Team Asano's Next Switch 2 Game Could Be Octopath Traveler III

OCTOPATH TRELLER II, a sequel to 2018's Octopath Traveller, was a massive hit, published by Square Enix and developed by ACQUIRE Corp. The game was a nostalgic throwback to the JRPGs' heyday. The original game, Octopath Traveler, placed the bar high as Square Enix featured their evolutionary HD-2D visual style. As they approach 7 years since the release of their first game, they can only hope that Square Enix has something special in store for them. 

Seven years have passed since Octopath Traveler first came out on the Nintendo Switch. When it came out in 2018, this turn-based RPG from Square Enix's Team Asano quickly became one of the most important games of the early Switch era. It had a unique art style, a battle system that felt like it was from the old days, and eight stories that were all connected in a way that JRPG fans all over the world loved.

Square Enix shared new artwork and music to mark the anniversary, which reminded fans of how special Octopath Traveler was and still is. But besides the party, many people are wondering what will happen next with the series and Team Asano now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is out?

When we think about the first Octopath Traveler, it came out at the perfect time. Fans were eager for something both old and new when the Nintendo Switch came out. Team Asano made a game that felt like old Final Fantasy games. It featured turn-based battles, character sprites, and detailed, beautiful environments, all crafted in a new HD-2D style. It was retro with a modern twist, and that was a big hit.

When the game was shown off at Nintendo's 2017 event, it got a lot of attention. When it came out a year later, it not only impressed critics but also sold over 3 million copies, making it one of Square Enix's most popular HD-2D games ever.

The HD-2D style has been used in other games since then, such as Triangle Strategy, Live A Live, Bravely Default II, and the soon-to-be-released Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. At the top of that list, Octopath Traveler still stands out as the most important and well-known game.

Fans are wondering what the next step will be for Octopath Traveler now that the Nintendo Switch 2 is almost here. The game was first made for Nintendo's Switch 1 system, and even though it was later ported to Xbox and PlayStation in 4K at 60 frames per second, the base version was still very much tied to that system.

You can only imagine what Team Asano could do if they made a brand-new Octopath Traveler just for the Switch 2. With better hardware, HD Rumble 2, and better portable and docked modes, there is a huge amount of potential for both visual and gameplay innovation.

Octopath Traveler II made the game's mechanics better and added new characters, but that's what makes the series so great: each game can start from scratch. There are new characters, places, and stories. The series' anthology style makes it easy to bring new ideas to it, and fans would probably love an Octopath Traveler III or even a spiritual successor set in the same universe.

Octopath Traveler is unique not only because of its style, but also because of how it tells stories. Eight different characters, each on their own journey, cross paths in subtle ways. This flexible story structure makes the game fun to play again and again and gives players a range of emotions to experience. This plan will work. Square Enix could take that formula even further if they had more money and better hardware. 

They could add more interactions, deeper character bonds, and a world that is more complex and linked. And don't forget the way you fight. Battles are more strategic without being too hard because the game is turn-based and uses Break and Boost. There are lots of ways to improve this system, and Team Asano is the best group to do it.

The numbers are true. Octopath Traveler is still one of the most popular HD-2D games. When something is that successful, it makes sense to want a sequel, or at least a spiritual continuation. While Square Enix is looking for a great launch window RPG to show off what the Nintendo Switch 2 can do, Octopath Traveler is one of the best choices.

It's a safe bet because it's based on nostalgia, but its presentation is changing and its story structure is adaptable, so it can go in bold, creative directions. And since the HD-2D engine is better than ever, they have no reason not to push the limits again, this time in terms of style, mechanics, and story.

Team Asano is at an interesting crossroads, whether it's with Octopath Traveler III, a new Bravely Default, or a return to a classic like Terranigma. That they can honor the past while coming up with new ideas for the present is already clear. The only question is what path they will pick.