Merchants and scholars walk into the bar.
After the success of Octopus Traveler on Switch in 2018, Square Enix (this time without the help of international publishing from Nintendo) is returning to the eight-character well with Octopus Traveler II. ), focuses on a new set of eight heroes with their own paths they’re traveling. Square Enix has revealed details of two of the playable characters. But first, OH MY GOD – IT’S A SHARK!
You can ride a boat in this game. It also seems necessary because the world of Octopath Traveler II features his two continents separated by bodies of water. Boats seem to be necessary unless you want to destroy airships. On second thought, we need to destroy the airship. But let’s go to the characters!
First, Parutio Yellowil, a merchant who has witnessed the fruits of late capitalism and decided to work on charity. He leaves the pioneer ghetto (no one there, perhaps?) and exclaims, “When the world is rid of the devil called poverty, I’ll be back!” It has all the powers of a politician trying to appeal to a particular demographic. His voice has the same huckster vibe as Lionel Hutz. I hope there is a side quest in Partitio that sells towns in the monorail vision.
He ventures into the Wildlands, a barren part of the world of Octopus II, armed with two pass actions and set out on a quest. You can buy from people during the day and hire people at night. Hiring people seems like a neat twist. A hired hand can be helpful in combat and even negotiating the price of goods. All in all, Partition seems fine. At this point, I rate him 2 out of his 8 octopus (which is the scale I use to judge these characters harshly).
The second character is a scholar named Osvald V. Vanstein from Winterland, a region that probably has the best music if anything like the first game. Osvald has a much more metal story setting compared to Partitio’s “I want to help the poor” slant. Osvaldo is serving a life sentence for murdering his wife and child. Surprisingly, he probably didn’t. It seems that Harvey, a rival scholar, set it up. It has the feel of the Count of Monte Cristo.
Spoiler: Osvald doesn’t rot in prison and eventually comes out to explore Winterland, home to a fishing village called Cape Cold. But I like the name. His passing action during the day is scrutiny, seeking information from his surroundings. If you fail a scrutiny check, the town you’re in won’t like you very much.At night, he can attack people. Honestly, Oswald seems like a pretty bad ass. He is falsely accused of a crime, and at night he is a magician who curses men directly. I give him seven of his eight octopuses.
Octopath Traveler II launches on Switch on February 24, 2023. I hope you can rate it the same way you rated Partio (2/8) and Osvaldo (7/8).
