Octopath Traveler 0 Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Square Enix has been on a strong run on Nintendo platforms in recent years, delivering impressive ports, fresh IPs, and gorgeous remasters. Much of that momentum can be traced back to the HD-2D series, and it all began with Octopath Traveler, which debuted on Nintendo Switch before growing into the multiplatform franchise it is today. The series, built around multiple protagonists with their own stories and motivations, has a reputation for drawing players in and holding their attention. Now, Octopath Traveler 0 arrives with a willingness to step away from parts of the established formula, introducing new mechanics and a revised approach to quest progression in what is easily the biggest entry yet. What’s It Like? Form your party, slot your best equipment, and prepare for a grand adventure as we review Octopath Traveler 0 on Nintendo Switch 2.
Octopath Traveler 0 departs from the series’ usual setup by putting you at the centre of the story as a customizable protagonist from the quiet town of Wishvale. That peace shatters early on when Tytos, the Master of Power, Herminia, the Master of Wealth, and Auguste, the Master of Fame, arrive and raze the town to the ground in search of a mysterious ring tied to power and legend. Barely escaping the slaughter with your life, you return to Wishvale amid the ashes. With your home destroyed and loved ones lost, you make a vow to restore what was lost while taking vengeance on those responsible.
From there, the game branches into choice and consequence. Early on, you pick one of three paths tied to vengeance against your enemies. Along the way, you rebuild your town, rescue survivors, recruit new allies with their own stories and motivations, and grow in both strength, wealth, and renown across Orsterra, mirroring the 3 main enemies’ motivations. While the departure from the usual format could have been a risk, making your own protagonist makes everything feel more personal and gives you a deeper connection to the characters and their motivations.
Octopath Traveler 0’s biggest strength lies in this narrative, which does not shy away from heavy themes. Many story beats and twists had me fully invested, showing how victors can rewrite history or how villains are mourned as heroes. It is an incredibly well-written story that, while still following some of the usual JRPG tropes, provides a much deeper experience. It reminded me of Triangle Strategy in how it can be a slow burn, gradually pulling you into threads that you simply must follow to see how they unfold.
Another fantastic deviation from the traditional formula is that you can now have eight party members fighting at the same time, instead of the usual four. Combat is handled with a front line and back line, and characters can switch with a simple press of R2. This adds more depth to the strategy, as only your front line can attack. Some party members have “retreat moves,” which might heal them before falling back to the back line to regain a small amount of BP points. The Break system returns and remains as satisfying as ever, allowing you to shatter an enemy’s defences and then quickly switch your back line forward to unleash devastating attacks. The combat system never felt stale, thanks to opponents having differing weaknesses, which constantly pushed me to mix up my approach and experiment with strategy.
There is also a much wider array of party members to recruit, with over 30 heroes scattered throughout your adventure. Many of these heroes, along with select NPCs, can be added to your town’s population, providing passive abilities and resource gathering that help expand your town. This also plays into the new skill system, which allows you to equip action skills that can be learned by allies and passed on to others. This adds another layer of flexibility to party building, encouraging experimentation beyond traditional roles. Early on, I missed a lot of these characters while rushing through the story, hitting a wall at certain points. It was only when I slowed down, explored towns, talked to people, and took it all in that the game revealed these characters and strengthened my party. That sense of discovery became a driving force, continually pushing me forward to see what came next.
Speaking of discovery, the game makes excellent use of the HD-2D engine, reducing the aggressive bloom of previous entries and making great use of depth of field. The 2D sprites are sharp and really pop against the 3D backgrounds. What I especially love about this engine is how it applies pixelated textures to 3D objects, like houses, giving the game a classic, almost Super Nintendo–era feel on a modern engine. Spell effects are dazzling, with sparks and flares flying across the screen, creating a truly spectacular experience. Boss characters feel particularly imposing, using the series’ familiar giant sprites to signal a major challenge.
The world itself is also varied, featuring multiple biomes and distinct architectural styles across the cities of different regions, making exploration a joy at every turn. Octopath Traveler 0 holds up well on Nintendo Switch 2. Throughout my time with the game, performance remained stable, with only very minor loading hitches when entering specific areas. Overall, it feels smooth and responsive, making it easy to settle into long play sessions without distraction.
The visuals and narrative are supported by strong voice acting across the main quest paths, while minor NPC dialogue remains text-based. There is conviction in your party members’ voices as they detail their struggles and motivations, and much like giving you control of your own protagonist, this helps deepen your connection to their plights. The real strength of the audio design, however, comes from the grand orchestral score, which elevates gameplay moments and delivers a true sense of adventure. Tense sequences, like betrayals or plot twists, are scored with dark and ominous tones, while more playful tracks accompany exploration or rebuilding your town. It is a sensational soundtrack that perfectly complements the world and narrative of the game.
For my Travelers looking into accessibility, there are a number of options available to make your time with the game more enjoyable. These include the ability to remap controls, reduce the screen vignette, disable the dynamic camera during boosted attacks, and adjust several sound settings, such as lowering ambient noise or fine-tuning individual audio inputs. That said, there are moments, particularly during certain weather effects or in very bright outdoor areas, where sprites can appear slightly washed out or blend into the background. In these instances, it can be harder to clearly discern what is happening on screen. As always, I recommend further research to determine whether Octopath Traveler 0 suits your individual accessibility needs. There’s also a free demo on the E-shop to test the game out before you dive in, and should you wish to do so, progress is carried over into the full version of the game.
At just under $85 AUD, Octopath Traveler 0 offers exceptional value for money. The main story alone can take around 100 hours to reach the credits, and that is before factoring in side quests, optional content, and hidden secrets to uncover. It is a massive game that rewards time and curiosity, making it an easy recommendation for players looking for a substantial RPG experience.
Octopath Traveler 0 deviates from its proven and reliable formula in ways that genuinely pay off, resulting in an exceptional JRPG experience. The town-building systems introduce their own quests, rewards, and stories, while the new narrative paths give you a stronger sense of ownership over what unfolds. The well-written story digs its claws into you, delivering moments of triumph while continually surprising you with its twists and turns. Combined with a revamped party system that enhances combat without sacrificing challenge, these smart design choices come together to create what is easily the best Octopath Traveler game in the series so far.
So, What’s It Like? Octopath Traveler 0 is like a Super NES RPG, with modern touches.
Octopath Traveler 0 is a What’s It Like Certified Exceptional game.
In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.
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