The Octopath Traveler games have received some real ratings on PlayStation and Xbox, following rumors of pending releases.
As reported by Gematsu, Taiwan’s Digital Game Rating Committee has given out ratings for Octopath Traveler for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Octopath Traveler II for Xbox Series X|S.
The day before, we reported on a rumor that not only were both Octopath Traveler games coming to Xbox, but they were coming to Game Pass on Day One. We will note now that this rumor did not specify it was for Xbox Series X|S, which certainly implies that the rumor was also for Xbox One.
But here is where we need to clear up how these games have already been released in scattershot manner across multiple platforms. The first Octopath Traveler launched on the Nintendo Switch on July 13, 2018. It then came to Windows on June 7, 2019, and Xbox One on March 25, 2021.
In contrast, Octopath Traveler II released on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows simultaneously on February 24, 2023. In September of 2023, Square Enix did make an official announcement that Octopath Traveler II would also release on Xbox Series X|S and the Microsoft Store in the first half of 2024.
Jumping back to our prior reporting, Xbox CEO Sarah Bond did prematurely announce that Octopath Traveler could also be coming to Game Pass. While Microsoft attempted to take that back, there is now reason to believe that the game really could be going there.
Square Enix must have struggled to negotiate taking these games across different platforms. While it seems like it would have made more sense to plan a multiplatform release in advance, including Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for both games, Square Enix may have been preoccupied with work on other titles, including the Final Fantasy PlayStation 5 exclusives that did not meet expectations, and the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games as well.
But it’s now time to give Team Asano’s signature franchise the attention they richly deserve. As many critics and gamers have opined, the Octopath Traveler games feel like the definitive next step forward for turn based 2D RPGs, and were both GOTY worthy when each game initially released.
And what would give Team Asano respect, regardless of the potential profitability, would be to bring both Octopath Traveler games to as many platforms as possible. Square Enix should definitely take it further and bring these games to Apple and Android, aside from all the consoles and PC storefronts that they can. Maybe they should even talk to Evercade about making a new cart for these games. But for now, this is only a hope that as many people have access to them as possible.
