Octopath Traveler 0, Our Preview: Is It Square Enix's Most Personal JRPG?

Thanks to Square Enix, we had the opportunity to preview the first few hours of Octopath Traveler 0, a new chapter in the famous JRPG series that, with its HD-2D style, has redefined the charm of its genre and modern pixel art. With over 5 million copies sold worldwide, the saga seeks to repeat its enormous success by returning not only with well-established and appreciated mechanics already present in previous chapters, but also with a new and ambitious idea: this time, instead of embarking on a long journey impersonating multiple heroes, players will adventure with a single character created entirely by themselves. A concept perfectly encapsulated in the motto chosen by the development team: "Build your own adventure."

You are the True Protagonist: How Customization Redefines the JRPG Experience

Set once again in the kingdom of Orsterra, Octopath Traveler 0 tells a story of reconstruction and revenge, intertwined with the mystery surrounding divine rings. After concluding the excellent prologue, with the assassination of our parents and the destruction of our home village, we will embark on our journey, where one of the main objectives will be to rebuild it from scratch. We can choose which buildings to erect, how to decorate the streets, who to welcome into the community, and what bonds to create. A town-building mechanic that adds depth and identity to the classic "explore, fight, and level up" scheme typical of the series.

As mentioned, the big novelty lies in the customization of our alter ego: for the first time in the saga's history, it will be possible to create your character from scratch. Although in a limited and basic way, we will have the opportunity to customize appearance, voice, and even character traits and combat abilities, with direct consequences on interactions with the many characters we will meet during our journey. It's a change that may initially seem minor, but after just a few hours of gameplay, it becomes clear how significant it is, pushing us further into the center of the narrative and making each quest truly unique.

What becomes very clear from our test of Octopath Traveler 0 is that the title doesn't just tell a story, but invites us to write it.

Although Octopath Traveler 0 is narratively based on Champions of the Continent, a mobile game from 2020, the title goes beyond a simple port. The developers, in fact, describe it as a complete reinterpretation, enriched with new narrative lines, unprecedented missions, and a structure designed specifically for consoles and PC. It is, in essence, a prequel that looks forward, with new mechanics and a freer, more personal philosophy.

A Nod to the Origins: The Return of the Enhanced Break & Boost Combat System.

Despite the aforementioned novelties, the basic structure remains what fans have always loved. The "Break & Boost" turn-based combat system is back, and this time even more refined and dynamic.

Hitting enemies' weak points will put them in "Break," paving the way for devastating combos that can be powered up by "Boosts." Path Actions, which allow us to learn about, challenge, steal from, persuade, or help others, further enrich the experience, allowing us to approach situations in different ways depending on our playstyle. Furthermore, this time we can manage a team of eight characters simultaneously, who can be recruited during the adventure or come from our reconstructed village.

Another important element that emerges from these first hours of gameplay is represented by the quests, which punctuate the narrative structure of Octopath Traveler 0. The story is divided into a series of main and side missions that can be tackled in any order, giving us total freedom of progression. You can choose to follow a single narrative line from beginning to end, or jump from one quest to another, intertwining plots and characters at your own pace. A system designed to encourage exploration and experimentation, rewarding those who love to experience Orsterra without following linear paths.

A Feast for the Eyes (and a Pity for the Ears): The Magnificent HD-2D Style.

Visually, Octopath Traveler 0 is another love letter to the HD-2D style: pixel art sprites perfectly integrated into three-dimensional environments, with lighting effects that look like they came out of a digital painting. The artistic direction seems to maintain the nostalgic charm, but a greater chromatic variety and meticulous attention to detail are still perceptible, especially in the lighting effects on surfaces. The dialogues are excellently written and performed, both in English and Japanese, with high-caliber voice actors and evident care in the characterization of the characters we have met so far. However, a major absence must be noted: the game does not include localization of texts and menus in Italian. A real shame, especially considering the large quantity of dialogues and the refinement of the writing typical of the series. So much substance would have deserved a dedicated translation for the Italian audience as well.

In short, the first hours of gameplay with Octopath: Traveler 0 have satisfied us.

The game immediately makes it clear that it is not just a prequel, but a clear statement of intent. Square Enix aims for a more personal JRPG, where every choice matters, from the protagonist's look to the reconstruction of the village; everything contributes to creating a truly "personal" experience. We can't wait to get our hands on the full game and tell you about it in our future review.

We remind you that the official launch of Octopath Traveler 0 is scheduled for December 4, 2025, on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.