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Square Enix’s New RPG Might Already Be Making A Critical Mistake

August 2, 2025

Octopath Traveler 0, Square Enix’s newly announced RPG, may already be making a critical mistake that could negatively impact the future of the series. The title is the third main entry in the franchise, but it’s not necessarily considered a direct sequel to the first two games. One of the biggest reveals from the most recent Nintendo Direct, Octopath Traveler 0 will retain several elements from its predecessors.

This includes the iconic HD-2D style applied to its design, as well as its Break system, a core aspect of its turn-based combat. Telling a brand-new story, Octopath Traveler 0 will put you in control of your own customizable character as you work and fight to restore the town of Wishvale, which was destroyed by flames.

Octopath Traveler 0 May Be Sacrificing Its Greatest Element

You’ll Be Able To Customize Your Main Character

The surprise reveal of Octopath Traveler 0 was extremely positive for fans, but I’m concerned that the game is making a terrible mistake. As was announced by developer Square Enix, you will be able to customize your protagonist, and I’m worried that this will make their story all too generic. One of the franchise’s greatest strengths is the depth of its character development.

In previous games, you could recruit eight different characters, each with their own well-established story arc. If you control a custom character, the story would be more about the overarching adventure rather than their individual journey. The variety of characters in Octopath Traveler 2, for example, is exactly what made it such a strong game.

Octopath Traveler 0 Can’t Focus Solely On Gameplay

The RPG’s Gameplay Can’t Obfuscate Narrative Depth

This is not to say that Octopath Traveler 0 won’t have recruitable characters with compelling stories, but the main character could be dull. Moreover, Square Enix has already teased that characters from the previous games, like Primrose and Therion, are making a comeback. If these are some of the recruitable characters, I’ll be somewhat disappointed.

I’ve grown to love these characters, but I’ve already completed their individual story arcs. I’m concerned that anything else that may be added to their backstories could feel forced – as if it’s more of a fan service rather than actual character development. I’d much rather have access to several new characters than returning units, as beloved as they are.

According to a post on the official Square Enix website, you’ll be able to recruit over 30 characters in Octopath Traveler 0.

This increased amount of characters, returning units, and a custom character could take away from the narrative depth that the series has provided so far. I fear that all the investment will go into the gameplay, which is fantastic.

However, gameplay shouldn’t be the only focus, or the game could end up becoming a new Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent – a mobile game that feels great to play, but that doesn’t provide too much narrative involvement. Hopefully, I’m wrong, and Square Enix’s next RPG, Octopath Traveler 0, is just as good as its predecessors.

Source: Square Enix