Tanabata (also known as Star Festival) is an annual Japanese event where people celebrate by writing their wishes on a piece of paper called tanzaku, and then hang them on bamboo or other types of decorations.
This year, Acquire Studios’ president, Takuma Endo, took part in the celebrations and shared a photo of his wish - revealing his hopes Octopath Traveler would sell many copies.
It turns out his wish has come true, as it’s now been reported by Japanese website Dengeki, the title has sold 90 percent of its initial shipment in Japan.
As we've been informed, this equates to 110,111 units sold within the Switch title’s opening week in Japan alone. The game also sits in the top spot on the charts, with no competition in sight.
Given this is a JRPG co-developed by Square Enix, published by Nintendo and exclusive to the Switch, this is a fantastic outcome.
Have you been enjoying Octopath Traveler on the Switch? Tell us below.
[source dengekionline.com, via nintendosoup.com]
Comments (51)
I love this game so much.
It looks wonderful but, I haven't picked it up yet. I will soon though.
I found this game too overrated. It have charm visuals & intriguing story but pretty soon gets too bland & repetitive, don't stand on par of truly classic titles.
"Turn-based games don't sell"
> Bravely Default and Octopath selling well
"No, turn-based games REALLY don't sell"
Nonsense. When can the industry finally stop trying to force the death of classic turn-based RPGs? I guess the same day the industry stops the narrative of "single-player games are dead".
Good on Octopath though, we need more and more third-party success stories like with Mario + Rabbids and Octopath.
Jrpgs are my bread and butter of gaming. Started Octopath tonight and already in love. So glad it's doing well! Now get Dragon Quest out here, Square!
@oji
I have to disagree immensely, the non-linear structure of the game is a really nice, new take on classic JRPGs like this. The game opens up a lot after the opening chapters, and its most likely going to be my single player GOTY
I am about 20 hours in and still loving it. I understand why it is this way but the only thing I dislike about the game is the lack of banter between the characters. But that is a minor gripe among otherwise nothing but enjoyment. Love the gameplay, the visuals, and the music is especially nice.
Love it
This game deserves every bit of success it has received. It's simply excellent in every way. This is one of those rare games where you can feel every ounce of passion that went into it. I can't recommend it enough. I'm about 20 hours in, and I suspect that at the end of it Octopath will be my favorite Switch exclusive--which, of course, is saying a lot.
I absolutely love this game the art style is what originally hooked me but gameplay is a lot of fun.A lot of jrpg can be a chore I’m looking at you XenoBlade Chronicles 2 But this game has been a delight.
Very glad to see a turn and menu-based RPG with classic sprite-based aesthetics be so successful. Not that newer games in the genre don't have a lot to offer, but the button-mashing, combo-based combat where you only control/manage a single party member (examples: The Tales series, Ni No Kuni, recent Final Fantasies, Xenoblade) miss a critical aspect that I've missed: the ability to kick back, take your time strategizing and micromanaging everything about every member of your party.
Hopefully Octopath Traveler's success (as well as franchises like the Trails of series and even the awesome hybrid turn-based/real-time combat of Valkyria Chronicles, which have demonstrated how to add new layers to longstanding mechanical foundations) will not only prompt Square to reconsider the appeal of old school RPG aesthetics and mechanics, but other publishers as well.
I'd love to see other beloved franchises make a return with the lessons learned from Octopath Traveler, such as Suikoden, Phantasy Star, Shining Force, LUNAR, and Square's own classic IPs, such as Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy Tactics.
Not a fan of 8 / 16 bit style JRPG.
I expect at least Cute 3D JRPG like Fantasy Life from SquareEnix.
Trying the demo. It oozes quality, yet has a sense of... sluggish battling it seems. And being interrupted by two eggs every spot second sucks.
Does this change later on?
@Anti-Matter
"Not a fan of 8 / 16 bit style JRPG."
Is it like that you'd define Octopath Traveler ? a 8/16 bit style JRPG ? o_O Wow !
@Cobalt
The art style during gameplay was much like FF IV / VI SNES in HD, right ?
@EvilLucario yes I know of two women who aren't hardcore gamers at all but play RPGs exclusively when they do play. They may not hear of a lot of the games unless recommended to them but there is definitely a market there even among the casuals. This has just proven what a bit of sensible marketing can do for a game.
@Anti-Matter
Hummm, don't you think it would be more logical to say 16/32 bit than 8/16 ?
Nintendo take note put out a complete game and people are happy
@Anti-Matter Not sure what you mean by cute; these characters are adorable and interesting: Tressa's go-get-it-attitude mixed with her kind naivety; Ophellia's insecurity versus her powerful resolve; H'aanit's ability to better anyone through a rigorous workout and her loyalty to her profession...
Ok, mostly the girls. But yeah the chibi look is definitely cute, especially when they stand next to some of the giant bosses.
@Cobalt
Eh, i forgot.
Won't it sink like a stone this week then? If there's only 10% left of its initial shipment in stores, how quick can they get more copies on Japanese store shelves?
After 40h and all chapters 2 completed I found a difficulty peak and got bored of grinding. Story wise is not great either. Xenoblade is still the best jrpg on the system (even though I love a turn base gameplay)
@Antraxx777

These are my definition of Cute JRPG games. Some examples :
I'm so glad this is doing so well. I absolutely love the game to bits.
@Heavyarms55 The characters do have conversations among them from time to time.
Haven't you noticed the "push + to open party chat" that sometimes appear when in towns?
Every genre done right will sell well. To be honest, most of the turn based jrpgs these days are total garbage riding on superficial nostalgia and fan service and that’s why turn based jrpg became a niche genre. Do it right (I am Setsuna, Octopath Traveler, Shin Megami Tensei IV, and Bravely Default) and the outcome would be desirable.
@Axlroselm Well put. It’s almost like quality = a better chance at success?
Persona 5 also did 2.2mil+ on PS4/PS3.
There was real hype for Octopath & it’s a shame Square didn’t see that. Surely they could’ve financed an additional 100k at launch, knowing that they will be sold in the long run?
Hope it has legs.
@Anti-Matter You're going to miss some amazing games if you choose them based on the art style they've chosen. If a game's fun, it's fun! Doesn't matter how good or bad it looks.
I'm still loving Octopath Traveller and I'm 36 hours in!
this game is a total joy to play and is the game I have been most excited about since getting my switch. 15 hours in and im not dissapointed. there is sooooo much to do! One thing I really hope is that an official ( or unofficial) guide gets released, I realy want to make sure I dont miss any secrets!
I’m 20 hours in and just started the chapter 2 stories. I have to say I was surprised how much the game opens up at this point.
I have not experienced this much joy in a JRPG since Earthbound, Final Fantasy VI, or Chrono Trigger. This game deserves to sell well.
Two things put me off this game, after playing some of the demo.
First was the graphics, they could still have created the atmospheric look they were after and have the characters look better.
That aside I started playing the demo but the conversations were really streached out to the point of becoming boring. If I really wanted to read this much I would read a book.
Again that aside, if I thought I could skip the speach and still enjoy the game I could possible give the Physical copy a go and have some sort of trade in if I didn't like it. But I'm not sure. Maybe those who like it, like it for what it is.
@maruse Yeah I know, but like, that's not nearly as much as I would like.
Hopefully the game success will persuade Square to release more games on Switch
20 hours in and just finished two characters chapter 2. Boy this will take some time until I finished all 8 stories
It's completely different from Xenoblade 2 gameplay and I sunk 120 hours or more in that (to get everything done, but failed ).
I would love to see a Secret of Mana Remake in this HD-2D graphic style...
@Anti-Matter lol that art style would be my nightmare game! I’ll take Octopath over that crap any day. 😂
@Kimyonaakuma
What are amazing games for someone / majority are NOT Always amazing for me.
Usually will be MEH for me.
Because i have Completely Different Norm to determine amazing games.
JRPG with Proper 3D Chibi looking, Gender choose, Customization (Appearance, Clothing) , Furnishing, Crafting, Cute looking, Open World style (Optional), Whimsical, Funny = Instant Buy.
@Level_Up
Because ONLY Chibi looking style that can convince me to buy the game.
If someone give me FF XV, I will THROW it straightly to the Recycle bin. Ultra HD Realistic graphics ? YUCK !!
I would rather play Miitopia with Chibi looking, Quirky & Funny gameplay, Customization rather than Super Duper Boring & Too Mature Final Fantasy XV.
Miitopia = 7 / 10, FF XV = ZERO from 10 !
I suspect a larger-than-usual percentage of people in Japan downloaded this game, but the lack of retail stock will hurt.
@zool If you don't like long conversations RPG's might not be the best genre for you to play then .
@MartyFlanMJFan It already has in the UK and people are immediately calling it a "niche title" because of the drop in sales. It's not like the demand isn't there, there's no stock to meet that demand.
Wow, it's just a good thing it's on 3DS since it's a handheld game, and Japan loves handhelds, I mean it would have NEVER have sold if it were on this home console known as Switch or anything... Huh? What's that? It's on Switch? But Japan buys handhelds in bulk, not consoles, this MUST have been on 3DS! Huh? Successor? But Nintendo and their fanboys keep insisting it's NOT the successor? Huh? The market says it is? Oh, then okay...
@dougphisig ones with short conversation are OK and ones where you can skip past the stupid story line and just play the main game are ok as well? Like Fire Emblem.
A successful third-party Nintendo exclusive? Incoming PS4 port with 30% more content at half the price...
@Anti-Matter That's your preference. Final Fantasy games are focused towards mature gamers, each person has different preferences. You're just being a whiny biased autistic fanboy, if you don't like it then don't be so b*tthurt. I own almost every console available, played all kinds of genre, but never did judge the game by its art style. Just saying my opinion.
@Maxx_Blank
Excuse me ?
Autistic ?
How rude !
@Kaldrith It's easily one of my favorite RPGs the last 2 generations. The combat is super deep and the soundtrack harkens back to the best years of Square (Uematsu years). Seriously, I invite everyone to open this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p-RZeItdCYw&t=355s up and not be whisked back to The Battle at the Bridge (and the like). I love the graphics and I have been invested in every character I've met so far. This is how you do they SaGa games in modern times!
@mazzel Oh man, imagine Final Fantasy VI being redone in this style (drools)
@Anti-Matter I just think you should have a more open mind about art style, you're missing out on some very good (mature) games. I appreciate the chibi style, too — hell, some of Square's best are in that style, but that was due to the limitations of the consoles at the time. You can't expect them to just reuse that style over and over when they're capable of creating some truly amazing modern visuals (hate FF XIII all you want but it is still a gorgeous game, with equally pretty characters)
@HorridCrow Yeah when you can have two jobs, the party dynamics become so much deeper
@Antraxx777 This new style leaves a lot space for awesome imaginations and dreams!
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