Octopath Traveler, the retro-style role-playing game originally developed for Nintendo Switch, has followed a curious release schedule. The title was billed as a big exclusive for the hybrid console, before eventually launching on PC and later Google Stadia. This week it’ll be added to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service, although the Xbox One port has barely been acknowledged by publisher Square Enix.
We assumed that’s because it would be featured during last week’s Square Enix Presents livestream, where we expected it to be announced for the PlayStation 5 and PS4 as well, but the title wasn’t mentioned at all. As such, we checked in with the Japanese firm to ask whether the title would release on Sony’s system at all, but the publisher told us that it was “unable to provide comment” on our query. Curious stuff.
Gematsu also checked in with the organisation, and shared the following comment on Twitter: “We have no updates at this time for Octopath Traveler aside from what was already announced.” So, what’s going on here? This reminds us of when Yakuza: Like a Dragon was pushed back a few months on PS5 for contractual reasons, although we’re scratching our head over the prospect of Microsoft buying timed exclusivity for a title already available on various other platforms.
It’s a weird one, for sure – it’s hard to imagine that Square Enix would skip PlayStation entirely if it was already porting the game to Xbox One, but right now all we have are these non-answers from the publisher. Will it come out on PS5 and PS4 eventually? It’s hard to imagine it won’t, but seeing as the Final Fantasy maker won’t give us a roadmap, our only real suggestion is for you to sit tight and see what unfolds later in the year.
Comments 43
It suits being on Switch, I don't know if I would have bought it on a PlayStation console if it had released on both at the same time, but at least there's a possibility more people might be able to play it.
I first thought it would stay Switch exclusive for good considering worldwide the game was being published by Nintendo themselves but if it's coming to Xbox One then obviously a PS4 or PS5 version has to be in the cards somewhere down the road, and it'll be good for getting the game out to more people since Octopath is legit one of the best Square games I've played in a while
I personally haven't bought the PC version because I just prefer playing a game like that on my Switch in bed. It's why I basically triple dipped when the PS1/PS2 Final Fantasy games came to Switch as well. Switch is a great console for JRPGs since its portable nature makes grinding a way more comfortable experience imo
Money money money money...money 💵💰💸
Sony didn't care for japanese games except AAA titles it seems, oh well at least I can play it on gamepass pc. Thats disappointing though since I like playing rpg on console rather than pc or portables.
Such a good game I played a lot of it on Switch. Might be worth getting back into with achievements/trophies, the battles are fun imo.
I have Gamepass so may as well give it a whirl again there.
I remember when I said on this very site that it would come to PS4 eventually, even if it was a few years later, and a certain writer said otherwise.
I simply said, well why wouldnt it? It runs in a scalable engine, and the PC port showed that fact off well.
And yet here we are
"No comment" usually means "Not announced yet, but yeah" in this context. Otherwise it tends to be "No plans."
It's a pretty great game, and this is coming from someone who generally doesn't care much for Square RPGs. Really enjoyed my time with it on Switch.
This game will be beautiful in 12k with SHDR and 40bit color on SXYBGHD.51x547 color palette
This is odd. I was really paying attention to this info and they didn’t even mention the Xbox version during the event. Weird
I played the demo on Switch and I didn't care for it. I'll play it if it comes to PlayStation and it's in a sale probably.
@Gaia093 Haha same when I read "no comment" it translated to, "oh so that's a yes," in my brain. That's a game I'd for sure pick up on PS4.
The "no comment" usually means yes, but not right know... Got to wait until the MS deal expires.
Really looking forward to this gorgeous game on the playstation and hunting down its Platinum trophy. The music and art bring back so much nostalgia for the snes Final Fantasy games
This game has some of the best mechanics I've ever tried in JRPG's, from the way Jobs work to the battle system, which is in my top 3 turn-based systems of all time.
So if you like JRPG's for their mechanics, by all means get it!
It helps that it's also gorgeous to look at and the OST is amazing.
The only real letdown is how disjointed the 8 characters' stories are, which is certainly pretty damning for a JRPG; all in all it's a great game though.
Even if it came to ps4, i don't know that I'd ever buy it. The writing in it is extremely bland and sometimes even laughable
Apart from the combat, which felt like a mix of SMT/Persona and Bravely Default, everything else was painfully by the books. Despite JRPGs being my favorite genre, i don't think I can sit through a generic one especially one with a bland story
treating playstation gamers as third class citizens. screw off s-e. you won't be getting my money for this. i was interested 3 years ago but that ship has sailed.
Game Pass has pretty much deleted half of my PSN wish list.
I’m going to buy an Xbox now, it’s insane how many games are on there now.
I can’t justify buying a game which is on game pass.
Always been playstation, well down Xbox marketing
@wiiware what a load of rubbish, there's an absolute shedload of non-AAA Japanese games on Playstation
@clvr yeah I really liked it mechanics-wise and i find it beautiful but after 20-30 hoursI started to feel a bit frustrated by the writing and the blandness of the characters.
Not really sure how I feel about the game overall, it has so many ups and downs.
Microsoft basically paid to keep it off PlayStation for a few months in hopes of adding new fans to Gamepass. I guarantee it's a similar deal to Yakuza Like a Dragon.
Funny thing, nobody will give a f*** about it on XB. The fanboys will cheer and brag just like they did for Yakuza, but the percentage of ppl on GP who play or finish the game will be low, just like Yakuza. The usual jokers will tell u these are huge wins and that these games are great, but they never cared before, and they won't ever truly care. XB fanboys downplayed Nier, Hellblade, and Yakuza until they came to XB....and then they simply pretended to care.
SE, just like Sega, took the money and snubbed real JRPG fans. Boo. Bad play.
It's definitely a game that should be available to all but its hardly a PS5 essential, more PS3.
I'd be more interested to see what could be bubbling under with Microsoft and square enix.. first outriders goes to GP, now this.. is this a push with them and life is strange will be next or even another publisher to be swallowed up by Microsoft altogether...
@iamtylerdurden1 interesting theory and likely some truth in it!
@iamtylerdurden1 I think that's why microsoft make gamepass, their audience rarely buy their exclusives so microsoft make them "free" and hoping at least the fanboys want to subscribe for games lol.
Bought 2 years of gamepass pc for $122 (gold $120 + gamepass promotion $2), it's good for trying games before buying it on psn but I don't think I keep my subs when it goes back to normal price permonth.
@Feena agreed. I managed to squeeze in 60-70 hours in several different stretches, but I never completed it for that reason.
I absolutely love its mechanics, but the story does nothing to push you forward in any meaningful way, so you kinda have to keep motivating yourself instead of relying on the game.
Conversely, I'm playing DQXIS at the moment, and I've clocked in 70 hours in the last month playing only that, and I'm still not tired of it or anything.
An interesting world and a more cohesive story certainly go a long way!
The sole reason I bought a switch and didn’t regret a single minute of it, can’t wait to play again with achievements and tackle the stories for the heroes I didn’t meet on my first run.
It'll come eventually, til then the backlog will be chipped away at.
If Square Enix want money they'll put it anywhere, it already doesn't make sense to put it on Stadia and they release it there anyways. I doubt they'll leave the PlayStation platform alone, if anything it'll probably be release for the PS5 sometime this year.
Considering that Sony and SquareEnix have good partnership, I wouldn't be surprised if this game comes out on both PS4 and PS5.
Anyway, I really need to finish this game on my Switch. It's been sitting on my backlog of games for quite a long time.
It may also suit the Mobile market too and Game Pass provides a platform for many more than just a console does...
I think what's most likely happened is that Xbox has just handed Square Enix a bag of cash and said 'we want this game ported to Xbox and to be part of Game Pass'.
That's the only reason I can think why they wouldn't also do a PS4/5 port at the same time, because Xbox funded the port.
Are final fantasy 7 remake and 16 coming to PC?
Square Enix unable to provide comment
Hopefully this won't be locked to Switch, game looks great.
PS Fans when FF7R/FFXVI are timed exclusive and no comment on other platforms: "WOOOO Sony just keeps the fire going!!!! YEAHH!"
PS Fans when a 2 year old SNES style game is on every platform but PS: "Microsoft keeps money hatting these games to keep them from real RPG fans!"
For those of you with an Xbox, this is out and live on GamePass.
@blinx01 So who funded the PC port? A port that not only came out the year after it was released, but years before the Xbox version which was 3 years after the game's initial release.
@NEStalgia Some people are just straight goofballs like that, unfortunately.
It just means microsoft payed em money and sony did not.
@KidBoruto it’s on PC too and also Xbox
@anoyonmus I also have a Xbox One X but prefer PlayStation, will wait for a PS4 or PS5 port.
@KidBoruto yeah but your comment says hopefully it’s not locked on Switch. Despite it being not Switch exclusive since it ever released on PC and then Google Stadia and then Xbox One. Probably a PlayStation port will happen next year
@anoyonmus Fair point, thanks for the correction earlier!
@wiiware Thats why they make so much work out of Final Fantasy. 🤪
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