Octopath Traveler 0 is the best entry by far in the Octopath Traveler series and we’re here to tell you all about it.
Having recently been introduced to the Octopath Traveler series, I was intrigued to see the series getting a prequel in the form of Octopath Traveler 0. This game takes place several years before the events of the original game and sees the player traveling across Orsterra in the wake of a horrific tragedy in an attempt to rebuild their lives.
For this review, I played the Playstation 5 version of the game.
The Story
Octopath Traveler 0 is set several years before the events of the original Octopath Traveler game and takes place across the continent of Orsterra. The main player character is a custom creation that can be personalized in a number of ways, including appearance, traits and habits.
Octopath Traveler 0
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Windows,
Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: December 4, 2025
The story of the game is set in motion when the main character’s home, Wishvale, is destroyed in a shocking display of destruction. From that point on, the story splits into two main quest lines: rebuilding Wishvale, and hunting down those responsible for Wishvale’s destruction.
There is so much I want to say about the story of Octopath Traveler 0 but to avoid spoilers I will confine myself to saying that the overall story is incredible and very well written. The quest of hunting down those responsible for Wishvale’s destruction is divided into several paths that can be pursued in any order the player wishes. Each plot thread contains adversaries and characters that are not only fully formed individuals, they are also capable of actions that will surprise and shock the player. This is the type of story that will twist and turn in ways you will not see coming.
The Gameplay
What sets Octopath Traveler 0 apart from the earlier entries is that it’s not just an RPG, it’s also a town building game. Once the initial prologue is completed, the player is free to pursue the main story or focus on rebuilding their home in whatever order they wish. Based on the recommended levels for certain quests, I found myself naturally alternating between working on Wishvale and following leads around the continent.
There’s never any pressure to focus on the town building portion of the game, but I will say it can provide a healthy breather to advance that storyline after grinding through several quest battles in a row. What can be added to the town will slowly grow as quests are completed, which means it’s fairly easy to tell what should be built next.
One of the biggest changes in Octopath Traveler 0 compared to the original game is how combat works. In the original game, the party size is locked at 4 characters, and characters have to be swapped out at an Inn. This made gameplay slightly awkward especially if the game required a specific character with a specific skill set to advance a particular quest or unlock a particular item.
In Octopath Traveler 0, by comparison, the party size is expanded to 8 characters, with the party split in half between an active “front row” and a passive “back row.” What makes this system so amazing is that the player can actively switch characters from the back row to the front row during combat. This has a number of advantages, including the fact that characters in the back row can build up valuable Battle Points that increase the power of an attack. This means, if you strategically switch in a number of characters, you can hit a foe with several maxed out attacks in a row.
This greatly changes the flow of combat, as it makes it possible to strategize and utilize characters in a way that just doesn’t exist in the original Octopath Traveler game. I played through a bit of the original game after grinding for a number of hours in the prequel and I was shocked at how much I immediately struggled in the original game. I really hope the series keeps this as part of combat moving forward.
A Beautiful World With Secrets to Uncover
Another thing that must be mentioned is just how beautiful the world of Octopath Traveler 0 is. The player’s journey takes them from verdant forests to desolate clifftops and frozen wastelands, and every variation in-between. And then there’s the towns: each town feels different and unique. I highly recommend taking the time to explore each town, there are treasure chests to be found everywhere and it is worth your while to hunt them down.
I also like how traveling between towns can take you in all directions. By this I mean, with the HD-2D style, all of the Octopath Traveler games bear a resemblance to side-scrolling video games. However, there’s actually nothing stopping you from moving towards the camera or into the background. This is helpful to remember as sometimes treasure chests are hiding in those directions, so if you think you see a path, try and take it!
A Story Worth Experiencing
Between the intricate storytelling and the improved flow of battle, Octopath Traveler 0 is by far the best entry in the series to date. It takes everything that made the first two games fun and improves on them. It is so easy to drop multiple hours into this game, because every twist and turn leaves you wanting more.
If you haven’t checked out the Octopath Traveler series before, I highly recommend jumping on! You won’t be sorry.
