OCTOPATH TRAVELER 2

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 2 continues the formula of the first part: eight heroes, eight stories and a free order of passage. The world is called Solistia, and its regions differ not only in nature, but also in customs - from coastal cities to desert outskirts. The combat mechanics have become more flexible: new classes and techniques have been added, as well as the ability to change the roles of characters, assembling work teams for a specific enemy. Combat planning remains the main thing: timely exploitation of weaknesses and competent distribution of actions are more important than rough levels. The characters' plots are more closely connected than in the original, and some lines intersect already in the middle. There are also large additional tasks for which they give allies and bonuses. Visually, the game has become more expressive: the effects have been expanded, the lighting and animation of scenes have been improved. Separately, it is worth noting that the continuation introduced a change of day and night: some tasks and characters are available only at a certain time, and the heroes’ abilities change. This forces you to plan a route around the region, rather than go ahead. There are also large battles involving several units, where you need to distribute forces and monitor the progress of the battle on several fronts at once. A notable detail is that each hero has a special ability that triggers at the right moment, and its use often determines the outcome of the battle against a difficult opponent. For those who love classic RPGs with turn-based combat, this sequel feels like a fair step forward: the same basics, but with more freedom and a better-developed world.