I'll be honest, when I first heard they were developing another installment titled Octopath Traveler 0, and then learned it was based on a mobile title Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, I was initially skeptical. Personally, I felt somewhat fatigued after playing so many Octopath Traveler games. However, after completing the first chapter, I am happy to report that I still maintain a high level of optimism and truly enjoyed my time with the game.

Octopath Traveler 0 emphasizes a story and  journey that you can call your own, offering a wide variety of customization and balancing that together with an engaging narrative story that will feel more charming and fun. I absolutely adored the voice acting and characters, particularly how the high-quality delivery of the dialogue breathes life into even the smallest interactions, making the main protagonist's journey feel immediately impactful and emotionally resonant within the established world.

The main protagonist in Octopath Traveler 0 is customizable, allowing players to select their gender (male or female) from a limited option set. This system is reminiscent of cozy life-sims like Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon, lending a charming touch that promises a more engaging personal connection to the story. While the available color options were somewhat disappointing, I remain intrigued to see how Square Enix will integrate this personalized main character into the overarching narrative.

As a series veteran, I found the combat in this console recreation to be both familiar and remarkably fresh. Square Enix did a stellar job recreating the mobile title, adding a deeper layer of strategy that significantly elevates the experience. The new ultimate attacks and action skills make fighting an absolute breeze, transforming the expected grind into an enjoyable and addictive loop. Furthermore, the new town feature, with its personalization and NPC additions, offers a welcome and engaging distraction from the epic amount of grinding the game requires. I spent most of the chapter playing as a warrior seeing how much damage i could inflict on the enemy and I am eager to try out the rest of the classes in the full release. 

It's incredibly refreshing to see Square Enix successfully transform one of their mobile titles into a robust console game. Between the dynamic, refreshed combat and the deeply engaging, class-based grinding system, Octopath Traveler 0 promises to be an absolute time sink in the best way possible. The experience is topped off with high-quality character voice acting. For those who love cozy games or traditional RPGs, this is definitely a game to keep on your radar. I can't wait to see more.