OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0: Everything We Know

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 is such a showstopper. It’s Super NES vibes can easily fool you into thinking it’s one of the many retros flooding the gaming space. But there’s so much more that’s truly special about this JRPG. The retro vibe goes deeper into the battle mechanics, presenting a surprisingly deep turn-based combat system. And let’s not forget how beautifully each of the eight character stories is written, unique and brilliant in depth. 

The original is so good that it gave birth to two more games. And now we’re looking at an upcoming fourth title. Ready to tag along on a new adventure? Well, eight new adventures in eight regions following eight travelers’ journeys? If you are, be sure to note down the release date, gameplay, storyline, and other vital information the developers have revealed so far about the upcoming OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0.

What is OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0?

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 is an upcoming role-playing game. It’ll be the fourth game in the Octopath Traveler series, which was first launched in 2018 by Square Enix and Acquire. Across its three games, it’s been praised for its stunning art style, music, and battle mechanics. Its stories, as well, have been said to be well written, resulting in the overall massive success of the series.

During the Nintendo Partner Direct 2025 event, the developers of the series confirmed the upcoming OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0. By its naming, you can already presume it’ll take us back to the beginning, before the original game’s events began.

Story

OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 will take place in Orsterra, more specifically, a few years before the events of the first game. Orsterra is a returning main world from the series, which fans will likely be aware of. According to Steam, players will be experiencing “a story of restoration and retribution over the divine rings.” Certainly exciting, especially for fans who’ve been following along on the epic adventures across the realm of Orsterra.

Gameplay

Those who’ve played OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 before will notice the unique art style the game uses. The developers have a name for it called “HD-2D graphics,” and essentially include the merge between retro Super NES-style character sprites (or pixel art) and textures and polygonal environments and high-definition effects (or three-dimensional computer-generated graphics). This same art style will be returning to OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0.

Besides the art style, OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 will also borrow the use of Path Actions from previous games. This involves the player enjoying the freedom to choose their own path through making dialogue choices. You’ll also navigate the Boost and Break system during battle. Boost Points (BP) are the points you gain during turns that enhance your play style, while Break happens when you take down the enemy’s Shield Points (SP) to zero, thus stunning them, taking away their next turn, and increasing their damage intake.

However, there’ll still be brand-new features to note. For instance, you’ll enjoy a new character creation tool, as well as be able to build towns. You’ll choose your character’s appearance, voice, motions, and even favorite dish. You can invite your friends to live in your newly constructed towns. 

As always, though, the exciting battle system of Octopath Traveler will remain, perhaps only grow better. It’ll add strategy, choosing from over 30 characters to add to your party of eight. Your Path Actions will dictate who you can invite to your town, engage in battle, or how you obtain items. It’ll determine the places you visit and the things you do there. Meanwhile, you’ll enjoy a new skill system, which you can transfer to allies.

Development

Square Enix has always been at the helm of Octopath Traveler’s production, and they’ll be reprising their roles in the upcoming OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0, alongside Dokidoki Groove Works. They have released quite extensive articles on all there is to know about the upcoming game. So, be sure to check them out here and here. 

The developers promise a faster, more strategic battle system. They do retain many of the previous games’ elements and mechanics. However, they plan to add new changes, too, some of them quite ambitious, like town building. Will Square Enix succeed in superceding Octopath Traveler’s high praise?

Trailer

More information can be found in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 announcement trailer, live now on YouTube. It’s pretty thorough, showcasing the art style we know and love from the previous games. It shows bits of the story, as well as exciting battle sequences. 

A town, once peaceful, hosts smiling faces. They hold the annual Day of Reverence, commencing the ritual of lighting the blue flame that sustains the peace of the town. However, the town is suddenly engulfed in red flames. A once peaceful town is attacked, leaving you with the difficult choice between the heavy themes of revenge and restoration. 

Through Path Actions, the journey ahead is entirely up to you to create and shape to your liking. And as complex as we know the stories of Octopath Traveler to be, we know there’s going to be some truly exciting tension.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

It’s official. OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 will be arriving on December 4, 2025. Moreover, it’ll be coming to all major platforms, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Depending on your platform of choice, you can head over to the respective stores. 

In fact, you can pre-order the game as early as now. There are two editions currently available. The Standard Edition offers the base game at $49.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition offers the base game, Deluxe Travel Provisions, and a Digital Art Book at $59.99. 

There are pre-order bonuses available in the form of Travel Provisions. These are special items and skills you can get from the tavern in the game, and include five healing grapes, five inspiriting plums, two revitalizing jams, and Icewind Mastery. If you’d like more information, feel free to follow the official social media handle here.