Info about OCTOPATH TRAVELER™:

Official game description:
Reviews & Accolades
===================
“Heady for the eyes and ears” - Gameblog
“Wonderful panoramas painted in pixels” - Everyeye\_it
“A gift for the senses” - Vandal\_net
"Love letter to classic JRPGs" - 4Players
“Pure nostalgia” - 3Djuegos\_com
“Beautiful” - Gamesvillage\_it
“A game with brilliant moments” - PC Gamer
“The PC version’s gorgeous 60fps is absolutely to die for” - Rock Paper Shotgun
“A remarkable title” - UveJuegos
About the Game
==============
The award-winning RPG comes to PC!  
Eight travelers. Eight adventures. Eight roles to play. Embark on an epic journey across the vast and wondrous world of Orsterra and discover the captivating stories of each of the eight travelers.  
\- Play as eight different characters, each with their own stories to uncover and side quests to complete  
\- Explore the enchanting yet perilous world of Orsterra, spanning 8 vast regions and discover each character’s full story as their journey unfolds  
\- Use each character's distinctive abilities (Path Actions), skills and talents in frenetic battles  
\- Enjoy the accessible yet deep turn-based combat battle system and break through enemy lines by identifying and targeting their weaknesses  
\- Solve side quests and story scenarios in a few different ways and take decisions that shape your path.  
\- Experience visuals inspired by retro 2D RPGs with beautiful realistic elements set in a 3D world

Release date: 7 Jun, 2019

Categories: RPG, Single-player Story, Open-World Exploration, Turn-based Combat, Character Progression, Character Customization, Party-based Combat, Mission-based Gameplay


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Exceptional JRPG Experience (weight 0.61): Players overwhelmingly praise the game as an incredible, enjoyable, and well-crafted JRPG. It successfully blends old-school charm with modern enhancements, evoking nostalgia for classic titles while offering fresh mechanics and a captivating overall experience.
- Stellar Audiovisual Presentation (weight 0.56): The game is consistently lauded for its stunning HD-2D graphics, beautiful pixel art, and breathtaking lighting effects, which create a unique and immersive world. The soundtrack is frequently described as a masterpiece, elevating every scene and battle with its emotional depth and memorable compositions.
- Engaging & Strategic Combat (weight 0.29): The turn-based combat system, particularly the 'Boost' and 'Break' mechanics, is highly praised for its strategic depth, variety, and engaging nature. Players find battles rewarding, challenging, and never boring, encouraging thoughtful planning and experimentation with job and skill combinations.
- Rewarding Exploration & Content (weight 0.23): The game offers a vast and beautifully crafted world ripe for exploration, filled with secrets, diverse regions, and engaging side quests. Players enjoy the sense of discovery, the abundant content, and the rewarding nature of completing challenges and uncovering hidden elements.

Common complaints:
- Weak and Disconnected Story (weight 0.97): The narrative was widely criticized for being bland, shallow, and predictable. A major point of contention was the lack of meaningful interaction and connection between the eight protagonists' individual stories, making the overall plot feel disjointed and unengaging.
- Repetitive and Tedious Gameplay (weight 0.75): Players frequently found the core gameplay loop, including combat and progression, to be highly repetitive and tedious. This often led to boredom and a feeling that the game did not respect their time, especially when compared to its sequel.
- Frustrating Endgame and Bosses (weight 0.52): The endgame content, particularly the optional superboss, was deemed excessively difficult, grindy, and poorly designed. Players were frustrated by the lack of save points during long boss rushes, forcing restarts and wasting significant time.
- Overpriced for Content (weight 0.5): Many players felt the game was significantly overpriced, especially at its full retail price, given its perceived quality, outdated mechanics, and comparison to its more polished sequel or other AAA titles.
- Poor Achievement Design (weight 0.18): The achievement system was heavily criticized for being tedious, requiring excessive grinding, and including many missable elements without in-game tracking. This made 100% completion frustrating and often necessitated external guides.
- Vague and Unrewarding Side Quests (weight 0.12): Side quests were often described as vague, lacking clear guidance, and offering unrewarding objectives. Many players felt compelled to use external guides to complete them, especially for unlocking the true ending, which was poorly integrated into the main narrative.
- Inconvenient Party Management (weight 0.12): Players found the system for managing party members cumbersome, as characters could only be swapped at taverns and those not in the active party did not gain experience. This hindered flexibility and forced repetitive grinding to keep all characters viable.

Gameplay feedback:
- Eight Independent Character Stories (weight 0.3): The game features eight distinct protagonists, each with their own individual story arc spanning four chapters. These narratives are largely independent, allowing players to experience them in any order, though level requirements encourage rotating characters. While the stories are mostly self-contained, a hidden final boss eventually connects their fates.
- Challenging Final & Secret Bosses (weight 0.14): The game features a difficult final boss and an even more challenging secret boss. The true final boss requires all eight characters, split into two parties, and demands high character levels (around 70+) with optimized equipment and strategies. Failing this fight often means restarting a long sequence, as there are no save points within the final dungeon.
- Flexible Dual Job System (weight 0.13): A key customization feature is the dual job system, where each character has an innate primary job and can equip a secondary job. This allows for diverse character builds and strategic party configurations, as job points earned in battle unlock new skills and passive abilities. Advanced jobs and unique job combinations further enhance tactical options.
- Repetitive Chapter Structure (weight 0.1): Each character's story chapter follows a formulaic structure: text-heavy exposition, a simple A-to-B mission, more text, a linear dungeon, and a boss fight. While initial chapters introduce mechanics, the repetitive nature can make later chapters feel grindy, despite the overall story being completable without excessive farming.
- Long Playtime & Completion (weight 0.05): Completing the main story typically takes 60-80 hours, with full completion, including all side quests and secret bosses, extending playtime to over 100 hours. Achievements like 'Renowned Traveler' encourage extensive play, indicating a substantial amount of content for dedicated players.

Performance notes:
- Excellent PC and Steam Deck Performance (weight 0.04): Players consistently report that the game runs exceptionally well on PC, often achieving a stable 60 FPS, and performs flawlessly on the Steam Deck, even at high resolutions. Many found the PC version superior to the Switch in terms of frame rate and texture quality.
- Minor Performance Issues (weight 0.01): Despite generally strong performance, some users experienced frame rate drops during map transitions. There's also a sentiment that the game's performance is surprisingly demanding given its visual style, reminiscent of Square Enix's historical performance issues.
- Low System Requirements (weight 0.01): The game is noted for having relatively low system requirements, which makes it accessible to a wide range of players with varying hardware capabilities.
- Potential Save File Issues (weight 0): One user reported a potential issue where security settings could prevent the game from saving files, suggesting a need for users to check their folder permissions.
- Gamepad Input Solution (weight 0): A specific solution was provided for unresponsive gamepads, advising players to force Steam Input settings to 'On' to resolve the issue.

Recommendations:
- Buy on Sale, Consider Sequel (weight 0.38): Many players recommend purchasing the game only when it's on sale, often suggesting a 50% or greater discount. There's also a strong sentiment to consider playing the sequel, Octopath Traveler 2, as it's often seen as an improved experience, or to play this game first to appreciate the sequel's quality-of-life enhancements.
- Great for JRPG Fans (weight 0.2): The game is highly recommended for fans of traditional, turn-based JRPGs, especially those who enjoy a retro, 16-bit style. Players who appreciate classic Square Enix RPGs like Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy will likely find this game appealing.
- Mixed Reception, Overall Good (weight 0.19): Player opinions on the game's overall quality are mixed but generally positive, with many rating it between 7/10 and 9/10. While some consider it a masterpiece, others find it merely 'good' or 'passable,' often depending on individual preferences for grind and story structure.
- Not for All Players (weight 0.15): The game is not recommended for players who dislike grinding, repetitive combat, or a disconnected story structure. Those seeking a cohesive narrative, instant gratification, or a non-JRPG experience should likely avoid it.
- Highly Recommended by Some (weight 0.03): Despite mixed reviews, a segment of players highly recommends the game, considering it a must-play or a 'hall of fame' title. These recommendations often come from those who deeply appreciate its specific style and genre.
- Beware of Completionism (weight 0.03): Achievement hunters and completionists are warned about the extensive grind and potentially frustrating design of the final boss and certain achievements. It's suggested to avoid looking at achievements until after completing the main game to prevent spoilers or discouragement.
- Patience for Long Playthroughs (weight 0.03): The game requires patience, especially for its long battles and the time needed to complete all character stories. It's recommended for players who enjoy slowly experiencing RPGs and have ample time, potentially playing in short bursts.
- Consider Mods for QoL (weight 0.02): Some players recommend using mods or cheats to enhance the gameplay experience, particularly to alleviate grinding or to focus solely on the story. This is suggested for those who want a more pleasant experience without breaking the game's core.
- Character Start Recommendations (weight 0.02): Specific starting character recommendations are provided, with Ophilia being a popular choice for an easier experience. Suggestions also include particular routes or party compositions for new players.
- Anticipation for Sequels (weight 0.01): Many players express excitement for the sequel, Octopath Traveler 2, and even a hypothetical 'Octopath Traveler 0,' hoping for improvements and continued success of the series.

Other player notes:
- Varied Side Content Quality (weight 0.02): Feedback on side quests is mixed; some find them good and entertaining, while others describe them as boring. This suggests inconsistency in the quality or engagement level of optional content.
- Achievement System Issues (weight 0.02): The achievement system has some drawbacks, including achievements tied to grinding, missable achievements, and plot spoilers embedded in achievement names. This can detract from the player experience for completionists.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.25): Players found satisfaction in the game's overall quality, including its beautiful HD-2D visuals, excellent music, and engaging combat system. The blend of classic and modern RPG elements, strategic depth, and well-written character stories, especially when culminating in a sense of accomplishment after long playtimes or completing challenging content, contributed significantly to this positive emotion.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Frustration stemmed primarily from repetitive grinding, frequent random encounters, and difficulty spikes, particularly with challenging secret bosses that often lacked save points. Other causes included tedious side quests, fragmented narratives, and a perceived lack of quality-of-life features, which made the overall experience feel like a 'slog' for some players.
- Disappointment (weight 0.17): Disappointment was largely driven by the perceived lack of character interaction and a cohesive overarching story, leading to a fragmented narrative experience. Players also expressed dissatisfaction with bland or predictable plots, repetitive gameplay, and the game's value proposition at full price, especially when compared to its sequel.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Excitement was generated by the game's high quality, innovative combat system, and captivating HD-2D graphics and soundtrack. Players were thrilled by the strategic depth, immersive world exploration, and the prospect of future titles in the series, often expressing a strong desire to play the sequel immediately after finishing the first game.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoyed the game's core RPG experience, including its strategic combat system, character customization, and engaging individual stories. The beautiful art style, memorable soundtrack, and the satisfaction of overcoming challenging boss fights also contributed to a generally fun and immersive gameplay loop.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy was experienced through the game's overall high quality, captivating stories, and fun combat, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for classic JRPGs. Players expressed deep affection for the characters, the beautiful pixel art, and the immersive soundtrack, leading to long play sessions and a strong emotional attachment to the game.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Boredom arose from the game's repetitive nature, particularly in combat and story progression, with many finding the narratives uninteresting or the grind tedious. The lack of character interaction, slow pacing, and unrewarding exploration also contributed to a dull and monotonous experience for some players.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration was directed towards the game's exceptional artistic quality, particularly its stunning HD-2D visuals, incredible soundtrack, and innovative combat system. Players praised the developers' dedication to crafting a high-quality JRPG experience, often highlighting the immersive world-building and compelling storytelling.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia was a strong emotion, as the game's pixel art graphics, classic RPG feel, and gameplay elements reminded players of beloved childhood JRPGs from the SNES, GBA, or DS eras. This evoked a sense of warmth and familiarity, connecting them to the 'golden age' of the genre.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was primarily caused by perceived poor game design choices, such as frustrating secret boss mechanics without save points, and excessive grinding that felt disrespectful of player time. High pricing, poor localization, and misleading positive reviews also fueled this negative emotion, with some feeling cheated by the overall experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciated the game's unique art style, beautiful music, and diverse cast of characters, recognizing the developers' intentional design choices. The game's homage to classic JRPGs while offering modern conveniences, along with the satisfying resolution of the true ending, also garnered significant appreciation.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game stemmed from its overall beauty, engaging combat, and compelling individual stories and character interactions. Players expressed deep affection for the game's visuals, soundtrack, and the immersive experience it provided, often considering it a favorite.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): The game's difficulty, particularly in boss fights and post-game content, was a significant cause of challenge. Players found the demanding combat, resource management, and the grind required for progression to be a notable aspect of the gameplay experience.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Anticipation was driven by the expectation of a great story and significant improvements in the sequel. Players looked forward to finishing the current game and immediately diving into the next installment, eager for more content and refined gameplay.
- Annoyance (weight 0): Annoyance was caused by specific game mechanics such as bosses increasing shields, slow dialogues, and frequent mob encounters. Other irritations included plot holes and specific unlikable characters, which detracted from the overall enjoyment.
- Surprise (weight 0): Players were surprised by the unexpected depth of the combat system, the orchestral music, and how much they enjoyed a pixel turn-based game despite not being traditional fans of the genre. The unique interaction system and unexpected story structure also contributed to this feeling.
- Caution (weight 0): Caution was advised due to the game's full price, niche genre appeal, and the significant grinding required for achievements. Players warned others, especially those coming from the sequel, about potential difficulties and the game's specific design choices.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret was expressed by players who felt they made a poor purchasing decision, particularly when buying the game at full price or playing the sequel first. Some also regretted their initial protagonist choice or not discovering the game sooner.
- Helpfulness (weight 0): Helpfulness was demonstrated by players providing solutions to bugs, offering gameplay advice, and sharing detailed tips and recommendations for other players. This included crucial information for achievement hunting and general game progression.
- Confusion (weight 0): Confusion arose from illogical character actions, the lack of clear reasons for characters traveling together, and boss designs that didn't fully utilize diverse character professions. Some players also struggled to pinpoint specific enjoyable aspects or found the high freedom led to disjointed stories.}