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Critics received the original Octopath Traveler favorably, especially for its turn-based combat, retro-inspired audiovisual style, and eight distinct character stories. The main reservation was that those stories can feel disconnected. Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch page displayed an 83 Metascore when retrieved on October 8, 2026, but another page snapshot reports a different critic count, so the score and review totals should be read as platform-specific snapshots rather than permanent figures.
What was the critics’ overall verdict?
Metacritic’s Nintendo Switch critic page displayed an 83 Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” on October 8, 2026. That snapshot listed 87 reviews: 70 positive (89%), 9 mixed (11%), and none negative. Metacritic’s Switch page is the source for those figures.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (NSW) | $48.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | $36.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Octopath Traveler: The Complete Guide | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Octopath Traveler II - PlayStation 5 | $33.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Octopath Traveler TRPG Rulebook | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
A separate embedded Metacritic panel on GameFAQs’ Octopath Traveler page, also retrieved October 8, 2026, showed an 83 Switch score based on 79 critics. The different review totals are page snapshots, not a single settled lifetime count. Keep the 83 score tied to the Switch and the source displaying it.
What did critics like about Octopath Traveler?
Strategic, turn-based battles
Combat was one of the clearest strengths in the reviews. IGN’s Switch review, dated July 12, 2018, scored the game 93/100 and praised its battle system as a loving tribute to the Super NES era that also moves the formula forward. The review is reproduced on Metacritic’s Switch critic page.
#1 Best Overall
- Embark on an adventure of your own creation. The latest in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series.
- New story content – Experience original, streamlined story content and quests with new paths to achieve.
- Character creation – Create a customized protagonist with unique appearance, voice, motions and more.
- Town building system – Rebuild the protagonist's town as the story progresses with evolving town reconstruction mechanics and development while inviting new people to live in the town.*
- HD-2D Visuals – The series’ iconic graphic style returns, bringing a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
Retro-inspired presentation and music
Reviewers also highlighted the game’s visual identity and soundtrack. Nintendo Life gave the Switch version 90/100 on July 12, 2018, praising its classic-inspired gameplay and orchestrated soundtrack; its excerpt calls the game a “must buy.” Digitally Downloaded’s 100/100 review, listed on the same Metacritic page that day, praised the ambition of giving eight characters space for their own stories and the expressive use of sprites rather than photo-realistic graphics.
Eight character-led stories
The structure gives each of the eight travelers a distinct story, making the varied protagonists a central part of the game’s appeal. Steam’s official PC listing describes eight playable characters and stories alongside Path Actions, turn-based combat, and retro 2D-RPG-inspired visuals set in a 3D world: Octopath Traveler on Steam.
Rank #2
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
What were the main criticisms?
The stories can feel separate
The same character-focused structure that gives the game variety drew a recurring caveat: the individual arcs do not always feel strongly connected. IGN said the eight stories could have used more connection, even while its reviewer looked forward to completing them and exploring side areas, optional bosses, and final job classes. That is a limitation of narrative integration, not a claim that the separate arcs lack appeal.
Strong parts do not always add up to a cohesive whole
PC Gamer’s PC review excerpt, reproduced in GameFAQs’ embedded Metacritic panel, offered a sharper counterpoint: “Never quite the sum of its parts, Octopath Traveler is a game with brilliant moments rather than a brilliant game.” This is a PC review, not a Switch review, and should not be conflated with the Switch score.
Do Switch and PC review scores match?
No. The available snapshots show different scores by platform and source. The Switch figures below are tied to Metacritic pages retrieved October 8, 2026; individual critic scores are from reviews dated July 12, 2018. The PC score is from GameFAQs’ embedded Metacritic panel on that same retrieval date.
| Platform or review | Displayed score | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch aggregate | 83 Metascore | Metacritic Switch critic page; 87 reviews in the October 8, 2026 snapshot |
| Nintendo Switch aggregate | 83, based on 79 critics | GameFAQs embedded Metacritic panel; October 8, 2026 snapshot |
| PC aggregate | 80, based on 23 critics | GameFAQs embedded Metacritic panel; October 8, 2026 snapshot |
| IGN, Switch review | 93/100 | Review dated July 12, 2018, listed on Metacritic |
| Nintendo Life, Switch review | 90/100 | Review dated July 12, 2018, listed on Metacritic |
| Digitally Downloaded, Switch review | 100/100 | Review dated July 12, 2018, listed on Metacritic |
These figures describe different platform pages or individual reviews; they are not directly interchangeable. Aggregator scores and review counts can change or differ across page snapshots.
Rank #4
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish; You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more; Where will you go, What will you do, Every path is yours to take
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating; New mechanics have also been added
Which version do the reviews cover?
The original Nintendo Switch release date was July 12, 2018. The PC version followed on Steam on June 7, 2019, developed by Square Enix and ACQUIRE Corp. and published by Square Enix. The cited individual IGN and Nintendo Life reviews are Switch reviews; PC Gamer’s quoted counterpoint is from the PC review. For that reason, a review score is most useful when read with its platform attached.
Is Octopath Traveler worth playing?
The critical reception points to a strong fit for players who want tactical turn-based combat, a distinctive retro-inspired presentation, and multiple character-led adventures. If a tightly interwoven ensemble narrative is essential, the split between the eight stories is the main caveat to weigh. A physical Nintendo Switch release and a named “Traveler’s Compendium Edition” existed, but the available historical material does not establish current stock, price, or edition contents. Steam provides an official PC listing; current prices and retail availability are not established here.
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