Square Enix just recently revealed the next entry in itsOctopath Travelerseries.Octopath Traveler 0will be the latest installment in its popular JRPG series that combines modern design philosophies with the popular 2D-HD retro pixel style.Octopath Traveler 0looks to contain many of the core traits that worked well in the previous titles, expanding on them in a variety of ways as well as further experimenting by introducing some all-new mechanics into the mix.
Currently set to release later this year on December 4, one of the most interestingdetails shown aboutOctopath Traveler 0is that one of its main design pillars will center around extensive town management and construction. As part of the plot setup, the protagonist’s home seems to suffer an unfortunate tragedy. As they set out on their journey to discover the reasons behind this event and set things right, players will apparently be tasked with redesigning this location from the ground up and deciding its appearance and style along with who they wish to welcome as residents to it.
Along with the two numbered games, Square Enix also released a free-to-play mobile title,Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent,in 2020.
Octopath Traveler 0’s Town-Building Mechanics Could End Up Being its Breakout Star
In a breakdown of the official information that Square has shared since its reveal, a few ofOctopath Traveler 0’s major game mechanicswill be:
The skill model calls to mindFinal Fantasy’s job class systemthat Square has employed through various versions and iterations within the franchise over the years, whichOctopath Travelerhas itself previously had its own form of. But it’s the base-building idea that potentially holds the most promise, especially as there has not been anything like it yet in the series.
How Octopath Traveler 0’s Town-Building Aspect Might Outshine its Others
Given the abovenumber of recruitable charactersit is stated to have,Octopath Traveler 0already looks to be going bigger than its predecessors. Adding in a town-building sim element on top of what is likely to be another epic and lengthy quest might risk overloading it a bit and take away from its other narrative and gameplay visions. But, since it seems it’s set up to play a big role in both the story and the mechanics, it can be assumed that Square has taken this into account, and it will be balanced accordingly.
One major upside would be that, depending on how extensive and robust this design turns out to be, it could result in granting players a great deal of freedom and satisfaction to play around with it. IfOctopath Traveler 0offersdeep and accommodating customization, it opens a path for players to show off their own creativity, potentially resulting in a wide variety of impressive or clever layouts, with the town becoming a character unto itself.
Square will possibly show off more of how this design will function ahead ofOctopath Traveler 0’s full release to provide further insight into what fans can expect from it. Thus, while it remains to be seen how it might be received, if it turns out well, this feature may very well become at least one ofOctopath Traveler 0’s defining and positive characteristics.
