The jump from mobile to console is a challenge in itself, especially when you have certain mobile mechanics baked into the core loop. Reimagining it might be the correct word, as Team Asano has done just that with Octopath Traveler 0.

Ahead of its December release, we got a chance to play almost 2 hours of Octopath Traveler 0, and while we can’t comment too much on how the story fares and how each character plays into the overarching narrative, which is a trademark of past Octopath Traveler games, the parts we played that mostly centered on combat were outstanding.

Octopath Traveler 0 Hands-on Preview

Our hands-on session with Octopath Traveler 0 begins with a surprising twist: a character creator. Traditionally, the Octopath series has centered around eight distinct protagonists, each with their own narrative arc. This time, however, players start by crafting a single custom character, complete with name, gender, hairstyle, voice, and even eye color. While the HD-2D art style limits customization to a degree, the inclusion of eye color (a literal pixel) is an intriguing addition.

Beyond looks, players select a “favorite dish,” which acts as a buff-granting item, offering bonuses such as increased health, attack, or critical damage. Additionally, you can choose three starter items to enhance further your early-game stats, like bonus HP or SP.

Once your character is set, the demo transitions into its core focus: combat. Octopath Traveler 0 retains signature mechanics like Boost Points (BP), break systems, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. Fans of the series will feel immediately familiar with the flow of battle, and it’s clear Team Asano has preserved the essence of what makes Octopath combat so engaging.

However, Octopath Traveler 0 introduces a major shift because players now command a full party of eight characters, doubling the size from previous entries. These characters are arranged in front and back rows, with two per row. Each character can swap positions with their partner during their turn without consuming an action, opening up a wealth of strategic possibilities.

This expanded party system encourages thoughtful pairings, allowing players to cover a wide range of weapon types and elemental affinities. The potential for synergy is immense, especially when factoring in character-specific skills and how they influence party composition.

In our demo, the provided party was slightly overleveled, featuring level 33 characters in a level 28–29 zone. We observed mechanics where the entire party could recover HP and SP during certain turns, while individual characters gained buffs or BP through specific actions or damage taken. If the full roster of playable characters is as deep as hinted, the customization options could be staggering.

Combat felt noticeably faster and more dynamic than in previous titles. While switching characters adds a layer of decision-making, the overall pace of commands and animations is definitely faster. Visual effects are more explosive, and the HD-2D presentation shines with crisp textures and vibrant particle effects. The battle soundtrack deserves special mention due to its epic and energetic vibe that perfectly complements the heightened intensity of combat.

The demo culminated in a boss battle that showcased the new scale of encounters. The boss and its minions featured high shield counts, six for the lackeys and seventeen for the boss, requiring multiple hits of their respective weaknesses to break. This design likely balances the power of an eight-member party, although it may feel excessive if your team isn’t optimized for the encounter.

Following the combat segment, we were given a brief look at the town-building system. Players can construct settlements, assign characters to homes, and cultivate crops and livestock to gather materials for further development. It appears to be a robust feature that could appeal to fans of simulation and management gameplay, though its full depth remains to be seen.

One lingering concern is the shift to a single protagonist. Previous Octopath titles relied on interwoven narratives among the eight leads, and it’s unclear how this new direction will affect storytelling. In our demo, the custom character had limited interaction with the rest of the characters, raising questions about narrative integration.

Despite these uncertainties, Octopath Traveler 0 is shaping up to be a compelling addition to the series. With Octopath Traveler II earning critical acclaim, expectations are high, and this latest entry seems poised to deliver a fresh yet familiar experience.

Octopath Traveler 0 is coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, Switch 2, and PC on December 4, 2025.