The world of Square Enix’sOctopath Traveleris filled with compelling side quests. As the game’s eight protagonists journey across the continent of Orsterra, they meet a number of interesting characters needing their help in one way or another. While manyOctopath Travelerside quests are quite interesting and fun, “Left Behind” stands apart for its focus on the player’s power of observation and surprisingly heartwarming ending - something an often dark story likeOctopathdesperately needs.
Side quests inOctopath Traveler,known as Side Stories, are scattered around thecontinent of Orsterra. Developer Square Enix worked to differentiate these stories from standard “fetch quests” or “enemy killing quests” by centering them around the interactions between characters and the game’s overarching theme of the journey. Players can help a young girl raise a dragon, encourage a would-be adventurer to follow his dreams, and carry letters back and forth between a pair of separated lovers. Side Stories often focus on the use of the eight protagonists' unique Path Actions, and “Left Behind” is no exception.
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Left Behind Tells a Surprisingly Heartwarming Story
The Side Story “Left Behind” is initiated in the seaside town of Goldshore, when players interact with a Former Sailor. He explains that his ship was damaged in a storm, and the captain has been missing ever since. Although it has been years since the accident happened, the Former Sailor has continued to search for the captain and has never given up hope that he might be alive somewhere. The only information he is able to give the player to aid in their search is that the captain “has a long beard” - players aren’t even given a name to work with. They must use their observation skills to locate a single bearded NPC among the many varied towns, regions, anddungeons comprising Orsterra.
In many games, a quest like this might end with finding the captain’s grave or sadly reporting that he is still missing. Luckily, that is not the case. The Captain can be found in the fighting-focused town of Victor’s Hollow in the Woodlands region, having developed amnesia after the accident which renders him unable to remember anything except his fondness for the sea. Players must useOphelia the Clericto Guide him or Primrose the Dancer to Allure him to get the amnesiac man to follow them. Once the Amnesiac is reunited with the Former Sailor, the quest gets a happy ending - his memory is immediately restored upon seeing his companion. Speaking to the characters again results in the two NPCs - now renamed “Sailor” and “Captain” - excitedly telling the player that they intend to set out on another sea voyage.
This Side Story Shows a Darker Side of the Theme of Traveling
As its title suggests,Octopath Traveleris a story about journeys. Each of the eight protagonists is traveling for a reason, whether that be earning money, stealing valuable treasures, confronting a former companion, or getting revenge for the death of a family member. Many of the Side Stories also focus on travel, with characters wanting to set off on journeys of their own, getting lost, visiting faraway locales, and more.
“Left Behind” showcases the darker side of travel in Orsterra, with the Captain and Sailor experiencing a tragic accident that resulted in the loss of their ship and many of their companions. The story’s themes particularly connect to Tressa the Merchant, one of the eight playable characters, who dreams of traveling outside of Orsterra and befriends a ship’s captain who also suffered a tragic loss at sea. This Side Story is a nuanced tale that makes surethe overarching story ofOctopath Travelerdoes not simply glorify traveling, but realistically addresses its dangers and downsides.
Square Enix recently announcedOctopath Traveler 2,a sequel featuring eight brand-new protagonists. The game is currently scheduled to release in early 2023. Fans of the firstOctopath Travelerhope that the sequel will bring back the Side Story system and feature the return of deep, well-written side quests with a focus on both character development and overarching themes.
Octopath Traveleris currently available for Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox One.
