Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Disclaimer · Jul 6, 2018

PlanetSmasher said:
I just booted up my copy of the demo and you're right. I got the abbreviations backwards. Either way, I still don't think "the characters have MP" makes it anything particularly like FFVI.

I mean, it's "like FFVI" gameplay-wise in the same way it's like many other classic turn-based games. FFVI was just an example, and not one that was intended to be twisted into scenario/story comparisons. Seems like a miscommunication.

There's really not much that differentiates FFVI's combat from others. It's fairly barebones. The biggest differentiating factor is magicite customization, which is vaguely similar to Octopath's job customization.

The most apt comparisons for Octopath's systems would be FFX (turn order) and FFT (job system, learning passives, JP currency for job abilities).

carlosrox · Jul 6, 2018

FF3 2 strikes again.

I always believed in this game, but I'm surprised everyone seems to care so much about it. I didn't expect this much of a positive reaction!

HosannaExcelsis · Jul 6, 2018

APZonerunner said:
Oh yeah, it's a direct copy, but in pretty much every other sense I think it's a swing and a miss on the CT comparison front. Even combat, direct rip as it is, isn't anywhere near as good feeling. Lost Sphear is a better second attempt, though it's still a ways off. My point is really more to say: it doesn't really matter what a dev (or anyone else) says the influence is, it's what's there that matters. It can be a useful shortcut to help someone understand if you'd like a game, though.

It matters what a developer says their influence is if you're trying to figure out the thought process behind a game's design. I would be interested in hearing the producer explain in greater detail how the development team sought to mechanically build on Final Fantasy VI. But from the consumer's perspective of "should I buy game X if I enjoyed game Y?", you are correct, it is not very significant.

HeRinger · Jul 6, 2018

Whelp, reviews are not even out yet and what I predicted is already happening: people setting expectations so sky high that if some publication have a less positive opinion, it will be bashed by defensive people who didn't even play the final game.

Well, it wasn't really a difficult prediction. Just another day under the sun.

Still getting Octopath Traveler. Expecting a great game, if not a masterpiece.

Pallo · Jul 6, 2018

Ah, so the first character pick is basically your "main" one?
Primrose it is then.

Deleted member 32018 · Jul 6, 2018

Tathanen said:
he doesn't have a vested interest in selling the game

He has a vested interest for getting clicks on his website that he works for. Its very similar really (I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, just that it is similar).

PlanetSmasher · Jul 6, 2018

Disclaimer said:
I mean, it's "like FFVI" gameplay-wise in the same way it's like many other classic turn-based games. FFVI was just an example, and not one that was intended to be twisted into scenario/story comparisons. Seems like a miscommunication.

There's really not much that differentiates FFVI's combat from others. It's fairly barebones. The biggest differentiating factor is magicite customization, which is vaguely similar to Octopath's job customization.

The most apt comparisons for Octopath's systems would be FFX (turn order) and FFT (job system, learning passives, JP currency for job abilities).

I would agree with you, FFX and FFT are the closest Final Fantasy comparisons you could make to Octopath.

APZonerunner · Jul 6, 2018

HosannaExcelsis said:
It matters what a developer says their influence is if you're trying to figure out the thought process behind a game's design. I would be interested in hearing the producer explain in greater detail how the development team sought to mechanically build on Final Fantasy VI. But from the consumer's perspective of "should I buy game X if I enjoyed game Y?", you are correct, it is not very significant.

Yeah, absolutely. Honestly, I think if you asked (and I may actually get a chance in the coming weeks, Nintendo's trying to sort an opportunity out) they'd probably say they were looking to evoke the feeling of FF6, because visually at least they accomplish that fairly decently, so there's a feeling of that game around the world. Mechanically and narratively I don't think it resembles it at all.

Massicot · Jul 6, 2018

I feel like even if you limit the FFVI talk to gameplay alone, the comparison is made as a mere marketing byte rather than something really all that tangible. Imo it still feels like an unnecessary comparison no matter who says it or how you box it up.

Deleted member 36622 · Jul 6, 2018

silva1991 said:
The lack of interaction between the characters is disappointing to hear.

Is it?

The game has never been presented like they were all part of one story.

Maybe there will be one ending like Live-A-Live, but these are 8 different stories.

KrigareN- · Jul 6, 2018

People really sold it to themselves that this was a masterpiece and a classic before it even released.

FiXalaS · Jul 6, 2018

This is way too over-discussed.

PlanetSmasher said:
Jason's negativity toward Xenoblade 2 (and certain other previews that leaned a bit too hard into the hyperbole side) is more what triggered the arguments. His preview mostly likes the game, just calls it out for the disingenuous FF6 comparisons that keep getting made and don't do the game any favors.

Why think of the comparisons at all? just preview the game for what it offers

KrigareN- said:
People really sold it to themselves that this was a masterpiece and a classic before it even released.

Is it not, before release?

HosannaExcelsis · Jul 6, 2018

Massicot said:
I feel like even if you limit the FFVI talk to gameplay alone, the comparison is made as a mere marketing byte rather than something really all that tangible. Imo it still feels like an unnecessary comparison no matter who says it or how you box it up.

In the same interview where people are bringing it up, the composer also talks about how his work on Octopath was influenced by the Final Fantasy and SaGa games he played growing up. I don't think this is meant as a marketing bite so much as an honest expression of where these particular people are coming from, however it ends up getting interpreted by people.

falcondoc · Jul 6, 2018

There is no one on the internest I trust less on their opinions on JRPGs than Jason Schreier

Tathanen · Jul 6, 2018

steviejd1 said:
He has a vested interest for getting clicks on his website that he works for. Its very similar really (I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing, just that it is similar).

Man, this is the laziest criticism though. "Because his take is different, it must be dishonest, and manufactured for clicks." Nothing he says in that preview is unreasonable, and it addresses a key topic a lot of people were worried about in the lead-up to the game's release. I don't think there's any kind of editorial conspiracy here.

Shepherd · Jul 6, 2018

Harald23 said:
Is it?

The game has never been presented like they were all part of one story.

Maybe there will be one ending like Live-A-Live, but these are all 8 different stories.

All the art hinted at a full realised party, this hurts a lot to hear.

https:///wp-content/uploads/2018/06/octopath-traveler-original-soundtrack-cover-1.jpg

Łazy · Jul 6, 2018

I'm kinda sick of basic rpg parties everyone loved for reasons I can't understand. Ijust want the atmosphere and feeling to be good.
More than a "team" I just want good characters with interesting motives.

All I know is that I'm going to play that baby Wild Arms style.

As soon as I meet another character I go do his first chapter. Once all are done, I'll think about how to continue.

DNAbro · Jul 6, 2018

KrigareN- said:
People really sold it to themselves that this was a masterpiece and a classic before it even released.

I wasn't sold on it till I played it and then I played it again with the other demo and was sold even more. It's not like the excitement came from empty promises.

Deleted member 34949 · Jul 6, 2018

If this is what discussion of the game is going to end up being once it releases, I'm staying way the fuck out of the OT for it.

FiXalaS · Jul 6, 2018

Shepherd said:
All the art hinted at a full realised party, this hurts a lot to hear.

There are interactions though, they are just optional.

Them being optional doesn't make them non-existentent or non-canon.

Seven Force said:
If this is what discussion of the game is going to end up being once it releases, I'm staying way the fuck out of the OT for it.

Era is trying very hard to take down Switch JRPGs, first Xenoblade 2 pre-release and now Octopath Traveller pre-release. Even if for different reasons.

edit: by saying Era, I mean the threads (almost every thread for these two games have had the discussion turned into something overly negative and unbearable for the fans of the games)

Guaraná · Jul 6, 2018

KrigareN- said:
People really sold it to themselves that this was a masterpiece and a classic before it even released.

and now some other people are selling the game like a crap jrpg that should me deleted from Earth.

Disclaimer · Jul 6, 2018

KrigareN- said:
People really sold it to themselves that this was a masterpiece and a classic before it even released.

There's no reason to suspect it won't be a classic (but few classics are "masterpieces"). Many previews have said as much. It seems like a unique and fresh take on classic concepts, and wouldn't be misplaced in a lineup of '90s favorites.

People's main misconception seems to be these silly comparisons to specific games as if it was intended to be a sequel to any specific one. It's its own thing, built by people in their 30s who were inspired by classics.

Another misconception seems to be its very premise. From the beginning it's been upfront that it's about eight travelers, with eight stories to be told, all ostensibly separate but for connective worldbuilding. Again, its own thing, a fresh idea that's seen less.

808s & Villainy · Jul 6, 2018

Some people really just want to shit on this game for whatever reason? I guess because it's a full priced 2D game or something? I already have it preordered and, if it keeps up the quality of the demo, I have no doubt I'll enjoy it. You guys can go have fun hating on it

FiXalaS · Jul 6, 2018

Disclaimer said:
There's no reason to suspect it won't be a classic (but few classics are "masterpieces"). Many previews have said as much. It seems like a unique and fresh take on classic concepts, and wouldn't be misplaced in a lineup of '90s favorites.

People's main misconception seems to be these silly comparisons to specific games as if it was intended to be a sequel to any specific one. It's its own thing, built by people in their 30s who were inspired by classics.

Another misconception seems to be its very premise. From the beginning it's been upfront that it's about eight travelers, with eight stories to be told, all ostensibly separate but for connective worldbuilding. Again, its own thing, a fresh idea that's seen less.

Nooo It is not FF6 therefore it is not a classic therefore it is bad let us tell people that in every octopath thread.

Deleted member 32018 · Jul 6, 2018

Tathanen said:
Man, this is the laziest criticism though. "Because his take is different, it must be dishonest, and manufactured for clicks." Nothing he says in that preview is unreasonable, and it addresses a key topic a lot of people were worried about in the lead-up to the game's release. I don't think there's any kind of editorial conspiracy here

I wasn't criticising him just stating that he's trying to sell his opinion and writeup, hence the extra article just like the developer is trying to sell the game. Neither are necessarily being dishonest and I never said that. Both could be accused of using hyperbole In my opinion.

Either way I'm liking what I'm hearing of the game and can't wait to play it!

Plum · Jul 6, 2018

This thread:

Mysterio79 · Jul 6, 2018

I'm not usually into jrpgs, but if this game has a 75+ meta-critic and sells over a million copies I will consider it a huge success for Switch and third party on the system moving forward.

I loved the demo btw so I'm buying.

Disclaimer · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
This thread:

Oh my god. LOL

HosannaExcelsis · Jul 6, 2018

Seven Force said:
If this is what discussion of the game is going to end up being once it releases, I'm staying way the fuck out of the OT for it.

Once people actually start playing through the game, I expect the discussion in the OT will be focused on that experience more than comparisons with other games.

WhiskerFrisker · Jul 6, 2018

Seven Force said:
If this is what discussion of the game is going to end up being once it releases, I'm staying way the fuck out of the OT for it.

I'm bringing popcorn and pizza.

FiXalaS · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
This thread:

Awesome

Giolon · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
This thread:

"I'm pretty sure that's wood."

Deleted member 4093 · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
This thread:

lol..

"This is nothing like FFVI not even the mechanics!"

Kass15 · Jul 6, 2018

I don't understand why people obsess over reviews. It's just an opinion of someone who is not you. There has been two demos with a substantial amount of content to decide if the game is for you or not. I absolutely adore the art style/graphics and loved the demos. I can't wait for next week.

Deleted member 4090 · Jul 6, 2018

Saucer said:
I'm not usually into jrpgs, but if this game has a 75+ meta-critic and sells over a million copies I will consider it a huge success for Switch and third party on the system moving forward.

I loved the demo btw so I'm buying.

Both of those things are very likely to happen. I strongly suspect that some of the division's games are RPGs or remakes that use this engine.

Tathanen · Jul 6, 2018

I don't think they can "fix" an issue as fundamental as the plotlines being wholly independent, but I do hold out a small amount of hope for them patching in exp-gain for non-party characters. If only because of how focused on fan feedback they've been so far. Hopefully enough people put up a stink about that to get it noticed.

WestEgg · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
After this thread the OT name should be:

Octopath Traveler |OT| Final Fantasy VI |OT|

Based on the beginning of this thread, I'd call it:

Octopath Traveler |OT| But here's the thing about Xenoblade Chronicles 2...

aSqueakyLime · Jul 6, 2018

Sometimes I regret reading threads on this site, some of you are so negative lmao

Bunkles · Jul 6, 2018

Octopath Traveler |OT| Worship at the Altar of Final Fantasy VI

LonestarZues · Jul 6, 2018

FiXalaS said:
Era is trying very hard to take down Switch JRPGs, first Xenoblade 2 pre-release and now Octopath Traveller pre-release. Even if for different reasons.

Era as a whole does this to all exclusive games. Its not just limited to Switch JRPGs.

Bumrush · Jul 6, 2018

Plum said:
This thread:

lmao wow

Disclaimer · Jul 6, 2018

Tathanen said:
I don't think they can "fix" an issue as fundamental as the plotlines being wholly independent, but I do hold out a small amount of hope for them patching in exp-gain for non-party characters. If only because of how focused on fan feedback they've been so far. Hopefully enough people put up a stink about that to get it noticed.

That would be nice, but from what I've heard it's a relative non-issue with EXP scaling. Even in the demo, there are Cait enemies who reward exponentially higher EXP, which would make catching up benched members extremely painless.

Plotlines being separate has been the entire crux of the game's marketing campaign, although I'm of the belief from examining available evidence that there will, in fact, be connective elements. The same antagonist(s) appear in Primrose and Cyrus' prologues, most notably.

ccieag · Jul 6, 2018

I think visually it pulls a lot from FFVI... Gameplay-wise it is different enough to not be FFVI-2. That is what I have gotten out of all the discussion

Deleted member 2145 · Jul 6, 2018

LonestarZues said:
Era as a whole does this to all exclusive games. Its not just limited to Switch JRPGs.

yep, it's really annoying

Pundere · Jul 6, 2018

I'm waiting on reviews for this. The stuff I played in the demos was only okay so I'm hoping that the game gets significantly better further in.

Deleted member 4090 · Jul 6, 2018

Can we agree that this is more of a Shovel Knight throwback, in that it uses a mix of a whole bunch of retro games as the basis while also modernizing the gameplay and having a basic structure different than the retro genre norms?

MonadL · Jul 6, 2018

FiXalaS said:
Era is trying very hard to take down Switch JRPGs, first Xenoblade 2 pre-release and now Octopath Traveller pre-release. Even if for different reasons.

Oh for fucks sake

PlanetSmasher · Jul 6, 2018

FiXalaS said:
Era is trying very hard to take down Switch JRPGs, first Xenoblade 2 pre-release and now Octopath Traveller pre-release. Even if for different reasons.

I mean, I don't know about anyone else...I just want a really good JRPG for my Switch, and so far Xenoblade 2 was an absolute mess and Octopath seems to be going in the exact opposite direction I hoped it would go. I'm pretty disappointed in how Octopath is turning out, since I am not going to play through it eight times. I'm going to go through it probably once and that's it.

You want to accuse me of having high standards, that's certainly fine, but nobody wants a masterpiece JRPG on Switch more than me. It just hasn't happened yet.

Monster Zero · Jul 6, 2018

WestEgg said:
Based on the beginning of this thread, I'd call it:

Octopath Traveler |OT| But here's the thing about Xenoblade Chronicles 2...

Whether you like XB2 or not should be the dividing line that separates us jrpg fans lol.

Disclaimer · Jul 6, 2018

PlanetSmasher said:
I'm pretty disappointed in how Octopath is turning out, since I am not going to play through it eight times. I'm going to go through it probably once and that's it.

Why do you think you would need to? You only need to play it once, although there's seemingly replayability in that side quests can have different endings depending on how you solve them with path actions.

Neoweee said:
Can we agree that this is more of a Shovel Knight throwback, in that it uses a mix of a whole bunch of retro games as the basis while also modernizing the gameplay and having a basic structure different than the retro genre norms?

That's a succinct and effective description.

Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

What rating do you think this game will get?

90+

80+

70+

60+

"Garbage like Xenoblade 2"

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