To be honest, the comparisons to other JRPGs' opening gameplay really confuse me.
There was nothing engaging about FFVI's early gameplay at all, even with 2 party members. You had Attack, Fire, Cure, and Steal, all against enemies and bosses that provided no challenge. It didn't get interesting until the Vargas fight on Mt. Kolts, and had no customization until you acquired Magicite from Zozo.
Octopath's combat gets thought-provoking (the extent depending on the character) by the first boss fight, less than an hour in. You'll also recruit your second party member at around the hour mark, which is when you got Edgar, your third party member in VI, and the first one with abilities that were at least visually fun.