Triangle Strategy is a tactical role-playing game developed by Square Enix with the help of Artdink and published by Square Enix. The game was released in 2022 and is playable on Nintendo Switch and Windows.
Octopath Traveler is a role-playing game developed by Square Enix with the help of Acquire and published by Square Enix. It was released in 2018 and is playable on Nintendo Switch, Windows, Stadia, and Xbox One. Both games are single-player and produced and published by the same company. Because of this, the games are similar to each other.
Triangle Strategy is a much better game than Octopath Traveler because it is better structured, has lore, and has a better story.
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Everything You Need To Know About Triangle Strategy
Here is everything you need to know about Triangle Strategy.
The Story
Triangle Strategy sets in the continent of Norzelia; it is made up of three countries. The Grand Duchy of Aesfrost is the northern nation that resides in the icy climbs and whose main economic output is Iron. The Kingdom of Glenbrook is a peaceful central nation with solid food production and trade management.
The Holy State of Hyzante is located in the desert and is the only country with Salt. Thirty years before the events in the game, the continents fell into a massive Saltiron war due to the resource disparity in Norzelia.
After the war ended, the three nations entered an uncertain time of peace, but two events aimed to change it. The first event was the Grand Norzelian mine opening in Glenbrooks territory but excavated with the expertise and financing of Aesfrost and Hyzante.
This new venture hopes to resolve the conflict between these nations because of the benefits of the mine going to all three nations. The second event is the marriage of princess Frederica of Aesfrost to Serenoa Wolffort, the scion of the powerful Wolffort house within Glenbrook. Serenoa Wolffort is our main protaginist in the game.
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The Pacing of The Game
The world-building and politics of the game are fantastic.
Many Players enjoyed diving into the details of the world and the vast majority of decisions and dealing they had to make. But the remaining players of the game have to complain about the pacing of the game, and they have a valid point because the game starts very slowly, setting up the world and essential characters.
However, later on, the game’s pace gets quicker with its travel and action. There was a better way to handle the game’s pacing, but the story and the thought put into the game are excellent.
The Characters
There are eight prominent party members that you automatically recruit, and these characters get the most development and attention throughout the story. The side story has also been very detailed and executed flawlessly.
Other characters are recruited throughout the story based on your decisions. These characters are not that fleshed out but charming in their way, and they still have connections to the world and events.
Those details and connections are typically introduced in the character side story, which you’ll get if you use these characters in battle. The dialogue of these characters could be better, but for the most part, it accomplishes what it needs to.
Everything You Need To Know About Octopath Traveler
Here is everything you must know before jumping into Octopath Traveler:
The Game Premise & The Characters
Octopath Traveler is equally divided into eight parts between each of the protagonists. When you first start the game, you’re asked to choose one of the eight characters. The character you choose becomes your main protagonist. Octopath Traveler lets you play any story you’d like without worrying about the previous one.
Players start their game with dancer Primrose, the 5th character, and slowly recruit the other characters. You can even play with one character entirely without ever recruiting any other. This freedom allows you to play the game at any pace. Each character has four chapters, and there are 32 chapters in the game, each leveraging around 1 to 2 hours long.
Some beginners might think this freedom makes the game complex, but it does not. Each character’s arc is very straightforward and understandable.
Octopath Traveler takes a newer approach in the JRPG genre by introducing 20-year-old young characters, and their mission is not about saving the world. Instead, players can be a bubbly traveling merchant or a huntress trying to find her dear master after he’s gone missing.
Even though each character’s story arc is enjoyable, they are identical. They usually involve a conflict resolved with you going through a dungeon to face a boss. The dungeons you go through are basic. Most occur in a forest, a cave, or a castle.
Players can also meet side characters with their stories; it’s shocking how well-written they are.
The Battles
Battles in Octopath Traveler occur in various environments, but you can still strategize and make a plan despite that. Once you’ve selected your team, you enter the battle, and turn order is interleaved between you and the enemies.
A player must fight until they’ve accomplished their goal or not.
Any experience the player earns in the battle is kept even if they lose. Each of your units has a specific class and set of abilities; none are the same. The typical enemies are not strong unless in normal or hard mode, but the bosses are something, and you must be vigilant about them.
Some units have weaknesses, such as taking more damage to some attacks or getting hit in the back deals more damage.
The Price of Triangle Strategy and Octopath Traveler
Triangle Strategy on Windows is $49.99; on Nintendo Switch, it is $59.99 for a digital or physical copy. The price of Octopath Traveler on Windows is $59.99, and on Nintendo Switch, it is $59.99 for only a digital copy since there is no physical one.
It is worth noting these prices are for Steam and the official Nintendo Store. Triangle Strategy has deluxe editions and various bundles on Steam, and there are always discounts for both games on Steam for Windows.
Final Thoughts
Both games are fabulous, and either you play is packed with adventure and joy. Triangle Strategy is a much better game than Octopath Traveler because Octopath Traveler does not have lore and needs to be structured better.
Octopath Traveler has some cons, but this doesn’t mean the game is disappointing since it offers 32 chapters and different story arcs, giving it much better replayability.
