Octopath Traveler’s core value is a “high degree of freedom.” The upcoming prequel takes it to the next level with extensive Town Building 

Octopath Traveler 0 (Zero) is the latest mainline entry in Square Enix’s turn-based JRPG series, set to launch on December 5 this year. The 100-hour prequel to the franchise inherits much of what the previous games are known for – with a focus on storytelling and challenging battles. But according to game director Yasuhiro Kidera and producer Hiroto Suzuki, the main draw of Octopath Traveler is its high degree of freedom, and this is something they sought to develop even further in Zero. 

Talking to AUTOMATON, Suzuki explains that, “True to the name Traveler, I think the defining appeal of Octopath Traveler lies in its sense of journey. Travel means freedom, but also requires you to move forward on your own feet. That’s why we value stories that feel down-to-earth, where you can understand and empathize with the protagonist’s emotions.” 

This sense of travel is also what shapes the freedom-first approach to gameplay, with features like field commands which “allow the player act freely and open the doors for many new possibilities.”  As an example, Suzuki brings up stealing in the first Octopath Traveler. “You can steal from townsfolk, but you can also complete the entire game without stealing anything even once. Our main writer, Futsuzawa, actually finished the game as Tressa by buying every item instead of stealing them (laughs). I think the series’ charm lies in such differing playstyles being possible.” 

What about Octopath Traveler 0, then? The prequel’s biggest addition is its Town Building system, which, according to Suzuki, ties into the franchise’s DNA both thematically and gameplay-wise. “We wanted to emphasize the place you come home to after a journey, your hometown. Through the Town Building feature, players can customize their own hometown, placing buildings wherever they like, and even assigning their favorite characters to live in them. By placing two characters in the same house, you can depict their relationship. You can imagine they both love flowers, and plant some around them. I believe Octopath Traveler 0 expands the ways a player can pour their feelings into the game.” 

Players who liked past entries’ fleshed-out NPC will also have something new to look forward to in Zero. “In most standard RPGs,” Kidera explains, “interactions with NPCs are usually limited to conversations and side quests. However, in the Octopath Traveler series, each NPC has their own backstory and possesses unique items. I believe these are the strengths of Octopath Traveler that distinguish it from other RPGs.” 

“For Octopath Traveler 0, we spent a lot of time thinking about how to connect the field command systems to the new Town Building feature. For example, now you can invite residents to your town, and many characters scattered throughout the world are tied to what you’ll need for developing it. This makes your own town feel linked to the wider world, which was a key design philosophy for the game.” 

On the other hand, true to the overarching theme of freedom, Octopath Traveler 0 won’t force you to invest hours in Town Building if it’s not your thing. The developers say they put extra care into designing a system that will reward those who painstakingly develop their bases do, but won’t punish those who don’t. 

Octopath Traveler 0 releases on December 5 for PC (Steam/Windows), PS5/PS4, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Xbox Series X❘S.