The newly released OCTOPATH TRAVELER II features eight new playable heroes, and you can start the game with any of them. Which begs the question: who’s the best one to start with?

The short answer is: any of them.

The new standalone RPG is designed so that every character is viable from the start. Not only that, but as you explore the world, you’ll be able to recruit the other heroes to your party and add them to your party.

That said, selecting your initial protagonist is an important decision - they’ll basically remain in your party for the duration of the game. Unlike other heroes, you can’t switch them out, so whoever you pick first essentially acts as your ‘lead’ character.

To help you make this momentous decision, we’ve created this guide to the eight travelers of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, their story, their talents, their special Path Actions (skills they can use to interact with people around the world) and what kind of player they may suit. Hopefully it helps:

Hikari - the Warrior

• Weapons: Swords and Polearms
• Talent: Learned Skills - Hikari can learn new combat moves from people around the world and use them in combat

Hikari’s tale begins in the desert region of Hinoeuma. As the prince of the warlike nation of Ku, his compassion and mercy often put him at odds with his more aggressive brother. After a period of peace, a tragedy sends the country to its combative ways, so Hikari sets out to find a path to peace.

What Path Actions does he have?

During the day, Hikari can use the Path Action: Challenge. This lets you challenge many NPCs to a duel - if you win, you can learn a special skill to use in combat, including attacks, healing abilities and more. Be aware though, you can only have a few learned skills equipped at a time.

At night, Hikari gains the ability to Bribe people for information. Bribing NPCs can give you the location of hidden items, discounts at the inn and even help you complete side quests. However, some have nothing useful to say at all, so don’t throw all your money away.

What is Hikari’s Latent Power?

When his Latent Power gauge is full, Hikari can activate his Shadow Power. This gives him access to some devastating attacks, which don’t use any SP to unleash!

As you’d expect from a skilled warrior, these moves are fantastic at either delivering powerful strikes or hitting multiple foes at a time.

Pick Hikari if…

• You want access to a broad range of skills early on - Hikari’s ability to learn new combat moves from NPCs means he can potentially use other weapons, heal himself and more.

• You want a tale with themes of honor, nobility and war

• You want to be able to deal out massive damage to foes

• You like a Japanese samurai-style aesthetic

Agnea - the Dancer

• Weapon: Daggers
• Talent: Dance Session - Agnea’s dancing can trigger extra effects from allured companions

Agnea’s adventures start in the small, leafy town of Cropdale, where she dances for the locals in the tavern.

Although beloved by the community, Agnea dreams of greater things - she wants to become a star and put a smile on people’s faces - just like her mother once did.

Of course, the journey to stardom is fraught with dangers… does Agnea have what it takes to make it big?

What Path Actions does she have?

Rather than force or money, Agnea relies on her charisma to get what she needs from others.

During the day, she can use the Allure Path Action. This lets her bring people along with her on her journey, and call them in to support her in battle.

At night, she can use Entreat to persuade people to give her items - provided she’s high enough level to do so, of course.

What is Agnea’s Latent Power?

When Agnea’s gauge is full, she can use her latent power: All Together Now! As the name implies, this lets her extend the reach of her abilities to everyone in the party at once, or hit all enemies with an attack. Use it to buff your allies for the fight ahead or lay the smack-down on a group of foes!

Pick Agnea if…

• You want a story that’s full of heart and positivity

• You believe teamwork makes the dreamwork - having NPCs fight with you is very useful!

• You like lots of support options in combat - Agnea’s dance moves can deliver all kinds of ways status-changing effects.

Partitio - the Merchant

• Weapons: Polearms and bows
• Talent: Business Partners - depending on which NPCs you’ve hired, you’ll receive benefits in business and battles

Partitio’s story starts in Oresrush - a rundown town in the vast wastes of the Wildlands.

It wasn’t always so bleak here. Once this was a thriving community, driven by the silver mines in the region, but fortunes can fall as quickly as they rise… especially when less than scrupulous individuals are willing to exploit others for their own gain.

Driven by his experiences of poverty, and dreams of bringing prosperity to all, Partitio embarks on a journey around the world, with only his nose for commerce to guide him.

What Path Actions does he have?

Partitio is able to Purchase items from NPCs. If you have the cash, you can get some very valuable items or equipment.

At night, Partitio can Hire people to bring along on his journey. These hired helpers can be brought out in battle to help you out. NPCs have all kind of skills, and using your funds wisely can bring some major help to the team!

What is Partitio’s Latent Power?

Once the gauge is full, Partitio can use Hoot and Holler. This incredibly useful skill instantly maxes out his break points (BP), which you can use in a turn to take multiple actions or strengthen attacks. He can even donate BP to other characters.

Pick Partitio if…

• You like the aesthetic of the old west - Partitio’s story starts in the ol’ dusty trail

• You prefer to solve problems with your wallet rather than your fists

• You want more freedom over your journey - after the first chapter of his story, Partitio can follow the scent of commerce to multiple destinations

Osvald - the Scholar

• Weapon: Staffs
• Talent: Study Foe - at the start of a battle, Osvald reveals one enemy weakness

Osvald’s adventure begins in the snowswept reaches of the Winterlands. Or more accurately, in prison in the Winterlands.

This once respected scholar was wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and child, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

1,879 days of incarceration in this harsh and forbidding place have done nothing to lessen the rage he feels for the wrongs committed against him. Earning his freedom, he sets off on a journey to exact his revenge against Harvey - the man who took everything from him.

Fortuantely, he has access to powerful magic - and a unique talent that lets him automatically pinpoint enemy weaknesses

What Path Actions does he have?

During the day, Osvald can Scrutinize to gain information from people around the world. Your attempts have a probability of success - fail too many times, and your reputation in the town will suffer.

At night, Osvald can Mug NPCs to gain items. Mugging someone initiates a battle - beat them and you can take all their belongings.

What is Osvald’s Latent Power?

Normally, Osvald’s magic spells affect all enemies, but when his Latent Power gauge is full, he can activate Concentrate Spells.

This lets his focus a spell on a single target with far greater potency - perfect for tough foes and bosses!

Pick Osvald if…

• You want a story that’s dark and tragic

• You like to play as black mage-style characters in RPGs

• You want to find enemy weaknesses more easily - Osvald will automatically identify one vulnerability at the start of battle, which is very useful

Throné - the Thief

• Weapons: Daggers and Swords
• Talent: Blessings of Darkness - automatically raises the physical attack, elemental attack and speed of all allies during the night

Throné is a thief and a member of the Blacksnakes - a thieves guild that controls the city of New Delsta from the shadows. Her duties are to steal and to… ‘clean’.

Though impeccably skilled, this cycle of crime and death weighs heavily on the young thief. She determines to escape from this life and embarks on a journey to earn the keys to her freedom.

What are her Path Actions?

During the day, Throné can Steal items and equipment from NPCs. When you approach a target, you’ll see a rating that shows you the probability of success. Don’t get caught!

At night, and if her level is high enough, Throné can use Ambush to knock people unconscious. This lets you get into doors and areas that would otherwise be blocked.

What is Throné’s Latent Power?

Leave No Trace is a useful power that lets Throné act twice in a row. This opens up tons of options in combat. For example, you can use that extra action to do lots of damage quickly, heal up a faltering party, break and stun opponents - the choice is yours!

Pick Throné if…

• You like stories that deal with the seedy underbelly of society

• You want access to lots of free items early on - Steal means you can fill your pockets with goodies

• You like playing thief characters in other RPGs

Temenos - the Cleric

• Weapon: Staffs
• Talent: Moonlight Judgement - at night, this talent automatically blinds foes, and decreases their physical and elemental defense at the start of battles

Temenos Mistral is a cleric in the mountainous region of Solistia known as the Crestlands.

He’s pretty easy-going when it comes to his duties as an Inquisitor, but things change when a tragedy occurs at this church.

Temenos senses that there’s more to this incident than meets the eye, so he sets out on a journey to solve the mystery.

What are his Path Actions?

If his level is high enough, Temenos can Guide people and lead them around. He can also bring them into battle,

At night, Temenos can Coerce people around the world to force information out of them. To do this, you need to engage them in battle and Break them by reducing their shield points to zero! If successful, they’ll give up all their secrets!

What is Temenos' Latent Power?

When Temenos fills his Latent Power Gauge, he can use Judgement. When this useful power is activated, all of the Cleric’s attacks will lower enemy Shield Points. It’s fantastic for Breaking foes - with multi-hit attacks you can even make a boss vulnerable in a single turn!

Pick Temenos if…

• You like stories about gods and monsters

• You want access to powerful healing magic early on

• You enjoy playing as ‘white mage’ type characters in RPGS

• You like some extra help in battle - Temenos can dish out some fair damage with his light element magic, but he relies on followers for big physical attacks.

Ochette - the Hunter

• Weapons: Bows and axes
• Talent: Capture and Prepare - capture monsters and use them in battle… or ‘Prepare’ to turn them into items

Ochette is a young hunter, living on the island of Toto’haha.

Despite her village’s troubles with the human islanders, she still lives a carefree life alongside her master Juvah and animal companions.

That changes when she learns of the fabled Creatures of Legend and an encroaching calamity known as Night of the Scarlet Moon. Desperate to save her home, she heads off in search of those who can help.

What are her Path Actions?

In the day, Ochette can Provoke people around the world, which sets a monster on them and initiates a battle. If Ochette wins, the target will be knocked out.

At night, she can Befriend townsfolk by giving them specific items. This lets you bring them on your journey and summon them in combat.

What is Ochette’s Latent Power?

When the gauge is full, Ochette can unleash her inner beast with Animal Instincts.

This gives her access to powerful attacks, such as Beastly Claws, which hits all foes, and Beastly Fangs, which lets her do damage to a single target.

Pick Ochette if…

• You like the wild tribal setting more than civilized towns and cities

• You like having a broad range of options in combat - Ochette can call upon both beasts and befriended townsfolk during battles

• You love monster-capturing RPGs

Castti - the Apothecary

• Weapon: Axes
• Talent: Concoct - combine ingredients to make both hazardous and healing concoctions

Discovered adrift at sea, Castti arrives in the town of Canalbrine with no memory of who she is or where she came from. Her only clues are an apothecary’s satchel and the fact that she instinctively knows how to treat the ill and wounded.

With the townsfolk falling ill, Castti determines to get to the bottom of their mysterious sickness and, unable to ignore a nagging feeling that she’s forgetting something important, sets off on a journey to recover what she’s lost.

What are her Path Actions?

During the day, Castti can Inquire to gain information from townsfolk. She can learn the location of a hidden item, get a discount on the inn, even find out something needed to solve a quest or progress the story.

At night, she has the ability to Soothe people, sending them to sleep. To do so, she’ll need a specific item, and that item depends on who she’s trying to send into a slumber.

What’s Castti’s Latent Power?

Every Drop Counts allows Castti to concoct without using up any ingredients. With maximum boost, you can combine up to five things, creating incredibly powerful mixtures.

Pick Castti if…

• You like medical dramas - Castti’s chapter is all about healing the sick and getting to the bottom of medical maladies.

• You want powerful healing options right from the start

• You enjoy experimenting with recipes - there’s a lot you can do with concoctions…

• You enjoy a mystery - the central question of who Castti sets off a compelling mystery that begs to be unraveled

We hope that helps you make your decision over which traveler to pick first in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II.

As mentioned earlier, the game is designed so that any character is viable right from the start, and you’ll be able to experience all characters’ stories on a single playthrough, so there’s no wrong answers. Just pick the one that sounds most appealing and have fun!

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is out now for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC via Steam.

• Get OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

A physical Collector’s Edition Set is also available to order for Switch, PS5 and PS4, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II FULL GAME

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II ART ALBUM - This art book features a collection of package art, world maps, and illustrations depicting eight travelers and their Crossed Path. The pages are specially bound to open flat at 180 degrees, making it very easy to view and appreciate the full-size spreads. The cover has a smooth matte finish with foil stamping giving the book a luxurious feel.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II –Extended Battle Tracks– - This mini OST includes 24 variations of Extended Battle Tracks, with unique intro melodies for each of the eight protagonists, which play when taking on a strong foe. This is a special CD with song variations not included in the complete soundtrack which will be sold separately.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Travelers Bust Set - A set of bust figures depicting the eight travelers, the protagonists of the title. The striking expressions in their respective gazes foreshadow each of their journeys about to begin

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

There’s also a free Prologue demo, which lets you pick a character and play through their story for three hours… and progress carries over to the main game! Find out more about that here:

• Learn more about the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Prologue Demo

To stay up to date with news and information about the game, be sure to visit the official website and follow us on social media:

• Visit the official OCTOPATH TRAVELER II website
• Square Enix Blog
• Square Enix on Twitter
• Square Enix on Facebook
• Square Enix on Instagram

Want to play OCTOPATH TRAVELER II before release?

Good news then, because there’s a new demo for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC via Steam. It’s a generous helping of the game with all eight characters playable and up to three hours of play time!

You can download it from the Nintendo eShoP, PlayStation Store and Steam today:

• Get the demo on PS5/PS4
• Get the demo on Nintendo Switch
• Get the demo on Steam

So what can you expect from the prologue demo? Read on and we’ll give you a little preview.

What is OCTOPATH TRAVELER II?

Before we look at the demo though, we should introduce the game for any new fans.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is a new RPG that lets you choose one of eight characters and set off on an adventure. Once the player has stepped into the protagonist’s shoes, it is up to them whether they simply pursue the goal of their journey or visit different regions to recruit the other characters.

It’s a completely standalone adventure - there’s no need to play the first game to enjoy this one. Of course, if you have, you’ll see how everything great about that game has been refined and improved in this game.

For example, the turn-based Break and Boost combat system returns, with new features like Latent Power attacks to make battles even more tactical and exciting. There’s a new setting to explore, with a day / night cycle that changes locations and the actions available to your heroes, more interactions between protagonists, and many more fantastic features.

And of course, it looks and sounds amazing too. The fantastic HD-2D art style pioneered by the original game has never looked better, and the soundtrack by Yasunori Nishiki is an utter delight.

It releases February 24, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC via Steam!

What’s in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II prologue demo?

Your first task is to pick your primary protagonist. There are eight wildly different characters in the game, each with their own tales, and you can start with whichever one you like

You can choose between:

• Hikari the Warrior - the second prince of the nation of Ku who sets off on a journey for his war-torn homeland and its people.

• Agnea the Dancer - a young Dancer from a small village who sets off on a journey to become a star that brings smiles to the masses.

• Partitio the Merchant - a man with a scent for commerce who leaves his home to save the world through business.

• Osvald the Scholar - falsely imprisoned for murder, this scholar sets off on a quest to avenge his wife and daughter.

• Throné the Thief - a woman from a thieves guild who sets off on a journey to kill the leaders of the organisation, “Father” and “Mother”.

• Temenos the Cleric - a cleric serving as an inquisitor who sets off on a quest to investigate a tragic incident in his church.

• Ochette the Hunter - in order to prevent a catastrophe approaching her island, she sets off on a quest to find the three Creatures of Legend.

• Castti the Apothecary - a healer missing her memory, who sets off on a journey to rediscover her past and identity.

Once you’ve chosen your hero, you can dive into the game and start their adventure. During the demo, which you can play for up to three hours, you’ll get a chance to explore mechanics like Path Actions and experience a supremely satisfying combat system that’s based around storing up actions and exploiting enemy weaknesses.

Once three hours are up, you’ll have to stop playing - but don’t worry, you can start again with a new character if you want to (please note that apart from the autosave, there’s only one save slot in the demo version. You’ll have to overwrite the first slot if you want to start a new journey and save that data).

Regardless, your saved data will carry over to the full game (provided you play on the same platform, obviously), so you’ll be able to continue your adventures from February 24, 2023, when OCTOPATH TRAVELER II launches.

How do I get OCTOPATH TRAVELER II?

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II will be available both physically and digitally for Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4, and digitally on PC via Steam.

In addition to the standard edition of the game, a physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to pre-order for Nintendo Switch, PS5 andPS4, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II FULL GAME

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II ART ALBUM - This art book features a collection of package art, world maps, and illustrations depicting eight travelers and their Crossed Path. The pages are specially bound to open flat at 180 degrees, making it very easy to view and appreciate the full-size spreads. The cover has a smooth matte finish with foil stamping giving the book a luxurious feel.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II –Extended Battle Tracks– - This mini OST includes 24 variations of Extended Battle Tracks, with unique intro melodies for each of the eight protagonists, which play when taking on a strong foe. This is a special CD with song variations not included in the complete soundtrack which will be sold separately.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Travelers Bust Set - A set of bust figures depicting the eight travelers, the protagonists of the title. The striking expressions in their respective gazes foreshadow each of their journeys about to begin

Quantities are limited, so order now to avoid disappointment:

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

We hope you enjoy the demo. There’s not long to wait before the full game is out, so be sure to visit the official website and follow us on social media for news, updates and even more glimpses of the full game.

• Visit the official OCTOPATH TRAVELER II website
• Square Enix Blog
• Square Enix on Twitter
• Square Enix on Facebook
• Square Enix on Instagram

It’s 2023 - the year of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II!

There’s not long to wait for the beautiful new RPG - it launches for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam on February 24 - just a few weeks away!

As with our previous OCTOPATH TRAVELER II previews, we wanted to introduce you to a couple of the new potential protagonists - and some new gameplay features. So, let’s do just that.

New travelers: Meet Ochette and Castti

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II features eight new playable characters. Each one comes from a very different walk of life and has their own distinct skills and abilities to use in and out of combat.

Here are just two:

Ochette

• Voiced by: Suzie Yeung

Your name is Ochette, and you are a hunter. Your tale begins on the isle of Toto'haha alongside your fellow beastlings.

Despite your troubles with the human islanders, you live a carefree life. That is, until you learn of an encroaching calamity known as the Night of the Scarlet Moon.

“All right, Master Juvah. I'll do it. I'll find those Creatures of Legend and bring them back.”

Desperate to save your home, you set sail in search of those who can help...

Some of the characters in Ochette’s tale

As you’d expect, Ochette is surrounded by many interesting characters. However, what may surprise you is that not all are human…

Isle Warden, Juvah

• Voiced by: Jaimeson Price

Ochette’s master and leader of the beastlings who live on Toto’haha. He hopes she will one day become a protector of the island.

Akalā

• Voiced by: Daman Mills

A lājackal, radiant in the sun's grace. He acts as both a younger and older brother to Ochette along her journey.

Mahina

• Voiced by: Cristina Vee

A malamaowl, serene in the grace of the moon. She acts as both a younger and older sister to Ochette along her journey.

Ochette’s tale begins in Toto’haha

Southeastern Solistia is dominated by an ocean dotted by countless islands of all shapes and sizes. The largest of these is Toto'haha, which was first encountered by continental pioneers twenty years ago.

In its western reaches reside the beastlings, a petite people with fluffy tails.

On the east of Toto'haha lies the town of Tropu'hopu, which was established by the first continental pioneers to settle on the island.

The harbor town's proximity to New Delsta caused it to be developed as a resort for the wealthy. In addition, it produces many luxury goods, such as delicious coffee beans, and now serves as an important stop along the trade routes between eastern and western continents.

Ochette’s Path Actions

All the playable characters in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II can use special Path Actions. These are skills that let you interact with NPCs, discover information or items and more.

Characters have two Path Actions - one that they can use during the day, and another for night. Here are Ochette’s:

Daytime: Provoke

Ochette can set a monster on a townsperson and initiate a battle.

Win, and they will be knocked unconscious. But fail too many times and your reputation will suffer, which means you won’t be allowed to use any Path Actions.

Night time: Befriend

This action lets you take a townsperson along on your journey and summon them to help you in battle.

You will need specific items, such as jerky, to befriend someone.

Ochette’s Talents: Capture and Prepare

Ochette can capture monsters and even turn them into items by preparing them.

Her success rates at capturing monsters increase when an enemy's HP is lowered, their weaknesses are exposed, they are afflicted with status ailments, and/or if they are broken.

After defeating a monster, Ochette also has a set chance of automatically capturing it.

Captured monsters can be summoned in battle. Although there is a limit to the number of monsters Ochette can capture, they can be summoned as many times as needed, making them powerful allies. They can also compensate for the elements and skills that Ochette cannot use.

You can prepare captured monsters to turn them into useful items. This can be done at any time on the field, or when you have too many monsters in your party.

Prepared items can be used for recovery, or even to befriend townspeople at night. The stronger the monster, the better the item, and the more powerful the people you can befriend.

Ochette’s Latent Power: Animal Instincts

Each hero in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has a Latent Power, which they can unleash during combat when their gauge is full.

When Ochette’s latent power gauge is full, she can let her inner beast loose and gain access to special skills.

Ochette’s special skills include Beastly Claws, which assails all foes with a powerful physical attack, and Beastly Fangs, which unleashes a highly powerful physical attack on a single enemy.

Animal Instincts’ skills do not consume any SP, making for simple and effective attacks.

Castti Florenz

• Voiced by: Sarah Wiedenheft

Your name is Castti Florenz, and you are an apothecary. Your tale begins in a port town of the Harborlands.

Discovered adrift at sea, you awoke to the realization that you could not recall your own name. The only clues to your identity are your satchel and skills as an apothecary.

“I need to rediscover who I am. And...there's something else. Something important I'm forgetting...”

Unable to ignore the nagging feeling within you, you embark on a journey to recover what you lost...

A character in Castti’s tale

Since Castti has lost her memories, her connections are shrouded in mystery.

• Voiced by: Heather Gonzalez

A traveling apothecary who is awestruck by Castti, whose skills persist despite her memory loss. She is moved by Castti’s desire to help the townspeople and decides to lend her a helping hand.

Castti’s adventure begins in the Harborlands

Southern Solistia is home to long tracts of twisting coastline, along which one can find the bustling port of Canalbrine. During the Age of Exploration - roughly a hundred years ago -ships launched from this town's piers would discover the sea routes that led to the eastern continent.

Canalbrine's symbol is its colossal lighthouse, which guides ships from all corners of the world safely into its harbor. Erected roughly twenty years ago by a cadre of engineers who fled the destruction of the U, it boasts a unique design. Special ore was polished to a mirror sheen and fashioned into a reflector plate, and the light it emits can supposedly be seen all the way in New Delsta.

Today, Canalbrine's church is an important launching point for proselytizers and evangelists who come from the eastern continent to spread the teachings of the Sacred Flame.

Castti’s Path Actions

Daytime: Inquire

If Castti’s level is high enough, she can inquire to glean information from townspeople.

Night time: Soothe

Allay a townsperson’s pain, allowing them to sleep.

Castti can use specific items to soothe townspeople, and the necessary item depends on who she is treating.

Castti’s Talent: Concoct

Castti can combine multiple ingredients to make healing and hazardous concoctions. You can boost to increase the number of ingredients and, depending on the compound, might even heal the entire party.

Combine the right ingredients to assail an enemy’s weak points with a hazardous compound and you may be able to easily break them or inflict status ailments.

Castti’s Latent Power: Every Drop Counts

Every Drop Counts allows Castti to concoct without using up any precious materials. At max boost, you can even conserve up to five materials in a single go.

This is a useful power to have when aiding the party in both normal and boss battles.

Crossed Paths: Castti and Ochette

New to OCTOPATH TRAVELER II are Crossed Paths - stories that involve two travelers.

Castti and Ochette arrive in the lively little village of Cropdale, where they hear hunting has been poor lately.

The two then head deep into the woods to investigate...

Different stories have different structures

Each traveler’s tale in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has a different structure. Some have more than one objective, and you are free to choose how you want to proceed. Let’s look at two characters we’ve previously showcased for examples.

For example, Throné, the thief, must decide whether to pursue Mother or Father first.

If opting to pursue Father, Throné will make for the thieves’ town of Winterbloom where her target awaits.

If choosing to pursue Mother, Throné will head to Oresrush to find clues on her target’s whereabouts.

The merchant, Partitio, can head to his next main story objective or follow the Scent of Commerce around the realm.

You never know what treasures you may find during Partitio’s story...

Side Stories

In addition to the eight traveler’s main stories, there are various side stories to discover. Some problems have more than one solution, so utilize your Path Actions to help resolve the townspeople’s troubles.

A merchant is at a loss when her horses suddenly go missing. Is there a way to help her before she must close her doors for good...?

You can find the thief and Challenge him to a duel or Ambush him to get the horses back. Or...

You can Allure or Guide a shorthanded rancher and introduce him to the merchant to help her find new employ.

Game Speed

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, you can fast-forward event scenes and the automatic text speed at the touch of a button. You can also adjust the speed during battle, allowing you to enjoy the game at your preferred tempo.

We hope you enjoyed this latest preview of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II. The game is available to preorder now for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam:

• Preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

A physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to preorder for PS5, PS4 and Switch, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II FULL GAME

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II ART ALBUM - This art book features a collection of package art, world maps, and illustrations depicting eight travelers and their Crossed Path. The pages are specially bound to open flat at 180 degrees, making it very easy to view and appreciate the full-size spreads. The cover has a smooth matte finish with foil stamping giving the book a luxurious feel.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II –Extended Battle Tracks– - This mini OST includes 24 variations of Extended Battle Tracks, with unique intro melodies for each of the eight protagonists, which play when taking on a strong foe. This is a special CD with song variations not included in the complete soundtrack which will be sold separately.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Travelers Bust Set - A set of bust figures depicting the eight travelers, the protagonists of the title. The striking expressions in their respective gazes foreshadow each of their journeys about to begin.

Supplies are limited so preorder now to avoid disappointment:

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

To stay up to date with news and information about OCTOPATH TRAVELER II and other Square Enix games, be sure to follow us on social media:

• Square Enix Blog
• Square Enix on Twitter
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It’s time for another look at OCTOPATH TRAVELER II!

For those just joining us, this upcoming RPG is set in the beautiful world of Solistia. It’s a vast land, comprised of an eastern and western continent divided by the sea. It’s a bustling era, as traders cross the sea on large vessels and the power of steam births new technologies.

The game focuses on eight playable protagonists, who hail from all across this beautiful land. Each one comes from a different walk of life, and each has their own distinct motivations, personalities and skillsets.

Previously, we introduced the merchant Partitio and the Scholar Osvald. Now we have two very different characters to show you…

New travelers: Meet Throné and Temenos

Throné Anguis

• Voiced by: Erica Mendez

Your name is Throné Anguis, and you are a thief. Your tale begins in a thrilling city in the Brightlands.

You are a member of the Blacksnakes, a thieves guild that controls the city from the shadows. Your job is to steal...and clean.

"Not again... Not this stench. Every time I breathe it in, it feels as though my very lungs are rotting... The stench of blood.“

Determined to escape the cycle of bloodshed, you embark on a journey for the keys to your freedom...

Some of the characters in Throné’s tale

In Throné’s adventure, you’ll encounter many fascinating characters, including:

Father

Father is one of the leaders of the Blacksnakes, and a first-rate assassin who oversees the guild’s jobs. He taught Throné the art of assassination when she was young.

Mother

• Voiced by: Meli Grant

The other leader of the Blacksnakes values order and discipline above all. She manages the guild’s members and mercilessly punishes those who fail her.

Pirro

• Voiced by: Sean Chiplock

Pirro is a member of the Blacksnakes. Though somewhat resigned to his life in the guild, he also dreams of rising through the ranks and earning his freedom.

Scaracci

Scaracci is another member of the Blacksnakes. He puts on a bold front, but secretly fears being punished by the guild.

Throné’s adventure begins in the Brightlands

Eastern Solistia is an urban region home to the continent‘s largest city. Blessed by warm sunshine and a pleasant climate, it soon became known as the Brightlands.

Agricultural abundance caused the region to flourish, and people flocked here in droves. Wealth soon followed, and development soon after. Before long, buildings like theaters and game parlors were erected to entertain the ever-growing crowds, and now the light of civilization shines as bright as the sun does overhead.

At the center of all of this lies the Brightlands’ beating heart: New Delsta.

In the east of these lands is Clockbank, an industrial center that has prospered ever since the Age of Discovery.

Throné’s Path Actions

Each playable character in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has special Path Actions. These are skills that you can use to interact with NPCs, uncover valuable items and much more.

Each hero has two Path Actions - one that they can use during the day, and one for night. Let’s take a look at Throné’s:

Daytime: Steal

Steal townspeople’s belongings (with a given probability). Fail, and your reputation will suffer.

Night time: Ambush

If Throné’s level is high enough, she can knock someone unconscious.

This will allow you to move forward when someone is blocking your path.

Throné’s talent: Blessing of Darkness

Blessing of Darkness automatically triggers at the start of battles at night.

This raises the physical attack, elemental attack, and speed of all allies, allowing your party to immediately go on the offensive.

Throné’s Latent Power: Leave No Trace

Each playable hero in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has a Latent Power, which they can use in battle when their gauge is full.

Throné’s latent power allows her to act twice in a row, giving her an extra edge in battle.

The choice is yours on how best to use the two actions. You can go on the offensive, heal, and more.

Temenos Mistral

• Voiced by: Jordan Dash Cruz

Your name is Temenos Mistral, and you are a cleric. Your tale begins in the mountainous region of the Crestlands.

Though easygoing in your duties as Inquisitor, that all changes the day a tragic incident takes place in the church.

"Oh dear... I suppose it can't be helped. After all, doubt is what I do.“

Sensing that there is much more to the incident than meets the eye, you set out to solve the mystery left in its wake...

Some of the characters in Temenos’s tale

Here are some of the characters you’ll meet during Temenos’s adventures:

Pontiff Jörg

• Voiced by: Jay Preston

Pontiff Jörg is the most prominent member of the Order of the Sacred Flame, respected by all the townspeople. He trusts Temenos and has appointed him Inquisitor.

Crick

• Voiced by: Stephen Fu

Crick is a newly anointed Sanctum Knight. He meets Temenos after being tasked with guarding the cathedral, and together they investigate the strange incident within.

Temenos’s adventure begins in The Crestlands

Northeast Solistia is a land of mountains and hills.

Perched high atop one stony peak rises Aelfric Cathedral, the center of the Sacred Flame faith. Adherents of this religion's tenets have worshipped the Sacred Flame that the cathedral houses since time immemorial.

Even through the bitterly cold winter a century previous, the flame continued to warm the hearts and souls of all who visited. In both name and spirit, the Sacred Flame and its church are the divine lords of this land.

At the base of the cathedral lies the small town of Flamechurch. Though its population is small, the townsfolk make a good living providing for the crowds of pilgrims who travel here to visit the cathedral.

Temenos’s Path Actions

Daytime: Guide

If Temenos’s level is high enough, he can Guide someone to lead them around - and even summon them to aid him in battle.

Night time: Coerce

This Path Action lets you force information out of someone by breaking them in battle.

Lower your foe’s Shield Points to 0 to break them and obtain the information you seek. You won’t need to defeat your target, so focus on exploiting their weak points!

Temenos’s Talent: Moonlight Judgment

Moonlight Judgment automatically triggers at the start of battles at night. This blinds foes, which lowers their accuracy and safeguards your party from oncoming attacks. It also decreases foes’ physical and elemental defense, giving you the upper hand.

Temenos’s Latent Power: Judgment

When Temenos’s power gauge is full, he can use Judgement.

On the turn Judgment is activated, all of Temenos’s attacks will lower enemy Shield Points. Combine this with boosted attacks or multiple-hit skills and he can break an enemy in a single turn.

Secondary jobs

Each traveler sets out with a primary job - for example, Thief and Cleric as above. However, they can combine this with a secondary job in battle as their journey progresses.

Changing your secondary job also changes the weapons and skills at your disposal. For example, the Dancer job can use daggers, but equip them with Warrior as their secondary job and then they can also use swords and polearms!

The more weapons you can use, the easier it will be to break an opponent. This will also drastically increase your power on the battlefield.

Obtaining secondary jobs

You can obtain licenses at various guilds throughout the world for basic jobs like Warrior and Dancer. Fulfill the guilds’ requests and you can obtain up to three licenses, allowing multiple travelers to use the same secondary job.

Some guilds operate openly in towns, while others are hidden away. Search every corner of the world to find them all.

Special jobs require a unique item known as “proof” to be used in battle. Only a single traveler can use one of these powerful jobs at a time, so choose wisely.

Support Skills

Learn job skills to unlock support skills. Each traveler can equip up to four of these valuable skills, which trigger automatically.

The support skills you can learn differs by secondary job. Learn all the job skills you can to unlock them all.

Combine different jobs’ support skills, like Summon Strength and Eagle Eye, to further strengthen your travelers.

Some support skills can be used outside of battle, like Evasive Maneuvers and Vigorous Victor.

Cross Paths: Throné and Temenos

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, you can experience Crossed Paths - stories involving two travelers.

Throné and Temenos return to Flamechurch.

Throné recalls a rumor she heard of a treasure inside the cathedral and asks Temenos if he would like to do a little investigating...

We hope you enjoyed this next preview of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II. The game releases on February 24, 2023 physically and digitally for PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, as well as digitally on Steam.

On that note, we have some exciting news:

Nintendo Switch digital preorders will be live today!

Yes, OCTOPATH TRAVELER II will be available to pre-order today (or even right now depending on when you're reading this) on Nintendo eShop. Pre-order to receive Travel Provisions, a bonus pack including items to help you on your journey.

• Preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II on Nintendo Switch

The game is also available to preorder now for PS5 and PS4:

• Preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II(https://www.square-enix-games.com/games/octopath-traveler-2

A physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to preorder for PS5, PS4 and Switch, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II FULL GAME

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II ART ALBUM - This art book features a collection of package art, world maps, and illustrations depicting eight travelers and their Crossed Path. The pages are specially bound to open flat at 180 degrees, making it very easy to view and appreciate the full-size spreads. The cover has a smooth matte finish with foil stamping giving the book a luxurious feel.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II –Extended Battle Tracks– - This mini OST includes 24 variations of Extended Battle Tracks, with unique intro melodies for each of the eight protagonists, which play when taking on a strong foe. This is a special CD with song variations not included in the complete soundtrack which will be sold separately.

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Travelers Bust Set - A set of bust figures depicting the eight travelers, the protagonists of the title. The striking expressions in their respective gazes foreshadow each of their journeys about to begin.

Supplies are limited so preorder now to avoid disappointment:

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

We’ll have more to share about OCTOPATH TRAVELER II in 2023, so make sure you bookmark the blog and follow us on social media for news and updates!

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Warriors and fighters are a mainstay of any RPG. Sword in hand, these brave combatants dive into the heart of the action, relying largely on strength and skill with the blade to see them through.

We wanted to highlight some of these remarkable warriors of all types across our games.

But let’s be honest - this is a role that can be somewhat blurred - while some characters slot perfectly into the ‘fighter’ archetype, others have abilities that go beyond the blade. The important thing is that they all primarily rely on their weapons and their skills to win the day.

Squall - FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered

The introspective Squall has trouble sharing his thoughts with others, but when he’s on the battlefield, you know exactly what he’s feeling. Most of the time it’s: “I’m going to hit you very hard with this gunblade”.

Squall has his fair share of flaws - he’s uncommunicative, reluctant to assume responsibility and wastes far too much time playing Triple Triad (although that may be just when we’re in control). Even so, he has an inner strength that draws people towards him - his friends know he’s someone they can rely on, even if he doesn’t.

Of course, his outer strength is pretty impressive too. He’s one of the few people able to wield a gunblade - a powerful weapon that lets him augment his strikes with a powerful blast for a little extra kick.

All said, we consider him among the greatest warriors in all of gaming. And if you don’t agree… whatever.

Beatrix - FINAL FANTASY IX

This Alexandrian knight is proud, brave and utterly loyal to Alexandria. Unfortunately for her, this loyalty is easily manipulated and she’s responsible for some truly heinous acts in the name of the queen.

However, we’re not here to judge her decision-making, which is… let’s say ‘mixed’ (destroying Burmecia: bad choice, opening her heart to Steiner: great choice), we’re celebrating her skills as a warrior. In this respect, she’s unmatched.

You face off against Beatrix multiple times in FINAL FANTASY IX and each time she destroys your group without breaking a sweat. She’s someone you quickly learn to fear and respect, so when she joins the party for a short time during a certain event, it’s a real thrill.

• Get FINAL FANTASY IX on Switch
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• Get FINAL FANTASY IX on PS4
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Ardbert - FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

While some embrace the role of the villain, others have it thrust upon them. So it is with Ardbert, the Warrior of Darkness.

This powerful fighter is regularly at odds with the Warrior of Light. Ardbert first appears after the events of Heavensward to threaten both Hydaelyn and its greatest champions. He’s a constant threat who is brash, angry, and utterly loathes the very concept of “heroes.”

While his methods may be dangerous, his motivations are pure, as his singular focus is on saving his home. Over the course of the story, you begin to understand the rage and regret that drives him and even sympathise with his plight. He doesn’t want to be a monster - he just doesn’t see any other path.

He’s a truly compelling character in a game full of them and one of the most memorable warriors in the series.

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2B - NieR:Automata

2B or not 2B? That is the question - because her fellow Android A2 is equally deserving of recognition as a warrior.

But with NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition currently winning new fans on Nintendo Switch, it seems most appropriate to avoid spoilers and focus on the character you play as at the start of the adventure. And also because 2B is a formidable fighter.

As a member of the android military unit YoRHa, 2B is more than trained for combat: she’s designed for it. Her speed and agility, as well as her ability to wield multiple weapons, means she’s capable of taking on enemies that tower many meters above her. And often do.

She approaches each battle with focus and a no-nonsense attitude - but she has an emotional side too. It’s just a shame that the story of NieR:Automata means you don’t get to see it, right?

…shh! Spoilers!

• Get NieR:Automata The End of YoRHa Edition

Hikari - OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

You haven’t been properly introduced to Hikari yet - OCTOPATH TRAVELER II isn’t out until February 24, 2023.

But you should be excited because he’s one of the best warrior-type characters you’ll meet next year. Hikari is the younger prince of Ku - a nation that seems to always be at war. This kind-hearted fighter worries greatly about his nations’ people, who suffer greatly due to the endless conflict.

Despite his formidable skills as a fighter, he prays for a world without conflict, and sets off on a journey to try and bring peace to his nation.

So why’s he in this list? Is he a tantalizing tease of what’s to come? A display of confidence in a character we know you’ll adore? A shameless reminder to preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II? All of the above?

We’ll let you decide that for yourselves but take it from us: Hikari absolutely deserves his spot. We can’t wait for you to find out why.

• Preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

Jack - STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

Jack can do it all. Whether he’s a diving dragoon, tricksy thief or a punchy pugilist, the protagonist of STRANGE OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN excels at any job you equip him with.

He starts his journey, however, as a Swordsman - and when it comes to carving up foes, he’s one of the best in the biz. Whether he’s going to toe-to-tentacle with a Malboro, or facing off against one of the Four Fiends themselves, a greatsword is all he needs to come out on top.

And what greatswords they are! STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is full of beautiful gear, but these massive blades are particularly impressive - so much so that we commissioned prop-maker LittleJem to bring one to life!

We’ve said it over and over again by this point, but grouchy Mr. Garland really is a Jack of all trades… and definitely a master when it comes to the sword!

• Get STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN

The Valkyrie - VALKYRIE ELYSIUM

The protagonist in Valkyrie Elysium was created by Odin to purify souls.

How does she do that? By beating the ever-loving daylights out of them of course!

Many of the darker souls left in the desolate ruins of Midgard manifest as undead, meaning they have to be defeated to be saved. Of course, the Valkyrie is more than up to the task - she was literally made for this.

She’s able to use multiple weapons, from different types of swords to spears, access Divine Arts to purify foes, summon Einherjar - spirits of fallen warriors - to help her in battle and more. Few fighters in action RPGs have so many options available to them in how they approach a battle.

Combined with her speed and agility, it all makes the Valkyrie a force to be reckoned with - few action RPG heroes are as fun and flexible to control as her!

• Get VALKYIE ELYSIUM

Zack - CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION

“What the…?!” I hear you gasp? “Not Cloud Strife?”

Look - blondie definitely deserves to make this list, but with CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION coming on December 13, it’s only right that Zack gets his time in the spotlight.

He’s more than worthy of it too. Zack is a skilled fighter who wields the iconic Buster Sword as much skill and style as any of its other owners. Whether he’s facing off against Wutai ninjas, mechanical monstrosities, or Summons like Ifrit, his speed and strength give him the edge he needs to triumph. He’s one of the few people to have beaten multiple 1st Class SOLDIER operatives...

But the size of the Buster Sword pales in comparison to the size of Zack’s heart. He’s a generous soul who believes in his friends and will do anything to protect them. He may start CRISIS CORE as SOLDIER 2nd Class, but he’ll always be 1st Class in our hearts.

Who needs Cloud, eh?

• Preorder CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION

Cloud - FINAL FANTASY VII / FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE

…oh alright, he’s equally awesome, so here he is. You can stop typing that Tweet now.

Those were just a few of our picks for our favorite fighters, but it’s barely scratching the surface of all the amazing characters out there. It’s a highly contested field - there are so many amazing warriors that everyone is sure to have their own favorite.

So let us know who you’d pick. Share your thoughts on social media - maybe we’ll do a follow-up that highlights your picks later!

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We know many of you are excited about OCTOPATH TRAVELER II - so here’s a new look at the game!

Don’t be fooled by the ‘II’ - this new RPG is a completely standalone adventure, with a whole new world full of secrets, eight new travelers each with their own tales, a fast-paced and strategic turn-based battle system and more.

Today, we’re tell you a little about that world, and how to get around it. Plus we’ll introduce you to two of the eight potential protagonists: Partitio and Osvald!

The world of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

The story takes place in Solistia, a land comprising an eastern and western continent divided by the sea.

It is a bustling era, wherein large vessels navigate busy sea routes and the power of steam gives birth to new technologies.

Some people thrill to glamorous stars of the stage and industry, while others are brought to tears by war, plague, and poverty.

In this faraway realm, eight travelers hailing from different regions venture forth for their own reasons.

Step into their shoes and explore the land as you see fit.

New travelers: Meet Partitio and Osvald

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II lets you step into the shoes of eight new characters. Today, we’ll share a look at two of them: the merchant Partitio and the scholar Osvald.

Partitio Yellowil

Your name is Partitio Yellowil, and you are a merchant. Your tale begins in the vast wastes of the Wildlands.

After witnessing the rise and fall of the pioneer town you call home, you set your gaze upon the horizon.

"I'll be back once I eliminate that devil called poverty from the world!"

With dreams of bringing prosperity to all, you embark on a journey with only the scent of commerce to guide you...

Some of the characters in Partitio’s tale

Along your journey as Partitio, you’ll encounter many memorable characters, including:

Papp

Partitio’s father, and the man who taught him all he knows about commerce. He came to this barren land 16 years ago and helped build Oresrush from the ground up.

Roque

Papp’s business partner. He and Papp purchased a promising plot of land, anticipating it would be rich in silver. It has since bloomed into the town of Oresrush. Partitio admires him for being a pioneer in business.

Ori

A scrivener for the Delsta Times who travels the world looking for the latest scoop. Partitio’s actions have caught her eye, and she seemingly appears out of thin air to get all the juicy details.

Partitio’s journey begins in the Wildlands

Northwest Solistia is a barren wasteland - a blasted expanse of volcanic rock that resists even the loneliest blade of grass. The few brave souls who eke out their existence here have long suffered the sulfuric whims of Fiatsuro and its unstable neighbors.

But life always finds a way. Among the rock and stone dwell the golt, an unusually large breed of goat who subsist on a meager fare of local weed. The cheese produced from their milk is especially scrumptious and has become a local specialty.

The volcanic soil conceals a wealth of valuable minerals. Many small mining towns have sprung up here, including the southern town of Oresrush, established by silver merchants Papp and Roque.

Partitio’s Path Actions

Every character in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has special Path Actions - skills that you can use outside of battle to interact with NPCs, uncover valuable items and more. Each hero has two Path Actions - one they can use in the day, and one for night.

Let’s take a look at Partitio’s:

Daytime: Purchase

Obtain items from people. You must have enough money to purchase their belongings.

The more valuable the item, the higher the price. Put your business prowess to the test!

Night time: Hire

Bring people along on your journey. You must have enough money to hire someone.

Hired helpers can be summoned during battle to provide aid.

Different people provide different benefits. Use your funds wisely to hire a variety of helpers.

Partitio’s talent: Business Partners

Depending on who you have hired, you might receive benefits in business and battle.

You could be granted a discount when shopping, receive more leaves when selling items, pay less when using certain skills in battle, and more.

Some partners can negotiate a discount when purchasing. Others give you a chance to get items for free...

Merchants can use Hired Help to summon mercenaries into battle. Your partner may be able to lower the mercenary’s cost.

Partitio’s Latent Power: Hoot and Holler

Each hero also has a Latent Power, which they can draw on in battle when their gauge is full.

Partitio’s latent power can replenish all BP in an instant, whether at the onset of battle or immediately after exhausting all points.

Use BP however you see fit. The merchant ability Donate BP also allows you to grant BP to allies.

Osvald V. Vanstein

Your name is Osvald V. Vanstein, and you are a scholar. Your tale begins in the snowswept reaches of the Winterlands.

You have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering your wife and daughter and have since spent 1,879 days locked within a frigid cell.

"Harvey - the man who took everything from me - shall die by my hand. I swear it."

Not even the bitter cold can extinguish the raging fire in your breast. And so you set out to exact your revenge...

Some of the characters in Osvald’s tale

Here are some of the people you’ll meet during Osvald’s adventure:

Harvey

A scholar of magic who is on par with Osvald. He continues his research into the seventh source of magic, which differs from the six known elements of fire, ice, lightning, wind, light, and darkness.

Emerald

A fellow prisoner of Osvald’s on Frigit Isle. He leverages his knowledge as an informant to help Osvald escape.

Lady Clarissa

Osvald’s research assistant. She believes that Osvald is innocent and watches over his study in his absence.

Osvald’s story beings in the Winterlands

Northern Solistia is a frozen place of snow and ice. Its capital is Stormhail, a mountainous city that houses the Sacred Guard. Established roughly 380 years ago, the Sacred Guard was the brainchild of Archbishop Kinchler.

After the cold snap that assailed the eastern continent in the previous century, the order established its headquarters here. To this day, this holy organization's mission remains unchanged: to uphold law and order across the continent.

Travel towards the coast, and you will find the fishing town of Cape Cold. Great hauls of salmon, trout, mackerel, squid, and more are brought in almost daily. In addition, many who dwell here work in agriculture or textiles, and lately, a hardy species of cold-resistant barley has caused quite a stir.

Osvald’s Path Actions

Daytime: Scrutinize

Glean information from people (with a given probability). Fail, and your reputation in town will suffer.

You won’t be able to use Path Actions if your reputation suffers. Raise Osvald’s level to increase his chances of success

Night time: Mug

Obtain items from people. You must best them in battle to get the spoils you seek.

Mug someone to commence the battle. Emerge victorious, and you can take all their belongings.

Talent: Study Foe

Osvald can gain insight into one of a foe’s weak points at the start of battle.

Osvald will automatically use Study Foe when the battle begins. Knowing an enemy’s weakness is invaluable when strategizing.

Utilize scholarly spells to exploit enemy weaknesses and break foes.

Latent Power: Concentrate Spells

When his latent power gauge is full, Osvald can focus spells that usually target all foes onto a single target with increased potency.

Many of Osvald’s magic skills target all foes. His latent power allows you to deal heavy damage to bosses and other powerful enemies.

Travel on the Water

With those character introductions out of the way, we’ll take a look at some new exploration and traversal features coming in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II!

In this instalment of the series, you can board canoes to explore like never before. Traverse both land and sea to venture to every corner of the realm.

You can board a canoe to explore towns, dungeons, and more. What treasures await on the realm’s isolated isles?

Enjoy the nautical journey, but beware of enemies lurking beneath the water’s surface...

A vessel all your own

Advance through the story, and you can obtain your own nautical vessel! Use it to journey between continents, or chart your own course out to sea and disembark on unexplored islands. The world is yours to explore.

You can choose your vessel’s color and sail emblem.

There are places only your vessel can reach, like mysterious islands and sunken ships.

Crossed Paths: Osvald and Partitio

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, you can experience Crossed Paths - stories involving two travelers.

Osvald and Partitio come across a man who has collapsed on the street. He turns out to be an old friend of Osvald’s and an astronomer. Intrigued by his story, the two eventually find themselves embroiled in his troubles...

We hope you enjoyed this latest preview of OCTOPATH TRAVELER II. The game releases physically and digitally on February 24, 2023, for PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch and digitally on Steam.

• Preorder OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

A physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to preorder for PS5, PS4 and Switch, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Standard Edition Game
• Bust figurines of the eight protagonists
• Art book (44 pages)
• Extended battle tracks CD

Supplies are limited so preorder now to avoid disappointment:

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

We’ll have more to share about OCTOPATH TRAVELER II in the coming months, so make sure you bookmark the blog and follow us on social media for news and updates!

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If you were watching the latest Nintendo Direct, you may have seen we made a few announcements. Actually, it was more than a few - we revealed a lot of exciting information about new and upcoming games!

We showcased the next entry in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series, unveiled the marvelously musical THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE, launched a brand new demo for HARVESTELLA, unleashed new information about CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION and more!

Oh, and we also released a game - VARIOUS DAYLIFE is out now!

But enough preamble - there’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get to it:

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has been announced!

The series that pioneered HD-2D is back!

Set for release on February 24, 2023, OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is a brand-new standalone entry in the series that will release February 24, 2023 for PS5, PS4, Switch and Steam.

You choose one of eight completely new characters and set off on an adventure. Along the way, you’ll meet the other seven characters, and maybe even join them on their own adventures too!

With no connection to the previous game, all players - even those who haven’t played an OCTOPATH TRAVELER title before, can enjoy the charming stories, strategic combat and stunning visuals that make that HD-2D style even more eye-catching than ever!

The game is set in the vibrant world of Solistia, which comprises of an eastern and western continent divided by the sea. It’s a bustling era - large vessels navigate busy sea routes and the power of steam gives birth to new technologies. Some people are thrilled by the glamorous stars of the stage, while others are brought to tears by war, plague, and poverty.

Eight travelers from different regions in this diverse world set out on journeys for their own reasons. You’ll take control of this awesome octet and explore the land as you see fit, taking advantage of each hero’s unique talents along the way.

Everything that was great about the original game is back, including the Break and Boost system that makes every battle an exhilarating test of strategy - and of course, there are plenty of new features, too. Yes - that does include more interactions between party members.

To learn more about the game, check out the full blog:

• 8 things you need to know about OCTOPATH TRAVELER II

THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE will put a song in your heart!

Another classic series is making a return with THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE - arriving for PS4 and Switch on February 16, 2023!

This toe-tapping new game celebrates 35 years of amazing FINAL FANTASY music through fast-paced, endlessly replayable rhythm-action gameplay. The standard game features a massive 385 tracks from across the series, including FINAL FANTASY I through FINAL FANTASY XV, spin-offs and more!

What’s more, the Digital Deluxe and Premium Digital Deluxe Editions and post-launch DLC will include music from additional SQUARE ENIX series, including the NieR series, SaGa series, LIVE A LIVE, OCTOPATH TRAVELER and more!

We don’t want to blow our own trumpet, but we’re pretty excited about this one! You can find out much more about the game modes, characters, track list and more in our dedicated blog:

• Get ready to face the music in THEATRHYTHM FINAL BAR LINE!

VARIOUS DAYLIFE… is out TODAY!

Surprise! VARIOUS DAYLIFE is coming to Nintendo Switch and Steam today… and PS4 very soon (September 15, 23:00 PDT in the US and September 16, 07:00 GMT in the UK).

Developed by the insanely talented team that brought you OCTOPATH TRAVELER, BRAVELY DEFAULT and TRIANGLE STRATEGY, this game is a distinctly different kind of RPG.

You play as a new arrival on a vast, largely unexplored continent. You’ll take on various types of work to help build your character, and head out on dangerous expeditions to explore new parts of the continent and collect vital resources to expand your settlement.

Unlike traditional RPGs, you don’t gain strength through battle, but instead by taking on jobs around town. Be it physical labor, secretary work or waiting tables, all the work you do makes you more capable of surviving your journeys into uncharted territory. Although you’ll still have to deal with the elements, hunger, and a few nasty surprises…

To find out more about the game, check out our full blog:

• Everything you need to know about VARIOUS DAYLIFE

VARIOUS DAYLIFE releases today for Switch and Steam and September 15, 23:00 PDT / September 16, 7:00 GMT for PS4! Purchase the game before October 17, 2022 to get a digital artbook as an early purchase reward!

You can also get the game as part of a bundle with the TRIANGLE STRATEGY Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam. This will give you a 29% discount and the acclaimed strategy RPG when it launches on October 14, 2022!

A free HARVESTELLA demo is available today on Switch!

Over the past few months, we’ve shown you all kinds of things about this brand-new life simulation RPG, from farming and cooking and making new friends, to battling monsters with the flexible job system!

But the best way to get the measure of this fantastic new adventure is to try it yourself! A free downloadable demo for HARVESTELLA is available today on Nintendo Switch. You’ll get to see how this adventure begins, learn about Quietus - the season of death - and enjoy a variety of gameplay, including tending to crops, socialising with townsfolk and adventuring in dangerous monster-filled dungeons.

Best of all, your progress will carry over to the full game when it releases physically and digitally on November 4, 2022!

• Download the demo

New information about CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION

You knew that the beloved Zack ‘The Puppy’ Fair was returning this Winter… and now you know when!

We’re excited to reveal that CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam on December 13, 2022!

Not only is there a brand new trailer for the game, we just released a host of lovely new screenshots and awesome information about the game’s characters and battle system, which you can read right here:

• The characters and combat of CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION

The Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection is coming to Switch!

Two of the greatest narrative experiences in gaming are coming to Nintendo Switch on September 27, 2022!

The Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection includes two award winning games: Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm.

These two titles have been optimized specifically for Switch, and feature improved character models, reworked lighting and more. The original Life is Strange has also been remastered with full facial capture, making it even more engaging (and emotional) than ever before!

The game is available to preorder now:

• Get Life is Strange

For more information, check out our blog:

• Everything you need to know about the Life is Strange Arcadia Bay Collection on Nintendo Switch!

Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered has a release date!

We’re happy to reveal that Romancing SaGa -Minstrel Song- Remastered is coming to PS5, PS4, Switch, Steam, iOS and Android on… (drum roll please…) December 1, 2022!

This new HD version of the legendary Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song (or just ‘Romancing SaGa’ in North America) features a host of improvements, including remastered HD graphics, additional features, refined gameplay and a host of quality of life features that make it even more fun to play.

With the Free-form Scenario System, which lets you experience the story differently depending on how you play, the unique ‘Glimmer’ and ‘Combo’ systems that let characters learn awesome abilities in the heat of battle, and a sublime soundtrack by Composer Kenji Ito, it’s the perfect game to warm your heart this Winter!

As you can see, there’s a LOT of Square Enix goodness to get excited about - right now and in the coming months!

We’ll have more to share about these games in the future, so make sure you follow Square Enix on social media for news and updates!

• Square Enix Blog
• Square Enix on Twitter
• Square Enix on Facebook
• Square Enix on Instagram

And that’s all from us for now. Why are you still reading this - go play VARIOUS DAYLIFE or HARVESTELLA!

Yes, it’s true: OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has been officially announced!

The standalone HD-2D RPG launches February 24, 2023 for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Steam. In case you missed the big reveal, check out the trailer:

The new game refines everything that was great about the original OCTOPATH TRAVELER, and builds on it with new characters, new abilities and more. OCTOPATH TRAVELER II has plenty to enjoy for fans of the series’ first installment, but tells a completely new story, set in a different era and a brand new land, making it perfect for newcomers, too.

There’s a lot to talk about, so here are eight things you need to know about the game:

1. It features eight new travelers, each with their own stories

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, you choose one of eight characters and set off on an adventure. Along the way, you’ll meet the other seven characters, and maybe even join them on their own adventures!

The new playable characters in this game are:

• Hikari - a Warrior
• Agnea - a Dancer
• Partitio - a Merchant
• Osvald - a Scholar
• Throné - a Thief
• Temenos - a Cleric
• Ochette - a Hunter
• Castti - an Apothecary

All these characters come from different walks of life, making for a particularly varied and interesting group of heroes. They’re also equipped with their own unique path actions that can be used in and out of battle, making each one feel completely unique!

2. It’s set in a fascinating world with a day / night cycle

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is set in the world of Solistia - a vibrant setting that’s comprised of Eastern and Western continents divided by the sea.

It’s a time of trade and industrial revolution - large vessels navigate busy sea routes, and the power of steam has given birth to new technologies. Some people live in luxury, cheering to the glamorous stars of the stage. Others struggle each day, brought to tears by war, plague and poverty.

Over the course of the game, you’ll be able to traverse each area of this diverse world, uncovering the secrets and stories hidden throughout. You’ll be able to do this at all times of the day too, as Solistia has a full day / night cycle.

The places you visit and what you can do there will change depending on whether it’s day or night, which creates even more opportunities for exploration and discovery!

3. It’s a completely standalone game

If you’re wondering whether you need to have played the original OCTOPATH TRAVELER to enjoy this follow-up, the answer is: no you don’t.

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II is a completely standalone game - the world is unique, the characters are brand new, and their stories are told entirely within this game. If you’ve never played an OCTOPATH TRAVELER game before, you can jump straight into this one and enjoy the eight-fold adventures!

But if you have played the previous game, you’ll feel immediately at home. You’ll notice how every element of that game has been enhanced, with more exciting battles, richer storytelling, and a massive new world that’s full of secrets to discover.

4. Characters have multiple Path Actions

Path Actions are special commands that let you interact with NPCs in various ways. In the original OCTOPATH TRAVELER, each playable protagonist had access to a single Path Action, but in OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, they can use two - one during the day, and one at night!

For example, as the warrior Hikari, you can challenge people in towns to a duel during daytime, and potentially learn new skills. But at night, you can bribe residents, splashing the cash to uncover hidden items or learn secrets about people.

Every character has their own Path Actions, but we’ll let you learn what they are (and how to best use them) for yourselves…

5. The Break and Boost battle system is back!

The Break and Boost system that made battles so strategic in OCTOPATH TRAVELER returns for the new game.

Each turn, you accumulate BP (Boost Points). You can then then use them to augment actions.

BP can increase the number of attacks dealt, the damage inflicted, the duration of support effects, the potency of healing skills, and more. You’ll have to choose wisely whether to use them for offense or defense.

With these mechanics, every battle is a satisfying challenge that asks the player to think tactically about their approach.

6. Latent Power adds a new layer to combat

As you’d expect, the Break and Boost system has been refined from the original to be even more exciting, but combat has some additional elements too, such as Latent Power!

During battle, a new gauge fills up as you take damage and break foes. Once full, the character can unleash a powerful - and gloriously flashy - new ability!

These can be game changers in a fight, particularly against the brutal bosses, and add another strategic layer to this multi-layered combat system.

7. Characters interact more, and share additional stories

One of the most common requests from players of OCTOPATH TRAVELER was that they wanted to see the different protagonists interact with each other more. Consider that feedback well and truly received!

In OCTOPATH TRAVELER II, there are more interactions between the different members of the group. Additional stories will unfold between the protagonists as their journey progresses, deepening the characters and their relationships.

8. The HD-2D art style has evolved!

The OCTOPATH TRAVELER series pioneered the HD-2D art-style, and OCTOPATH TRAVELER II takes it to a whole new level!

Environments are more detailed, with more varied camera angles. Character sprites are more varied, with even more animations to get their emotions across. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

But you don’t need us to explain it to you - just look at the trailer and the screenshots on this page and you’ll understand how beautiful the game truly is!

OCTOPATH TRAVELER II releases physically and digitally on February 24, 2023 for PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch and digitally on Steam.

A physical Collector’s Edition Set is available to preorder for PS5, PS4 and Switch, exclusively via the Square Enix Store.

This set includes the following items:

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Standard Edition Game
• Bust figurines of the eight protagonists
• Art book (44 pages)
• Extended battle tracks CD

Supplies are limited so preorder now to avoid disappointment:

• Get the OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Collector's Edition Set

We’ll have more to share about OCTOPATH TRAVELER in the coming months, so make sure you bookmark the blog and follow us on social media for news and updates!

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