Well I haven’t ticked this game off my complete list. In fact, it’s not even been released yet. I don’t know if it’s cruelty or genius to release a demo for a game that has not even been given a release date aside from 2018, which at this point is three and a half months away. I think maybe cruelty as the demo has given me a thirst for this game that I can’t satiate.

The visuals are self described as 2D-HD and it is actually a joy to play as they seem familiar and yet new. At this point being an adult who plays video games I really appreciate adding something new to a genre that makes it fresh again. I’m a big fan of RPG’s. I still pick up a new one now and again. RPG’s such as Fantasy life, Pokemon, Ever Oasis, Dragon Quest, and Monster Hunter have become staples of my life. What I like about all of them is how they draw me into their world. Octopath Traveler instantly drew me in. Its art style lends to happy nostalgia vibes but the stories it starts to weave are compelling.

The main game will have 8 protagonists to choose from. The demo has 2. Each character has a special ability that will change the way they solve quests and advance the story. When I first heard that Primrose the dancer has the ability to ‘Allure’ characters into following her I rolled my eyes. The other demo protagonist Olberic the hedge knight has the ability to challenge NPCs to a duel. Now let me explain my eye rolling here. I always hope when I enter a narrative that it will break stereotypes rather than adhere to them and on a simplistic level it looks like a female using her ‘womanly ways’ to manipulate people and a male using his ‘manly ways’ to beat people into compliance. I guess that is what’s happening. What I’m holding onto here is that the other six characters that we can’t play yet may switch it up slightly.

Even if there is something of a stereotypical or archetypal quality to the initial character selection, it’s not putting me off. It doesn’t diminish the intrigue of each story at all. The abilities are also fun to use. Alluring a researcher so she’ll follow you into a cave to see a stone monument and discover some ancient history is one of my favourite side quests.

Olberic’s ability to challenge people to duels also has a bonus. You can beat them, and when they’re knocked out you can go into their houses and take their stuff. This from a supposedly honourable man. I’m not being sarcastic. I actually love this game.

The battle style is awesome. Turn based combat with some new mechanics that really make winning reliant on strategy whilst also being fun to play.

I’ve played 4 hours of this demo already, and it’s just a demo. I don’t know, download it. I think you’ll like it. At least with a great line up of games coming out before 2018 like Stardew Valley for Switch, Super Mario Odyssey, Pokémon Ultra Moon, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, I’ll be able to distract myself from the emptiness.

If you’ve played it tell me what you think!

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