Octopath Traveler 0: Is This Retro RPG a Triumph or a Travesty?!

Square Enix has done it again. "Octopath Traveler 0," the newest entry in their "HD-2D" RPG series, just dropped, and it's...well, it's complicated. On the one hand, it's a beautiful homage to the 16-bit RPGs we all grew up loving. On the other, some of its design choices feel a little dated, and some of the narrative choices...well, let's just say they're going to spark some conversations.

Octopath Traveler 0: Is This Retro RPG a Triumph o...

The biggest change? You get to create your *own* protagonist this time around. Forget the eight predetermined characters from the previous games – this is your story. While the character creation itself is pretty simple – we're talking retro pixel art here, after all – it's a welcome addition. That said, if you weren't a fan of the visual style before, "Octopath Traveler 0" probably won't win you over. The lighting effects on the sprites, especially in handheld mode, can be a little distracting. It definitely looks better on a bigger screen, but even then, the color palette feels a bit muted to me. A little more vibrancy wouldn't have hurt.

But where "Octopath Traveler 0" truly shines is its combat. This is where the game really digs its heels in and says, "We're here to stay." The strategic depth is incredible. There are so many different ways to approach each battle. And speaking of depth, the game tackles some pretty mature themes. Now, this is where things get a little dicey. One character, Auguste, is portrayed as a truly vile villain, and his methods – torture, murder, the works – are genuinely disturbing, which, honestly, works in his favor. He's supposed to be repulsive. However, another character's storyline involving references to prostitution feels a bit...tone-deaf in today's world. It's a touchy subject, and I'm not sure the game handles it with the sensitivity it deserves.

Now, be warned: this is a classic-style RPG, which means grinding. Lots and lots of grinding. Even if you're diligent about completing quests and avoiding unnecessary battles, you'll likely find yourself under-leveled at some point. Personally, I don't mind the grind too much. It forces you to really engage with the battle system and think strategically. But I can definitely see how it might turn off some players.

One of the coolest additions, though, is the Mastery Skills system. This allows characters to learn skills from each other, opening up a ton of new strategic possibilities. You can really customize your party and create some truly unique builds. And honestly, discovering these new combinations is half the fun. As Steve Watts at GameSpot put it, "A stellar combat system and multitude of strategic wrinkles are the glue that holds this well-told, if disjointed, episodic story together." And I'd have to agree. "Octopath Traveler 0" isn't perfect, but it's a solid RPG that's well worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of the genre. Just be prepared for a little bit of a grind, and maybe brace yourself for some potentially uncomfortable narrative moments.