A highlight of the Octopath Traveler games is getting really close to characters as we watch their individuals stories play out and we get to build each person we’ve come to care about with jobs we feel suit them best. While Octopath Traveler 0 feels satisfying to play and includes some gameplay elements that can be captivating, it’s unfortunately weakest in both of those areas. While Producer Hirohito Suzuki said in an official Square Enix interview that a self-insertion situation with a “central protagonist” was to “allow you to immerse yourself completely in the story,” in my experience I felt this entry had the exact opposite effect.

Octopath Traveler 0 begins with our avatar growing up in the town of Wishvale. Their father was head of the Watch and we were following in his footsteps, just as childhood friend Stia trained to be a carpenter like her father. However, on the day of the yearly Enkindling festival, the Master of Power Tytos, Master of Wealth Herminia, and Master of Fame Auguste all came together to raze the town in search of a legendary ring. Determined, our character decides to bring all three down in the name of justice and rebuild the village. This amounts to basically four initial campaign quests, with more opening up as those are cleared. Given this is an adaptation of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, the narrative in Octopath Traveler 0 ends up feeling very familiar if you're coming from the mobile game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xSyjJSAkWw

Multiple storylines in Octopath Traveler games are typical, and 0 even tones things down a bit by reducing the initial scope. Instead of offering one campaign right away for eight protagonists, we get four we can swap between. (Though the Wishvale one is designed to be played between the other quests, unfortunately.) The thing is that most of the time I felt like I was more of a silent observer of the main companion for each storyline, instead of the main character, even though there is a "chosen one" element at play for our avatar. The rebuilding Wishvale storyline? The lead felt like Stia and, to a lesser degree, Phenn. The Herminia and storyline? Bargello is the driving force. The one with Auguste as an antagonist? It felt like Schwartz’s story. Tytos’ tale? Velnorte. It felt constant. While I could define my identity in the initial character creator and a questline might ask if I wanted to join or follow someone on a quest I’d obviously agree to further, I often felt more like an onlooker than the star and as if those choices carried no weight. Even in Party Chats, aside from making a selection that could mean siding with one ally or the other, I felt like it was more about seeing my companions talk amongst themselves. Side quests? It's about the NPCs. Part of this is due to our character being a silent protagonist and everyone else so talkative. Some people might enjoy this approach, but I suspect those who are big fans of the first two games might feel the same way I do about the design decision.

Again, since Octopath Traveler 0 is building off of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, it can often feel more like it than the other games in the series. Battles still rely upon striking with weapons or elements opponents are weak against to “break” their shield. Completely bringing that number to zero leaves them unable to act and reduces their defenses. Like the mobile game, there are eight characters in battle at once, with four in the front row and four behind them in back. The four in front are active and can attack or use skills. The ones in back are in reserve and heal each round. You can swap between them on the front character’s turn, taking advantage of someone who has different movesets or stored up enough actions to hit up to four times or use a stronger strike. It’s a strong system and quite effective given the reliance on targeting weaknesses, since you can always pull in someone else who could have the right weapons or elemental magic. I adored the combat system, as always, and would love to see an Octopath Traveler 3 use it.

However, as a result of having the 30 possible party members, we lose a hallmark of character builds from the first two Octopath Traveler games. The only person we truly get to customize is our avatar. They can swap jobs, but everyone else is set in their ways. It isn’t like other titles where we pick a job and secondary job. Instead, there are set skills from jobs learned with JP. If you go to the Training Ground in Wishvale, find certain treasure chests, or fight certain folks, you get Action Skills and can equip a set number to each person. Honestly? I’d take the secondary job system over this one any day, but I get the feeling Square Enix and DokiDoki Groove Works were trying to push a diversified party with perhaps one character from each class around instead. As is, it felt like I had less control and less reason to really play around with developing allies, which was one of the things I loved most about the previous two console games.

Likewise, I feel I preferred the more limited scope of characters from the previous mainline Octopath Traveler games, as 0 offers so many that it can prove difficult to really connect with them. Their introductory recruitment quests are quite brief! Even the Party Chats didn’t seem to help me really care about them in the way I did people from the first and second games. Even after spending hours with the game, ones I didn’t get to know as a result of campaign quests sometimes just felt like “the person I bring in when I need a mage” or “I actually learned Macy’s name because she’s the only healer I recruited after playing about 15 hours.”

Especially since we aren’t relying on extra allies for Path Actions. Our avatar basically can do it all, and all Path Action options are available immediately. Our success with them varies upon fame, power, wealth, and our overall level, from what I can see. It is handy to be able to do it all at once! Convenient too, since nothing is walled off from us early on due to only wandering around with Stia initially. I do think Octopath Traveler 2 handled it best, with its combination of daytime and nighttime Path Actions, and would hope another game in the series would return to that design choice.

The thing I loved most about Octopath Traveler 0 is the town restoration and Wishvale reconstruction storyline accompanying it. While that does still feel more like Stia and Phenn’s story, I did feel more involved and connected to it than the other parts of the narrative. A downside is, it isn’t like the other campaigns we unlock. We can’t just focus on that storyline. The nature of some of its quests mean we’re forced to go away and go through other missions to make “time pass” and get to it. While it get it and do appreciate that it makes it feel like progress is gradually being made on this big and monumental project while we get revenge, I also wanted to spend all of my time rebuilding, reorganizing, collecting possible villagers, and making that place my own. However, I do wish that some of the NPCs who moved to our town had more of an identity or at least an actual name.

While Octopath Traveler 0 scratches the JRPG itch in some satisfying ways, I found it often never feels as captivating as the first two games. Our protagonist doesn’t feel as connected to events as the companions for the campaign quests, even with what happened to Wishvale. The heroes from Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 get stronger stories. I miss being able to play around with character builds like I did in past games too. The town building element is fantastic, constant access to all Path Actions is handy, and the eight-character party in battles allows for some fun strategic options. But I do hope the next entry in the series is more like Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 than 0. 

Octopath Traveler 0 will come to the Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on December 4, 2025. 

The post Review: Octopath Traveler 0 Has Its Moments appeared first on Siliconera.

This week’s Famitsu review scores are in. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (PS5, Xbox …

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Octopath Traveler 0 has a strong start, with a combat system that feels like a huge improvement over the previous entries and a powerful narrative set up. The story loses steam after the opening narrative branches, and the combination of a silent protagonist and no static party members makes it hard to get invested in […]

Role-playing video games have been around almost as long as D&D itself, but for every step they take towards modernity, many of the fundamentals remain the same. Octopath Traveler 0 is a game that’s more aware of that than any other AAA release this year. It readily leans on RPG fundamentals like turn-based combat, grinding for experience and epic storytelling, while aping the 16-bit visuals of classics like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. It’s also a reworking of the mobile title, Champions of the Continent, but, for all of that, Octopath Traveler 0 looks and feels every inch the modern RPG.

Admittedly, we’ve been here before. The first two Octopath games took eight separate characters, and interlinked their eight narratives to great effect, but it was the HD-2D visuals that instantly won them an avalanche of pixel-art admirers. Octopath 0 immediately pulls the same trick by being undeniably stunning to behold, updating the look of the classics with a shimmering, living filter that brings every scene to life in remarkable fashion. I don’t think I could ever get bored of this art style, and three games in (and with a bunch of other HD-2D games alongside) that looks likely to pan out.

While the visual style remains the same, the overarching structure and narrative framing have changed, this time putting a created character at the centre of everything. Your silent protagonist gets their own name, look, and even a favourite food, but they don’t say much of anything at all, while other characters readily monologue through conversations to their heart’s content. You get used to it, but I did miss the individual characters of the last two games.

That said, the teams at Square Enix and DokiDoki Groove Works have crafted an interesting and companionable bunch of characters to surround yourself with, and there’s a huge number of them, and their backstories, to involve yourself in. Whether touched by tragedy, or seeking knowledge and influence, there’s hundreds of narrative threads to pull on, some of which go nowhere, while others contribute to your own, world-altering quest.

Outside of the thirty recruitable characters, virtually every person you come across can be spoken to, investigated, bartered with, or hired, whether through your persuasive talents or by beating them in combat. It’s an enjoyable, and often productive, diversion, and it makes every town and village feel as though it’s brimming with life and character, even when these backstories are often just a few lines.

The core narrative is split into three strands: Power, Fame and Wealth. At the outset, each of these is headed by a particularly hateful lead antagonist, from the murderous playwright Auguste – who’s definitely stolen the Guardians of the Galaxy’s Collector’s schtick – to the beautiful Herminia whose drug cartel stands to corrupt half the population of the continent. You can tackle these in any order, with the other strands remaining frozen while you work your way through the others.

Your hometown, Wishvale, finds itself decimated at the hands of these evil-doers, setting you and your friends off on a quest to collect the eight divine rings, and you find yourself chasing each of them down, enacting your revenge while also rebuilding your homestead.

Town building is a big part of Octopath 0’s gameplay, and it’s well done, even if you might find it a little limited and straightforward. You can build various homesteads, shops and facilities and gain certain boons by inviting people to live there, while the layout and expansion of Wishvale is up to you, albeit within the framework that you’re given to work with.

You’ll find yourself decorating and tinkering for hours, and getting to see your creation in the beautiful game engine is well worth it. There’s a small fly in the ointment for Switch 2 players, who don’t get to use quite as many objects as PS5 or Xbox Series X|S owners (400 compared to 500), but there’s still enough customisation to truly make this place feel like your own.

Octopath Traveler 0 evolves the series’ turn-based combat, though it does feel fundamentally the same as its predecessors. Boosting attacks and breaking enemies is the key to success, wearing down their defences by discovering what weapon types they’re weak to. This time, you can have a massive 8 different characters in your party, with half of those in the back line providing support, while you can also recruit helpers to throw in with you.

It’s a shame that the difficulty level often bounces between ridiculously easy and teeth-gnashingly tough, but it does even out the further you go. If you’re a fan of turn-based combat, Octopath 0’s rendition remains interesting throughout, with the multiple characters bringing some of the mobile-centric chaos and carnage that you’d expect with multiple effects and attacks going on, while failure means you often have to strategise and plan to progress.

If you head into the menus, there’s plenty of the traditional levelling and equipping you’d expect to find, and you can unlock skills in the order you want, which is a nice touch, although you have to bear in mind how much SP they cost to cast when you’re starting out. There’s a huge amount of customisation available, with characters able to learn others’ skills, while your central protagonist can also change jobs – choosing from eight, obviously – learning new skills and improving their stats as they do, and letting you experience some of that variation the previous games had with multiple characters.

One of the biggest worries with Octopath Traveler 0 was whether it was going to feel like a mobile port, and thankfully, it doesn’t. From the huge cast of voice actors, through the multiple quests and asides, to the town-building and exceptional production values, Octopath Traveler 0 feels every bit the full console game. It definitely has a different flavour to the previous titles, and I can see some fans struggling with the shift, but in many ways, it feels fresh and unique when placed alongside its predecessors.

Considering how much more common the HD-2D art style has become in RPGs, whether in the Dragon Quest remakes or Triangle Strategy, I always find the originator, Octopath Traveler, so fascinating. A Boost mechanic in combat akin to Bravely Default? Multiple playable characters, each with their own unique starting stories and quests a la SaGa, but with unique Path actions that lean into their desired professions? It all feels so right, and yet, I’ve often struggled to really identify the series as one of the more must-play RPGs.

So it’s fitting in many ways that Octopath Traveler 0 should break so many of those established conventions in favor of trying new things, like a customizable protagonist, town-building mechanics, and even deploying eight characters in front and back rows during combat a la Suikoden. It still retains the relative freedom of its predecessors – heck, it’s probably even more free-form, which may appeal to a certain contingent of RPG fans. However, this presents its own share of awkwardness, especially with the plot and characters.

First things first, this is essentially a console version of Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, a mobile-only prequel to the main series. You play as a resident of Wishvale, a quaint little town that’s suddenly burned to the ground by Tytos and the Scarlet Wings. Barely escaping with your childhood, Stia, thanks to the mysterious scholar Nomos, you’re gifted with the Ring of the Flamebringer, one of eight powerful rings scattered through the continent of Osterra. As it turns out, Tytos wasn’t working alone – Herminia, the “Witch of Greed”, and Auguste, the “Playwright”, also had a hand in Wishvale’s destruction.

"As quickly as tragedy hits Wishvale, making it difficult to really form a connection with what’s supposed to be the focal point of your restoration efforts, Octopath Traveler 0 bridges that in other ways."

From the outset, you have two main goals – rebuilding the town and making it even better than ever with Stia, or venturing forth and exacting vengeance on the big three, taking their rings as rewards. Of course, there’s more beyond that, but this is the humblest of beginnings, as you scrounge up new gear, items, money, settlers, the works.

The problems begin almost immediately because of the nature of the protagonist. As cliched as the start may be, with your character being the chosen one and whatnot, they don’t really have any dialogue to speak of. You can customize their backstory, including their favorite dish (and it does have story implications), but the lack of any real response outside the limited expressions and animations, especially during some of the more emotionally hard-hitting scenes, just doesn’t work.

As quickly as tragedy hits Wishvale, making it difficult to really form a connection with what’s supposed to be the focal point of your restoration efforts, Octopath Traveler 0 bridges that in other ways. Constructing a new building would trigger a flashback to better days, for example. Running after Phenn, one of your earliest and most important allies in the early going, reveals the trauma he faced in trying to rescue any survivors. Credit where it’s due for his recruitment “quest” – it’s not very long, but it goes beyond survivor’s guilt into really tapping into the core of his connection to Wishvale.

This isn’t to say that other companions and settlers have the same level of depth when it comes time to gather your party. Alexia, for example, is all about inquiring about her paper. Five seconds and an acknowledgement of your status as a ring-bearer, and she’s a trusted ally. At least her interest in exploring ruins gives me a reason to backtrack to certain locations, and she’s quite the magic wielder. Otherwise, getting new residents for Wishvale 2.0 is more a matter of finding and asking.

Couple this with the voice acting, which ranges from solid to slightly overdone, and getting behind this cast of would-be heroes/burgeoning community can be tough. At the very least, Phenn and Stia sound believable enough, and Auguste comes across as the right amount of creepy without going completely overboard.

"The biggest potential downside is that you can’t mix and match Support Skills from other Jobs. However, it does make each character that much more unique as they fit specific archetypes – and the fact that there are eight in a single party further alleviates these issues."

When it comes to the actual exploration, Octopath Traveler 0 really makes no bones about letting you go anywhere. Choose one of the three to face first or simply explore the continent, interacting with various NPCs, using different Path actions to extract info/get into fights/get free items, and more. Initially, this gameplay loop can get quite tedious, especially because enemies don’t scale to your level and most encounters are random. This means fighting the same underpowered mobs that give little to no XP as you backtrack through similar areas.

It becomes less annoying once you’ve unlocked more towns to fast travel to, allowing more seamless access to higher-level areas. The town-building aspect is also fairly seamless – creating new housing, decorations and other facilities isn’t much of a hassle or major resource sink. Once you’ve assigned different residents, they can perform functions like material gathering, further cutting down on having to revisit specific locations to acquire materials and slog through any unnecessary encounters.

All that being said, I actually enjoyed Octopath Traveler 0’s combat quite a lot. It starts simple enough – each turn grants one Boost Point, and you have SP to unleash skills. Save up enough BP, and you can boost anything – attacks, skills, even the new Ultimate techniques – for more potent effects, which is essential for breaking an enemy and leaving them temporarily stunned. Once you start gathering Job Points and unlocking new skills, including Support Skills with unique effects, it’s not long before one party member is transferring BP to build up those more damaging attacks on your fighter, or automatically healing the lowest health ally at the end of their turn.

The biggest potential downside is that you can’t mix and match Support Skills from other Jobs. However, it does make each character that much more unique as they fit specific archetypes – and the fact that there are eight in a single party further alleviates these issues. The fact that you can train your party further, diversifying their skill sets in unique ways, goes hand in hand with Wishvale’s own progression. It’s almost enough to warrant ignoring the main quest and seeing how much stronger the party can become, or even uncovering new companions (which makes up for the fairly basic layouts of some stages).

"Even though I’m not the most invested in its story and characters, or finding some of the backtracking to be truly annoying, it’s still an intriguing alternative to the series formula with the same stellar production values."

However, you may feel about some of these changes to the series, at least Octopath Traveler 0 continues its tradition of stunning visuals. Admittedly, Osterra itself isn’t the most original world to explore – these fantasy forests, caves, highways and farms will feel more typical than not – but the HD-2D style still looks gorgeous. And despite how basic some environments can feel to explore, there is a lot to discover, whether you’re stumbling on some ruins or venturing off the beaten path and mixing things up against an Elite enemy or finding a locked chest. Similarly, the music is quite nice, whether you’re wandering through the more artistically inclined streets of Theatropolis or engaged in a tense battle.

Octopath Traveler 0 may not necessarily convert me to previous games in the franchise, but its unique gameplay and exploration loop have mysteriously hooked me. Even though I’m not the most invested in its story and characters, or finding some of the backtracking to be truly annoying, it’s still an intriguing alternative to the series formula with the same stellar production values. Mayhaps not the most engrossing 100-hour role-playing timesink, but you could do far worse than this.

This game was reviewed on PS5.

System: Switch 2 Release date: December 4, 2025 Developer: Square Enix, DOKIDOKI GROOVE WORKS Publisher: Square Enix The original Octopath Traveler was a milestone game, not only as the first major exclusive JRPG for Nintendo Switch, but also for the genre as a whole. It simultaneously reinvigorated a love in turn-based combat for many lapsed RPG fans, while also creating...

The post Octopath Traveler 0 review for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.

• Category: Next Week on Xbox

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 1 to 5

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Xbox on PC, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

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MARVEL Cosmic Invasion

Dotemu

☆☆☆☆☆ 211

★★★★★

$29.99 $26.99

Get it now

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

Marvel Cosmic Invasion – December 1
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Tribute Games and Dotemu are teaming up again, in collaboration with Marvel Games, to craft an original, fresh beat ’em up. Featuring dynamic combat combos and dazzling pixel art, this planet-hopping adventure stands as a love letter to the Marvel Universe. Whether you’re teaming up with friends or family, Marvel Cosmic Invasion has you covered with local/online play and a drop-in/drop-out adaptive system. A cosmic battle awaits!

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OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 Digital Deluxe Edition

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆ 5

★★★★★

$59.99

Pre-order

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0

SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.

☆☆☆☆☆ 5

★★★★★

Get it now

Octopath Traveler 0 – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Start from zero and discover the newest entry in the Octopath Traveler series. Experience a story of restoration and retribution over the divine rings — an epic saga that unfolds across the realm of Orsterra. Enjoy familiar features such as the series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG; the player’s ability to roleplay using Path Actions of their choice; and the Break and Boost system that can turn the tide of battle. Additionally, brand-new features such as character creation and town building allow you to create your own character and restore your hometown.

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Blood: Refreshed Supply

Warner Bros. Games, Atari, Nightdive Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Blood: Refreshed Supply – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Blood: Refreshed Supply follows Caleb, an undead gunslinger on a quest for revenge against his former demonic master, Tchernobog. Despite his once powerful position as a fearsome Cabal commander and one of Tchernobog’s “Chosen” few, Caleb and his fellow Chosen are betrayed by the dark god and slain for reasons unknown. Seeking answers and vengeance, Caleb rises from the grave to put a stop to Tchernobog and his murderous lieutenants once and for all.

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ROUTINE

Raw Fury

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Routine – December 4
Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Routine is a first-person sci-fi horror title set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Curious exploration turns into a need for survival when a lunar base goes completely quiet. Searching for answers puts you face to face with an enemy who is certain the main threat is you. Discoveries lead to deeper unknowns and the only way to go is forward.

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I'm on Observation Duty 8

Dreamloop Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

I’m on Observation Duty 8 – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Observe. Report. Survive the night. Monitor the surveillance system for anomalies and report them to survive the night. Use your sharp eyes and keen attention to detail to detect supernatural anomalies ranging from subtle environmental changes to eerie and unsettling otherworldly intruders. Can you survive the night shift, or will you succumb to paranoia…? I’m on Observation Duty 8 is the most ambitious title yet in the original viral franchise that ignited a trend in spot-the-difference horror games that have been loved by players and streamed for millions by legendary content creators.

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Crime Simulator

Ultimate Games S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆ 28

★★★★★

$19.99 $17.99

Get it now

Crime Simulator – December 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

You’re out of jail, but the debt isn’t gone. Sneak, steal, and break into houses solo or in 4-player co-op. Use lockpicks, sleeping gas, and brute force to complete jobs, outsmart security, and make enough money before time runs out. Will you pay back what you owe, or lose everything?

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Seven Days Until Morning

Dishsoap Studios

☆☆☆☆☆ 2

★★★★★

$5.99

Get it now

Seven Days Until Morning – December 1
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Seven centuries in the future, humanity is collapsing. In an attempt to spare yourself the same fate as the rest of the system, you flee to the furthest away place you can feasibly survive: Pluto. Survive the downfall of humanity in a centuries old survival bunker, or at least the first week. You crash land on Pluto, it’s the furthest away place you could reach that was apart of the CCOT’s emergency shelter program. It had been centuries since it was last used, which has left it needing maintenance. Ride out the Plutonian night while hiding from the end.

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BROK: The Brawl Bar

COWCAT

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Get it now

Brok: The Bar Brawl – December 2
Xbox Play Anywhere

Brok, a former boxer turned detective, stumbles upon an underground bar hidden deep in the Slums. Old instincts kick in, and he jumps headfirst to prove he’s still top dog! (or…gator.) Solo or with a friend in co-op, take on creative challenges inspired by “Event matches” of platform fighters, taken to the next level with original addictive mechanics and variety. In this gritty-yet-humorous bar, meet unforgettable characters and uncover surprises around every corner as the story unfolds.

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Cute Bonfire (Xbox Series)

Afil Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$4.99 $3.99

Get it now

Cute Bonfire – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Step into the warm world of Cute Bonfire, a charming pixel-art puzzle game set inside a fireplace. Take control of a little fire spirit that moves tile by tile, pushing charcoal pieces to light up the bonfires. With 30 levels of gradually increasing difficulty, delightful visuals, and a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, Cute Bonfire is perfect for casual players who love the satisfaction of solving puzzles.

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Elon and Friends: Winter Pack – 13 Games (Xbox+XPA+PC)

DERIK D.F

☆☆☆☆☆ 23

★★★★★

$8.99 $7.19

Get it now

Elon and Friends: Winter Pack – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

This winter celebration pack contains the following games: Elon and the Divine Proof, Green Soldiers Heroes, Extreme Bikers, Prison of Illusion, Super Snake Block DX, and SHMUP Mania. Windows (PC) versions are optimized for handheld PCs.

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SLEEP AWAKE

Blumhouse Games

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Sleep Awake – December 2
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Sleep Awake is an immersive first-person psychedelic horror narrative experience that explores the realm between sleep and death.  Submitted to perpetual insomnia, the denizens of the last known city on Earth are reaching a panic crisis of reckless experiments in an effort to avoid The Hush, the inexplicable disappearance of those who sleep. Playing as Katja, you must survive the devotees of various depraved death cults and desperately try to stay awake. Solve the puzzles of this mysterious world while avoiding the grasp of the death cults in an attempt to shatter the horrors of the past. 

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Slimeboo

Zakym s. r. o.

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$2.99 $2.39

Get it now

Slimeboo – December 2 – Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Optimized for Handheld / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Slimeboo is a simple and fun platformer game that is perfect for children of all ages. The game is controlled with a single button, making it accessible to even the youngest players. Boo, a small and adorable slime, has gotten lost on a tropical island. To find his way home, he must leap over all the obstacles in his path. Help him overcome them! Good luck!

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Caput Mortum

Black Lantern Collective

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Caput Mortum – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Caput Mortum is a short first-person horror experience inspired by retro 3D dungeon crawlers and survival horror games. Delve into a tower of forgotten nightmares, where every step could be your last. Overcome horrors from beyond death and unlock the secrets of forbidden knowledge.

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Dungeons and Ducklings

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99 $3.99

Get it now

Dungeons and Ducklings – December 3

An evil Lich has tainted Mama Duck’s beloved pond and kidnapped her ducklings! Arm up and beat him once and for all in this QuackMan roguelite – storm through dungeon mazes to rescue her family! With classic arcade controls and a twist – an attack button that lets you smash walls and enemies – you’ll fight back against the Lich and his army in no time!

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Malachite: Temple of the Sun

Ocean Media

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Get it now

Malachite: Temple of the Sun – December 3

Embark on a journey through the depths of a lost ancient jungle temple. Start your journey through the depths of a forgotten jungle temple. Match colorful balls, unlock powerful power-ups, and construct your own temple as you progress. Choose between adventure and endless modes, immersing yourself in classic match-3 gameplay!

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Octo Curse

Ocean Media

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$6.99

Get it now

Octo Curse – December 3

A pirate turned into octopus. Can you break the curse? OctoCurse is an action platformer following the story of a pirate captain who has been turned into an octopus by an evil spirit. The little octopus embarks on the quest to save the rest of his crew and reverse the curse. Experience epic pirate adventure. Explore levels, collect coins, unlock doors and climb the mysterious tower as you get closer and closer to the final showdown. Make your way through the tropical jungle, brave the harsh winter, weather the storm and endure other exciting environs. Save your friends and meet new ones along the way.

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RoboHero

Xitilon

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99 $3.99

Get it now

RoboHero – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Classic sokoban with a twist and a sci-fi theme! A scientific organization sends a robot-expeditor developed on artificial intelligence to the newly discovered exoplanet Xeran, on which, most likely, there are very valuable resources for humanity.

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Winterlight – Where silence says it all

Eastasiasoft Limited

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$4.99 $3.99

Get it now

Winterlight – Where Silence Says it All – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Explore a heartfelt and thought-provoking tale of bittersweet homecoming! As Elias returns to the coastal town that once sheltered him, he’s pulled into a slow winter of connection, memory and quiet decisions. Take the role of this young man and guide the choices he makes, surrounded by the warmth of townspeople young and old, often holding conversations in a bookstore over shared coffee.

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YAKUZA: Shadows of New York

Porting.guru

☆☆☆☆☆ 2

★★★★★

$14.99

Get it now

Yakuza: Shadows of New York – December 3
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere / Smart Delivery

Step into the shadows of New York City in Yakuza: Shadows of New York, a gripping action-adventure where the old codes of honor clash against the forces of modern corruption. Become Kaito Nakamura, a skilled enforcer on a mission to find his missing mentor while navigating the city’s dark and treacherous underbelly.

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Baseless

First Break Labs

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Baseless – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Baseless is a challenging planet-jumping shooter. Blast from planet to planet with 360° gravity, creatively demolishing every enemy in your path. Fire powerful weapons, rescue cute friends, and discover a galaxy worth fighting for!

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DETECTIVE – Rainy Night

JanduSoft

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$10.49 $9.44

Pre-order

Detective – Rainy Night – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Xbox Play Anywhere

Detective – Rainy Night puts you in the shoes of Iker Carmona, a police officer investigating a string of strange disappearances. After a long drive, Iker decides to spend the night at a small roadside motel called the Holiday. What begins as a quiet stop quickly spirals into something far more sinister.

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Finding America: The Heartland Collector's Edition

Ocean Media

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Finding America: The Heartland Collector’s Edition – December 4

Strap on your seatbelts for a trip to America’s Heartland! From South Dakota’s monumental Mount Rushmore to the humble farmhouses of Kansas, this lovely slice of American pie will have something just for you. Visit jazz bars in Illinois, Wisconsin’s cheese shops, and stunning national parks, all as lovingly crafted Hidden Object Scenes and challenging Minigames! Complete each chapter, unlock tons of trivia, and enjoy everything the Heartland has to offer in this all-American Hidden Object game!

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Mist: Evolution

EpiXR Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99

Pre-order

Mist: Evolution – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Your daughter is missing. The world is gone. Only the Mist remains. In Mist, a devastating crash marks the beginning of your descent into a world lost to alien terror. As a father, you search desperately for your child—but what you find instead is a crumbling world buried in fog, crawling with monsters beyond comprehension. This is no ordinary RPG. Mist fuses idle progression, visceral real-time combat, and an evolving horror narrative into a genre-defying experience. As you explore the ruins of civilization, you’ll form a pact with a mysterious alien being that grants you strength—at a cost. Level up, mutate, and unlock terrifying new abilities as you battle grotesque creatures and uncover long-buried truths.

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The Phantom

Art Of Play Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$26.99

Pre-order

The Phantom – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The Phantom is an arcade-style beat-em-up coming to PC and consoles. Play as the Phantom or his partner, Diana Palmer, in this 14-level adventure. The feared pirates of the Singh Brotherhood are battling for power and threatening the Phantom’s legacy, and it’s up to you to stop them. Use your hand-to-hand fighting skills and trusty weapons to dispatch this evil, and call in assistance from your animal friends Fraka the falcon and Devil the wolf. The Phantom features a brand-new story approved by King Features. Experience this canon addition through full-screen cut scenes and captivating in-game visuals, hand-illustrated and animated frame-by-frame by seasoned comic book artists and Art Of Play’s dedicated in-house 2D creative team.

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ReSetna

Ocean Media

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

ReSetna – December 4

A warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. What’s left of humanity are minds trapped in circuits. You are awaken as ReSetna, a warrior on a mission to rescue last human remnants. Explore seven hostile zones, face seven brutal bosses and evolve through a unique upgrade system. Uncover horrifying truth and decide if the future is worth saving.  

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Sacrifice For Sale (Xbox Series X|S)

Sometimes You

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$9.99 $7.99

Pre-order

Sacrifice For Sale – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Experience interaction in a new and engaging way. Choose to respond to what the characters have to say… directly! Deal with your own hostage situation, negotiate for more than just your freedom. Learn about the people who hold you captive, deconstruct the cult, manipulate them- all to not end up as their next sacrifice.

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Sophia’s Animal Clinic – Mission Wildlife Park

© 2025 Joindots® GmbH

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Sophie’s Animal Clinic – Mission Wildlife Park – December 4
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Your veterinary adventure begins at the wildlife park! Help injured and sick animals such as horses, deer, ducks, donkeys, goats, rabbits, and many more. With a great deal of empathy, you examine symptoms, make diagnoses, and treat over 30 different diseases. Each animal has individual needs and is waiting for your expert help. Use modern instruments, accompany your patients’ recovery step by step, and experience a varied everyday life in the animal park. Intuitive controls, realistic treatments, and lovingly animated animals make this game a highlight for young animal lovers.

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Connect It!

Gametry LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Connect It! – December 5

Connect It is a clever, visually striking puzzle game that challenges you to link matching colors scattered across a grid. Your mission? Draw connections between all the pairs—without crossing paths. It sounds simple… until it’s not. With over 200 handcrafted levels, each one more intricate than the last, Connect It constantly surprises with new layouts and clever twists. The controls are intuitive, the gameplay is smooth, and every solved puzzle delivers that satisfying “aha!” moment.

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M.A.U.S

Cascadia Games LLC

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$3.49

Pre-order

M.A.U.S – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

With his children away on the moon, there is no time to relax for Dr. Cavor. Once again, Victoria is under attack. The aging but brilliant scientist begins research on a new means of defense. After much work, he finds success with Mechanized Assault Unity 19 — M.A.U.S.

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Pixapple Adventure

JM Neto Game Dev

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Pixapple Adventures – December 5

Pixapple Adventure is a colorful pixel-art platformer starring a brave little apple with arms and legs! Run, jump, and collect all the stars to open the portal and reach the next level. Across three vibrant worlds — Forest, Snow, and the Valley of Fear — the challenge increases as you progress. Simple, fast, and fun, Pixapple brings back the joy of classic platformers with a charming twist.

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Santa´s World

EntwicklerX – GbR Thomas Claus und Frank Menzel

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Santa’s World – December 5

Santa’s World is a jump-‘n-run Christmas game inspired by classic platform games. The goal is to find the three lost Christmas gifts and go to the next level while collecting items. Traps, obstacles, and enemies make the quest very challenging. Find snowballs and throw them at enemies to remove them. 3D graphics packed in a nice graphics style, great 2.5D levels and proven gameplay gives you hours of fun.

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Security Booth: Director's Cut

Cloud Colony Games

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Security Booth: Director’s Cut – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

The year is 1996 and you’re employed by a science lab called Nova Nexus. You work as a security guard at the front gate to the lab, inside a guard booth. However, tonight it seems something important is happening inside of Nova Nexus and things are… well… a little strange. Your job is simple. you must make sure that only the right authorized personnel are getting into the facility. To do this, when a car arrives at the gates, it is your job to go and talk with the driver and check their license plate. Make sure that the person is on the employee register by finding the license plate on the register. If the person is not on the register you must tell them to leave. Make sure to only open the gates to employees and keep the gate closed at all times.

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Speed Factor

Ratalaika Games S.L.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Speed Factor – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Inspired by 80s and 90s classics, Speed Factor is an old-school racing game with pixelated graphics, arcade driving style, exhilarating punk rock music, and some awesome classic cars! Customize the difficulty level and traction assist level to your personal tastes to make the game as easy or challenging as you want. Cruise through 50 different tracks spread across 5 locations! Win races and earn money to level up and improve your ride!

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Stacky Dash

QubicGames S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Stacky Dash – December 5
Xbox Play Anywhere

Get ready for non-stop fun in Stacky Dash! Slide to collect tiles, build paths, and race through colorful levels full of exciting surprises. Dodge blasting cannons, and zip through portals as you conquer each tricky stage! Save adorable animals to grow your own zoo and take on timed challenges to test your speed. With tons of cool skins to unlock, every level is packed with energy and fun!

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Tank Mechanic Simulator – Reinforced

PlayWay S.A.

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Get it now

Tank Mechanic Simulator – Reinforced – December 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Fix, build and renovate highly detailed and fully interactive tanks (German, USA or Soviet), armored cars or self-propelled guns. Experience a realistic simulator game of being a Tank Mechanic. Find abandoned and destroyed tanks from battlefields of Second World War. Use special tools to find each tank, and extract it from the ground. Grow your repair service business and start your own tank museum.

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The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 1 to 5 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Though not a new Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest game, the first two Octopath Traveler games established the series as an important one for JRPG fans to pay attention to. Octopath Traveler and its sequel, Octopath Traveler II, could easily be considered two of the best JRPGs to be released in the last decade. Now, Square Enix has continued the series with a prequel for the third installment, with Octopath Traveler 0. Here's everything we know about the turn-based prequel. Release Date, Platforms, Pricing, Editions Octopath Traveler 0 was first announced back in July 2025. Its reveal trailer was included […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/roundup/octopath-traveler-0-everything-we-know/

Although its popularity doesn't reach the heights of other established series like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, the Octopath Traveler franchise is proving to be rather seminal for the JRPG genre as a whole, mainly thanks to its HD-2D visual style which has been employed to great success in other titles, including the tactical role-playing game Triangle Strategy, the upcoming action role-playing game The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, and remakes of classic games such as the first three entries in the Dragon Quest series and in Star Ocean: The Second Story R, remake of the second entry in […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/review/octopath-traveler-0-review-in-progress-a-masterclass-in-villany/

I've got an issue with people saying 'turn-based games are back, baby'. For those with the eyes to see, they never went away. Yes, Metaphor Refantazio and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might have reminded the masses that tactical min/maxing is video game catnip, and that there are so many brain-scratching things you can do with the formula, but the past few generations has been rife with gems in the genre: Dungeon Encounters, the Shin Megami Tensei series, Sea of Stars, Chained Echoes, and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes immediately spring to mind, but there are dozens more, too.

Read more

System: Switch 2 Release date: December 4, 2025 Developer: Square Enix, DOKIDOKI GROOVE WORKS Publisher: Square Enix The original Octopath Traveler was a milestone game, not only as the first major exclusive JRPG for Nintendo Switch, but also for the genre as a whole. It simultaneously reinvigorated a love in turn-based combat for many lapsed RPG fans, while also creating...

The post Octopath Traveler 0 review for Nintendo Switch 2 appeared first on Nintendo Everything.

Get ready for a new adventure, Octopath Traveler fans. Octopath Traveler 0, the third installment in the JRPG franchise, has arrived with the confidence only a series this established can have, and it's welcoming back players who’ve been hungry for another epic HD-2D journey.

We're travelling back to the continent of Orsterra this time around, but the franchise doesn’t just return to its old ways and slap a new number on it. Octopath Traveler 0 is full of new features, companions, and collectibles to find, making for a gameplay experience that truly pushes the series in a new and exciting direction. 

In 0, you create your very own character instead of taking on the role of one of eight premade characters—a franchise first. Customization options are limited, but you can select your hair, voice, victory pose, class, and a few items to start your journey with. You play as a resident of the small village of Wishvale, which is tragically burned to the ground. That’s when the real story begins, and it’s one of vengeance and rebirth as you hunt for the villains responsible for the destruction of your hometown.

Set prior to the events of the original Octopath, the game is split into two main narratives: one to get revenge, and one to rebuild Wishvale. The first evolves into something much larger than you originally imagined, circling themes of greed, self-sacrifice, and companionship as you take on the role of the Ringbearer Chosen. You’re bestowed a powerful ring from Aelferic, one of Orsterra’s many gods, and you must hunt down and seal away other rings that have fallen into the wrong hands. Though the story’s pacing can be odd at times and some key players are introduced without much buildup later in the game, there’s plenty of twists and turns, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t audibly gasp at certain reveals or shocking moments. 

The narrative line to rebuild Wishvale involves gathering residents, erecting homes and shops, and decorating the town. It’s not a free-for-all, though; you have to progress through the questline to unlock various structures, decorations, and building areas. Certain residents won’t appear until later on in the questline, but their return transforms what was scorched earth and piles of rubble into a bustling town full of life. This slow build makes the storyline successful; it really does feel as though you’re rebuilding the town one house at a time. Your version of Wishvale evolves in front of your eyes, and it’s a heartwarming story of perseverance that you play an active role in.

Octopath games are known for their companions, but in 0, the teammates just don’t seem to end. With over 20 companions, you’re not just assembling a team—you’re building a small army. Just when I thought I was done enlisting characters to my cause, another one would pop up on the map, and by the 15th, I started to feel a little fatigued from my recruiting efforts. There are about two to three companions for each archetype, with a few new classes thrown into the mix (though these new classes are more like a combination of older ones). You don’t have to recruit all of the companions—or any of them, really. But if you’re like me and want to experience everything the game has to offer, you’ll be parading around Orsterra with what feels like, at times, a literal parade of people.

With so many teammates, you’re sure to have an A and B team, and likely even a C team. On one hand, this leads to experimentation with tons of different playstyles and party compositions. On the other hand, keeping up with equipment and distributing attribute nuts becomes a hassle. There’s also always going to be a character who’s under-leveled and ends up sitting in your reserve as your A team sweeps up. The Training Ground, a structure at Wishvale that trains up allies while you battle from afar, helps alleviate this issue slightly, but it didn’t prevent the constant need to juggle your companions if you want to make use of all of them.

Unlike other Octopath Traveler titles, very little of the main story involves your teammates outside of the core cast. Sure, they’re there to accompany you on your own travels. But most don’t have their own questlines, or the ones they do have when you first recruit them are very short. It doesn’t defeat the purpose of an Octopath game, but it deviates from the norm and could frustrate franchise fans who enjoyed the emphasis on companions. At times, it feels as though the only part of the game that retains the “Octo” is the fact you fight with a maximum of eight party members at a time. 

For the combat experience, you’ve got the same turn-based system, backline and frontline mechanics, weak points, and stats that influence your power or speed in battle. 0 spices up the formula by introducing a new weapon type and allowing you to mix and match attacks with the use of Masteries, equippable skills you can find around the world or by spending JP to purchase them from your teammates. The game also adds Ultimate Techniques, powerful attacks that generate slowly the longer a character spends in battle. If you enjoy the gameplay loop from the previous games, you’re sure to appreciate it in 0 since the core mechanics have remained the same outside of these few new additions.

What’s hard to appreciate, however, is the lack of difficulty, especially in the earlier stages of the game. I had battles where one character would singlehandedly mollywhop an entire group of monsters with just one attack while my other companions looked on. Roads connecting the first few towns where a third of the story takes place all housed extremely low-level beasts, and I found myself fast-traveling more often than not to avoid the repetitive and often annoying random encounters. But when I hit the later stages of the game? Oh, how the turn tables. Suddenly, I was the one receiving a beating, as all my teammates were one-shot. Perhaps it was my inability to properly distribute stronger armor across my company of companions, or perhaps it’s just an issue with the game's balancing. Either way, it was a jarring transition from earlier in the game, and suddenly I was grinding encounters and spending all my hard-earned Leaves at local shops to outfit my teammates in the best gear—gear that I had, up until that point, almost completely ignored.

What 0 loses in the series’ companion-first narrative focus, it gains in customization options. From building your team to altering your character’s look, 0 gives you the reins and lets you tailor your experience to your own desires. Now, don’t get me wrong, the options aren’t endless. I could spend hours decorating my town, meticulously landscaping and readjusting buildings to get them to look just right. But with each town level, you’re capped to a specific number of decoration items and structures you can have at one time, meaning you can’t just decorate to your heart’s desire. Limiting the number or types of buildings you can have? Fine, I get that. We have to play along with the story, after all. Preventing me from planting the flower garden of my dreams? C’mon, devs! While it encourages progressing through the game’s storyline and completing challenges to raise your town’s level and up the number of decorations, it’s still a head-scratching limitation. 

Town-decorating isn’t the only place where the developers pull back on the leash. On multiple occasions, the game gives you dialogue options in a quest. An NPC will ask you to assist them in fixing their problem, and you’ll have the option of telling them to kick rocks. But don’t be fooled—you don’t actually have a choice. If you reject them, you get stuck in a dialogue loop until you agree to help. Why game developers waste resources on adding this illusion of choice is baffling. It adds nothing to my experience if I choose to help someone when I know I’m going to have to if I want to progress the storyline. And if I reject them, skipping through the same lines of dialogue to get back to the original choice is no fun either.

Despite all this, I found myself hooked on this game for the several weeks I spent with it. With the first Octopath Traveler, the experience dragged on. But with 0, there was always something to do. Want to take a break from the story? Go hunt for some lumber to build your next house. Done tweaking your town to your liking? Stop by a neighboring town to pick up your next companion. You can cook, recruit NPCs to live at Wishvale, hunt mega beasts to fill the Monster Arena, or search for collectibles to fill your museum. There's plenty to do, and I never found myself bored while exploring Orsterra, even when my time with the game ticked past the 60-hour mark.

Whatever you choose to do, it's done against an incredibly gorgeous backdrop. If you’ve played an Octopath Traveler game, you’re more than familiar with how far Square Enix has pushed the boundaries of what it can do with pixelated, 2D graphics. The scenery is truly breathtaking, and there were plenty of moments where I stopped just to take in the visuals. How the development team gets that water looking so crispy or those snowflakes so beautiful is an enigma to us all, but boy, is it striking.

All in all, Octopath Traveler 0 is a delightful experience that offers something new to the franchise. Though it deviates from the franchise’s narrative formula, it’s worth picking up if you want a solid, turn-based JRPG experience. And if you’re already a fan of the series? Start packing your bags, friend, we’re heading back to Orsterra.

The post Octopath Traveler 0 review – A triumphant return to Orsterra that feels fresh, personal, and unforgettable appeared first on Destructoid.

Octopath Traveler 0 brings back the gorgeous HD-2D look and turn-based combat while adding town-building,...

The post Octopath Traveler 0 Complete Walkthrough appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Welcome to our walkthrough for Octopath Traveler 0. In this part we cover the Prologue...

The post Octopath Traveler 0 Complete Walkthrough – Prologue appeared first on Into Indie Games.

Octopath Traveler 0 comes out for PS5 and PS4 on December 4, 2025… but who wants to wait that long? You can start your adventure today in the new free demo!

This generous chunk of game lets you play through the opening prologue, and play through the first chapter of multiple story arcs… or for three hours. Whichever comes first.

And yes – progress does carry over to the full game.

The demo’s not the only thing that’s dropped today – as part of today’s reveal we also released a brand-new trailer that gives you some enticing insight into the game’s brilliant story. Take a look:

Read on and we’ll tell you what you can do in the demo – and how you can get it. First, though, we should introduce the game itself:

What is Octopath Traveler 0?

Octopath Traveler 0 is an HD-2D RPG that offers a fresh take on the acclaimed series. 

Rather than eight separate characters and stories as in previous games, Octopath Traveler 0  follows your customizable protagonist on a journey to find those who destroyed your hometown Wishvale – and bring them to justice!

Not only that, but you’ll also have the opportunity to rebuild your town, placing buildings, decorations and more to make it feel like… well, a home.

It’s a stirring tale of revenge and retribution, with more than 30 allies to recruit, each with their own stories. Not to mention thrillingly strategic turn-based battles with up to eight party members at a time, and beautiful visuals thanks to the series’ signature HD-2D graphics.

Oh, and in true Octopath fashion, it also has one of the best soundtracks you’ll hear this year.

You can get a taste of all of this, of course, in the new demo!

What’s included in the free demo?

One of the first things you’ll do in the Octopath Traveler 0 demo is make your protagonist! For the first time in the series, you get to design the main character yourself, choosing an appearance and a few other features that suit your personal style.

Then, you play through the game’s prologue. The town of Wishvale is celebrating its annual Day of Reverence and about to light the blue flame that protects peace. The festive atmosphere is brought to a sudden stop when the town is attacked and engulfed in red flames.

In the aftermath, your plucky protagonist sets out on a mission to find those responsible.

Once you’re done with the prologue, you have a lot of freedom in what you do and how you explore. The game features three antagonists, known as Masters, who each have their own story arc. In the demo, you can play through the first chapter of all three ‘Master of’ arcs, as well as the ‘Kindlers of the Flame’ story, which introduces the restoration of Wishvale and its town-building mechanics.

The demo lasts for three hours – and you can play through as much of that content as you like in that time. 

What can you expect from the battle system?

Whichever arc you choose to play, you’ll get to experience the game’s super satisfying turn-based battles.

The game uses the acclaimed ‘Break & Boost’ battle system, which is based around exploiting enemy weaknesses to whittle down their Shield Points and break them. Once broken, an enemy is stunned and vulnerable to attacks.

Each turn, characters in your party also accumulate Boost Points (BP). These can be spent to attack multiple times in a single turn, strengthen certain attacks, increase the potency of healing and buffs and more. 

The key to success is knowing when to use BP and when to hold them. For example, is it worth using multiple attacks to break an enemy now, or should you save them for when your foe is vulnerable so you can maximize damage? Each fight is a fun, strategic challenge.

You’ll meet some allies in the demo, and the combat system only expands further in the main game. You’ll be able to recruit more than 30 characters to your team, and battle with up to eight of them in the party at a time.

You’ll have a front and back row in battle, and have the ability to switch between them even mid-fight. That means more BP to play with, and faster battles with even more strategic depth!

How does town-building factor into the demo?

Your journey’s not just about retribution – it’s about restoration as well.

During the demo, you’ll be able to start rebuilding Wishvale and explore the new town creation mechanics. You can place buildings, decorations and more as you start to build a settlement that feels uniquely yours.

As you build Wishvale in the demo and in the full game, you’ll add more residents and facilities, which can supply items and equipment, train your party with new skills and more to help you on your adventures. 

As you adventure, you’ll collect valuable resources and potential residents that you can use to expand and improve Wishvale.

There’s a lot of depth to the town-building in the game, and you’ll get to lay some strong foundations in the free demo, before you unleash your creativity in the final game!

Do you need to have played Ocopath Traveler I or II to play this?

Octopath Traveler 0 is set in Orsterra – the setting for the original Octopath Traveler. However, the game starts before the events of that game, and tells its own, unconnected story, so you’re not missing any vital narrative if you’ve never played an Octopath game before.

That said, If you do have save files on the same console for Octopath Traveler I, Octopath Traveler II (and even Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake or Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake!), you’ll also earn some useful items or customization items for your town in the full game.

How do you get the Octopath Traveler 0 demo?

The Octopath Traveler 0 demo is available today for PS5 and PS4. To get it, simply visit PlayStation Store. 

We hope you like what you play! If you do, you can preorder the full game – and doing so gets you some neat in-game rewards when it launches:

• 5 Healing Grapes (M)
• 5 Inspiriting Plums (M)
• 2 Revitalizing Jam
• Action Skill: Icewind Mastery

Octopath Traveler 0 comes out for PS5 and PS4 on December 4, but start your adventure today with the free demo!