Nintendo Reveals Project Octopath Traveler for Nintendo Switch

The new RPG from the developers of Bravely Default will arrive worldwide in 2018.

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During today’s Nintendo Direct event, Nintendo revealed new details about Project Octopath Traveler, one of several featured titles shown during the presentation. The game is due for simultaneous worldwide release in 2018.

Developed by the company responsible for Bravely Default, Project Octopath Traveler (the name is still a working title only) is a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Players assume the role of one of eight heroes, and each one possesses a unique “path action” that affects interactions with characters they meet around the world.

For instance, the warrior Olberic can challenge virtually anyone he meets to a duel, which might root out evildoers or just get someone out of the way. Primrose, a dancer, has the “allure” ability. She can bring people under her thrall, which makes it easier to track down missing persons or to lure enemies into a trap. She also is able to summon allies under her power into battle, to fight on her behalf.

Combat will feature turn-based battles, with a unique “boost” mechanic that allows players to use accumulated points to take certain relevant actions. For instance, you might increase the strength of an attack or ability, or chain attacks together. If an ally is in trouble, a boost at the right time could turn the tables, which means you must be careful about when you take advantage of that capability.

The game employs an art style reminiscent of Final Fantasy VI. It mixes CG and visual art, in a style the developers are calling “HD-2D.” Fans have been clamoring for new information since the game was revealed in a previous showcase, and they certainly got it today.

Nintendo also said a demo version of Project Octopath Traveler will be available later today on the eShop. Later, fans will have the chance to participate in a survey, which will presumably have some impact on the direction game’s development before its completion sometime next year.

Contributing Editor
From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 13, 2017 3:47 PM

    Jason Venter posted a new article, Nintendo Reveals Project Octopath Traveler for Nintendo Switch

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      September 13, 2017 4:56 PM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2017 5:49 PM

      I think this game looks amazing, I would get a Switch just to play Project Octopath Traveler alone.

      I just love the look and everything else, day 1 for me.

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        September 13, 2017 6:51 PM

        Holy crap this looks so good, this is the first time I've seen this

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          September 13, 2017 6:59 PM

          Yeah man, I think it looks awesome the art style/tech and the blending of SNES pixel art with 3D and lighting just looks so dope.

          Also the gameplay looks so rad too, I get a old school FF7 vibe plus some epic SNES RPGs thrown into the mix, its just really rad.

          So cool hey :)

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          September 13, 2017 7:09 PM

          Seriously? You and I have talked about it before.

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            September 13, 2017 7:13 PM

            Downloaded, but gotta watch for the Switch to charge up for portable mode since the wife is on the big tv. Oh well.

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              September 13, 2017 8:38 PM

              Playing the demo now. So far I like where they're going with this. I like the narration more than I thought I would. And I really like the graphic style. I wish they could add just a bit more AA to smooth out the edges though.

              Okay, back to the demo. I totally see myself grabbing this. Wonder if they'll do a CE version.

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            September 14, 2017 2:49 AM

            Don't recall!

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      September 13, 2017 5:54 PM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2017 6:00 PM

      The demo is up on the eShop btw.

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        September 13, 2017 6:56 PM

        I'm not a big JRPG dude but been playing the demo for past 15min in handheld and it's very enjoyable. Music is good, story seems okay so far, and the HD rumble feels solid during battle.

        How the fuck do I see the enemies HP?

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      September 13, 2017 7:20 PM

      This really reminds me of the Romancing SaGa and SaGa Frontier games, but with a less obtuse leveling/ability system.

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        September 13, 2017 8:21 PM

        yeah was gonna say that, the premise sounds exactly like Romancing SaGa

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      September 13, 2017 7:44 PM

      [deleted]

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      September 13, 2017 8:46 PM

      downloading the demo right now, super excited!!!

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      September 14, 2017 7:12 AM

      I'm not really a JRPG guy but I downloaded the demo and tried it last night. Played as the dancer as she seemed a bit more interesting/unique than the warrior dude. I got up to the part where you fight your boss, and I died twice. I guess I'm bad at JRPGs! So far I felt like it was a biiit too much story and not enough gameplay, but maybe that was just a long opening. I liked exploring and the aesthetics are great.

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      September 14, 2017 7:17 AM

      [deleted]

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      September 14, 2017 7:53 AM

      Just came home and tried the demo, even with English as a second language the distance isn't isn't far enough for the voice work to be tolerable. I switched to Japanese and also disabled rumble, which I found super irritating.

      I enjoy the visual style of the game, I'll need to play some more but the writing and voice acting aren't for me though seem to be in line with what you can expect from a Japanese rpg in the same way you know what Bioware/Bethesda are doing.

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      September 14, 2017 7:59 AM

      Game looks good, the whole "HD 2D" thing was silly, I can think of a dozen games off the top of my head that are 2D and look more HD than the pixel art in Octopath Traveler.

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        September 14, 2017 8:24 AM

        There is something comical about proportions in the game. I finished a fight against mountain bandits that looked like pirates in monkey Island while my dude looked like the dudes in nes soccer/double dragon were washed at too high heat and shrunk.

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