Octopath Traveler vs Octopath Traveler 2: Which JRPG Reigns Supreme?
When Octopath Traveler 2 was released, it garnered immediate praise, with many critics and players claiming it surpassed its predecessor, Octopath Traveler. While the sequel received widespread acclaim, it isn’t without its imperfections, and fans of the first game still hold valid points of critique.
Both JRPGs have their flaws and moments of brilliance. Octopath Traveler 2 is designed as a standalone experience, meaning prior knowledge of the first game isn’t necessary to follow the plot. However, playing the original might enhance your appreciation for the numerous improvements found in the sequel. A key aspect drawing comparisons between the two titles is the “octopath traveler 2 vs 1” debate, centering on how the newer iteration built upon (or sometimes deviated from) the foundation laid by the first game.
Octopath Traveler – A Stricter Challenge
While some players prefer the more accessible gameplay introduced in the sequel, others feel that Octopath Traveler 2 significantly altered the balance. The addition of the Latent Power mechanic in the second game undeniably makes combat encounters generally easier to navigate.
However, this increased ease can sometimes lead to unexpected spikes in difficulty, catching unprepared players off guard.
Octopath Traveler’s simpler, more rigid mechanics often demand a deeper mastery of the core systems rather than allowing players to brute force their way through encounters. There’s a strong argument to be made that harder-fought victories can ultimately feel more rewarding. Nevertheless, succeeding in Octopath Traveler 2 still requires a solid understanding of its combat mechanics; simply button-mashing won’t carry you far.
Octopath Traveler 1 combat with multiple characters facing a boss
Octopath Traveler 2 – A World That Breathes
One of the most immediately noticeable improvements when transitioning from the first game to the sequel is the increased interactivity of the environment. In Octopath Traveler 2, you can finally step inside buildings!
Gone are the days of merely interacting with doors from the outside to access shops, taverns, and inns. Now, you can actually enter these spaces. Furthermore, the sequel frequently features banter between your party members after interacting with NPCs during both main story quests and side content, adding a layer of personality and depth.
Castti, a character from Octopath Traveler 2, standing inside the vibrant New Delsta Tavern
This enhanced interaction makes the world feel significantly more alive. The characters feel genuinely immersed in their surroundings, and by extension, so do you. Instead of feeling like you’re merely traversing a static map, waiting for events to trigger, Octopath Traveler 2 presents a dynamic world that reacts to your presence.
Octopath Traveler – Encouraging Deliberate Exploration
For some players, the slower pace of the first Octopath Traveler might feel tedious, but this is precisely where the game finds its unique rhythm and strength. Octopath Traveler is designed for players who are willing to invest time and truly savor the journey.
Rather than encouraging players to rush through the world, barely registering their surroundings, the more deliberate pace of Octopath Traveler actively promotes exploration and observation.
The slower speed allows you to notice intricate details, discover hidden secrets, and stumble upon subtle Easter eggs. You’re given the space to truly appreciate the game’s beautiful HD-2D visuals and evocative soundtrack, fostering a deeper immersion in the world of Osterra with every step.
Octopath Traveler 1 character traveling slowly through a snowy, detailed environment
Octopath Traveler 2 – Elevated Narrative Presentation
While both titles adhere to the signature eight-story structure, Octopath Traveler 2 handles it with considerably more polish and grace. Although there are still moments where the individual travelers can feel somewhat disconnected, and not every narrative arc is equally compelling, the sequel largely succeeds in areas where the first game stumbled. For instance, Travel Banter is now far more prominent and easily accessible, even allowing players to revisit past conversations through a journal feature.
Octopath Traveler 2 characters Castti and Rosa in a cutscene, discussing a serious topic
Furthermore, the inclusion of Crossed Paths stories significantly enhances the sense of a shared adventure among the characters, addressing a major criticism of the first game. While the individual stories may still feel disparate during the initial playthroughs, everything begins to converge and make sense as you progress through the final chapter and collect scattered journal scraps. This structural choice subtly re-frames the entire beginning of the narrative, offering a new perspective upon reflection. When considering the overall experience, the improved story presentation is a key point in the octopath traveler 2 vs 1 debate.
Octopath Traveler – Challenging Advanced Jobs
Although Octopath Traveler 2 introduced numerous welcome improvements over its predecessor, there is one specific area where the first game arguably had a better implementation: the acquisition of Advanced Jobs.
Both games feature the same total number of secondary jobs. However, in the original Octopath Traveler, unlocking each advanced job required defeating a challenging, dedicated boss associated with that class. This added a significant layer of accomplishment and offered some of the most memorable boss encounters. The only advanced job in Octopath Traveler 2 that follows this model is the Conjurer.
The challenging boss fight against Steorra the Starseer in Octopath Traveler 1
The boss fights tied to advanced jobs in the first game were often tense, exciting, and demanded strategic thinking. It would have been a delight to see this mechanic, along with similarly unique advanced jobs, return for the sequel. Instead, the path to acquiring advanced jobs in Octopath Traveler 2 often feels less like overcoming a significant obstacle and more akin to completing a simple fetch quest.
Octopath Traveler 2 – The Dynamic Day/Night Cycle
The seamless ability to switch between day and night is a mechanic that’s hard not to appreciate and utilize frequently in Octopath Traveler 2. This feature not only changes the visual mood of the game world but also impacts gameplay.
Nighttime often brings out stronger monsters, making grinding for experience slightly more efficient than in the previous game. Combining the day/night cycle with distinct Path Actions for each character in both modes means you’re no longer stuck waiting idly for time to pass to interact with the world in a specific way.
Octopath Traveler 2 character Castti standing in the dimly lit streets of New Delsta at night
The dual Path Actions also add fascinating nuance to each character, reflecting their personalities and skills in different lights. Temenos serves as an excellent example; publicly a holy cleric and inquisitor, his nighttime actions reveal a deeply curious, skeptical side. He is someone who finds it easier to doubt and uncover flaws before accepting truth, capable of intensely scrutinizing others’ sins without hesitation.
Verdict – Octopath Traveler 2 Represents a Significant Leap
It’s challenging to identify many aspects where the first Octopath Traveler definitively outperformed its sequel, primarily because there aren’t many. Square Enix clearly listened to player feedback from the first iteration and made concentrated efforts to address criticisms and build upon the foundation. In areas where the first game faltered, the second generally thrived. Of course, Octopath Traveler 2 isn’t a flawless game.
There remains room for improvement, such as more organic integration of travelers’ individual stories and increased dialogue between party members. The existing dialogue can occasionally feel somewhat awkward or disconnected.
However, when weighing the features and overall experience in the Octopath Traveler Vs Octopath Traveler 2 comparison, the sequel stands out as a substantial improvement in nearly every conceivable way.
