Square Enix is one of the few developers and publishers known for a specific genre niche. While Ubisoft, EA, and Bethesda provide a number of titles that fit different interests, Square Enix is the industry leader in Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), making a name for itself with mammoth franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest among others. The sixteenth mainline entry in Final Fantasy's catalog is arriving next year, but that's not to say Square Enix is abandoning smaller titles like the recently announced Octopath Traveler 2.

JRPGs can be presented in a number of different ways, with graphical fidelity and glitzy combat not necessarily indicative of a good product. Chrono Trigger is generally more revered than Final Fantasy 15 despite being over 20 years older, for example. Octopath Traveler 2 and Bravely Default 2 are by no means AAA in their approach to presentation, but their smaller size sends a message to fans that Square Enix is committed to JRPGs of all shapes and sizes.

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Octopath Traveler Shows Bigger Isn't Better for JRPGs

Octopath Traveler 2 Cover

Though its HD-2D visuals are gorgeous and add new elements to nostalgic offerings, Octopath Traveler is significantly smaller than the most popular Square Enix properties. Its charm is in its simplicity, and though it garnered strong critical praise, sales didn't reflect the quality. The emergence of Octopath Traveler 2 is great news for fans, and the opportunity to develop on what the first game started is something Square Enix surely won't squander.

Bravely Default 2 released in 2021, and is perhaps a canary in the coal mine that gives insight for how Octopath Traveler 2 will pan out. It was received well enough to justify more entries, but a potential Bravely Default 3 is likely some time away. Luckily, it seems Square Enix is dedicated to making Octopath Traveler a franchise in the meantime, which should softens the blow for JRPG fans. The pair of releases are signs that Square Enix wants to produce more than just huge AAA Final Fantasy titles, and it has the capability to do so with ease.

Square Enix is Focused on Innovation

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Video games have a lot of potential for innovation and new ideas despite being a popular source of entertainment for almost half a century. More money usually means higher risk, which makes big developers inclined to rely on mechanics and philosophies that are tested and proven to be effective. Square Enix' AAA offerings are no different, as Final Fantasy 16 will not have an open world, instead mimicking Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

However, Square Enix' reach is huge, and it has the ability to try approaching game design in a number of ways. Bravely Default 2 is a superb game despite not boasting revolutionary visuals, but Octopath Traveler introduces new quirks to the typical turn-based combat system, wrapped in an HD-2D style that has since been utilized in Triangle Strategy and the remake of SNES classic Live A Live. A smaller scale and budget means there's less pressure for a game to succeed, which is why developers can try new things to stand out. Final Fantasy will always draw the biggest audiences, but Octopath Traveler 2 and Bravely Default 2 are proof that Square Enix is committed to more than just the big sales.

Octopath Traveler 2 launches February 24, 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.

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