Popular Square Enix RPG coming to Xbox next year
Octopath Traveler 2, the sequel to the popular RPG, will be released in early 2024 on Xbox and Microsoft PC, expanding the collection of Square Enix ...
Chantal Da Silva
Sept 22, 2023
Octopath Traveler 2, the sequel to the popular RPG, will be released in early 2024 on Xbox and Microsoft PC, expanding the collection of Square Enix RPGs on Microsoft platforms.
Xbox players are excited about the release, but they are frustrated that Xbox still lags behind the competition and emphasize the popularity of the JRPG subgenre among non-Xbox owners.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer aims to expand the Xbox brand by acquiring more publishers and bringing popular role-playing games like Final Fantasy to the platform. In doing so, he is following his interest in diversifying the Xbox offering beyond multiplayer shooters.
The RPG Octopath Traveler 2 by Square Enix will be released next year for Xbox and Microsoft PC. Its predecessor, Octopath Traveler, was already available on Xbox Game Pass in 2021 but was removed from the subscription service one month after the release of Octopath Traveler 2.
Octopath Traveler 2 is the sequel to the game Octopath Traveler from 2018 but is considered as a standalone game. This title builds upon the elements that were well-received by players, such as its charming pixelated art with a 2.5D perspective and the traditional turn-based RPG gameplay mechanics that are rare in Square Enix's other RPGs nowadays, as the company experiments with blending its classic RPGs with other genres. Octopath Traveler 2 introduces eight new characters, abilities, and stories in a new world called Solistia. While not all of Square Enix's other franchises are available on Xbox, both Octopath Traveler games will be available on Microsoft platforms.
Square Enix has announced that the highly acclaimed game Octopath Traveler 2 will be released in early 2024 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. This announcement was accompanied by a short trailer that provides a glimpse into the visual effects and gameplay of the game.
Some Xbox players have expressed their joy that Octopath Traveler 2 has found its way to Xbox, but it is still frustrating how it continues to lag behind the competition. Square Enix is a Japanese video game company known for its RPGs such as the long-running franchises Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts. The release of Octopath Traveler 2 on Xbox could open doors to further expand the library of Japanese RPGs, a subgenre that is not as popular among Xbox owners. It is no secret that Xbox CEO Phil Spencer is interested in acquiring more publishers as he sees it as a significant step for the company and its customers, especially since its platforms continue to struggle to captivate an audience outside of the US and Europe who enjoy non-Western RPGs.
Xbox has carved out a solid place in the gaming industry, being known for multiplayer shooter games like its exclusive title Halo and online experiences. Therefore, it's not surprising that Xbox is not initially associated with RPGs for most players. Over the years, Spencer has shown interest and openness to experiment with new ideas for the Xbox brand. This includes engaging with the demographic group that enjoys RPGs on Nintendo and PlayStation. Spencer hopes that Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16 will be ported to Xbox, as several other RPGs have already found their way to the platform.
Octopath Traveler 2 is now available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and PS4. This game will also be available for Xbox Series X|S in early 2024.