Overview
Octopath Traveler is a JRPG developed by Square Enix and Acquire, released in 2018 on Switch before coming to other platforms. It is the first game to establish the HD-2D style: 16-bit-style pixel-art characters placed in 3D environments with depth of field and modern lighting effects.
Story and world
The game takes place on the continent of Orsterra and follows eight travelers, each with their own reasons for hitting the road. You pick a first character, then recruit the others along the way and advance their chapters in whatever order you like.
Big downside for me: these eight stories almost never cross paths. Each traveler lives out their story on their own, even when the whole party is along for the ride.
Gameplay
Fights are turn-based. Every enemy has weaknesses (weapon types or elements) and a shield: by hitting its weaknesses, you eventually break it, which stuns the enemy and makes it more vulnerable. Each turn, characters also earn Boost points, which you can spend to attack several times in a row or power up a skill.
It is this Boost and weakness system that makes the fights very satisfying.
Graphics and music
Visually, it is still just as beautiful, and this is the style that paved the way for the other HD-2D games.
Verdict
Still just as beautiful, with very satisfying fights, but eight stories that almost never cross paths.