Feed aggregator

Octopath Traveler 0 is a different kind of Octopath game.

It still features the series’ distinctive HD-2D aesthetics, the tried and tested break and boost battle system, and even returning characters and locations. It also mixes things up from the now well-understood formula.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: December 4, 2025

The plot, for example, doesn’t feature the namesake eight-character storylines – the octo paths, as it were. Instead, your adventure focuses on your own player-created character for the first time, who is on a quest of retribution against the villains that destroyed their home town – each embodying the vices of Wealth, Power, and Fame.

You are still joined by other adventurers – over 30 in fact, though I haven’t unlocked them all yet – however, they are along for your ride rather than you following each of their distinct journeys like we would in the other series entries.

The eight-person theme isn’t wholly lost, thankfully, with combat being redesigned to feature eight-person parties – a team of four in the front, and four in the back. I’ll go into more details on why I love this change below, but know that it provides a lot more depth and customisation possibilities to party composition without making fights feel too trivially easy.

Something wicked this way comes (Image credit: Square Enix)

Both of these changes make sense; however, when you remember Octopath Traveler 0 isn’t a new game. It’s adapted from the Octopath: Champions of the Continent mobile gacha game. A free-to-play system necessitates a wide array of characters to unlock, can’t have its story focus too much on your party because you might not own those travelers, and would want to allow for bigger teams so you can use more of the cool units you’ve invested in financially.

Now, Octopath Traveler 0 isn’t a gacha game. I’m just saying you can feel remnants of the game it’s based on from what’s presented, and it can feel a little jarring at first because it isn’t Octopath as we’ve known it – in fact, you could convince me it's a lost 2D Final Fantasy at times.

Stick with this adventure, however, and you’ll see it has plenty to offer on an engaging adventure that will keep you entertained for tens and tens of hours – no additional purchases necessary.

Revenge and reconstruction

(Image credit: Square Enix)

As I mentioned in the intro, in terms of its story, Octopath Traveler 0 doesn’t feel very ‘Octopath’ at all. Rather than following eight plots for eight distinct adventurers which coalesce into a finale, you instead follow your own adventure – and can recruit over 30 different heroes to your party.

You create your own custom character for this game and then must face stories focused on the corrupting influences of Wealth, Power, and Fame – where you'll find the meat of the plot.

This focus on a linear story with a more limited opportunity to explore branched tracks is very different from Octopaths that have come before, but it’s not a wholly negative change. My gripe is simply that the less free-form plot feels better suited to a classic Final Fantasy 2D entry rather than an Octopath adventure.

It's not a bad adventure, though, in fact, it's a very compelling one with proper villains you can’t help but hate – a real classic RPG story. I simply found the change of pace a little jarring for this series specifically.

Time to rebuild (Image credit: Square Enix)

There's also the Rekindling the Flame plot, which has the protagonist reconstruct their old home town by finding its surviving residents and rebuilding the long destroyed features that made it a home.

It's not as in-depth as a true cosy town simulator, but it is a delightful change of pace from the action-focused adventure. Plus, channelling your retribution into something more constructive can yield useful benefits – including the ability to power up your allies. So it's worth pursuing even if vengeance is your only goal.

To battle!

While the plot might not feel very Octopath, the turn-based combat feels more Octo than ever. That’s because your group now consists of eight fighters – a four-person front row and a four-person back row – which allows for a much more diverse team composition than the series’ usual four-person limit.

Only the characters in the front row can take actions, but each hero can swap with their partner behind them so that they can take a turn, and there are unlockable skills that allow your back row to support the folks in front of them without needing to take an action, or allow your front row to use a skill and tag out in a single move.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

For example, in my currently build I’ve paired up a cleric who can automatically heal the person in front of them with my squishy spell caster as their health can run low very quickly without support, and my tank who can provoke attacks is paired with an ally who has a skill that lets her fire her bow and instantly tag out – so she can swap in for a quick damage burst and then let my tank keep taking the hits.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Combat feels like such a step up from the previous game, thanks to the bigger party allowing for more personalization of your team than ever, and setting off an Ultimate Technique never gets old.

The other big change is that your created character has unlocked a special skill called an Ultimate Technique. As the name implies, this charged ability (you can’t just spam it all the time) allows the protagonist to perform a big burst – you can unlock options like performing a mass heal or dealing a powerful strike, among others – that can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

As you improve your town, you'll rebuild the training grounds so other party members can unlock their techniques too – I told you there’s a reason to play house even if your only goal is violence.

None of this is to say fights are trivial thanks to your ultimate moves and larger team. Boss battles and higher-level bouts can still present a challenge if you don’t prepare yourself. You can push your luck into higher-level locations to some extent, but for main quests, you'll find even adventures three or four levels above where you currently are can prove trickier than expected if you aren’t careful.

(Image credit: Square Enix)Octopath or not, it's still delightful

Octopath Traveler 0 is a really enjoyable RPG experience, whether it feels truly Octopath to me or not.

Because all of the changes still work. The cohesive, more solo story is an awesome adventure that feels like the fantasy epic that RPGs have taken players on for decades, and the combat is compelling and with some many team members allows for some really creative and personal party composition.

There’s also been a simplification of path actions, which is a lot easier to follow than the confusing web of abilities offered in Octopath Traveler 2 – even if it strips away the identity of each character further than their lack of a unique plot already does.

If you love the Octopath series, a new adventure through Osterra will appeal, while fans of more typical RPGs may find this entry to be more accessible than ever, given that it follows a more standard story structure.

I’ve had a delightful time on my adventure, and at the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

(Image credit: Square Enix)Should you play Octopath Traveler 0?Play it if…

You want a classic RPG
Octopath Traveler 0 feels like a classic RPG. You've got a meaty plot and robust turn-based combat system to sink your teeth into.

You like to choose your own adventure
While not quite as free and open as Octopath usually is, this entry does feature a branching plot and a wide variety of characters to customize your team around.

You crave 2D beauty
I don't care how many times I see HD 2D aesthetics; they'll always be beautiful, and Octopath Traveler 0 is as pretty as a picture.

Don't play it if…

You want a cozy town builder
While rebuilding your home is a core plot of this story is still mostly focused on combat and adventure than cozy vibes.

You want proper Octopath
If Octopath‘s distinct brand of RPG is what you crave, then you won't hate this title; it just might not quite hit the spot for you.

You hate turn-based tactical combat
Turn-based combat isn’t for everyone, and while Octopath's break and boost system does some things to liven up the combat, it won't make turn-based action everyone's bag.

Acessibility

In terms of accessibility as a turn-based RPG, Octopath Traveler 0 has the advantage that players can take combat at their own pace – you can take 5 seconds or 5 minutes to make a move if you need.

The cutscenes are also played out as text dialogue that you can have play automatically, one message at a time, or at a faster auto speed if you want to rush through. Again, allowing you to enjoy the game at your own pace.

Most major cutscenes are also voiced, making it even easier to follow the plot if you hate excessive reading (as someone who’s dyslexic, voice acting is always a massive help for me).

How I reviewed Octopath Traveler 0

I played Octopath Traveler 0 on my Nintendo Switch 2, mostly playing undocked, but I did make sure to load the game up on my TV too to get a sense of the grander scale it has on a 55-inch QLED screen.

During my playthrough, I tried not just to follow the mainline quest but also to explore the sidequests and other adventuring opportunities to get a feel of the whole experience Octopath Traveler 0 offers.

First reviewed November-December 2025

Octopath Traveler 0 is another excellent RPG in this new-era classic franchise but less Octopath than ever.

Bassem Khandaqji entered prison 21 years ago for plotting a deadly bombing in Israel. He left prison as an award-winning novelist.

(Image credit: Ahmed Abuhamda)

Your plant-loving giftee probably has all the basics covered, so instead, consider plant tech that can take their greenery to the next level.

Russia's communications regulator has threatened a complete ban on WhatsApp. The move comes as the Kremlin's crackdown on internet freedom intensifies.

We dive into the world of the upcoming open-world game Ananta with the team at developer Naked Rain.

Belgium on Wednesday rejected a plan to use frozen Russian assets to help prop up Ukraine's economy and war effort over the next two years, saying that the scheme poses financial and legal risks.

(Image credit: Virginia Mayo)

The OnePlus 15 is a five-star phone, and US buyers will be able to pre-order it from December 4.

Air Bud.'/>

The road to redistricting in Missouri has been wild and winding, but its tie to a 1997 kids' movie starring a basketball-playing golden retriever might be the most unexpected development of all.

(Image credit: Walt Disney Pictures)

Left: Ed Martin was one of the authors of the law now known as IDEA. Before the law, children with disabilities were often turned away from public schools. "They were invisible," says Martin. Right: Maggie Heilman and her daughter, Brooklynn, 14, at their home in a Kansas City suburb. Brooklynn has Down syndrome and her own special education plan thanks to IDEA.'/>

The Trump administration has fired, or tried to fire, many of the federal staff who manage and enforce federal disability law in schools.

(Image credit: Thomas Simonetti and Katie Currid for NPR)

The legislation comes after the White House authorized up to 600 military lawyers to be temporary immigration judges and scrapped requirements for them to have immigration law experience.

(Image credit: Bryan R. Smith)

As RFK Jr.'s new vaccine panel ponders changing the hepatitis B vaccination schedule, some doctors recall past patients, including children, who died painful deaths before there was a vaccine.

(Image credit: Eric Harkleroad)

The word "ideology" has become a fixture in American political rhetoric, invoked by leaders to cast opponents' beliefs as dangerous, stupid or unfounded. But it wasn't always this way.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)

Here's how to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live outside the UK, with and without BBC Sounds.

Lithuanian authorities accused Belarus of deliberate disruption after weather balloons directed at Vilnius Airport's runways forced an 11-hour shutdown on Saturday.

(Image credit: AP)

I'll tell you what wasn't on my Christmas list to Santa this year – unironically enjoying (nay, loving) a Netflix festive film. I've watched a lot of bad ones in this job, but My Secret Santa is undoubtedly the best of the sappy genre.

In a nutshell, it's Mrs. Doubtfire if Robin Williams decided to be a Santa drag king instead of a sassy Scottish pensioner. Instead of a man desperately trying to win his estranged wife back, single mom Taylor (Alexandra Breckenridge) needs fast cash to send her daughter to an elite snowboarding resort.

By being employed there, she'd get a staff discount, but the only opening is for a seasonal Father Christmas. Bing bang boom... she gets the job in a full Santa makeover.

Of course, romance is in the air too. Matthew (Ryan Eggold) recognizes former singer Taylor in a record store, and just so happens to be the new general manager at the resort – you can already guess how it's going to end just by reading this synopsis.

Whichever Netflix casting agent had the foresight to merge Virgin River and New Amsterdam's leading actors together deserves a massive festive bonus, in my eyes. Together Breckenridge and Eggold deliver a genuinely well-crafted tale that perfectly slots into the cozy sub-genre they've both whittled into shape over the years.

If anything, it almost makes up for the fact we're not getting Virgin River season 7 this month (if you squint hard enough, I'm sure Eggold would look enough like Martin Henderson).

My Secret Santa cements Alexandra Breckenridge as the Queen of Netflix

If you suggest I'm solely writing this review as an excuse to write a love letter to Breckenridge's work and further my cause to try and interview her in 2026, I don't know what you're talking about.

She carries My Secret Santa squarely on her shoulders, and she completely pulls off what is, rationally speaking, a completely implausible story. This is the kind of tale she was born to tell, and the movie's happy-go-lucky vibes underpinned by more authentic real-world problems suits her warm and engaging personality incredibly well.

In essence, I don't actually care about Taylor's character arc or her capers while wearing the baggy pants of Father Christmas – I'm just always buying what Breckenridge is selling. It's impossible to not be entranced by her screentime, exuding natural charm in everything she does. You want to be her, you want to be best friends with her... even when she's pretending to be an old man.

As far as Christmas movies go, this one is pretty original

I don't think Alexandra Breckenridge has ever looked better. (Image credit: Netflix)

The biggest compliment I can give My Secret Santa is that it feels current without trying too hard. There are no shudder-worthy TikTok jokes, no trends being jumped on, and nobody trying too hard to fit into a mould that isn't inherently them. Yes, the ending is undoubtedly cringe, but it's in keeping with the spirit of Christmas movies.

Tia Mowry isn't a natural fit as a villain, and there's no huge stakes aside from Taylor's daughter not being able to snowboard. However, we're here to get invested into a romantic connection, not be plunged into terror. Obviously, it's all a bit naff (lacking in taste and style, for my non-Brits), but that comes with the territory.

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I'm already contemplating watching My Secret Santa again (which is essentially the equivalent of pigs flying). I got so much joy, warmth and feel-good vibes from Netflix's latest festive offering, and that's how you know it's a job done well.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

I can’t believe I’m impressed by a Netflix Christmas movie, but My Secret Santa is the best of the year.

Wild boys (wild boys!) never lose it – and by 'it', I do mean this super-sparkly Duran Duran Walkman

The Devolo WiFi 6 Router 3600 5G LTE is a network-enabled router that makes it possible to connect to either a standard broadband connection or, with a SIM installed, use a mobile for internet connection. This means that as long as you have AC power, you can use this powerful dual-band WiFi 6 router in almost any location.

The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications such as requests for green cards for people from 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year.

(Image credit: Erin Hooley)