuals, the soundtrack all of it.

However I dont know if I ve broken the game or if I just have my tactics from octopath traveller 1 that still work (then it took a while to figure out) - I find it a little bit too easy atm.

In Octopath 1 I remember clutching to victory in a lot of the bosses after at least 2 3 tries.

Will this change later on according to your experiences?

I didn’t really struggle with anything apart from the odd chapter 1 boss (due to limited party members and resources) and the final boss/secret bosses. I don’t think the game is difficult outside of real endgame stuff once you’re into the rhythm of it and have a spread of abilities and element/weapon coverage, and even then, like a lot of heavily customisable rpgs, it feels almost designed to be broken. You can have three level 40 characters bodyguarding a level 5 character on their first chapter, which reminds me of when my friends and I played a tabletop rpg and someone’s character died, and then their new one was so far behind but levelling up so fast it was hilarious!

 

[Vantell]

Man, the stories are picking up. Just finished Chapter 4 of Agnea and finishing up most Chapters 3 or 4 from other characters as well . Making sure all characters are at their 45 level chapter and then going to finish all the stories one by one . Cant wait ^^

 

[PixelKnight]

Man, the stories are picking up. Just finished Chapter 4 of Agnea and finishing up most Chapters 3 or 4 from other characters as well . Making sure all characters are at their 45 level chapter and then going to finish all the stories one by one . Cant wait ^^

I loved the crossed path sections to break up the pacing, as they were short and varied.

 

[Vernal]

I was so unready to move on that I started playing Octopath 1 afterwards

About 22 hours in now, I think I’ll make a thread on the differences when I’m done as I doubt many reviewers played them so close together, there’s so many minor improvements outside of the obvious ones.

I can't believe you're actually doing it, OT2 to OT1 one right after the other.

2 was just that good uh?! Understandable ;P

 

[PixelKnight]

I can't believe you're actually doing it, OT2 to OT1 one right after the other.

2 was just that good uh?! Understandable ;P

It’s almost as good as OT2!

I’m finding that I’m spreading this one out more, just doing a chapter a night. Such fun cosy games

 

[Deleted member 2]

I really really hope we get Bravely Default 3!!! I hope that card game is back. It was fun, once you understood it.

Oh my god I got so addicted to B 'n D. I played and beat every single opponent in the game and did everything I possibly could.
I always said to my partner that I wished they'd added online play with it, but matchmaking would take forever. Lol

Splatoon 3 has a pretty similar card game, Tableturf Battle, if you're interested. Unfortunately it's hard to find people to play with online unless you schedule with them outside the game.

 

[Deleted member 2]

I was so unready to move on that I started playing Octopath 1 afterwards

About 22 hours in now, I think I’ll make a thread on the differences when I’m done as I doubt many reviewers played them so close together, there’s so many minor improvements outside of the obvious ones.

Oooh that'll be a cool thread. I think you'd have a unique position having just finished 2 so that the differences will probably be pretty stark. Interested in hearing your thoughts whenever you post the thread

 

[Vernal]

It’s almost as good as OT2!

I’m finding that I’m spreading this one out more, just doing a chapter a night. Such fun cosy games

That's great. I was sure you would have found tons to love about 1 as well!

The core systems and charm of Octopath were already there, and on top of that you get new stories and a new world to take in. Though obviously some aspects are definitely lacking in comparison to 2 as you've already stated.

 

[PixelKnight]

Oooh that'll be a cool thread. I think you'd have a unique position having just finished 2 so that the differences will probably be pretty stark. Interested in hearing your thoughts whenever you post the thread

Might be a couple weeks at this rate but yeah I’m looking forward to writing it!

It’s so interesting really- almost everything is polished, it’s an archetypal iterative sequel that just improves everything really elegantly. From the start of the stories being largely way more compelling and vital in OT2 (OT1 has a lot more ‘and I decided to travel the world because x’ whereas OT2 has more ‘I needed to travel because shit is urgent’). But also there’s more mystery and twists and variety to, say, Castii and Temenos and Partitio and Throne in OT2, where OT1’s stories feel a lot more simple and less varied as there’s usually a nearby cave with the answers in.

Having chapter 1 of each character being them with some NPC allies in OT2 is a huge change as it means you can’t rely on the other travellers to carry you, but also makes their stories more lonely and desperate, rather than giving all characters but your first strong allies before they even reach their first dungeon.

Having the threat level of the areas listed on the map is such a huge QoL difference. In OT1 I’ve found it much harder to track which dungeons I haven’t done yet as I tended to dive into them when my main team was around the right level in OT2.

It’s not that OT1 is bad, it’s just amazing how they’ve polished every single aspect.

 

[Lelouch0612]

Yeah I would say that OT2 is easier than OT1. You will still die tho.

 

[Layalseif]

Oh my god I got so addicted to B 'n D. I played and beat every single opponent in the game and did everything I possibly could.
I always said to my partner that I wished they'd added online play with it, but matchmaking would take forever. Lol

Splatoon 3 has a pretty similar card game, Tableturf Battle, if you're interested. Unfortunately it's hard to find people to play with online unless you schedule with them outside the game.

That would be fun, if we could play other players for B 'n D online. They should release B 'n D as a separate game. Pity they didn't make B 'n D local play.

We need to petition for Bravely Default 3 to include B 'n D, and make a whole post island/area with only B 'n D would be the dream. And make online match making post game.

Now I want to go play B 'n D again. Must resist. It is so addicting. Pity they can't give us an update with new B 'n D opponents in game. Lol.

Thanks for letting me know about Splatoon 3 and Tableturf Battle. I don't own the game, but maybe I will buy it, to play Tableturf Battle.

 

[Deleted member 2]

That would be fun, if we could play other players for B 'n D online. They should release B 'n D as a separate game. Pity they didn't make B 'n D local play.

We need to petition for Bravely Default 3 to include B 'n D, and make a whole post island/area with only B 'n D would be the dream. And make online match making post game.

Now I want to go play B 'n D again. Must resist. It is so addicting. Pity they can't give us an update with new B 'n D opponents in game. Lol.

Thanks for letting me know about Splatoon 3 and Tableturf Battle. I don't own the game, but maybe I will buy it, to play Tableturf Battle.

If you get Splatoon 3, please hit me up. I will play so much Tableturf Battle with you.

 

[Layalseif]

If you get Splatoon 3, please hit me up. I will play so much Tableturf Battle with you.

I definitely will! It might be awhile until I get Splatoon 3, since Zelda is around the corner. I need to hurry up and finish Octopath Traveler 2 before Zelda comes out.

 

[Maronic03]

 

[PixelKnight]

Closing out the last couple of chapter 3s in Octopath Traveller. If I had played the games in order I would have been a lot more cautious about the side quests around

Spoiler: sidequest spoilers

translating The Far Reaches of Hell in the sequel. But then I wouldn’t have had the ‘what have I done? Moment upon stumbling upon the open gate

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Super boss spoilers and question, I need advice lol.

Spoiler

How the hell did they go and make Galdera even harder than the first game. I even tried cheesing it with double merchants on hired help, but I can't even get through the first half of the fight.

What levels did people actually beat this at? I know Alrond makes grinding way quicker at least. I've got everyone between 70-85 and I'm thinking it's possibly not enough? Everyone's pretty well geared and I'm well aware level doesn't do that much, but feels like everyone needs every drop of HP they can get at bare minimum.

 

[Maronic03]

Super boss spoilers and question, I need advice lol.

Spoiler

I've got everyone between 70-85 and I'm thinking it's possibly not enough? Everyone's pretty well geared and I'm well aware level doesn't do that much, but feels like everyone needs every drop of HP they can get at bare minimum.

I had everyone in the same range, leveling more won't change much, you gotta find a way to hit him super hard during break phase.

For phase 1 I had armsmaster Hikari with the accsessory that boost your damage when you are at low HP. I kept my 2 merchants for phase 2 + abused Castii's concoctions, and even then it took a lot of optimisations through trials and errors.