Wandering Sword Impressions - An Asian-Inspired Octopath Traveler?

[@Xygor]

Does Wandering Sword look like an RPG you would be interested in playing? Please consider supporting me at www.patreon.com/xygorgaming OR through KZbin membership by clicking the JOIN button above!

[@hadoo1973]

Is this going to make its way to console?

[@Xygor]

@@hadoo1973 I'm not sure! Steam is for sure.

[@omidiartgaming4102]

Oh thank you for talking about this one, I didnt know it existed!

[@Xygor]

@@omidiartgaming4102 No problem! I didn't either until I was alerted to it by the publisher!

[@Jeffmetal42]

Probably my favorite thing in gaming that happened last decade, was the emergence of the HD 2D style. I absolutely love that style, it's like playing a diorama. This game has been on my wishlist ever since I first came across it. I'm hyped for it. 🤘

[@Xygor]

Right on, sounds like me and you totally agree! This one is really fun!

[@vincenthammons6705]

man would love to see final fantasy games get this kinda treatment

[@Jeffmetal42]

@@vincenthammons6705 that would be great!

[@StrangerHappened]

*The visuals and the music are truly incredible.* That 2.5D effect, IMHO, should be available in all games like that. Maybe even for re-releases of old classics.

[@Xygor]

Now we're talking!

[@Miraihi]

Medieval/Ancient Chinese fantasy settings are often called "Xianxia". The more grounded version of this (Usually without magic) is "Wuxia". I'm actually surprised that they've used a real historical period for the setting. Usually it's more like "Vaguely ancient China but magic and alchemy exists".

[@xibalbalon8668]

I think a lot of early older wuxia picked specific time periods

[@Miraihi]

@@xibalbalon8668 Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margins certainly did, you're right.

[@bandoleir2]

I might be mistaken, but the last time I checked Japan (where Square Enix is located) was in Asia...

[@Xygor]

I meant an asian motif, which Octopath doesn't really have...

[@morriganrenfield8240]

Very excited for this! Im glad that we are getting so many ancient Chinese setting games…hopefully after a while this will inspire India to feel a sense of rivalry and they do so as well!

[@Xygor]

Right on, it's definitely something different that stands out, but with a style many of us retro freaks love. I'm here for it!

[@StrangerHappened]

I wonder if we will ever see an Indian game about *the legend of Buddha.* Even though the ancient rulers of India have almost entirely wiped out this Buddhism in India, they still did not do it completely, so it is a bit relevant even there. And even way more relevant globally.

[@TheHeroExodus]

I wouldn't mind also trying the demo. Too bad it isn't open. In the past I was QA for quite a few indies. Finding bugs helping shape a game... I miss that.... and have early access doesn't hurt lol

[@Xygor]

I suspect this one may go open eventually!

[@notimetopaint]

I should be available to try the demo in the upcoming steam next fest

[@ppjhan]

Didn’t know this game exists…I thought 2DHD style is trademarked by Square Enid so only their games can utilize this? I definitely love the old classic style, will definitely try this game out!

[@Xygor]

I think it's worth trying out!

[@babao1442]

The trademark is only for the name HD-2D, not for the actual style. Any publisher can make a game in a similar style, as long as they don't call it HD-2d it's ok.

[@BurnoutsAndBourbon]

Wow this looks splendid! This is exactly the reason I sub to this channel… hidden gems being brought to light for me to enjoy. Thank you!

[@Xygor]

Glad you enjoy it too! I was kind of blown away by this one and I hadn't been tracking it at all. Hope it helps!

[@densha63]

This looks great! I'm so in love with 2D-HD games right now because of my love for classic turn-based RPGs and this satisfy that nostalgia but the artwork and gameplay seems legit great!

[@Xygor]

Couldn't agree more! This one really knocked my socks off.

[@barry-allenthe-flash8396]

Oh this is cool to see a Chinese RPG on here. I've been checking out more and more over the past few years now that they're coming out West more often, simply because I am always hoping _something_ will feel like a Jade Empire successor, and I loved that game. If you're going to be taking a look at some of those going forward, I recommend Sword & Fairy: Together Forever and Xuan Yuan 7 - they're both action-RPGs, though Xuan Yuan is a bit more of a soulslike (don't let that scare you though; it's still fast and combo-driven. It's just got a stamina bar and is nowhere NEAR as flashy as S&F), they're also both gorgeous and have incredible music, though the story translations are pretty rough. The era of translating these for western markets is still in its infancy, after all. Still, lots of a fun to be had, if you're looking for more traditionally Asian-inspired RPGs (versus, like, Genshin Impact, which is a Chinese-developed game, but obviously has that great fantasy anime aesthetic). Of course, if those are too new and you're looking just at retro games, might wanna look into Brave Battle Saga or Canon: Legend of the New Gods, both published by Piko. They were Taiwanese Sega MegaGen games back in the day, but got official releases a few years ago. BBS is more its own thing, whereas Canon is obviously a riff on Shining Force.

[@Xygor]

Thanks for your thoughts! I can't wait for this one. It certainly is unique.

[@danielshimabukuro3502]

Great video as usual. I always wonder what is the name of the intro song and if you ever plan to do a top songs in jrpgs?

[@Xygor]

Thank you! Intro song is Magus' Theme from Chrono Trigger.

[@SwagimirPutin]

I'm glad you found this because I probably wouldn't have.

[@Xygor]

Great, let’s keep it on both of our radars!

[@Symphony85p]

Suikoden one and two have the best most mystic character potraits of all rpgs. This game looks great.

[@Xygor]

Yes it does!

[@uberpinkwarrior]

I am decently certain this was probably made by that 3D RPG maker engine. If it isn't, I'd be shocked, because it looks just like it. For anyone curious, in the RPG maker world, there were basically 2 options: one of the various RPG makers (easy to use, but restrictive, later ones like MV give you a lot of options tho), or wolf engine (requires a bit more out of you, gives you some more options, you probably have seen a wolf rpg if you buy indie RPGs because they are visually distinctive. Wolf is good at doing action, btw, or custom UI turn-based.) Recently, a new one showed up, which gives you way more options and is noticeably more complicated, but this is a good example of the stuff it can pump out. I should add that it is way more user friendly than like, Unity or something, but yeah. For anyone thinking I'm bashing it, I'm not. I love the indie rpg scene with lots of small teams (1-5 people typically) making fantastic RPGs. Better engines mean better rpgs. Unfortunately, I can't recall the engines name, but yeah, one of the core ideas behind it was they wanted an engine that could be used to create octopath traveller-looking RPGs easily.

[@Xygor]

It was made with Unreal engine, I know that.

[@ronsilk6212]

These modern 2d rpgs are amazing. I love the look and gameplay.

[@Xygor]

Same, it looks great. I think this one will really surprise some people!

[@KingsRight]

i love these kinds of graphics over all that big budget stuff game companies put out today. i'm more likely to pay higher price for this kind of game over those bigger budget titles.

[@Xygor]

Right on, same here!

[@markmatthews2391]

Looks fun might give it a try if I get the chance

[@Xygor]

I was pretty impressed, I think it's worth it too! What looks coolest about it to you?

[@markmatthews2391]

@Xygor Gaming mostly the fact that it looks vary Chinese fantasy which I am a fan of but I wonder if there will be a crafting system of any kind

[@Xygor]

@@markmatthews2391 right on, I love that motif too! Not sure about the crafting...

[@markmatthews2391]

@Xygor Gaming less motif and more part of a sub genre that I don't think I have seen in the style of a rpg which is quite cool to me

[@Lcirex]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[@DonkThikkness]

First I’m hearing of Wandering Sword, it looks great!

[@Xygor]

I agree, I was pretty surprised by this one!

[@joshua546]

Man could you review these two PS2 rpg tactics games called Disgaea : Hour of Darkness and Disgaea 2 : Cursed Memories

[@Xygor]

Maybe eventually!

[@EatingCtrlV]

Can't wait for this to hit the switch.

[@rikib3652]

I don't have a computer or steamdeck, so I'm out of luck on that end. Seeing this reminded me that I never did finish sayki journey west

[@Unguided]

I'm a sucker for wuxia so this is an instant buy for me the day it comes out.

[@Xygor]

Yeah, I can't wait to play the full version either!

[@rtsgod]

the text needs to be bigger or have the option to be bigger!

[@Xygor]

Totally. This is my biggest gripe. It would really look better if it was bigger.

[@rtsgod]

@@Xygor Espically for people playing on a tv instead of in front of a computer monitor. I hope you sent them a message about it. It turns a probably buy into a don't touch for me.

[@airbornemuffins9385]

Really surprised you haven't looked at Crystal Project yet

[@Xygor]

Maybe I will check that out. Is it HD-2D also?

[@airbornemuffins9385]

@@Xygor No, 2D sprites and voxel environment. It's essentially FFV meets open world platformer.

[@Xygor]

@@airbornemuffins9385 Right on, maybe I would like it.

[@alinazhou8028]

This looks like an extention of ancient China section of the Live a Live remake.

[@Xygor]

Very true!

[@royceflores23]

Looks good. I will put it on the watch list.

[@Xygor]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Anon-cv7ru]

Gloves are for the Palm/Fist techniques, Hidden Weapons are a entire different tech tree though.

[@CanistSyaoran]

How have I missed this game!? This is the 1st I've even heard of this game! Awesome surprise! Can't wait to pick it up. :)

[@Xygor]

I was surprised by it too! I think it’s going to make an unexpected splash.

[@CanistSyaoran]

I completely agree! Hopefully other games don't overshadow it.

[@backsider578]

Can this be played on a steam deck?

[@Xygor]

I'm not sure, I don't have one and haven't tried. I can't see why not though.

[@ravenwolf3039]

looks really cool I'm putting it on my wish list

[@Xygor]

Good decision!

[@demonreturns4336]

what console system is this for?

[@Xygor]

Steam

[@CrumpetsNBiscuits]

Not really into the oriental theme, but the tactic layer looking fine

[@Xygor]

Right on, I think it plays fine too!

[@spencerdokes6056]

If only an hd2d version of earthbound would happen...

[@Xygor]

Maybe eventually!

[@RythymBeast]

Game looks dope! Thank for bringing it to my attention.

[@Xygor]

My pleasure, I agree it looks good!

[@zanychelly]

Title: Octopath is also Asian, it is Square-Enix game made in Japan.

[@jameshunter6289]

This looks awesome! Thanks for covering this

[@TIDbitRETRO]

Looks cool, hopefully gets a Switch release too.

[@brya9681]

Yes more HD 2D rpgs! I am such a suckered for this style

[@Xygor]

Right on, I agree!

[@PS1Fan1991]

Its battle system reminds me of Divinity: Original Sin to a degree which is a great thing.

[@blumiu2426]

????

[@cathode6252]

Is it on Steam? So confused.

[@notimetopaint]

Yeh its being released on steam, demo should be in the steam next fest

[@geraq0]

It really looks fantastic, I love martial arts movies so this is right up my alley. It looks and sound great.

[@ronsilk6212]

I really hope this comes to Xbox Series X

[@Xygor]

Maybe it will!

[@nuclearbeeberman]

wow this looks not like "inspired" by octopath travelers look, htis looks pretty much like a rip off of the complete art direction :D. That being said, it looks quite good even though I'm a bit stuffed with this sort of style. I mean there are millions of possible art styles why does everyone now copy this style (SE included)

[@civoreb]

I feel like the novelty wears off when too many games come out in the same style. Kind of what happened with every action rpg trying to be Souls-like

[@Xygor]

Fair enough, I can't get enough of them!

[@morriganrenfield8240]

As long as the game is well designed and written i am not going to get tired of it.

[@JayTor2112]

There are a million 3d polygonal 3rd person games out there, has the novelty worn off yet? There are only so many visual styles you can work with, why would the novelty wear off with this one after about five games? I just wish Square would have done their FF Pixel Remasters in this style instead.

[@civoreb]

@@JayTor2112 every 3rd game doesnt look the same. There is realistic 3d, cell shaded 3d, anime/ cartoon 3d and etc. 2DHD all games look the same to me. If I walked in a room with you playing a different one each time, I would think it is the same game. But thats just me.

[@AcidumAscorbinicum]

I really hate this 2DHD aesthetic, it makes me cringe. The visual style should be consistent and inseparable, if you make fist-sized pixels, then do the whole style like on SNES, if you make blur and particles, then why the hell do you need these pixel characters?!

[@Xygor]

To each their own, I like it a lot!