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Start with Octopath Traveler II if you want the closest follow-up. It keeps the eight-traveler structure, individual character stories and strategic turn-based battles, while moving to a new world. Choose Triangle Strategy for tactical grid combat and political decisions, Live A Live for a compact anthology of separate chapters, or Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for classic party building and broad world exploration.
The official HD-2D line has grown beyond the original Octopath Traveler. It now includes sequels, remakes and newer projects, so the right next game depends on whether you want the same party format, a different battle system, a shorter anthology or a traditional quest.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | $35.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Octopath Traveler II - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Octopath Traveler II | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Octopath Traveler II | $25.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (Nintendo Switch 2) | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Quick answer: which HD-2D JRPG should you play next?
| Game | Best match for | Core structure | Documented physical editions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopath Traveler II | The closest continuation of the original | Eight travelers, individual storylines and strategic turn-based battles | Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition; digital edition also available |
| Triangle Strategy | Deliberate tactics and political choices | HD-2D tactical RPG with positioning-focused battles and a voting system that reflects player decisions | Not stated in the supplied platform information |
| Live A Live | A compact story anthology | Several distinct chapters and eras in a story-driven remake | Physical availability is not stated in the supplied platform information |
| Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | Classic questing and party building | A reimagining with towns, castles, caves and towers, modern interface improvements and enhanced turn-based battles | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S physical game |
For a purchase decision, first identify the structure you enjoyed most. If it was recruiting and following multiple protagonists, Octopath Traveler II is the safest choice. If it was planning every move, choose Triangle Strategy. If you want self-contained stories rather than one long campaign, choose Live A Live. If you want a classic hero’s journey with a party that develops across a large map, choose Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
1. Octopath Traveler II: the closest follow-up
Why it feels familiar
Octopath Traveler II again centers on eight travelers. Each has an individual storyline and motivation, while the party advances through strategic, turn-based battles. That combination is the clearest structural continuation of the original game: you can move between character-led stories instead of following one single protagonist from beginning to end.
#1 Best Overall
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Square Enix describes the sequel as a new-world adventure that preserves the series’ character-focused format while adding new features. The result is a natural next step for someone who liked choosing which traveler to follow, assembling a flexible party and switching between separate narratives.
Who should choose it
- Choose it if the eight-character structure was the main reason you finished the original.
- Choose it if you want strategic turn-based combat rather than a tactical grid.
- Choose it if you want a new setting without abandoning the series’ storytelling framework.
- Choose it if you are new to the series and want the current entry that Square Enix explicitly positions as welcoming to newcomers.
Release and physical-edition notes
Square Enix’s July 13, 2026 release confirms an individual physical and digital edition for Nintendo Switch 2. Retailer inventory, regional availability and pricing can change, so check the store serving your country before ordering. The same release reports that the Octopath Traveler series has shipped and sold more than 7 million copies worldwide; that is a series total reported by Square Enix in 2026, not a sales figure for this individual game.
“Octopath Traveler II is the perfect entry for newcomers to the series, while also preserving the charm of the original game for existing fans by improving upon the series’ iconic HD-2D visuals, which feature a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.”
DriversCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?PerformanceWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadDriversOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.— Square Enix, July 13, 2026
What changes from the original
The important distinction is not a new genre or a change to tactical grid combat; it is a new world and an expanded version of the same traveler-led concept. That makes the sequel the lowest-risk recommendation in this guide, but it is also the least radical change. If you want a completely different campaign structure or battle system, one of the next three picks will provide more contrast.
2. Triangle Strategy: the tactical and political alternative
How its structure differs
Triangle Strategy uses the HD-2D presentation for a tactical RPG rather than a free-form, traveler-led adventure. Battles emphasize positioning and deliberate decision-making, and the political story changes according to player choices through a voting system.
That voting mechanic makes decisions part of the game’s structure, not merely dialogue flavor. Instead of selecting which character’s personal route to pursue, you weigh competing positions and live with the outcome those decisions produce.
Rank #2
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish; You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more; Where will you go, What will you do, Every path is yours to take
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating; New mechanics have also been added
Best reasons to pick it after Octopath Traveler
- You want battles where placement, turn order and planning matter more than roaming between character stories.
- You prefer a political narrative shaped by consequential choices.
- You are comfortable trading free-form party exploration for a more directed tactical campaign.
- You want the biggest mechanical change while staying within the official HD-2D catalog.
What to expect before buying
The game is not a direct sequel to Octopath Traveler, and its appeal is not based on repeating the eight-traveler formula. Treat it as the recommendation for players who enjoyed making strategic choices but are ready for a grid-based tactical format. Current coverage from Windows Central identifies it as an HD-2D tactical RPG with advanced combat mechanics and a political story affected by the player’s decisions.
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Platform and physical-edition details are not established in the information available for this guide. Confirm the edition sold in your region before assuming a boxed release.
3. Live A Live: the compact anthology
A different kind of party adventure
Live A Live is a story-driven HD-2D remake from Team Asano. Rather than asking you to follow one continuous party campaign, it presents several distinct chapters and eras. Each segment has its own setting and identity, making the game a good fit for readers who like variety or prefer shorter, self-contained arcs.
Why anthology structure matters
- You can sample different protagonists and settings without committing to one uninterrupted journey.
- The separate chapters create a deliberate change of pace from a large, continuous world.
- The format suits players who want a focused story experience instead of hundreds of hours of party progression.
Calling it “compact” describes its anthology design, not a specific completion time. The supplied information does not establish a fixed hour count, so do not use a retailer’s estimate as a universal promise.
Platforms
The HD-2D remake first launched on Nintendo Switch and later came to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC. The available information does not establish a physical edition for each of those platforms. If a boxed copy matters to you, verify the exact platform and region at the time of purchase.
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Why it is the traditional choice
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake reimagines a classic adventure and serves as the narrative beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy. Its world is built around towns, castles, caves and towers, giving it the broad, outward-facing quest structure many players expect from a traditional Japanese role-playing game.
Rank #3
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
The official store description combines pixel art with 3D graphics, a modernized interface, quality-of-life improvements and enhanced turn-based battles. Those updates make the classic framework easier to approach without changing the recommendation’s central identity: this is the pick for exploration, party building and a conventional hero’s journey.
Choose it when you want
- A single central quest instead of eight parallel traveler stories.
- A broad world map with towns, castles, caves and towers to investigate.
- Traditional party development supported by updated menus and quality-of-life features.
- A starting point for the Erdrick Trilogy’s narrative.
Documented physical versions
Square Enix documents a physical game for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, along with a collector’s set. Edition names, stock and prices vary by market, so confirm whether the listing is the standard game or collector’s package before checkout.
This is a remake, not a sequel to Octopath Traveler. Its HD-2D style is shared with the Octopath games, but its quest design follows the Dragon Quest tradition. Choose it for the classic structure, not because you expect another eight-protagonist campaign.
The newer official HD-2D options
The official HD-2D catalog has expanded to eight major console releases marketed with that name: the original Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II, Octopath Traveler 0, Live A Live, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Triangle Strategy and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
Three of those are newer options that may be worth watching or choosing when their local release details fit your system. The catalog listing confirms their inclusion in the official HD-2D line, but the supplied platform information does not provide a complete, region-by-region availability chart.
Octopath Traveler 0
Octopath Traveler 0 is the newer Octopath-branded option in the catalog. Its title places it alongside the two numbered games, but the available information does not define whether its campaign structure, protagonist count or platform editions match either numbered entry. Check the current regional listing for its release platforms and physical availability before treating it as a direct replacement for Octopath Traveler II.
Rank #4
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
This release brings the first two Dragon Quest adventures into the same HD-2D family as the third game. It is the logical catalog option for readers who want to continue exploring the Erdrick-related material beyond Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Specific launch timing, platforms and boxed editions should be verified for your region because they are not fully stated in the available information.
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The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is also listed as an official HD-2D release. The catalog establishes its status within the label but does not provide enough structural detail here to classify it as a sequel, remake or anthology in the same way as the four ranked recommendations. Treat it as a newer catalog option and confirm current platform and regional-release information before buying.
Compare the games by the decision that matters to you
| Decision axis | Octopath Traveler II | Triangle Strategy | Live A Live | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequel or remake? | Sequel and new-world adventure | Standalone tactical RPG | HD-2D remake | Reimagining of a classic |
| Campaign shape | Eight travelers with individual storylines | Political campaign shaped by decisions and voting | Several distinct chapters and eras | One broad classic quest in the Erdrick Trilogy |
| Battle identity | Strategic turn-based battles | Tactical grid combat with positioning | Story-driven RPG combat across separate chapters | Enhanced traditional turn-based battles |
| Exploration emphasis | Free-form party adventure | More directed tactical progression | Chapter-by-chapter settings | Towns, castles, caves and towers |
| Best reason to switch from Octopath Traveler | Keep the familiar format with a new setting | Change the battle system and make political choices | Try an anthology rather than one long campaign | Play a classic-style quest with modern conveniences |
Which game fits your preferred play style?
If you want the same feeling with fewer surprises
Pick Octopath Traveler II. It is the only recommendation that deliberately preserves the eight-traveler structure and strategic turn-based flow. You still get a new world, so it is not simply a replay with different names.
If combat decisions are your priority
Pick Triangle Strategy. Its tactical format turns movement and positioning into the central skill, while the voting system makes political decisions part of the campaign’s direction.
If you want variety in shorter narrative units
Pick Live A Live. Its separate chapters and eras let you move between distinct stories rather than maintaining one continuous party adventure.
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Pick Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Its towns, castles, caves and towers support the broad exploration loop associated with classic questing, and its interface and quality-of-life updates reduce the friction of an older design.
Best Value
- Embark on an adventure of your own creation. The latest in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series.
- New story content – Experience original, streamlined story content and quests with new paths to achieve.
- Character creation – Create a customized protagonist with unique appearance, voice, motions and more.
- Town building system – Rebuild the protagonist's town as the story progresses with evolving town reconstruction mechanics and development while inviting new people to live in the town.*
- HD-2D Visuals – The series’ iconic graphic style returns, bringing a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
If a boxed copy is essential
The clearest documented choices are Octopath Traveler II on Nintendo Switch 2 and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Physical availability for the other entries is not established in the supplied information, so verify the exact platform listing rather than assuming every HD-2D title has a disc or cartridge edition.
A practical order for playing the HD-2D catalog
- Begin with Octopath Traveler II if your goal is the most recognizable continuation of the original.
- Move to Triangle Strategy when you want a stronger tactical and political contrast.
- Play Live A Live when you want an anthology that resets its setting and cast across chapters.
- Play Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake when you are ready for classic world exploration and the Erdrick Trilogy’s narrative starting point.
- Consider the newer catalog entries—Octopath Traveler 0, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales—after checking current regional platforms and release status.
This order is a recommendation by contrast, not a required continuity order. Triangle Strategy and Live A Live are separate experiences, while the Dragon Quest games belong to their own classic trilogy context.
What “HD-2D” means for this list
In this guide, “HD-2D” means the official Square Enix label used for the catalog above. The term describes the family that combines retro-styled 2D character art with 3D environments and modern presentation. A game that merely resembles the look should not be treated as an official HD-2D release unless it is identified in that catalog.
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Buying and platform checklist
- Confirm your hardware: the documented physical platforms differ between the games, and newer catalog entries may have region-specific launches.
- Check the edition type: Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has both a standard physical game and a collector’s set documented by Square Enix.
- Verify regional stock: a confirmed physical release does not guarantee that a retailer currently has inventory in your country.
- Check whether you need a physical copy: Octopath Traveler II is documented as both physical and digital for Nintendo Switch 2.
- Recheck current listings: platform support, prices, Switch 2 regional availability and collector-edition stock can change after publication.
Bottom line
Octopath Traveler II is the best first recommendation because it preserves the original’s defining eight-traveler structure while adding a new world and features. Triangle Strategy is the better choice for tactical combat and political consequences, Live A Live for an anthology of distinct stories, and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for a classic, exploration-heavy party quest. The expanded HD-2D catalog gives you room to change one major axis at a time—story structure, battle system or remake context—without leaving the visual style behind.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
