The Hidden Side of Octopath Traveler's Combat
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2018
- With the release of the JRPG on Nintendo Switch, Mike Mahardy takes a deep dive into the game's combat, and the various games that inspired it.
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Have you played Octopath Traveler? Let us know what you think!
Why haven't you not reporting the DDos attack on Ubisoft games lately? and you keep posting WWE Nonsense on your page! Gamespot please grow up!
Yeah
GameSpot great video man. My switch game of the year so far.
I like "Alfyn's knalledge of cancacshins."
GameSpot I’m loving it wow 😮 ❤️😀👊
There is one thing about connecting the stories that I do not see mentioned anywhere:
They are glued together implicitely by a cohesive world. Cyrus teaches about the fall of a kingdom that has fallen 20 years ago, while Olberic was the actual guard of the king who has been slain back then. He also tries to get the knowledge about the evil god to be able to stop him if he ever will be unleashed, which is exactly what the evil guys try in Ophilia's story.
KanalDerGutenSache oh damn that’s a good point - I like how subtle the nods between storylines are
huh...that's actually really cool.
There's also a final dungeon that completely ties the stories.
KanalDerGutenSache THIS! So glad to see someone else really appreciate that. It's definitely a strong world building technique that great epic fantasy authors employ frequently. It's not just npc's that walk around and say stuff to you that makes a world seem alive, but traditions, histories, etc... that intertwine and reference one another that can make the world seem so real.
Not to mention littered thought the story chapters are character dialogue you can activate by pressing the + button at the right times. They have not felt forced to me so far.
I fucking love the game’s music.
I did not think I would like the 16-bit animation, but it honestly feels even more immersive that way. It feels like you have these figurines that you're moving around a game board and you're controlling the story. Truly a beautiful game that is the perfect amount of challenging (as stated in the video).
Kevin Slavin I think the animation is great, but I think something was very lost by not having more illustrated scenes.
I think having illustrated vignettes for each chapter would have really given the player something to look forwardto, and would have enhanced the presentation of the world and characters.
*MY BLADE IS UNBENDING*
lol
Alistair Brogan
Yo, same. I feel you about that fist pump thing. This game is hype af.
The only quip that I actively stop to listen to. "Oh, time to fully boost Olberic. Gotta wait before I hit A."
*MY FOCUS IS UNPARALLELED!*
What does it mean?😂
the combat on this game is really addictive, more turn based games shoud look into this.
yeah copying bravely default is genious..
...it was made by the same people...
"genious"
UglyhoodRAT "genius" vs "genious".
If you're here to complain about the artstyle or graphics or anything that doesn't mirror a 3d action game please leave
No.
Jon Snow - Yes.
Jon Snow fuck off
You know nothing Jon Snow.
Jon Snow i seriously dont know why pixelated graphics are soo hated by people nowadays, its honestly refreshing to see this kinds of unique artstyle again after all these years.
Actually think this is a really solid review and explanation of how the combat is used as a story telling mechanic. Enjoying playing it even more now.
This game has to win at least 1 reward at the Game Awards.
The best this game deserves is Switch game of the month, but even then I'd have to look at what released that month, maybe Game of the Week, or day wold be more appropriate
Uhhhh sorry to tell you bud but
@Hotobu, I agree, it has a big classic JRPG feeling to me and in this day and age where we keep innovating and changing, it would be somewhat hard for it to explode. I do realize this is a year ago, but just want to input my two cents.
I remember 2 years ago it was nominated for music but somehow didn't win.
Yes I've been playing this game for 2 years on and off.
Game of the year runner right here
You're out of your damned mind. Not even in the 90s
Yep, I would put it right up there. Amazing game and combat system and incredible music
@@Hotobu did ur party get wiped kiddo or why u crying under every comment?
The best review I have watched about this masterpiece which, at 70 hours, I feel I am just beginning. The sum of its parts make it what it is, a real work of art.
I’m loving it! I just got Therion to level 39 and my Ophelia and Cyrus to 38! I can’t stop playing!
WolfSajin I just got my Primrose, H’aanit & Cyrus all to level 40 - here’s such a fun tip - Primrose’s “Bewildering Grace” - can give you EXPx5!!
Miche Munro holy shit I didn’t know that, I maxed my Therion first because of guaranteed 9999 damage, but looks like I’ll have to farm up Primrose!
Wish i knew about bewildering grace earlier. I just grinded to 45 with everyone in the forest of no return :( Therion is 58 tho cause i cant take him out the damn party
Xanndovo I have Bewildering grace on Ophelia, but I don’t think it’s as good as it could be if it was on Primrose
Xanndovo so since we are all having this little discussion on this thread here, I just thought I’d have to share this, I have my Ophelia’s final skill and it lets her use a second ability for a second time, I just had a encounter where I did 8 buffs/nerds of Bewildering grace, I managed to get 3 different buffs of a x5 JP and a x5 XP with many other buffs, but it’s insane, your pretty much guaranteed for a XP buff!!
I also like the way the writing knows when to be funny and when to be emotive. It actually got a lot darker and deeper than I thought it was going to. Really enjoying the game
This is a BEAUTIFULLY written video. Thank you!!
THANK YOU for making this video in the style where you're talking directly to us! Also, thank you for making another video about this great game :)
Excellent video. Very insightful and thorough.
Yet another fantastic video, Mike. Keep it up!
"Fighting isn't up to chance"
Ummm should I mention bewildering grace?
The only good use for bewildeRNG grace (see what I did there) is the expx100 or even better jpX100.
Pigpug Pigpug I still haven't got that high. 😭😭 best I've got was exp x5 and jp x2. Rng hates me lol but one of the exp x5 was versus a cait so I leveled up so fast anyways lol I just tend to get screwed more often while using it.
That skill takes more than give.
Bewildering grace isn't necessary whatsoever.
@@nyx_3210 Using it on bosses is the fun part. I got a x100 XP on one once. Guess what, I was very happy at the end of the battle.
AWESOME GAME !!! and your work here is fabulous...thanku so much !!!
Why this game gives me Golden Sun feels?
Dark Humor in my opinion golden sun is the best rpg ever. I'm getting those vibes too
Michael L golden sun has its glaring flaws, bad scripting, offensive magic spells becoming useless late game, but it was still petty good especially the lost age. I can say THIS game is up there with chrono trigger for one of the all time greats, octopath is nearly flawless, voice acting, graphics, musical score, ambience, combat.
If you pay close attention the osterra continent looks like angara and godowan from Golden sun 1
@@erickgm15 just started playing this game and I had no idea there was any voice acting in this game. Stunned. I love it. Whole entire scenes .
And I got chrono trigger for the Nintendo DS and couldnt finish it. Got stuck early on. I wouldn't compare this game to that travesty.
Unless I get stuck in this game too. It's still early
This video and your comments quote: "show, dont tell" should have been in the review and made it a 9+ lol. Really nice way to put it though, the thing you said about how each characters story and background is justified in the battles adding a much more believable depth in the characters and storywise. Spot on!
That was a good review, well polished and informative. I was looking for more of a reason to pick this game up and this review gave it to me.
In terms of the combat system tying things together, I also want to point out that every charcater has a voice over for every ability in the game. Sometimes funny, somtimes surprisingly fitting, always full of character, so to speak.
I would like to also point out that every character has both a JAPANESE AND ENGLISH voiceover, which helps tie the plots together. Y'all digging so hard to try and back up this non-existent plot.
WHEN THE MOON HITS YOUR EYE
Tressa: Thank you~ 😄
Love her.
One of the greatest JRPG of all time..
Is this a switch exclusive?
oh yes
Yap
Uncle Dru gladly yes😏
I actually bought a switch just for this game, and I'm typically not a fan of RPGs, yet loved this one because you actually stand a chance in times knowing turn order. (I've had times where you select all your actions, then they play out, and lost more battles then won because the enemy outsped me and killed that one party member who would save my party(
There's a sequel for mobiles but this game specifically is exclusive, yeah
This is my favourite game this year. I picked up Octopath Traveler only last week, and I've already sunk 32 hours into it. I am nothing short of overwhelmingly amazed.
Xenosaga on PS2 used boost points as well
Great insight on a great game. Nice work.
Give this game time to play, after 10 hours or so it gets so much more various and awesome combat rounds. This game is really focused on the combat systen..awesome. If the dialoges were way more human and emotional with great storylines it could be perfect.
masculineguy37 id argue that the story and characters are great but w/e. The combat and visuals are the strongest points but I think it nails everything else as well.
I'd argue that the stories and characters aren't great lol. Sorry I side with above guy and I'm really into the game.
Bridget Cru Well that's fine, I just feel that the characters and story are holding the game up just fine. The dialogue is top notch though, I don't care about what anyone else says, the writing is great.
The stories and characters are all just fine. They're not insultingly bad but they're not reinventing the wheel either. They're just passable. Where this game shines, IMO, is in the combat system and in the world-building.
I'd the deliverance of the dialogue is what makes the characters shine, sure the stories are original but nothing is nowadays so its about execution, which I feel this game does a great job at doing.
Cheers, now I understand the combat bit better.
great video showing the relation between combat and storytelling
Wow. Great video from you guys
Truly excellent commentary. Changed some of my opinions about the game
This is a really well done review
One thing I'd mention, about the boost mechanic, I've found (so far) it is almost never correct to only use part of your boost. You typically want to go all or none.The reason for this, when you use it, it doesn't recharge that turn. So, say you have 3, and use all 3 charges, you'll attack 4 times (or max your skill), and then next turn, regular attack/use a skill/defend, gaining a boost charge back. If you instead use 2 of the 3 charges the 1st turn, attacking 2 extra times, and then use one charge once next turn, you still used 3 charges, but didn't gain a boost charge the following turn. I hope that makes sense. Obviously, when there are multiple enemies with different weapon types, and/or the character has the only damage type(s) to break shields, you may have to mix it up a bit, just something I haven't really seen or heard anyone mention.
20 hours in and its fire
i enjoy everything about this game. good job to the developers, please keep these games alive.
People who 👎 are ps4 players who want the game and are being haters. Then there are regular trolls
Ogram Brat luckily I have both PS4 and Switch. ;)
Or people that realize the game is just above or barely average, and the narrative should not be praised whatsovever.
This is actually a really good point about the game, and I think it's something I've noticed but not paid much mind to. For instance, I recall noting that Olberic/Warrior is the only job to have no innate elemental abilities, while Tressa/Merchant's has the "Tradewinds" ability to tie in with the theme, (forgoing the SE/FF staple of "Aero" as the wind element ability). You were right that you could go on and on about the connections between the combat and the characters' stories, because there's so much detail there. And I think it is a very poignant point about the game, rather than the usual "bad writing, disjointed stories, requires too much suspension of disbelief" criticism (though, these criticisms are valid and OK to make). Well done!
I think the structure of the entire world is incredible for a 2D-game. There are intricacies in both the story lines and the battle system that together make the actual map a wonder to explore. With level caps blocking you from advancing to far into certain areas at any point in the game, I've really enjoyed simply retracing my steps and going to caves that I wasn't strong enough for at the outset, such as Twinfalls or Carrion Caves. The mini-bosses that exist within these caves are also a subtle touch that make every dungeon worth exploring, whether attached to the main story-line or not. Side-quests also seem to blend seamlessly when you decide to start one that starts in one town like Orewell, but finishes in another like Stillsnow.
Whether the game is building towards unifying these 8 paths or not, I've yet to see because I'm not anywhere near done with any single storyline, but whether they do or don't doesn't matter anymore. The exploration of the map is what I enjoy most about the game, and opening up the artwork they put into every detail makes me want to continue exploring.
Amazing work, keep it up
Great review
OMG!!! You have my team in the thumb nail!!
I love this game, but the thesis of this video is really thin. Reflecting a characters personality and story through their skills is maybe one of the most common things you see in a game, so to hold that up as a unique virtue is really specious.
Right
Max Bernhardt that’s actually not true...the vast majority of rpgs just give you a set number of abilities that have no genuine connection to the character aside from something superficial like, “he has a sword so sword slash is a good ability”.
Honestly, it’s pretty hypocritical to call someone’s else’s claim thin when you don’t really have any supporting evidence yourself.
And just for for consistencies sake, games that support my claim are plentiful and includes almost every final fantasy, Xenoblade chronicles 1 and 2, and a good number of other rpgs that aren’t at the fore front of my mind.
Also, you sound pretentious, use conversation languages if you’re planning to have a conversation. This isn’t an argumentative essay.
Who's played Suikoden 3? My favorite rpg on the ps2, this game shares some great qualities, especially with the story and character depth.
Really enjoyed his comments on the connection between gameplay and the character’s personality. It makes me think of how Celeste’s themes mirrors its gameplay and story.
I agree that the combat system has very deep levels of complexity, but stating that the combat helps flush out the narrative is a bit of a leap.
I am enjoying this game but the pattern of go to a village, go to a dungeon, and then fight a boss for every chapter can get a little redundant.
keep in mind that I'm only about 50% of the way through so if that structure changes it will be a welcome change.
My only gripe for the combat system is that some of the battles can run way too long.
I fucking GIGANTIC leap.
Also none of the bosses are challenging, you can beat the game without losing to anyone of them.
Yuwan
Did you went with the golden axe + amputation approach? I haven't lost to a boss yet, but I have been in trouble before. The first chapter 2 boss certainly told me that this game isn't as easy as I initially thought.
On chapter 4 for all 8 characters. Awesome game!
great job :D
Been playing and this game is AMAZINGLY....AMAZING
So which is the better strategy then? Should you use Boost points primarily to break the enemy or when they are already broken? Which is usually more fruitful?
That intro music had ne milly wopping. Lol
Well done
I always knew Octopath stories tied together in some way i haven’t beat it yet but. I can’t imagine square enix making a game like that where none of the stories tie together. They have out hints thru each story especially the Shrine Bosses and Galderia being the Ultimate Evil of all the Gods that sealed him away.
That’s what makes this game unique in its own right
I’m addicted to this game right now
Perhaps my favorite turn based JRPG of all time
Why do your characters have different cloths? Does this actually change with equipment or is it just different on Xbox?
I got the wayfarers edition, really great game
I got 2 Wayfarer's Editions. Indeed, the game is glorious!
Wtf is this
I love the visuals, audio, presentation, and gameplay. The story could be better but I'll take it. The world building saves the overall story, I think.
“Massive amounts of dmg”
*Does 1000 dmg*
Not everyone can be a Full Boost Cyrus casting Ice Storm.
@@jacobdagun3670 But seriously Cyrus can be OP
@@alizaka1467 He's actually my Warmaster rn. It's going excellent.
There is so much world building. Just about every NPC has a backstory, and some of them seem like they could be more interesting than the main characters.
The battle gameplay is really something special. It's really the GAME part of this game.
The game, soundtrack and everything is beautiful! but I wish we could remap buttons because we can play this one handed on one joycon instead of using 2 hands.
The start feels kinda slow TBH at 10 hours in im still 6 characters under level 15.
I played bravely default and bravely second so the battle system feels familiar!
Can’t wait for Octopath Traveler 2 on the switch
Almost a week in I still find no glue...
Piriya Sambandaraksa no taste
We need Legends Of Dragoon back. But on switch. That would be so awsome!!
Atleast we're getting grandia 1 and 2. 🙂
The graphics are interesting
For me it's either this or SSB Ultimate for GOTY.
Octopath Traveler's combat is definitely what keeps me coming back to play but I was impressed by the story elements despite their lack of depth. The individual stories are trope laden, predictable to a tee, mostly mundane as hell, and yet still interesting enough to drive the game forward. I especially like the 'small world' vibe they give off which as you progress through each chapter reveals that the individual characters may not be so unrelated as they appear.
Thus far I'm about 100hrs in, have completed everyone's individual stories, and am in the process of level grinding to take on the Ruins of Hornburg. Good times. =)
I bought a switch just for this game!! Really want a sequel!!
Just some honest feedback from a fellow player. I personally think this is a bit of a stretch. Of course a character's abilities reflect who they are in a game like this. That's true in many modern JRPGs. Look at Xenoblade, looks at Bravely Default, look at realtime games like Nier Automata, look at the other new game Shining Resonance Refrain. This isn't some huge new revelation and I think at best deserves a 20 second mention, not 2/3 of the video. To me, if the combat didn't tell the story and reflect the characters, that would have been a negative, but simply being there doesn't amount to a huge positive. It's an expectation, a quota. It's like praising something that *should* be there anyways.
That all being said, I enjoyed the video itself even if I disagreed with parts of the message and its delivery. Your effort in the video and passion for the game a clearly evident and I did like your insight a lot. You've more than earned my subscribe :)
Bravely Default isn't really a good example. All four playable characters have access to exactly the same abilities, weapons and classes. The only difference, gameplay-wise, is their base stats. But for example, Agnes can still be a Knight, regardless of it not fitting her personality and her stats making her the worst possible Knight in the party.
Exactly, this has ALWAYS been the case.
@@Hotobu no
This is gamespot
I feel like there is a reason why the storylines are simplistic. Since there are eight stories, having it simple can make it easier to follow. In contrast, a more develop story could have an overwhelming feel to it
Olympian Adamas yeah, especially since you can't just rush all 4 chapters in one go, complex story will make you forget a lot of things
Talk about the review of the ages
THE COMBAT: "It describes these characters with "verbs" rather than "adjectives"..." Damn fine writing :-)
Another incredible video from a very easy to scare and awesome dude.
Dan Roemer I DO NOT SCARE EASILY
Amazing soundtrack that makes the game beautiful. Why? It's a Square Enix game.
Well said.
First game I bought on the switch.
one of the best RPGs i have ever played .
Your excellency
The only negative point I have about this game is that the characters, while traveling together, don't seem to really affect each other's story other than the random travel banters they have. It kinda breaks the narrative seeing a cut scene where a character is alone, maybe jailed somewhere and when it cuts back to gameplay, all their teammates are magically behind them. It feels like whoever's story is currently playing, the other characters are just randomly being summoned whenever necessary.
Second! Comment.
First Like! Nice Review.
Do you take recommendations?
Literally my only gripe with the game is one that bothers me with all RPGs...grinding, grinding, and more grinding.
But ultimately I deal with it since it’s a hallmark of an RPG and the overall game is usually good/fun.
While I’ve had to grind more in Octopath than other RPGs I’ve played I still enjoy it a lot.
That tells me that you might not be playing the game as strategically as you should be. If you're taking advantage of the game's mechanics then you shouldn't need to grind at all! The game's mechanics are strong enough where even a lower level party should be able to blast thru the game if you're doing things the right way. You might want to look into more advanced battle tactics then as you really shouldn't have to grind at all.
2:40 you a chad
1:00 Nobody gonna question how they beat Great Direwolf with a setup like that?
just a person who loves s’mores I beat him like some minutes ago with Olberic/Warmaster. Maybe it was the 2 Chapter Boss of Ophilias story
That’s true! Just did some research and they literally just used the same sprite.
Best RPG in a long time. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is second place now.
I like what you're going for, but I am in starting chapter 4 of every character now and the lack of interaction and party exclusion from cut-scenes is really jarring. It feels like a university group assignment where group members go off and do their own part (one of the characters stories) and then chuck them all together at the end and submit it without really looking at each others parts. The 'interaction' is basically just a text cutscene on a black background which could have easily been something they added last minute to desperatly look like these characters have even met. The combat is fun but I do not think it really is enough of a storytelling device to make up for the disjointed nature of the stories.
Did you get the True Final boss that Connects all the stories together and How there Are secret Conversations Depending who have on your team like All boys Convo and all girls Convo.
To explain primrose's chapter 4 just think about this. The team left with the old man so that's why she was left alone
Love this game! It’s the reason I brought a Switch.
brought it to where?
I am 10 hours in and the combat and other elements are easy to understand. Take your time to learn the techniques and the game will be easier.
8/10 was unfair
Am I the only one that didn’t know boost points applied to special attacks.. I gotta pay better attention. Lol. Loving the game either way! 10 hours in.
phatboy5015
This is why I always read description boxes. Lol!
Deep and hot take!
(No perverted puns intended)
Visuals and soundtrack are great, and the combat is so satisfying. It's a shame the stories are kind of disengaging.
If Battle chaser is for me
so this one ?
The combat is the true shining star of this game. I am about 15 hours in and so far most of the story or stories have been a little boring. Still a 9/10 game though easily.
i prefer the valkyrie profile lenneth battle system
Honestly, the narrative is kind of disjointed, but the combat is so good that nobody really cares because they're too busy enjoying the fighting. That isn't a very good excuse to make for the narrative honestly, but it at least points to the game still being fun. Either way, I think it's obvious that they could have done a better job with the story structure.
Nice video, but, video game characters having abilities that match their, err, character, is nothing special in RPGs.
I don't see why you treat something that's so fundamental to most RPGs as an invention of Octopath Traveler.
Maybe because it's so rarely well done recently that it's a delight to find it in Octopath?
TBH listening to the review, this video mostly sums it up to the characters do things appropriate to the character. What I don't quite understand is how this is such a big deal as to warrant an entire video. I mean, can someone give me negative examples where a JRPG's character doesn't reinforce their character concept?
And another thing is that I'm usually joking about the merchant and how her combat style doesn't reflect a 'merchant' at all so the video completely gets it wrong for her. She collects money from enemies, and stabs them if they don't pay up until they do pay up. Then kills them. She's a mafioso not a merchant, according to her combat style
Cyrus but he’s a warrior
How come this dude is doing button commands like he's playing Street Fighter or something at the 6:31 mark? Lol. I've done hundreds of battles and was never pounding at that D-pad like that