Octopath Traveler
 

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All aboard the hype train, this is THE game I'm looking forward to this year, I know Destor and Seph are going to be all over this too. We're looking at a really solid Square Enix JRPG, combat system has elements from all your favourites, unique job classes and intertwining stories abound.

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Prologue Demo is available on Switch, which allows you to doss around for 3 hours and carry your progress over if you so desire. I was going to hold out for release but I'm so hype for this I caved and played H'aanit's chapter. She's a gotta catch 'em all style beastmaster / monster hunter, on the search for her missing mentor. H'aanit is really great guys :love:

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Probably not going to carry over my progress so I might actually start my proper game with one of the others, undecided if I'm going to delve into any other chapters and keep it all fresh for release. But there is also:

Ophilia - A Cleric on a pilgrimage

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Cyrus - A scholar searching for a lost tome

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Therion - Sublime master thief doing master thief stuff

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Primrose - A dancer on a revenge mission against her father's killers
Olberic - A warrior tracking down a traitor to exact justice

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Alfyn - An apothecary on a quest to make his mummy proud

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Tressa - A travelling merchant embarking on an adventure

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Nice.

Square says this will be 80-100hrs btw.

Also do we play each character and then do like a final chapters or are we just picking our protag? If im picking one to stick with for 100 hours im going with the merchant

Everyone's quest begins in a different village but they're all available no matter who you start as, the Chapter 1 villages are kind of in an O shape so you could go either route and recruit everyone else by finishing their Chapter 1 or ignore them and head straight to your 2nd chapter waypoint. I'm assuming the story bottlenecks and you'll need to progress different stories to a certain point before later chapters unlock (H'aanits chapter 2 recommends you to be level 35, I got to Lv6 by the end of her first chapter) but that's entirely an assumption, you might be able to solo the game, you might be forced to recruit everyone or somewhere in between. In the demo version, whoever you pick as your protagonist can't be removed from your party but no word on if that will change in the full game.

So if i play other characters opening to they keep the xp or are they separate saves? I should prob play the demo but im trying not to play it it till i have it

You can play all the openings on one save, when you meet the others you are asked if you would like to jump back to their story from the beginning or you can choose to skip the back story and join in where the action starts.

However, the only way to experience all 8 stories as a solo character seems to be using 8 different save files (demo only provides one slot, can be overwritten though and New Game is always available), so whoever you don't pick as your main will be a lower level but have an easier time on their introduction. H'aanit's first boss was surprisingly tough, but taking it on one on one was pretty satisfying. No word on if you'll be able to switch your protag / leader on the fly, but it would be nice to be able to do each intro chapter solo on the same save file.

Like the next character I've gone to, purely to figure out how that works, is the Thief and it doesn't make any sense why H'aanit, the noble hunter, would want to help this slippery prick she just met break into a mansion and steal treasure. No sense at all :lol:

I need this to be out already

Yea this is coming out like 2 days before I go on a several week trip around the east half of the country. Pretty glad its on switch so I have something to relax to at the end of each day while Im sitting in the hotel. Really looking forward to it.

its easily my most anticipated game of the year

It's up there for me but I think Dragon Quest XI might be my #1 atm

Im sad there's only 3 of us here into JRPGs

I am going to get it! So that is 4 thank you very much.

You are the one who didnt like Lost Sphere! And that game had some amazing gameplay.

It had GREAT gameplay. Other than some really poor difficulty spikes at least. But the story is like...70% of that game...and that was AWFUL

It became better about halfway through the game.

This game will be fun though. It's sad they have to say it's a complete game but that is the world we live in.

80-100hrs... I was thinking like 30...MAX

Ima start as.the hunter probably. Big fan of pets. Might go with the warrior though.

Haven't decided who to actually start with in the full game yet, maybe Ophilia or Tressa, they seem to fit the "sure I'll help you with whatever hijinks you're up to" vibe. On the other hand, anyone helping Therion seems really out of character so maybe he makes more sense as the first. I'm conflicted between playing more prologue chapters to form a better stance on it or just hold out for release and choose on a whim.

I have very little interest in this and I loat faith in “retro-style RPGs” after I Am Setsuna promised so much and dropped a shit bomb

Setsuna was very bad imo. Had so much promise. This is very different though this is developed by square and not any indy developer

Setsuna (and spehere) basically made square realize there was a market for this. So now we should see what a seasoned rpg developer can do with a JRPG in 2018

Sorry for you loss, man.

Decided to try out Ophilia's chapter, I am already tainted so might as well get the most out of buckling early.

Her path seems very Final Fantasy, really enjoyed it. She plays a lot different to H'aanit, you don't feel anywhere near powerful, which is a good sign. Her starter town is also pretty much Irithyll from Dark Souls III and I like that a lot.

3 weeks. I havent been this hyped in ages

Same, I'll probably have played all 8 by release day, from a combination of hype and not wanting to start anything else in my backlog in case I have to abandon it half way.

Im deliberately only playing shorter games or games i dont mind jumping out of

Finished Olberic, really strong start for him, my only complaint is that he is not voiced by Sean Bean. He's sort of a tank so he's not cut out for solo encounters, despite what his story says. He either needs support or some sort of sustain which I'm assuming he unlocks later. Had the most trouble with his boss of the three I've done, but he comes off as much more of a badass if he's solo.

Again though, he hates bandits and thieves.

I discovered something at the inn in his starting town, unlike the other Inns I've been in (or if they had this I didn't notice), this one had all the options for change party members but also had a feature called "Hear a Tale" which didn't seem to do anything but show a graphic for Olberic. With a little wishful thinking, would be nice if we could use this to change party leader and be able to freely switch to different characters / parties at different parts of the map. It probably does nothing though because that sounds complicated.

To the class convo: dont they unlock secondary classes later?

Yeah they do, which will give everyone a lot more versatility down the line. I have no idea on when and how. Speculation is there are more than just the 8 starter classes for secondarys too.

Finished all the prologue chapters now, the real wait begins. :(

Not really going to go into detail on other chapters, but there are three I think make strong starting points and some that definitely feel like you should meet other specific characters first. Then there's Therion, who still feels like he should be forever alone and I'm not sure how he fits.

I think im going to go with the warrior strictly for tradition #warriorprivilege

Olberic is a solid choice, his prologue is the strongest. Cleric or Merchant are the other two choices I like the most as leader.

Anyone but Therion and maybe Alfyn are fine though. Not that Alfyn is bad, he just has the weakest motive.

Primrose has a really good opening chapter too actually, she just doesn't suit being party leader imo. Same with Cyrus to a lesser degree.

I always lean toward curency based perks since they limit farming so the merchant speaks to me

Merchant is in the next town over from warrior so you could get them as your first two no trouble.

I'm leaning towards starting as Ophelia because that gives me fast access to H'aanit. Not 100% set on it yet though.

This is innacurate.

However, I don't own a Switch, so this is relegated to several back burners for me until quite a few preconditions are met in other areas of my life. By that time, this will possibly be a greatest hits title, and be on sale. Maybe. I mean, this is Nintendo, and they like to charge full retail for shit years and years after the fact.

10 days guys.then the 3 of us can mark out

10 days is too much. That's why I invented a time machine. I'm playing it right now.

Oh man. Is it good? Do you still have electricity in a post civil war society?

Hopefully Seph doesn't alter the course of history with his time machine until at least next month.

Maybe if he is sly he can get the release date pushed to the 4th

My game has shipped

So has mine, but its saying estimated delivery on Monday and I'm really hoping that is WRONG INFORMATION.

Is this the sequel to Octodad?

Prequel.

I read that part of nintendos shipment was delayed...

I think it's just Amazon, they rarely get their estimates correct. I still believe!

IT DELIVERED

at work though

Playing the hunter 1st

My copy did not arrive today.

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How did you find the Hunter prologue? A lot of people hated the mock-Shakespeare but it didn't bother me, she is the most fun to play as IMO.

The mock Shakespeare isnt bad as a rule its just not well done. Despite that i still found it charming and se comes off as very endearing

I read somewhere that it was a shipment issue on Nintendo's end and a lot of copies didnt get sent out...btw. seeing a ton or reports on delays today

Nintendo do have a bit of a thing with understocking so it's possible, my copy was dispatched by Amazon on Thursday, if it doesn't get here tomorrow it definitely will be here on Monday so I guess I can suffer one more weekend.

I know you were hyped though so i get how much that sucks

I got BOTW from Amazon. 2-3 days late. Called em up and complained and they gave me $10.

Luckily I had a family video in my area and was able to rent it.

IT HAS ARRIVED WEEKEND SAVED FUCK YEAH

SUCCESS

Is this the best turn based combat ever? Pretty sure its the best turn based combat ever.

I love how every character feels different and unique, even Ophilia / Primrose. Not sure if that will remain beyond subclassing, but the best comparison I can make is early game FFX so hopefully it doesn't turn into everyone is everything again. I guess early VI would be a fair comparison but it never really felt like I had to use anybody there.

Started Ophilia, grabbed H'aanit and walked briskly past Therion to get Alfyn. Bosses are actually much harder with a party. Ghisarma actually gave me a game over already which never happened to me in the demo. Guess I will begrudgingly pick up the theif and then loop back the other way to grab Cyrus and carry on in sequence. I love Primrose's prologue but I feel like I need her the least. Not counting Therion obvs.

Doing Ophilias ch.1 now. Really like her. Might waifu a sprite :lol:

Im certain bosses are different if you're solo or not so Ghisarma was tough but im sure a completely different battle for both of us. Ghisarma required me to full heal 2 or 3 times. Once i realised that charge attacks could be prevented if you caused stagger though it was a game changer. I had 2 of the rat archers captured too so i was reasonably equipped for the fight.

Started with the warrior. Went to the merchant second because I wanted to avoid the dancer lady. Game is a blast so far.

I tried to go exploring though and got 1 shot by some monsters.

Do you level up your passive? Like does the merchant get better prices the more she buys off other people?

Can speak for he merchant but with the hunter and the cleric their level determins how the level their thralls can be so i would be surprised if theses a mechanism for all classes.

When I tried him in the demo he was one of the tougher solo bosses, he absolutely wrecked me as a duo though. Put up his counter attack, did this 3x multi hit at 150 a pop knocking out Ophilia and then he immediately went into pounce. Defended it but he still did enough damage through guard to wipe me out. Had to get a bit tactical with the guard breaks so he was primed before he entered his counter stance.

I think the "Noble" path actions (warrior, merchant, cleric, apothecary) are level based and the "rogue" ones are just always luck rolls with the risk of rep damage. It would make sense for Haggle to improve with level but not entirely sure, skills don't level through usage independantly as far as I can tell.

The Scholar is a must have in any party. The passive of learning weaknesses and being able to HP is huge. Not to mention hes a black mage. Would have made a great protag.

Agreed.

Only character I think is stupid so far is the healing lady that has the flame. She is the cleric I think? So damn annoying and stupid.

So far my main group seems like it will be warrior, annoying cleric, scholar, and the 4th spot up for grabs merchant is fun but seems replaceable. Hopefully by the huntress..

How dare you mock Ophilia...I LOVE HER

..... what?

How do I do spoilers to not spoil the tipping point of this clueless lady?

Olay that worked.

Ive only done her 1st chapter. Is it safe to click those

Yes. I only obtained 4 characters so far.

Kind of scared to get a 5th character. Will mean I have to start subbing people out to ensure they are all a decent level.

On the Ophilia thing

Cyrus is great, love his chapter and his sleuthing. I ruled him out as party leader though because he seems to live in his own little world, his aloofness makes him more of a great recruit than a great recruiter.

I can't wait to get a 5th, then I can bench Therion :lol:
Will probably have to sub out Alfyn though since his path action seems exactly the same as Cyrus. Gonna miss the axe.

H'aanit has an axe too

True, but she doesn't have mad skills like AMPUTATION.

Lol well that is a pretty brutal sounding skill

Oh yeah, hardest hitting physical skill I've seen so far outside of Captures.

Cyrus ch.1

Well captures dont work on bosses so that auto kill isnt as useful as one would like

I meant the summoning aspect of it, forgot what it's called though. I caught a strong variant of the sqirrelly thing from H'aanit's starting area and fully boosted up it did around 1600. Pretty nice.

:lol:

I gotcha. Yeah the beasy summons are real powerful if charged/vunerable/weakness etc is in play. Makes H'aanit a single target mage in a lot of ways.

Still dont have a full party btw. Doing back tracking as the sidequest are more open now...love how the side quests work btw

I'm at 5/8 and saved in the dungeon before Tressa's boss, I do have the advantage of already doing all this once tbf. Also found a monster that gave me like 10 levels on my 3rd and 4th recruits all in one go.

Speaking of im doing a side quest. Used Cyrus to learn the location of a wild boar. Went into inventory (where the clues are kept...for some reason...) but i have no clue how to actually see where i need to go...

Is there not a green map marker? Saw that quest but didn't follow up on it, using RPG logic I'd imagine it's in the place where Ghisarma was.

Solved it. I needed to tell him the location.

Huh how?

Once i got the info i just went back to him and spoke with him again. It gave me a prompt to tell him the info.

Therion ch.1

First example of bad writing in the game though

Picked up the huntress. Not sure I am a big fan of her beast lore ability but going to give it time to build on me. Will keep the merchant benched.

No idea who I will bench for the 6th person. Probably the warrior but hes such a badass for me.

Huntress has a awesome story though. Favorites so far is the huntress and warrior story wise.

The beast skills allow you to have any weapon type in your party adding a lot of diversity