Octopath Traveler 2's playable cast features a dancer just like the first game did, but despite sharing a class, the two are vastly different characters. Every class from Octopath Traveler is represented in the sequel, with a new character to fill the role. However, most of these characters take on significantly different roles and storylines than their counterparts from the first game. It is impressive how the developers managed to create radically different characters who can play the same roles, making sure that Octopath Traveler 2 has a unique feel compared to the original game.
The characters that make up the more interactive heroes of Octopath Traveler 2 follow the same theme as the original, being eight characters of different classes who spell out "Octopath" with the first letters of their names. This gimmick and the gameplay are the only real connections between the two games, though. Octopath Traveler 2 takes place in a completely different world from the original, with no returning storylines. While this leads to a lot of the protagonists being very different from those that held their same roles before, the differences are most stark between the dancers of the two Octopath Traveler games, Primrose Azelhart and Agnea Bristarni.
Octopath Traveler's Dancers Have Two Completely Different Stories
The first big difference between Primrose and Agnea comes in their characterizations. Out of the protagonists of the original Octopath Traveler, Primrose is the coldest in terms of characterization with the possible exception of Therion. She rarely seems happy or positive, with her desire for revenge frequently on her mind. In contrast, Agnea is the happiest and nicest of the playable cast in Octopath Traveler 2, and she spends most of her time being cheerful and optimistic. Even their playstyles are different, although likely the opposite of what one may assume. The more aggressive Primrose is a primarily magical fighter, while the kindly Agnea is a more physical combatant.
The contrast between the two also comes through in their respective storylines. In the eight-way narrative of Octopath Traveler, Primrose had the darkest storyline in the game, following her escape from slavery and the quest for revenge against her father's murderers. Agnea, on the other hand, has Octopath Traveler 2's most lighthearted story, focused on her dreams of being a famous performer. Their respective bosses follow this trend as well. Primrose's story bosses are all among the most repugnant characters in Octopath Traveler, while Agnea's bosses can't even qualify as legitimately evil despite their unpleasantness, and even apologize to boot.
Ironically, Primrose and Agnea's respective characters have more in common with other heroes. It feels like Primrose's true successor is Octopath Traveler 2's thief Throne. Like Primrose, Throne is a young woman with a troubled past who desires revenge on those who ruined her life, as well as freedom from her current position. Both of them even use Darkness Magic for good measure. Likewise, Agnea's quest is more in line with that of Octopath Traveler's apothecary Alfyn. Rather than fighting against evil, his storyline was just about him helping people, similar to Agnea's own non-adventurous goals.
While all of the heroes of Octopath Traveler 2 contrast with their previous counterparts, Primrose and Agnea are the most triumphant example by having virtually nothing in common. As Octopath Traveler 2's rave reviews prove, this works to the game's strength, as even before Agnea's first chapter ends, it's clear to players that she will have her own story rather than recycling ideas from the first game. Even though Agnea's story has lower stakes than Primrose's, it's an important part of Octopath Traveler 2's ensemble plot. The differences between both games' dancers shows that Octopath Traveler 2 has something new to offer even to veterans of the first game.
Octopath Traveler 2 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and PS5.
