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The popular Octopath Traveler video game series is about to embark on a new journey, with an English translation of the tabletop RPG spin-off that was first published in Japan in 2022. The core rulebook is being released in North America courtesy of Dark Horse Books and the video game’s original developer Square Enix.
The Octopath Traveler TTRPG is designed to capture the aesthetic and play style of the video game series, bringing the world of Orsterra to life in a complete new way. Below, we load up all the details.
What is the Octopath Traveler video game?
Octopath Traveler is a JRPG video game series originally developed by Square Enix and Acquire that was first released in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch. It was later ported over to the PC, Xbox and PlayStation and has been translated into multiple languages around the world.
The game is perhaps best known for its deep storytelling, unique RPG mechanics and for popularizing the “HD-2D” art style, which blends a retro 16-bit aesthetic with modern 3D environments, lighting and effects.
The original game is set in the land of Orsterra, a continent divided into eight distinct regions ranging from the frozen Frostlands to the sun-scorched Sunlands. The “Octo” in the title refers to the eight protagonists, each with their own unique “Path Action” (an ability that allows them to interact with NPCs in specific ways, such as Stealing, Challenging or Alluring). Unlike traditional linear RPGs, Octopath also allows players to experience eight separate, personal stories that are eventually woven together into a larger narrative involving the fallen gods of the realm.
Following the success of the first game, Square Enix released Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, a mobile prequel that delved deeper into the history of Orsterra. In 2023, the full sequel, Octopath Traveler II, was released, introducing the new world of Solistia. Beyond the games, the series has also seen multiple tie-in products, including high-end art books, soundtracks and the aformentioned Japanese tabletop RPG.
What is the Octopath Traveler TRPG?
The Octopath Traveler TRPG consists of a single core rulebook first created by Japanese board and tabletop game publisher F.E.A.R (FarEast Amusement Research) in conjunction with the video game series’ original developer Square Enix. The book was first released in 2022 and was only available in Japanese, quickly selling out as a collector’s item.
Mechanically, the game utilizes a 2D6-based system with a “Boost” sub-system that allows players to save up energy to empower attacks and make skill checks. Players can also choose various “Jobs” (essentially classes) that have appeared in the series (such as Warrior, Dancer, Merchant, etc.). The core rule book also includes pre-written “Heroic Journeys” that are considered canon within the Octopath Traveler timeline, in addition to featuring a variety of never-before-published artwork and lore around the world of Orsterra.
Notably, in Japan gamers use the term “Tabletalk Role-playing Game” (TRPG) instead of the more commonly used “TTRPG” (Tabletop Role-Playing Game) adopted in the West, so this verbiage is being carried over to the title of the English version.
How much is the Octopath Traveler TRPG rulebook?
The Octopath Traveler TRPG Rulebook will retail for $59.99 USD (not including shipping and handling). It’s worth noting that the English language version is 328-pages in length and will be in hardcover, measuring 6.75″ x 10″ (which is about the same size as a standard graphic novel). It’s not clear if a PDF version will also be available.
When is the Octopath Traveler TRPG rulebook coming out?
The book will be released on October 6th, 2026, at which point it will be available at local game stores and online retailers via Dark Horse Books distribution.
Why we’re excited about the Octopath Traveler TRPG translation?
- Bridging the Gap: The Octopath Traveler video game series’ mechanics have always felt like they were inspired by classic TTRPGs, so bringing it to the tabletop feels like a natural evolution, and something we’re genuinely looking forward to seeing.
- A New Audience: The Japanese version is long out of print, so it’s great to see Dark Horse Publishing and Square Enix bring the book to a whole new English-speaking audience.
- The Asthetic: The book looks to be as much about the art as it is about the rules, and if nothing else it will likely be something worth adding to your shelf purely as a collector’s item.
- Fan Appeal: While Octopath Traveler might not be one of the oldest JRPGs around, it’s definitely one of the most beloved. It’ll be interesting to see if the game can attract both fans of the video game series and players from the broader TTRPG community.
Final Thoughts
It’s great to see an iconic part of JRPG history finally heading to the West. Of course, adapting a popular video game franchise to the tabletop is never an easy feat, so it remains to be seen just how well this game is received.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on new Ocotpath Traveler TRPG in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can learn more about it from Dark Horse Books.