If you want the closest experience to Octopath Traveler, start with Octopath Traveler II. It keeps the eight-traveler structure and strategic turn-based battles while moving to a new setting. Choose Triangle Strategy for grid tactics and political decisions, Live A Live for a compact anthology of separate stories, or Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for classic party building and open-ended questing. The official HD-2D catalog has also expanded with Octopath Traveler 0, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales; check your platform and region before buying those newer releases.
Quick picks
| Rank | Game | Best match for | Structure | Physical-edition information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Octopath Traveler II | The closest follow-up to the original | Eight protagonists, individual storylines, strategic turn-based battles | Square Enix documents an individual physical and digital release for Nintendo Switch 2 |
| 2 | Triangle Strategy | Deliberate tactics and political choices | Grid-based tactical RPG with a voting system that affects the story | No physical-edition details are stated |
| 3 | Live A Live | Several short, distinct campaigns | Story-driven anthology presented in separate eras and chapters | No physical-edition details are stated |
| 4 | Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake | Traditional questing and party building | Classic world of towns, castles, caves and towers | Physical game documented for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S; a collector’s set is also listed |
| Newer catalog choices | Octopath Traveler 0, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | Players who want the latest additions to the official label | Details vary by title | Verify current platform, regional release and stock |
How to choose your next HD-2D JRPG
“HD-2D” is the official Square Enix label for a particular presentation: pixel-art characters and environments combined with modern 3D depth, lighting and effects. It is not a generic name for every game that mixes sprites and polygons. The current official catalog contains eight major console releases: the original Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II, Octopath Traveler 0, Live A Live, Triangle Strategy, Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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OCTOPATH TRAVELER II | $35.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Octopath Traveler II - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Octopath Traveler II | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Octopath Traveler II | $25.57 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
OCTOPATH TRAVELER 0 (Nintendo Switch 2) | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Four questions separate the recommendations more reliably than graphics alone.
Do you want a sequel or a remake?
Octopath Traveler II is a new adventure built on the original game’s format. Live A Live and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake reinterpret earlier games, so their appeal includes seeing classic material through the HD-2D presentation. The newer catalog entries broaden the label further, but no published details are sufficient to rank them above the four better-documented choices.
#1 Best Overall
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Should combat be free-form or grid-based?
The Octopath and Dragon Quest recommendations use conventional turn-based party battles. Triangle Strategy instead makes positioning and tactical movement central to combat. That difference affects every encounter: you spend less time choosing an action from a menu and more time planning where each unit should stand and how a decision may alter the battle.
Do you prefer one campaign or an anthology?
Live A Live is the clear anthology option, with separate stories set in different eras. The other three ranked games are organized around a larger adventure rather than a collection of independent chapters. Pick the anthology when you want variety and discrete stopping points; pick one of the continuous adventures when you want a single world and party-building arc.
Does a physical copy matter?
Physical availability is confirmed for Octopath Traveler II on Nintendo Switch 2 and for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. No physical-edition details are specified for Triangle Strategy or Live A Live. Retail inventory, regional versions and collector-set stock can change, so check the listing for your country and exact console before ordering.
1. Octopath Traveler II: the closest follow-up
Why it matches the original
Octopath Traveler II again places eight travelers at the center of the adventure. Each has an individual storyline and motivation, while the overall game uses strategic, turn-based battles. That combination is the strongest structural match for anyone who liked selecting a protagonist, recruiting a varied party and moving between character-led chapters in the first game.
The sequel is therefore the safest recommendation when your question is simply, “What should I play after Octopath Traveler?” You are not switching to a different genre or abandoning the multi-protagonist format; you are moving to a new world that uses the same broad framework. Square Enix describes it as a new-world adventure with eight travelers and says the series has shipped and sold more than seven million copies worldwide, a figure reported in its July 13, 2026 release.
Rank #2
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish; You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more; Where will you go, What will you do, Every path is yours to take
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating; New mechanics have also been added
What to expect from the format
Approach it as a party adventure rather than a tactical-grid game. The important choice is which traveler’s storyline to follow next and how to balance the abilities represented in your party. Battles remain turn based, so players who enjoy considering weaknesses, turn order and resource use will find the familiar rhythm intact. The individual-story structure also lets you play in shorter sessions by advancing one character’s chapter at a time, although no fixed campaign length is stated.
Who should choose it
- Choose it first if the original’s eight-character structure was your favorite feature.
- Choose it if you want another conventional turn-based JRPG rather than a grid tactics system.
- Choose it if you want the lowest adjustment cost: the setting changes, but the basic way the adventure is organized remains recognizable.
Square Enix’s own description calls Octopath Traveler II “the perfect entry for newcomers to the series” while saying it preserves the original’s charm and improves the HD-2D visuals. Existing players should read that as an invitation to expect familiarity with refinement, not a radically different ruleset.
2. Triangle Strategy: the tactical and political alternative
Why its battles feel different
Triangle Strategy is the pick for players who enjoyed thinking several turns ahead more than roaming freely with a party. Windows Central describes it as an HD-2D tactical RPG with advanced combat mechanics. Battles are built around positioning on a grid, so terrain, approach angles and the placement of allies and enemies become as important as the action selected from a command menu.
This changes the pace of play. Instead of treating each fight as another stop on a character’s journey, you study the battlefield, decide which unit can safely move, and protect the formation that makes your plan work. It is a better fit for someone who wants encounters to function as puzzles than for someone seeking the most direct continuation of Octopath Traveler‘s party flow.
Why choices matter
The story is political and shaped by player decisions through a voting system. Important characters do not simply follow a predetermined route; the outcome of deliberations can send the narrative in different directions. That makes the game a useful counterpoint to the more character-by-character structure of the Octopath games: your focus shifts from choosing whose chapter to play to deciding which policy or course of action the group will support.
Rank #3
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
Who should choose it
- Pick it when tactical positioning is your primary reason for playing an RPG.
- Pick it when you want political consequences and decisions to shape the story.
- Skip it as your first follow-up if you mainly want free-form exploration and the closest possible party structure.
3. Live A Live: the compact anthology
A different kind of JRPG structure
Live A Live is a story-driven HD-2D RPG from Team Asano, presented as a remake. Rather than building one uninterrupted journey around a single cast, it divides the experience into distinct chapters and eras. Each segment has its own premise and tone, making the game suitable for players who want to sample several kinds of adventure without committing to one continuous party campaign.
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The anthology format also changes how you should approach progression. You can treat each chapter as a self-contained story and use the breaks between them as natural stopping points. If the original Octopath Traveler appealed to you because its protagonists felt like separate leads, Live A Live pushes that idea further by giving each scenario a more clearly separated identity.
Release history and platforms
Square Enix first released the HD-2D remake on Nintendo Switch and later launched it on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and PC. No physical-edition availability is specified for those versions, so check the store listing for your platform rather than assuming that a boxed copy exists in every region.
Who should choose it
- Choose it when several shorter stories sound better than one long, continuous campaign.
- Choose it when you want an HD-2D remake with a strong story focus.
- Choose it when variety of setting and premise matters more than maintaining one permanent party.
4. Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake: classic questing modernized
Why it suits traditional RPG fans
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is a reimagining of the classic and the narrative beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy. Its official description emphasizes a broad world containing towns, castles, caves and towers. That makes it the recommendation for readers who want the familiar rhythm of leaving town, assembling a party, exploring a route and returning with new information or equipment.
Unlike Triangle Strategy, it is not centered on a political voting system. Unlike Live A Live, it is not an anthology of unrelated eras. Its identity comes from traditional questing and the sense of crossing a large map filled with different types of locations. If what you missed after Octopath Traveler was not the eight protagonists but the pleasure of discovering the next settlement or dungeon, this is the stronger choice.
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Rank #4
- Begin your adventure as one of eight new travelers, each with their own origins, motivations, and unique skills.
- The series’ HD-2D graphics, a fusion of retro pixel art and 3DCG, have reached even greater heights.
- The story takes place in Solistia, where diverse cultures thrive from east to west and the industries of the new era flourish. You can sail the seas and explore every corner of a world that changes from day to night.
- Each traveler has a unique set of Path Actions they can use to battle townspeople, obtain items, take others along in their travels, and more. Where will you go? What will you do? Every path is yours to take.
- Familiar mechanics from the original game have been preserved, like the freedom to develop your travelers’ jobs and skills, as well as the Break and Boost system that made battles so exhilarating. New mechanics have also been added.
Modern systems in a classic frame
Square Enix’s store description says the remake combines pixel art with 3D graphics, adds a modernized interface and quality-of-life improvements, and enhances the turn-based battles. Those changes are aimed at reducing friction without discarding the classic quest structure. You still get a party-based adventure, but with presentation and usability designed for contemporary consoles.
Physical editions
A standard physical game is documented for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Square Enix also lists a collector’s set. Because packaging and inventory vary by territory, confirm whether the edition is the standard game or collector’s set and whether it matches your console before purchase.
Who should choose it
- Pick it for a classic world map with towns, castles, caves and towers.
- Pick it for traditional party building and turn-based battles with modern interface improvements.
- Pick it when you want a remake that also serves as the beginning of the Erdrick Trilogy’s narrative.
Newer entries in the official HD-2D catalog
The official catalog has grown beyond the original and its direct sequel. These three entries are worth monitoring, but the available information is not detailed enough to assign them a precise rank against the four recommendations above.
Octopath Traveler 0
Octopath Traveler 0 is listed as an official HD-2D release. Its inclusion makes it the most obvious additional title for readers who want to stay within the Octopath side of the catalog, but platform support, regional availability and its exact relationship to the other games should be checked in the current store listing before you commit.
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This paired remake is also on the official HD-2D list. It is the catalog choice for someone who wants to continue exploring the Dragon Quest material represented by Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Verify the release date, supported systems and whether your region offers a physical package or a digital edition.
Best Value
- Embark on an adventure of your own creation. The latest in the OCTOPATH TRAVELER series.
- New story content – Experience original, streamlined story content and quests with new paths to achieve.
- Character creation – Create a customized protagonist with unique appearance, voice, motions and more.
- Town building system – Rebuild the protagonist's town as the story progresses with evolving town reconstruction mechanics and development while inviting new people to live in the town.*
- HD-2D Visuals – The series’ iconic graphic style returns, bringing a striking blend of retro 2D characters in a beautiful 3D world.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is the third newer title named in the official catalog. No combat model, campaign structure or physical availability is specified, so treat it as a title to investigate rather than assuming it plays like Octopath Traveler or Triangle Strategy.
Physical-edition and platform checks
Physical availability is not uniform across the catalog. Use the following checklist when a boxed copy is part of your decision:
- Confirm the exact console generation. The documented Octopath Traveler II individual release is for Nintendo Switch 2, while the documented Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake physical versions are for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
- Check whether the listing is for the standard game or a collector’s set. The latter is specifically documented for Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
- Verify your country’s release and retailer stock. Switch 2 availability, prices and inventory can differ by region and can change after publication.
- Read the platform label carefully before ordering. A physical product for one console family is not proof that the same edition runs on another system.
For Triangle Strategy and Live A Live, no physical-edition details are established. Do not infer availability from another platform’s release.
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Recommended play orders
If you want the least disruptive follow-up
Play Octopath Traveler II first. It preserves the eight-traveler premise and strategic turn-based flow, so you can move directly from the original without learning a new combat format.
If you want deeper tactical decisions
Move from the original to Triangle Strategy. The change from party adventure to grid combat is substantial, but it rewards the same habit of planning actions carefully. Its voting system adds a narrative decision layer that the other ranked games do not share.
If you want shorter, self-contained stories
Choose Live A Live. Its separate chapters let you vary the setting and tone between sessions, making it a natural break from a single long campaign.
If exploration is the priority
Choose Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake. Its towns, castles, caves and towers provide the broad questing structure to select when discovering the world matters more than following several protagonist storylines.
Bottom line
Octopath Traveler II is the best first game after Octopath Traveler because it is the closest structural follow-up. Triangle Strategy is better for tactical combat and political choices, Live A Live for an anthology format, and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake for classic exploration and party building. The remaining official HD-2D releases broaden the catalog, but check current regional platform and physical-edition information before buying.
Quick Recap
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