Octopath Traveler II is bringing again the HD-2D graphical model of the primary recreation. Nevertheless, with different Sq. Enix titles having made use of the look and because of extra expertise, the aesthetic has developed.
Producer Masashi Takahashi and director Keisuke Miyauchi spoke extra about this in an interview with Famitsu. We additionally get to listen to the builders speak concerning the recreation’s camerawork and character proportions.
We talked about HD-2D a bit earlier, so I’d prefer to ask concerning the graphics intimately. Whenever you say “pixel artwork with greater density and dimension,” I’m reminded of Tremendous Nintendo video games launched late within the console’s life… Would this recreation’s graphics be just like Chrono Set off’s, for instance?
Miyauchi: Sure. Final time, we had in thoughts an inclusive nostalgia that many individuals maintain on to, however we thought that not a lot would change if we used the identical methodology once more. We would have liked to develop the scope this time.
By envisioning the attractive pixel artwork surroundings they drew again then – the trial scenes in Chrono Set off, for instance – we aimed to boost the bar of expressiveness with HD-2D by making artwork that may be picture-perfect irrespective of once you screenshotted it.
Takahashi: Octopath Traveler was launched, then got here Triangle Technique, after which Dwell A Dwell… A number of HD-2D video games have been launched, however after all Octopath Traveler continues to be the unique, and I believe Purchase was its guardian. After we first began speaking about aiming for Tremendous HD-2D, we had plenty of debate about what sort of graphics could be finest.
Miyauchi: Sure. After Octopath Traveler got here out, I used to be invited to host just a few talks about technical issues, and what I talked about concerning artwork was that everybody has rose-tinted glasses on for previous pixel artwork. Issues from the previous are likely to look prettier in our head, in any case.
And by now, I believe folks have rose-tinted glasses on for Octopath Traveler as properly. Subsequently, we have now to make one thing so fairly that it surpasses what folks see by way of these glasses. That was partially our purpose.
If we’re speaking about presentation, in contrast to the final recreation that solely had a top-down view, it appears this time a wide range of camerawork preparations have been ready.
Miyauchi: Sure. It’s processed otherwise internally as properly, since whereas we used scripted occasions final time, this time we used the Unreal Engine’s options, doing issues like we might for a 3D scene.
Takahashi: Actually, final time it was like a battle between Octopath Traveler and nostalgia for Tremendous Nintendo video games, and this time it’s a battle towards nostalgia for the earlier recreation. I believe I lastly perceive after listening to everybody right here at present.
This time the characters all look like taller, and I’m wondering if that is additionally a brand new try regarding presentation.
Miyauchi: If we solely elevated the decision of the background, the characters would look unusual, and we additionally thought that it could be good to have the ability to specific feelings in story occasions.
However the principle purpose is for battles. Rising the characters’ peak adjustments the presentation in fight quite a bit. Whereas final time we reused the identical animations to some extent, this time there are completely different animations for each talent, so you possibly can say we upped everybody’s peak to facilitate that.
The camerawork throughout battles has modified too.
Miyauchi: Sure. We made issues flashy when they need to be, and saved some issues the identical from final recreation when applicable, and I believe we managed to make the presentation very various.
Change might be getting Octopath Traveler II on February 24, 2023.
Translation offered by SatsumaFS and Kim Louise Davis on behalf of Nintendo The whole lot.
