For decades, Final Fantasy was one of the most popular turn-based RPG series in the world. While the series is of course still around and still popular, it seems to have left its turn-based format behind for real-time gameplay, but that doesn’t mean developer Square Enix is done making RPGs in the classic style. This month, Xbox Game Pass Standard tier gets a Square Enix RPG that brings back the joy of early Final Fantasy and even improves on it in some ways.
In recent years, Square Enix has been putting out a steady stream of bangers in its HD-2D style, which combines old-school pixel art with modern lighting effects to fantastic effect. The gorgeous art style might be the first thing you notice about Octopath Traveler II, but the rest of the game is just as impressive.
