Octopath Traveler is a captivating RPG developed by Square Enix that stands out with its breathtaking “HD-2D” graphics and its unique approach to storytelling. The game features eight distinct characters, each with their own backstory, abilities, and paths to follow. Players can choose which character they want to start with and eventually recruit the other seven to form a party of eight, allowing for varied gameplay experiences. In this walkthrough, we will break down key strategies, tips, and things to look out for in Octopath Traveler to ensure you get the most out of this thrilling adventure.
Choosing Your Starting Character
The first major decision you’ll make in Octopath Traveler is which of the eight protagonists to choose. Each character has different skills and stats, and the starting area and story are unique for each one. Here’s a brief overview of each character’s strengths:
- Ophilia (Cleric): Her healing and support abilities make her an excellent choice if you want a stable and balanced playthrough.
- Cyrus (Scholar): With powerful elemental magic and strong offensive abilities, Cyrus is ideal for dealing high damage.
- Tressa (Merchant): Her ability to purchase rare items and deal damage with a variety of elemental attacks make her versatile.
- Alfyn (Apothecary): Alfyn is a well-rounded character with healing and offensive capabilities, particularly with his fire-based skills.
- Primrose (Dancer): She specializes in boosting the power of her allies and debuffing enemies, making her great for strategy-based players.
- Therion (Thief): His high speed and ability to steal items make him perfect for acquiring rare gear and treasure.
- H’aanit (Hunter): If you prefer physical attacks and capturing monsters to fight for you, H’aanit is your go-to.
- Magnolia (Starseer): She uses complex celestial magic, with a strong focus on boosting elemental magic attacks for massive damage.
The Importance of Path Actions
One of the standout features of Octopath Traveler is the “Path Actions” system. Each character has a unique ability to interact with NPCs in different ways:
- Ophilia can “Guide” NPCs to follow her on their journey.
- Cyrus can “Scrutinize” NPCs to reveal hidden information and clues.
- Tressa can “Purchase” items from NPCs, which may include rare or valuable goods.
- Alfyn can “Inquire” to gain insights into NPCs’ backgrounds.
- Primrose can “Charmed” NPCs to follow her temporarily.
- Therion can “Steal” items from NPCs.
- H’aanit can “Provoke” NPCs into fighting her.
- Magnolia can “Empathize,” gaining information from NPCs by showing understanding.
This system adds a lot of depth to the game as you can uncover secrets, find rare items, or recruit new characters through Path Actions. Make sure to use them wisely, as they open up new possibilities and reward exploration.
Party Composition and Combat Strategy
While each character has their own strengths, building a well-rounded party is crucial for success. As you recruit characters, make sure to balance your party with different skills, including healing, magic, and physical attacks. For example, having a strong healer like Ophilia, alongside a powerful attacker like Cyrus or Tressa, ensures that you’re equipped to handle both the toughest monsters and complex boss fights.
Combat in Octopath Traveler is turn-based, with a unique “Boost” mechanic. Each character can use Boost Points (BP) to enhance their attacks or skills, allowing them to deal massive damage or use powerful spells. It’s important to time your Boost usage carefully, as the enemies have their own weaknesses and attacks that can quickly overwhelm you. Focus on breaking enemy shields (indicated by a shield icon) to exploit their weaknesses and deal devastating blows.
Exploration and Side Quests
Exploration in Octopath Traveler is rewarding, with many hidden treasures and side quests scattered across the world. You’ll encounter optional storylines for each of the characters as you travel through different towns and regions. Don’t rush to finish the main quests—take the time to explore towns and dungeons thoroughly. Many side quests unlock new gear, rare items, and helpful abilities that will give you an edge in battle.
You’ll also come across challenges known as “boss fights” which are often more difficult than standard enemies. These require careful preparation and strategy, as well as a solid understanding of each character’s abilities and the enemy’s weaknesses. Make sure to grind for experience, upgrade your equipment, and maximize the potential of each character’s skills.
Preparing for the Endgame
As you approach the end of the game, the difficulty ramps up significantly, and you’ll need to ensure your characters are fully leveled and equipped. The final chapters for each character are especially tough, often culminating in multi-phase boss battles that test all of your skills learned throughout the game.
Before taking on these challenges, revisit side quests, level up in dungeons, and enhance your characters’ equipment. Take advantage of the “job” system, which allows characters to take on secondary roles to complement their original abilities. For instance, you can make Ophilia a powerful mage or Cyrus a tank, providing even more strategic depth.
Conclusion
Octopath Traveler offers a rich, immersive experience with deep gameplay mechanics, a variety of characters, and a world full of exploration. Whether you’re focused on following the unique stories of each protagonist or strategizing your way through tough battles, there’s always something to keep you engaged. Follow this walkthrough to guide you through the key aspects of the game, and take your time to savor the journey. The world of Octopath Traveler is vast and beautiful, and with the right preparation, you can conquer even the toughest challenges!
