
Octopath Traveler has been available on Nintendo Switch for around a month and a half now and, for many of us, it has remained very firmly inside the console's cartridge slot ever since. Among the numerous areas of the game that can be praised, one that will no doubt stand out for many is the game's soundtrack.
If you're a fan of the game's fully orchestrated tunes, you're definitely not alone. In our review, we said that "the score really helps to drive home that storybook-like vibe of Octopath Traveler, and the talent on display may catch you a little off-guard" and, since launch, it would appear that plenty of players agree.

Speaking to GamerProfessionals, Octopath Traveler's composer Yasunori Nishiki has spoken about the soundtrack, and particularly the reception from fans and critics. When asked about fans' positive reaction to his work, and the pressures of reaching a global audience, Nishiki revealed that he was "relieved" to see the soundtrack be received so well.
"One of the pillar concepts of Octopath Traveler was to update the old-school RPG. I felt that music had a significant role in bringing this concept to life. To be honest, I’m quite relieved to have received a lot of positive feedback. I really wanted to avoid disappointing the game fans, so I’m glad to know that the music is getting some good reviews."
As for the process behind the soundtrack? Nishiki reveals that the secret behind each character's individual theme was to take all aspects of their personality and backstory, and then reflect that in their music through specific expressions and instrumentation.
"When I composed characters’ theme songs, I tried my best to reflect character details in the musical expression, including their personalities, upbringings, and the reasons why they traveled. For example, Alfyn is a masculine character but he is also kind-hearted. I chose the sound of the Alto Saxophone to express this duality in his character."
If you want to read more, make sure to check out the full interview right here.
Before that, though, why not share your thoughts on Octopath Traveler's soundtrack in the comments below. Does it stand out as one of the game's highlights for you? Any pieces that you remember loving as you played?
[source gamerpros.co]
Comments 36
Every time I start the game I have to listen to the intro music one time though and I usually dont care about music as much!
That soundtrack is flipping amazing. I listen to it once a day at work now. Going to have to buy it soon.
https://youtu.be/oOTORXKh1hE
Victors Hollow, the best
This game's music is superlative, full stop.
I cant wait to get around to playing this! I loved the demo! I just have such a huge backlog of games I cant find time for. 😔
Any soundtrack this is comparable to?
I don't know anyone who doesn't like the music in this game. It's incredible. One of the best OSTs of the generation so far.
The music in this game is great.he did a very good job and should be proud.still need to finish the game.the boss fights are a bit hard for me but i wont give up
Octopath might honestly be my favorite video game soundtrack, it is absolutely amazing. I've probably added around 5 hours to my playtime just standing still and listening to the music.
I love that he has a children's Casio keyboard on that photo.
Is the best soundtrack in awhile. I love Daughter of the Dark God sound. Is just sooooo good.
https://youtu.be/Wo4u2bBoeiQ
Wonder what he’d say if he learnt that Nintendo of Europe denied their consumers the soundtrack CD in their collector’s edition?
Oh well, Japanese full OST hopefully dispatches soon.
The OST elevates Octopath to GOTY contention in my mind. It's immediately among the classic Uematsu and Mitsuda works, and will be in my rotation forever.
The opening song makes me SO happy. Really beautiful music.
It's a great soundtrack, I haven't found a song that I don't like. Therion's theme is definitely a standout though, I feel slightly emotional whenever it plays...
Soundtrack was by far the best part of the experience. It was really good.
He is RELIEVED? Is he kidding? It's one of the best soundtracks in years!
Music is fantastic
In recent years: Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler can battle this one to a standstill, and we all win in the musical fall-out 😀
"One of the pillar concepts of Octopath Traveler was to update the old-school RPG. I felt that music had a significant role in bringing this concept to life."
I can't agree with this enough, and this is one reason why I do not have baseless nostalgia for old school RPGs. When RPGs were simpler with less pop, flash, and cutscenes, music had to set the mood. Right now, I can hum many of Chrono Trigger's, Secret of Mana's, and Lufia II's tracks just to name a few old school RPGs off rip. Yasunori Nishiki deserves praise and has a score right up there with the likes of Uematsu and Mitsuda. Someone mentioned it already, but every time the title theme comes on, I have to hear a round of it before pressing a button-- That's powerful, especially in THIS day and age of laziness and cut-and-paste RPG soundtracks. Rest easy Nishiki, you nailed it!
It stands up as equivalently excellent and not even slightly a step down coming to Octopath right after the mind-blowing Xenoblade 2 soundtrack. Granted, no video game in recent memory comes close to rivaling the 5-disc Xenoblade 2 soundtrack, it's the Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings of video game soundtracks, but the fact that Octopath can stand toe to to with it side by side is quite an accomplishment!
@ShaiHulud In places, it reminds me of Suikoden 2, particularly the battle themes (which are my favourite in Octopath). The melodies are really nice in this, enough for me to have bought the OST from japanese Amazon earlier today.
@NEStalgia I agree with every word.
Any links to how you can buy/dl the complete soundtrack?
@HAL9000 There's an mp3 version on Amazon.jp. Go there, change language to English and search 'octopath ost'. I remember having problems setting up account, but the workaround was adding to the basket and creating the account from there, I think. Then it worked.
I can't believe he's this modest, is he fishing for compliments? Not that I mind giving him a compliment for this outstanding soundtrack I spend a lot of time listening to game soundtracks and the Octopath Traveler OST has been a joy. This one is the best in my opinion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD3IPLxPemk
the battle song is beyond gorgeous!
I picked up the soundtrack on absolutely beautiful CDs. I point that out because in the era of digital downloads and streaming, "old-fashion" CDs, if they even get made anymore, usually just have a bland color splashed on them with a title.
But each of the 4 discs of the Octopath OST is gorgeous polished chrome with 2 of the characters beautifully drawn on. If I could think of a way to do so without damaging them, I'd love to display them on my wall.
Fans enjoy the soundtrack? There’s an understatement.
He definitely has a long future career in making gaming music. This was solid!
The visuals and the sound in this game were fantastic! Such a fantastic game. There’s a few things that would have been great to improve on. (Having it matter who’s in your party when events happen, and having better writing to wrap up some of the final chapters.)
I had a blast with this game and still haven’t gotten around to levelling up enough to be able to beat the last boss.
Anything that utilizes woodwinds to their full potential is very good. Scratch that, anything that uses all of the instruments is amazing.
The sound track is great, it has a very relaxing and inspiring tone.
@Majora101 Thanks! Might just do that although I prefer hearing a score during the game.
@finalstan Unfortunately never got round to playing Suikoden 2. Fingers crossed for a remaster, you never know nowadays.
@NintendoFan4Lyf Golden Sun score sure is a bit of alright!
Square games usually have some nice soundtrack but this one is really incredible. More discreet than XC2 but just as good if not better.
@finalstan
Thank you!
I also found this link for physical CD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C53MXBW/?coliid=I1BE633LSUHRET&colid=1IIMAESZ21YL8&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
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