*Octopath Traveler 0* had every opportunity to underwhelm. It might have been shorter, less ambitious, and less captivating than prior installments due to its origins. It’s impressive that it surpasses all those expectations.

This latest retro-inspired turn-based RPG from Square Enix is a $50 console and PC version of a free-to-play mobile title from 2020. The developers repurposed existing characters, foes, narratives, gameplay mechanics, and music, revitalizing them into a fresh and appreciated format. Given the fleeting essence of mobile titles, reliant on stores, servers, and payment frameworks that will ultimately fade, this accomplishment is noteworthy.

Furthermore, the end result is an outstanding RPG. *Octopath Traveler 0* expands upon a foundation that could have led to something awkward and shaky, yet it evolves into a game that becomes increasingly engrossing the more you play. While it might not feel as high-quality as other console titles in the franchise, it still emerges as one of the finest RPGs of 2025 and a significant enhancement to a quickly advancing series.

**Humble beginnings**

*Octopath Traveler 0* sets itself apart from the initial two console titles in various ways, chiefly because it reinterprets components of *Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent*, a free-to-play mobile offshoot. This results in the absence of the distinctive design that characterized the first two installments.

Rather than selecting one of eight pre-established characters and gathering the others, you create your own character, choose a starting class, and embark on the same introduction every player undergoes.

Shortly after, your hometown is ravaged by villains, and you along with a few survivors must rebuild and seek vengeance. The game showcases several unique storylines centered around heroes instead of villains, which can be approached in any sequence, yet all must be finalized ultimately.

A notable alteration from the mobile version is the presence of numerous playable party members in *Octopath 0*, unlike the mere eight in previous games. You no longer need to pay for slot machine pulls to reveal them; they’re now presented at a reasonable pace throughout the narrative, with many being optional to recruit.

From a structural standpoint, *Octopath 0* is more enticing than *Champions of the Continent* ever could have been. While I’m not fond of free-to-play gacha games, I do appreciate narrative-driven RPGs. The developers’ transformation of a mobile title into a console experience is a near-genius feat. Although *Octopath 0* feels different from its predecessors, it seldom feels inferior. There are fewer combat animations per character, and much of the music is reused, but *Octopath 0* does not cut corners. It’s a considerable, innovative RPG built on the groundwork of a mobile game. In a time when new games take years to develop and budgets are soaring, this creative strategy bridges the gap between 2023’s *Octopath Traveler II* and whatever lies ahead.

**Octopath Traveler 0 takes a while to get going**

Given its unconventional origin and cheaper price tag, one might assume a game with less content than its more expensive counterparts in the series. However, that assumption is quite misleading.

To be blunt, this game took me approximately 80 hours to finish. It’s a considerable commitment that requires patience. The initial 20 hours are spent laying the groundwork for what lies ahead. During this period, you’ll gather a complete party and commence the reconstruction of your hometown through an extensive town-building minigame. Key battle mechanics are locked behind the construction of specific structures, which become accessible around the 20-hour point.

Don’t misunderstand; I’m not implying *Octopath Traveler 0* takes 20 hours to become enjoyable. Instead, it holds back its best elements for later. It’s an investment, and I believe it’s a rewarding one.

**But once it starts rolling, it becomes unstoppable**

The payoff manifests in various forms, including outstanding turn-based combat, which ranks among the most enjoyable in any game released this year.

In contrast to previous *Octopath* titles featuring four party members on screen, *Octopath 0* allows for eight characters on the battlefield simultaneously, arranged in a front row and a back row. Characters in the front can engage in attacks and sustain damage, while those in the back are protected and gradually regain resources. You can swap characters within the same horizontal slot, making decisions about pairings a critical aspect of strategy.

This system enhances the Boost system, a hallmark of every *Octopath* title. Each turn, characters gain one Boost Point, up to a maximum of five. You can expend up to three in a single turn to amplify attacks or spells. In prior games, Boost Points were used sparingly, but not here. With a backup team accumulating points, you’re encouraged to utilize them more frequently, and the combat is adjusted accordingly. It presents an exciting and different challenge compared to *Octopath II*.

Building your hometown is woven into your progression. As