The Project Octopath Traveler demo has seen over a million downloads, and hype for the game’s eventual release has not waned since. Famitsu magazine recently interviewed producer Masashi Takahashi and director Keisuke Miyauchi regarding the game’s initial development concepts and its amazing “HD-2D” graphical style.
It should come as no surprise that Tomoya Asano, head of the Bravely series, was brought on board for Project Octopath Traveler – the Boost command in the latter instantly recalls the use of Brave Points in the former. Miyauchi and Acquire were recruited for their prowess in pixel art. Perfecting that art style proved difficult, sometimes lacking depth, other times overdoing the resolution.
The complete version of Project Octopath Traveler will feature eight characters, four men and four women. Olberic and Primrose were selected for the demo because their stories begin close together so that they could team up after completing their respective stories. Takahashi revealed that each of their classes are based on medieval European occupations, and that the time wanted to portray each more realistically for this game.
What might surprise some fans is that the Boost and Break systems were added to the combat after a process of trial-and-error, rather than at the start. The team knew from the get-go, however, that a cut-and-dry turn-based battle system wouldn’t engage the audience as well. Project Octopath Traveler‘s current combat mechanic was chosen after testing to make battles more entertaining.
Not revealed during the interview: a release date. SE seems determined to let nobody have any idea when they’ll be able to play the game, or even a hint as to the identities and jobs of the other six heroes. The latter, at least, is a good move on their part to keep fans licking their lips in anticipation. Project Octopath Traveler will be available simultaneously worldwide sometime this year, so it won’t be much longer to wait.