Closing off 2025 with yet another JRPG release always feels like the nicest icing on the cake. Octopath Traveler 0 is an ever-evolving genre entry that spans almost a six-year cycle. From the same creators as Bravely Default, this title is a spin-off of the original Octopath Traveler series. Building upon its gameplay successes, the developers have introduced a town management system that breathes new life into the narrative.
Octopath Traveler 0 originated from its gacha counterpart, Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, a mobile game released a few years ago. That title concluded in early 2025 and has now been reimagined as a premium, narrative-driven standalone experience. As players shift their focus to the town of Orsterra, the story expands far beyond its original scope, offering even more twists and turns along the way.
The story revolves around three powerful beings who seek to conquer the nation: Wealth, Fame, and Power. Each is explored through multiple smaller story arcs. As the narrative slowly unfolds, it becomes increasingly compelling, constantly pushing players to wonder what will happen next. Themes of social, political, and divine injustice gradually reveal a small glimpse of hope, and the story’s beautiful complexity gives way to an even grander plot. The first three Masters ultimately serve as a tutorial-like prologue to the larger narrative. Spoiler alert—we won’t be sharing details here. Expect to spend around 100 hours completing the main story alone, excluding level grinding and side quests.
As the name Octopath suggests, the franchise has traditionally focused on eight characters, but for the first time, the series moves away from that structure. While the first two games centered on a relatively familiar trope of fighting the “strongest of them all” through the journeys of eight protagonists, Octopath Traveler 0 introduces not eight, but 36 playable characters—a massive cast. This approach harkens back to classic JRPGs like Romancing SaGa and Chrono Cross, where players could recruit a wide variety of characters.
Before beginning their adventure, players create the main protagonist—a unique observer representing the player. This character can be customized with eight different jobs and a unique set of masteries, allowing for flexible playstyles.
At first glance, the large cast of 36 playable characters may seem diluted, but surprisingly, each character is introduced with a cinematic cutscene that highlights their personality and traits. Returning characters from the original Octopath Traveler make an appearance, alongside familiar faces from Champions of the Continent. The villains, too, boast deeply engaging backstories that begin like those of typical antagonists but quickly evolve into something far more complex. As the narrative deepens, players will find themselves unable to stop playing, eager to uncover more.
Moving on to combat, the series continues to uphold the mechanics it pioneered. Its signature battle system adds new layers of strategy mid-combat. Instead of a four-member party, battles now allow eight characters at once. Discovering and exploiting enemy weaknesses has never felt more satisfying, opening up endless possibilities for party composition—whether players aim for overpowered setups or turn-one debuff strategies. However, only the main protagonist can unleash a powerful finisher move.
The biggest highlight and most significant change is the town-building and management system—a first for the series. After players lose their hometown, Wishvale, they are tasked with rebuilding it from the ground up by recruiting new residents. As the story progresses, players can recruit citizens from other towns and major cities, each offering unique perks. Starting over is challenging, but it’s an intentional part of the narrative, encouraging players to preserve and strengthen their community during difficult times.
Cosmetics, new buildings, and additional housing options are unlocked as players progress through the story. In many ways, the game begins to resemble a light Harvest Moon-style simulator. While the town-building mechanics aren’t overly complex, they serve as a meaningful complement to the narrative. Over time, watching Wishvale grow into a thriving community becomes genuinely heartwarming and personal to each player.
All in all, Octopath Traveler 0 delivers exceptional value, offering well over 100 hours of content. From its immersive narrative to its touching town-building elements, the game showcases the developers’ ambition and creativity. What began as a mobile spin-off has successfully evolved into a fully realized, standalone, story-driven JRPG—one that fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate.
Thank you again to Bandai Namco and Square Enix for the review code.
Octopath Traveler 0 is out now on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Steam.
