{"id":53058,"date":"2025-10-17T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/?p=53058"},"modified":"2025-10-17T12:13:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T03:13:24","slug":"what-kind-of-game-is-octopath-traveler-0-we-ask-the-developers-behind-the-100-hour-prequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/news\/what-kind-of-game-is-octopath-traveler-0-we-ask-the-developers-behind-the-100-hour-prequel\/","title":{"rendered":"What kind of game is Octopath Traveler 0? We ask the developers behind the 100-hour prequel\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Octopath Traveler 0<\/strong>, the latest entry in Square Enix\u2019s turn-based JRPG series, is set to release on December 5, introducing character creation and town building simulation-style gameplay to the franchise for the first time. The title\u2019s origin is somewhat unique, as it\u2019s a brand-new game built on the foundations of a live-service mobile RPG. To get an idea about how much of Octopath Traveler 0 was made from scratch and how the game is structured, AUTOMATON talked to game director Yasuhiro Kidera and producer Hiroto Suzuki.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 | Announce Trailer\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PSRFT5OVqKs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-console-game-based-on-a-mobile-game-designed-to-feel-like-a-console-game\"><strong>A console game based on a mobile game designed to feel like a console game<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, the game Octopath Traveler 0 is based on \u2013 Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent \u2013 was originally built around the concept of \u201ca mobile game that plays like a console RPG.\u201d Due to its enduring success and high demand from players for a complete, buy-to-play version, Octopath Traveler 0 was born. However, rather than a straightforward port, this new title was essentially made from scratch, as a way to offer something new even to players familiar with the original mobile game.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn terms of the overall experience, we designed it so that even players who have already cleared Champions of the Continent will find about 50% of the game fresh. Roughly 30 to 40% of the main scenario is completely new, and we\u2019ve restructured it entirely around the concept of \u2018you as the protagonist.\u2019 All side quests and party chats were written from scratch, and the voice acting was recorded anew,\u201d Suzuki explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1345\" height=\"756\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1345px) 100vw, 1345px\" src=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-002.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-002.jpg 1345w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-002-380x214.jpg 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-002-768x432.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest difference, however, is in the battles. While some bosses from the mobile game were reused, Octopath Traveler 0\u2019s level design and most of the enemy roster was rebuilt from the ground up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-100-hour-game-and-that-s-if-you-don-t-get-carried-away-with-town-building\"><strong>A 100-hour game&#8230;and that\u2019s if you don\u2019t get carried away with town building<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Based on Square Enix\u2019s internal playtests, Octopath Traveler 0 takes about 100 hours to complete. Suzuki says this checks out with his own run. \u201cI focused mostly on the main story and didn\u2019t spend much time on town-building, so it could take even more time for dedicated players.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1341\" height=\"754\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1341px) 100vw, 1341px\" src=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-001.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-001.jpg 1341w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-001-380x214.jpg 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-001-768x432.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although its rich volume borders on daunting, Suzuki says that Octopath Traveler 0 will, much like past entries, give you a good deal of freedom when it comes to choosing which storylines to advance. \u201cThat said, certain stories may require you to complete other events first, so while the freedom is high, the narratives are intricately intertwined.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prequel-or-a-parallel-world\"><strong>Prequel, or a parallel world?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Octopath Traveler 0 is set in Orsterra, the same continent as the series&#8217; first installment, and chronologically, the game is positioned as a direct prequel. However, Suzuki mentions that depending on the choices you make, it can also play out as a parallel timeline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn Octopath Traveler 0, you can choose whether or not to recruit characters outside of the main story. For instance, Tressa, one of the protagonists from the first game, appears as a playable character here, but chronologically, she isn&#8217;t supposed to have embarked on her journey yet. So, if you do choose to recruit her, the story will diverge from the original; and if you don\u2019t, the continuity remains intact.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1344\" height=\"751\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1344px) 100vw, 1344px\" src=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-003.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-53067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-003.jpg 1344w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-003-380x212.jpg 380w, https:\/\/automaton-media.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251017-53058-003-768x429.jpg 768w\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it might sound a little confusing, Octopath Traveler 0 essentially starts out as a prequel, but your choices determine how closely it will align with the first game\u2019s timeline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.square-enix-games.com\/en_EU\/games\/octopath-traveler-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Octopath Traveler 0<\/a> releases on December 5 for PC (<a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/3014320\/OCTOPATH_TRAVELER_0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Steam<\/a>\/Windows), PS5\/PS4, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Xbox Series X\u2758S.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Square Enix&#8217;s Yasuhiro Kidera and Hiroto Suzuki talk about what Octopath Traveler fans should expect from the upcoming 100-hour-long prequel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,3],"tags":[17],"class_list":["post-53058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews","category-news","tag-japan-related-news"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What kind of game is Octopath Traveler 0? 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