Octopath Traveler II — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Octopath Traveler II is a JRPG from Square Enix, released in February 2023 on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. The game continues the first entry's style: eight heroes with their own stories, HD-2D graphics, and turn-based combat with the Boost system.
What is the game about
Choose one of eight heroes and journey through the world of Solistia. Each hero has a unique story: dancer Agnea seeks her missing father, merchant Partitio builds a trade empire, priest Temenos investigates a kidnapping. As you travel, you meet the other heroes and can recruit them.
Gameplay
- HD-2D graphics: pixel art with 3D effects, lighting, and depth of field — Square Enix's signature style.
- Boost system: accumulate points to power up attacks — up to four levels.
- Latent Powers: unique abilities for each hero that charge in battle.
- Different endings: each hero has their own, plus a shared finale.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Octopath Traveler II is an improved version of the first game with better story and mechanics. For fans of classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy VI or Chrono Trigger — a must-play.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful HD-2D graphics | Hero stories weakly connected |
| Deep combat with Boost | Lots of grinding |
| 8 unique heroes | Slow pace |
FAQ
Do I need to play the first game? No, the story is not connected.
How many hours? 60–80 hours main story, 100+ with secrets.
On PC? Yes.