Octopath Traveler Zero: Square Enix Just Pulled a Prequel Out of Their Hat!
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Square Enix surprised everyone with *Octopath Traveler 0*, a prequel based on the mobile game but expanded for PC and consoles, promising a deeper story and town-building features. It's coming in 2025, so get ready for a journey through Orsterra!
Right then, Square Enix has gone and done a thing. A rather *unexpected* thing, if I'm being honest. Turns out, that beloved RPG franchise, Octopath Traveler, the one that critics practically threw roses at (85+ score, mate!), is getting a surprise prequel. Yep, you heard right: *Octopath Traveler 0*. Because apparently, we needed to know what happened *before* the eight paths, according to Game Rant’s recent report.
Now, before you start scratching your head, thinking, "Hang on, didn't they just release *Octopath Traveler 2*?" you're not wrong. And it was brilliant, managing to sneak past its predecessor in terms of critical acclaim. But Square Enix isn't one to rest on their laurels, it seems. They dropped this bombshell during a recent Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase. Sneaky, eh?
So, *Octopath Traveler 0* is coming to PC and consoles on December 4, 2025. Mark your calendars, folks. It's a collaboration between Square Enix and Acquire (the folks behind the original), and promises 30 recruitable characters, eight-character battle parties (talk about chaos!), and boss fights that will likely make you question your life choices. Sounds…intense.
Here's the real kicker, though. *Octopath Traveler 0* isn't *entirely* new. It's based on the mobile game, *Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent*. But, and this is a *big* but, it's not just a straight port. Square Enix is expanding the story, adding new combat options, and streamlining the narrative. How exactly they're streamlining it is anyone's guess, but I reckon it'll involve less endless grinding on my phone while I'm supposed to be doing something more productive.
And get this: there's a town-building mode! You get to restore your ruined hometown. Path Actions from *Octopath Traveler 2* are making a comeback, which means more unique interactions with NPCs based on your party. And if you've got save data from previous games, you'll get some kind of reward. Sweet!
Now, let's talk about what you'll actually be forking out if you want to play this blast from the past, present, and future. The standard edition is going to set you back $49.99. Then there's the Digital Deluxe ($59.99) which comes with all sorts of digital art and travel provisions for your journey. And for the whales out there, the Collector's Edition will take $229.99 right out of your pocket, but it includes the dice, cards, gaming mat, a ring, a music CD, and an art booklet to make it worth your while.
So, what does this all mean? Well, it means Square Enix is doubling down on the Octopath Traveler formula, which, to be fair, is a pretty good formula. It also means we're getting a prequel that's based on a mobile game, but isn't *just* a mobile game. Confused? Me too, a bit. But I'm cautiously optimistic. I mean, who doesn't love a good JRPG with a whole bunch of characters and epic boss fights? Plus, any game that lets me build a town and mess with NPCs is a winner in my book. Bring on the chaos!
Tags: Octopath Traveler, JRPG, Square Enix, Prequel, Gaming News
Original article: Game Rant