Square Enix has officially announced thatOctopath Traveler 2is in development, as part of Tuesday’s Nintendo Direct. This was the Nintendo Direct that Switch fans have been waiting for, with major announcements having been rumored since the start of 2022. Few likely expected Square Enix to participate in such major way, however, it announced plans for multiple games, including the 2D-HD sequelOctopath Traveler 2.

Octopath Travelerlaunched in July 2018 as a timed exclusive for the Nintendo Switch. The game’s release was celebrated as Square Enix’s return to the pixel-art JRPGs that made the company what it is today, modernized for a new generation. It also faced criticism, however, for its disjointed overarching story, the lack of connection between party members, and grindy progression. With Square Enix’sOctopath Travelerteam moving on toTriangle Strategy, some worried anOctopath Travelersequel wouldn’t be made.

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There was never a need for worry, as Square Enix’s Business Division 11 development team is now actively workingOctopath Traveler 2. There’s more good news to follow that, too.Octopath Traveler 2already has a release date, and it’s not far off.JRPG fanswill be able to playOctopath Travelerstarting Aug 03, 2025, just five months from now.

While details about the new JRPG are understandably thin, given its surprise announcement,Square Enixhas shared some early information. The sequel will feature eight new protagonists, mirroring the eight starting classes of the original game. There names are Hikari, Agnea, Partitio, Osvald, Throne, Temenos, Ochette, and Castti. They each have their own path actions, one for day and one for night. Square Enix also says these characters will interact with each other much more than in the originalOctopath Traveler.

Those who skipped theoriginalOctopath Travelerwon’t have to go back to the first game, either.Octopath Traveler 2is a completely standalone game set in an entirely new world named Solistia. TheOctopath Traveler 2experience will still be deeply familiar to those that played the first game, with the returning Break and Boost combat (expanded in exciting new ways), and an evolved HD-2D art style.

Square Enix’s throwback JRPGs have been warmly embraced by an audience that fondly recallsFinal Fantasygames prior toFinal Fantasy 7.Octopath Travelermarked the start of an exciting trend, withTriangle Strategyand theLive A Liveremake both having launched and aDragon Quest 3remakeon the way.Octopath Traveler 2is Square Enix’s opportunity to show what it’s learned and what’s next for HD-2D going forward.

Octopath Traveler 2releases June 28, 2025, on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.