Square Enix recently interviewed the team behind Octopath Traveler II. The four interviewees were Director Keisuke Miyauchi, Composer Yasunori Nishiki, Character Designer Naoki Ikushima, and Scenario Writer Kakunoshin Futsuzawa. Each member of the team got their chance to show off their passions and perspectives at different points in the interview.
When asked which game the whole world should play, Ikushima and Futsuzawa chose Octopath Traveler II, while the game’s director chose a different game entirely. Miyauchi’s response was as follows:
“Shadow of the Colossus. I feel like the design is perfect in every aspect, neither underdone or too much – gameplay, the world and setting, the sound… everything.”
Miyauchi also mentioned that he was proud of the first Octopath Traveler, and very happy to see it be played by so many.
Nishiki, the composer for both Octopath Traveler games, shared his source of pride as well:
“The thing that I’m most proud of in and of itself, is that I’m now in a position to create new game music. I think that, at times, everyone is drawn to the idea of becoming someone who creates the kind of thing that influenced their life when they were younger. However, not everyone can make that happen – not everyone ends up in their dream job. The world can be harsh. And so, I’m really proud that I’ve made it in spite of that and have the good fortune to be in such a position myself!”
On a less serious note, when asked about the first Square Enix game he had played, Ikushima replied with Dragon Quest III and shared an amusing story from his childhood:
“I was a child, so I didn’t pay proper attention to what the king says, so I didn’t realize for a while that other characters could join your party! I ended up going on the quest all by myself. I still remember the shock when a friend at school told me (laughs)!”
Ironically, Ikushima is now a character designer for the upcoming HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest III, closer to its characters than ever before.
Lastly, when the team was asked about what they would like for players to take away from their game, scenario writer Futsuzawa ended off with some poetic words and a wish to good travels:
“Games will always have an ending. But if the characters I’ve written live on in your heart, then it’s not the end for them. Have a great trip!”
Readers can read the full interview here.