jschreier Posts

2018-07-12
jschreier 10322108

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

I've never had a boss battle take that long. Maybe if you're not taking advantage of weaknesses?

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10322108/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214714/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-29

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/TTIEn

2018-07-12
jschreier 10319730

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

OK, so: Maybe there is something deeply hidden in here that'll blow all of our minds. I'd be thrilled. But if there is hidden endgame content, there are no hints that it exists at all. When you beat all eight stories, there are no icons left on the map, and no hints that there's still anything left to do beyond the side quests and optional jobs. The credits roll after you beat your main character's story. So we're talking about something that's very, very well-hidden, not some pivotal second half of the game or anything like that. It'd be a bummer if it were, say, locked until you finished every single side quest.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10319730/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214639/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-26

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/OGpAU

2018-07-12
jschreier 10319861

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

They're all guarded by tough bosses that I haven't beaten.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10319861/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214639/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-26

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/sa4dD

2018-07-12
jschreier 10317961

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

The world map is sort of composed of three rings, like an onion. The innermost ring is the loop of cities where all the Chapter 1s take place, and then surrounding that is another loop of cities where Chapter 2s and 3s take place, and then surrounding that are high-level areas where Chapter 4s take place.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10317961/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214603/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-24

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/Dc8th

2018-07-12
jschreier 10318041

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

No, Nintendo told me there was some sort of postgame content. They didn't offer any details, nor could they say how you access it. It could be a cut-scene, could be a dungeon, could be a boss -- I have no idea.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10318041/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214603/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-24

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/uy7jn

2018-07-12
jschreier 10317749

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

I think this is wishful thinking. As you play through the game, you can look at the world map and see regions you haven't unlocked yet, which are covered in a fog of war but connected to the rest of the world via roads. When you've beaten all eight stories, as I have, the world map will basically all be unfogged. There are no dangling roads or secret regions to find as far as I can tell. I even spent some time poking around some of the perimeter areas to try to find one.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10317749/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214529/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-23

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10314636

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

It's easier to look past repetition when it's surrounded by an overarching story with characters you care about and grow emotionally invested in. Octopath has nothing like that.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10314636/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214423/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-19

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10314296

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

I loved it (although it was like 10 hours longer than it should've been and it lost a lot of momentum in the final act).

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10314296/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214406/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-18

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/6zT3q

2018-07-12
jschreier 10313572

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

I can't wait for this one - Tim Rogers has already beaten it in Japanese and says it's spectacular, so I'm sure I'm going to love it (even though I'm bummed it's not on Switch).

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10313572/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214253/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-17

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10313683

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

Yeah, like I said from the beginning, that guy has been spreading misinformation - sad to see from someone who wants to be a journalist.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10313683/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214253/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-17

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10313901

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

No, I think I still would've been extremely aggravated by the repetition. As I wrote in my review, even the bosses are sometimes clones of one another - every single Chapter 2 boss is identical, with two minions that lock off the boss's weaknesses until you defeat them. When I talk about repetition, I'm not just talking about the dungeon layouts - literally 31 of the 32 chapters are the exact same thing. You go to a town, do some Path Actions, watch some cut-scenes, go into a dungeon, and beat a boss. The routine gets so damn old. Combat being as good as it is makes the game feel like far less of a slog than it could have otherwise, but the repetition is no small thing.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10313901/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214253/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-17

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10313147

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

All good. I understand why people get heated and defensive. I've been counting down the days for Octopath Traveler since it was announced at the Switch reveal event, and it was crushing to play through the game and gradually realize that every chapter was going to follow the same exact pattern. I had such high hopes for this one.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10313147/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214202/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-16

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/qfZsY

2018-07-12
jschreier 10312700

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

Each chapter does take an hour. Many of them took me 20-30 minutes.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10312700/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214142/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-14

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10311897

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

It is a fact that the stories are entirely standalone. There are a few references and shared NPCs across the stories, but the stories do not intersect at all. You're probably thinking of the optional vignettes that you can watch during each chapter, which is the only time that your characters interact.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10311897/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214120/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-12

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2018-07-12
jschreier 10311393

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

Actually I said the opposite. I played the entire thing, which is how I know that 31 of the 32 chapters follow the exact same pattern (go to town, watch cut-scenes, do some Path Actions, go to a dungeon, fight a boss, fin). People who haven't finished all eight stories don't really have a sense of just how repetitive the game is.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10311393/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214038/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-10

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/sWLC4

2018-07-12
jschreier 10310031

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

I completed all eight stories (32 chapters) and did a handful of optional dungeons. My game's clock is at 36 hours, three minutes.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10310031/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712213836/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/page-3

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/JuR0x

2018-07-12
jschreier 10309722

Thread: Octopath Traveler Review Thread

Polygon's article is a good example of how the game can be extremely charming for its first few hours (the writer says he hasn't finished it all) but once you've played through all 32 chapters, the repetition really gets at you. And, to answer a question many of you have, there is no epilogue or final chapter, despite the misinformation that was floating around. The stories do not intersect at all. Nintendo tells me there's some sort of post-game content but couldn't tell me what it was or how to unlock it, so we'll see what that turns out to be.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10309722/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180712213804/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-review-thread.54887/

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/FkdXL

2018-07-11
jschreier 10273062

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

It's odd to hope a game sells well so you get sequels before you even know if that game is any good. You're essentially just buying into marketing at this point. (And no, a three-hour demo can't give you an accurate measure of the quality of a JRPG that's at least 10 times as long.)

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10273062/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711233751/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-76

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10272124

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

How can anyone say that a 4 or 5 is an "unrealistically bad score" for a game they haven't played?

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10272124/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711233801/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-75

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/rXuRs

2018-07-11
jschreier 10272402

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Man, review scores sure have poisoned the critical discourse surrounding video games.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10272402/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711233801/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-75

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10271681

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

So you've already decided that any website that scores a game you haven't played lower than an "86" is a "clickbait" site that "screw[ed] up." Gamers!

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10271681/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711233822/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-74

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10271933

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

It's up there. Tomorrow is going to be pandemonium.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10271933/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711233822/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-74

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10266498

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

There are definitely small connections between the stories. I don't think anyone's disputed that. All I've said is that . I'll avoid saying much more until my review is up - I just hate seeing misinformation get spread (especially by someone who wants to be a journalist).

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10266498/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711161102/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-72

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10256229

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I'm all done and can confirm once again that unless there's some crazy super hidden thing that I don't know how to trigger, Shadowforks is full of shit. If someone reading this has beaten the whole game and knows if there's something obscure at the end to find or activate, please do DM me. My review will be up Thursday morning at 9am ET on Kotaku.com.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10256229/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711093716/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-67

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2018-07-11
jschreier 7679915

Thread: Gizmodo Media in Trouble.

I have no idea what's going to happen, but FWIW Kirk and I produce our show entirely on our own, and we both love doing it!

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/7679915/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711043346/https://www.resetera.com/threads/gizmodo-media-in-trouble.41116/

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10250657

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Alex's tweet does not mean what you think it means.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10250657/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711043354/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-65

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2018-07-11
jschreier 10249321

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

No, there is not a world of difference. Expecting a game that starts off as a series of vignettes but soon turns into a grand overlapping story is far, far different than expecting a game that mostly consists of eight different stories and then has some bonus uniting stuff at the end. Shadowforks' tweet is false and should probably be deleted before it misinforms more people.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10249321/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180711043402/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-64

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/172KZ

2018-07-10
jschreier 10232225

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Let me be clear. This guy : "Towards the beginning, it's a series of vignettes that tell individual stories that hold up on their own, followed by huge payoffs that deal with the ensemble cast." That is 100% not true. It is misinformation. Whether or not there is some sort of bonus when you've finished all of the characters, this is a game about eight entirely different stories, each with a beginning, middle, and end. To say "towards the beginning, it's a series of vignettes" and "followed by huge payoffs that deal with the ensemble cast" is entirely misleading, no matter what may happen post-credits. By all means feel free to drive yourself crazy hunting for clues that there's some big mystery here, or you can just listen to someone who has seen the credits of the game and is telling you that the characters' stories all end on very conclusive notes, wrapping up their tales and hitting the emotional beats you'd expect from endings. I wouldn't be totally shocked if maybe you unlock some sort of tough dungeon after beating all eight, but each story has an arc of its own. You will enjoy them far, far less if you are just waiting for them all to intersect. And with that, I'm done posting in Octopath threads until my review is up - see you guys then.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10232225/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710224340/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-57

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/ipvle

2018-07-10
jschreier 10230631

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I thought I'd made it pretty clear - they are standalone stories. This is not true. It's possible there's post-credits stuff that I haven't seen yet (credits rolled for me late last night), but it is accurate to say that this is a game about eight people who are all on entirely different journeys.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10230631/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710224352/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-56

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/wgPyB

2018-07-10
jschreier 10230935

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I've finished my four main characters' stories and am working on mopping up the rest today, just in case there's some sort of bonus or extra scene when you complete all eight. I'm not going to break embargo by offering any opinions or answering any specific story questions (plus I have to go do that whole "write a review" thing) but I hate misinformation.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10230935/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710224352/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-56

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/zoOAG

2018-07-10
jschreier 10231179

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Again, I've seen the credits roll. If there something after beating all eight -- and there's been no indication that there is -- it's not going to suddenly change the nature of this game, which is about eight separate stories. What people don't seem to be getting is that the characters' stories are all entirely standalone, with beginnings, middles, and (conclusive) ends. And now I've gotta get back to work.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10231179/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710224352/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-56

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/oFtpo

2018-07-10
jschreier 10217250

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I've only finished one out of eight of the stories but haven't seen any indication of anything like this.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10217250/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710121154/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-51

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/DANle

2018-07-10
jschreier 10218624

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Nah my clock is around 27 hours and I'm done with one of the stories and almost done with three more. Won't be hard to finish all eight by Thursday.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10218624/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710121154/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-51

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/7oLNm

2018-07-10
jschreier 10209446

Thread: PS5 and next Xbox launch speculation - Post E3 2018

Dude said I was trying to hide information from people, so nah, it was very necessary.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10209446/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710045819/https://www.resetera.com/threads/ps5-and-next-xbox-launch-speculation-post-e3-2018.49214/page-52

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/D7XYo

2018-07-09
jschreier 10178591

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Don't think that GameFAQs post is fake.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10178591/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012030/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-38

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/gzXAq

2018-07-09
jschreier 10178669

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I haven't finished any Chapter 4s but it reads legit to me. Can't say for sure yet tho.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10178669/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012030/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-38

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/S1Xcs

2018-07-09
jschreier 10179134

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I'm talking about the post about the French reviewer. I didn't see this one.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10179134/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012030/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-38

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/6ThpP

2018-07-09
jschreier 10179901

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

The level gates on each character's chapters make it so you do have to spend dozens of hours to reach any of their conclusions.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10179901/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012030/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-38

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/U7hdQ

2018-07-09
jschreier 10173251

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I don't know if that review is fake or not. I'm still wrapping up Chapter 3s, too low level for Chapter 4s.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10173251/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012053/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-37

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/wwBPb

2018-07-09
jschreier 10173311

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

You can find out on Kotaku.com at 9am ET on Thursday!

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10173311/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180710012053/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-37

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/Jlg1R

2018-07-07
jschreier 10136170

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

The more I play, the more I like the battle system. Very rewarding feeling when you beat bosses because they can be so tough.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10136170/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151653/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-30

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2018-07-07
jschreier 10124259

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Just to be clear, as I've said before, what's most offputting about Octopath isn't the lack of an overarching plot, it's the fact that each story pretends that none of the other characters exist. Every time you do a new chapter for any given character, you'll only see that character in all the cut-scenes -- nobody else will appear or talk. (The "banter" scenes are short, optional, and take place outside of the main story.) Considering this game is about eight people teaming up to travel the world (why? it's not clear), this is really fucking weird and unsettling. I understand why the designers did it -- there are too many possible party permutations, and you could even just be playing as that one character -- but that doesn't make it any less bizarre. Despite this, to repeat again because few people here seem to be listening when I say this, I am still very much liking the game.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10124259/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151659/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-24

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2018-07-07
jschreier 10118550

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Sidequests don't give experience AFAIK, just items and gold, which makes the level recs even more of a gate.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10118550/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151709/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-22

Archive.is (legacy): https://archive.is/Vph8E

2018-07-07
jschreier 10118721

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

The Caits are good. Not sure how to find them reliably. I haven't tried leveling benched members a ton - been sticking with my main party as I clean up the Chapter 3s. Tressa is by far the best.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10118721/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151709/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-22

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2018-07-07
jschreier 10116407

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

This happens only in optional vignettes, I believe one per character per chapter, and they're all very short and insignificant. Some of the stories are really good from what I've played so far -- Tressa's is my favorite, and keeps cracking me up -- but it is indeed disconcerting that each chapter's story pretends that the rest of your party doesn't exist.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10116407/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151719/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-21

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2018-07-07
jschreier 10116437

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

When the map has both characters' markers in the same place, that just means that both chapters are located within that same city. Not that they interact.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10116437/

Archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/20180708151719/https://www.resetera.com/threads/octopath-traveler-preview-thread.53684/page-21

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2018-07-07
jschreier 10103704

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Random fights don't take too long once you've got a full party, and in fact, they feel more meaningful than your average JRPG random encounter because you have to be thinking and paying attention the whole time. Can't just mash the A button. I really, really like the combat system. Lol @ people in this thread acting like I hate this game because I said lines like "could be an instant classic" and "the official Final Fantasy XVI may still be quite a few years off, we firmly believe that it’s already arrived under a different name" were hyperbole.

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10093956

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Is this a joke? In the first 20 minutes, you're alternating between parties of Moogles to defend Terra from a gang of invading soldiers. Within the next hour you're stealing uniforms from merchants and soldiers, zipping through an underwater tunnel, uncovering the mysteries behind a ghost train, and feeding raw meat to a wild kid in order to convince him to join your party. Soon enough you're participating in an opera and stealing an airship. The game is constantly throwing new ideas at you, and although the combat system doesn't change much, nothing about the game feels repetitive because there's so much variety at every turn. Octopath Traveler can be summed up as: Go to a new city, enter a new dungeon, fight boss, repeat. It's nothing like FFVI.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10093956/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10094157

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I am about 20 hours in, doing Olberic's Chapter 3 as we speak. I've done all of the Chapter 1s, and 5/8 of the Chapter 2s. One other thing I haven't mentioned is that party members who aren't in your active party (of four people) don't get experience, which is a real pain in the ass. My main characters are Olberic, Tressa, Cyrus, and Ophelia, and they're all around level 30. The other four characters have been sitting in my reserves, so they're all under 10. But when I wanted to do Primrose's Chapter 2, which has a recommended level of 20-something, I needed to take her out of the reserves and put her in my main party, so she was just useless for that entire chapter because she was so wildly under-leveled. By the time I had finished it, I think she was only like 15? Again, this game has a lot of structural problems. OK, I have to get back to work. See you guys later.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10094157/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10093198

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Sure, but the reason I am posting here is because everyone (including the director of the game) keeps making FFVI comparisons. Aside from the aesthetic style of the character sprites, this game is NOTHING like FFVI. If you're hoping for a new FFVI, look elsewhere.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10093198/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10093562

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

From the getgo, Final Fantasy VI is a barrage of character interaction (none here), gameplay variety (also none here: you're just going through dungeons and fighting bosses), and strong narrative surrounding one compelling central villain (none here, at least so far). This game is absolutely nothing like that.

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10093646

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

It's sort of like SaGa Frontier or Live-A-Live but also has new ideas of its own.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10093646/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10092708

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Yes, just NPCs. Think of the kid in Oberic's prologue or the other dancer in Primrose's prologue etc. Most chapters introduce new NPCs that the main character of that chapter will interact with.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10092708/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10092442

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I like the combat a lot, the music is wonderful, the dungeons are pretty repetitive, and the aesthetics are top-notch.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10092442/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10092604

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

One of the fundamental strengths of JRPGs is the way characters interact, grow, and talk to one another along the journey. It's disorienting to play a game that has none of that. And unlike, say, SaGa Frontier, you don't get unique party members for each character's story -- you just have your eight main characters, and that's it.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10092604/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10091859

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Yes, not only can you choose which chapter to go through in any order you'd like, you can pause each one, go do something else, then continue where you left off. So you can either do all the Chapter 1s, then all the Chapters 2s, etc. Or you could do a couple of Chapter 1s, grind for levels, then do a couple of Chapter 2s. Or you could hypothetically just do Chapter 1 and 2 and so on with only a single character.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10091859/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10092278

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Yes, exactly. I'm going through Chapter 3s now and so far they've all been self-contained stories. It's possible that some of the stories overlap in Chapter 4 or later - I'll find out soon enough.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10092278/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10091627

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Yes, Xenoblade 2 is garbage. I like Octopath from what I've played so far - it's just not striking me as an all-time classic or much like FFVI in any way. It's more like a new SaGa game.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10091627/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10091180

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Look, as one of the biggest FFVI fans on the planet, let me just say that from what I've played so far I'd advise relaxing with the "all time classic" stuff. At least wait for proper reviews -- ones from people who don't worship at the altar of hyperbole. It's not that this is a bad game, but the repetitive structure and lack of party interaction are no small thing.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10091180/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10091390

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

The reason to go around and do all eight characters is because the Chapter 2 level recommendations are in the 20s while you'll be around level 10-12 after getting four. So you can either grind for levels or you can go do all eight Chapter 1s.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10091390/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10090777

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

I have all the characters and am about 20 hours in, and there's no over-arching story (yet?). It's eight different stories. The characters only interact via one-on-one optional "banter" scenes, sort of like a Tales game.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10090777/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10090954

Thread: Octopath Traveler: Preview Thread

Yes, it's especially weird because when you're doing a chapter for a given character, only that character shows up in all the cut-scenes, making it feel like they're traveling solo. The other characters only show up in battle and then in those optional one-on-one banter scenes.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10090954/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10063812

Thread: PS5 and next Xbox launch speculation - Post E3 2018

Haha man. Y'all can believe whatever you want, but if you guys are getting your hopes up for a new generation of consoles in 2019, you're probably going to be disappointed.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10063812/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10064064

Thread: PS5 and next Xbox launch speculation - Post E3 2018

I have talked to dozens of developers about this, at both first- and third-parties, and the widespread belief is that Sony is targeting 2020. I say "probably" because with hardware, everything is subject to change at any given time (Microsoft launched the Xbox One in November 2013 even though they were ~6 months behind schedule). But if you spend the next year obsessively checking this thread and looking for 2019 clues in job listings and shit like that, you're just gonna drive yourself insane.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10064064/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10069772

Thread: "Octopath Traveler has been developed as a spiritual successor of FFVI" Takahashi-san

I'm not gonna break embargo, but just from the demo you can tell that this is more of a SaGa game than a FFVI or a CT. It's about eight different stories, not one.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10069772/

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2018-07-06
jschreier 10069121

Thread: "Octopath Traveler has been developed as a spiritual successor of FFVI" Takahashi-san

I'm like 20 hours in. Review embargo is next week.

Link: https://www.resetera.com/posts/10069121/

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