Difficulty ?

[Dochainsaw]

Is this game too simple because obviously everyone says so

[Serafie1999AD]

"Obviously everyone says so". This claim is obviously biased, because nobody who finds the difficulty appropriate will complain about it.

Here's some statistics from GameFAQs' reviews:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps4/380234-octopath-traveler-ii/stats
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/switch/380184-octopath-traveler-ii/stats
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps5/380233-octopath-traveler-ii/stats
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/380235-octopath-traveler-ii/stats

For every console, the majority of votes go to Just Right and Tough.

My cents: the game is non-linear and non-grindy, and it doesn't restrict you from going to high level areas, which makes it easy to become overpowered too early... but if you do that, you only have yourself to blame. Compared to other games from Square Enix? Well, if your strategy is to mash the confirm button, which works really well in FFs 6-10, you're going to get yourself killed.

[Melodia]

If you don't go out of your way to grind, keep to the level recommendations anjd don't save scum to try and get powerful stuff, I'd say it's not overly hard but not easy either. I think a lot of the "it's so easy" meta comes from people who thought that in OT1 you 'had' to grind so did so here too.
If you've played OT1 enough that you know the easiest ways to cheese stuff, then it's obviously going to be a lot easier for you, as well.

[Izzy]

It's not a difficult game, but it is still a fun game.

[WildArmsFx]

This game is incredibly easy. I have never once been challenged between the first and the second.

Like everyone else has said in this thread, you have to ignore major parts and mechanics of the game for it to be a challenge.

If you choose to explore dungeons, side quest, or interactions with villagers you will quickly become overpowered to the point where the game is no longer a challenge.

[Chilly]

The game will be as hard or as easy as you make it, since it's an open world game and you get to choose where you go and what you do.

[Izzy]

Originally posted by WildArmsFx:

Like everyone else has said in this thread, you have to ignore major parts and mechanics of the game for it to be a challenge.

Not using surpassing power until the final super boss should pose enough of a challenge.

[Alzack]

Originally posted by Dochainsaw:

Is this game too simple because obviously everyone says so

I'm fairly early in the game (chapter 2 stories completed for western continent) and only few fights posed a real challenge so far (ie. provoked or dueled 7-8✩ NPCs when you're just starting, boss fights like Captain Stenvar, Tera (it was fierce and caused death on Temenos once until I realized that it can be captured by Ochette)), travelling by sea can be a big surprise if you get your own ship before reaching level 30+. It really depends on your gear and knowledge of game mechanics, battle patterns, etc. I think it'll get more challenging as I venture further, I'm looking forward to meet this super cool hidden dude (must be very scared of all hunters) that everyone talks about. :D

Despite difficulty, game is super fun and offers a lot of entertainment to me.
I wouldn't mind if developers prepared New Game+ or implemented feature to increase difficulty of fights through settings in the future. Highly unlikely but we can always hope.
Cheers~

[JonWoo]

Pretty much what WildArms said. If you're having trouble you're either not keeping up with your equipment, you're not using the break and boost system properly, or you're not running from most of the random fights you get into.

You don't have to find high level gear and you don't have to grind to out-level fights. Honestly, the out-leveling part can happen from just not running from fights as you play.

[Velesianus]

I might have missed it mentioned in this thread but the game does have self-nerfing items. Between them and basic path selection the difficulty can very wildly.

For example, you can start with Throne and steal the Rosary of Redemption from the elderly man in Flamechurch just right up the road. It basically cripples early game raw damage builds.

[Mojito]

If you grind it is VERY easy. If you don't grind it is just right. (I love to grind and am not the least bit ashamed of absolutely destroying a boss 1/2 my level lol)

[Adun]

If you are good at that kind of games, it might be easy. I am struggling because I normally don't play this kind of games and don't check any wikis to min-max my setups and strategies. So if you go in as an enthusiastic noob, it will be harder than if you've already memorized all relevant strategies and have 1500 hours in the first game...

[Culex]

Originally posted by julia_maluca:

If you are good at that kind of games, it might be easy. I am struggling because I normally don't play this kind of games and don't check any wikis to min-max my setups and strategies. So if you go in as an enthusiastic noob, it will be harder than if you've already memorized all relevant strategies and have 1500 hours in the first game...

Undoubtedly those who have played the first game will be ahead than those learning the system, but you greatly exaggerate the amount of time and effort needed to become proficient in the game's mechanics as well as theorizing which skills/classes synergize well together, lol.

As long as you go in with the attitude where you look over all the class skills, and being like "hey that sounds like it will combo well with this one" and if unsure actually test it in battle, you'll do alright.

[Adun]

Originally posted by Culex:

As long as you go in with the attitude where you look over all the class skills, and being like "hey that sounds like it will combo well with this one" and if unsure actually test it in battle, you'll do alright.

Yup, finding out what works against which boss without reading a wiki or walkthrough is one of the fun parts!

[Brave Sir Robin]

The non-linear nature of the game makes it easy, much like the first. The first couple chapter final bosses can be challenging (particularly if you went for Hikari's final chapter first), but everything just gets easier from that point on as your characters keep getting stronger. You're obviously going to curbstomp everything but the bonus boss once you get going. Even the true final boss is nothing, I walked into it with my grinding skills equipped (I thought there was going to be a dungeon instead of just immediately going into the boss fight) and had no problem.

It's a necessity to keep the game as open-ended as possible. It's no different from, say, Elden Ring where you can attempt most of the arenas in any order and of course some low level zones are going to be pitiful if you come there late in the game.

[Sage Pirotess]

Challenge... bear a complete storyline as the solo toon or duo, hencec1 partner.


It's quite enjoyable this way. You see the world, make a friend, and even if you were over leveled due to exploring and having fun, it's nice to know the adventure was great. Didn't need 4 player party.