Octopath Traveler 2's development is nearing completion, Square Enix has confirmed. Announced just this past week during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, Square Enix unveiled its latest JRPG. Alongside the announcement, Square Enix also confirmed that Octopath Traveler 2 would be launching in February next year. With a relatively near release date and an impressive-looking game, it's perhaps unsurprising that Octopath Traveler 2 is much farther along in development than some might assume.
The original Octopath Traveler was released in 2018, developed by Square Enix Business Division 2. Between then and now, Square Enix has released multiple HD-2D games including the Live A Live remake and Triangle Strategy. This has led some to question where Square Enix's development resources have been split, and which team is working on which game. Octopath Traveler 2's development has been questioned, as a result, with some wondering how far along the game really is and whether it will be ready by February 2023.
In an interview with Famitsu, Square Enix reassured those confused regarding the status of Octopath Traveler 2. The publisher stated that Octopath Traveler 2's development is "90% complete" and that developers are currently in the last stretch. In other words, the game is nearing completion and is on track for release as planned.
It's a strange situation, to say the least. Not only has Square Enix clearly had the development resources to create Octopath Traveler 2 alongside Live A Live, Triangle Strategy, and the upcoming Dragon Quest 3 remake, but it also chose not to announce the game until late in its development. That could be due to marketing, as Square Enix didn't want Octopath Traveler 2 to step on Triangle Strategy's tail, or it could have just been Square Enix wanting to wait for the Nintendo Direct to make the announcement.
Regardless of the reason for the sudden and surprisingly late announcement of Octopath Traveler 2, the game being late in development is evident from early trailers and screenshots. Octopath Traveler 2 features improved HD-2D visuals compared to prior games, which is readily apparent.
90% finished is still 90% finished, of course. There's plenty of Octopath Traveler 2 left to be made. And while February 2023 feels near, there's still around five months until the JRPG's launch. That will hopefully be all the time Square Enix needs to wrap up the final 10% of Octopath Traveler 2 and package the game up for launch across multiple platforms.
Octopath Traveler 2 releases February 24 on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.
Source: Famitsu (via NoisyPixel)