Octopath Traveler 0 comes out for PS5 and PS4 on December 4, 2025… but who wants to wait that long? You can start your adventure today in the new free demo!
This generous chunk of game lets you play through the opening prologue, and play through the first chapter of multiple story arcs… or for three hours. Whichever comes first.
And yes – progress does carry over to the full game.
The demo’s not the only thing that’s dropped today – as part of today’s reveal we also released a brand-new trailer that gives you some enticing insight into the game’s brilliant story. Take a look:
Read on and we’ll tell you what you can do in the demo – and how you can get it. First, though, we should introduce the game itself:
What is Octopath Traveler 0?
Octopath Traveler 0 is an HD-2D RPG that offers a fresh take on the acclaimed series.
Rather than eight separate characters and stories as in previous games, Octopath Traveler 0 follows your customizable protagonist on a journey to find those who destroyed your hometown Wishvale – and bring them to justice!
Not only that, but you’ll also have the opportunity to rebuild your town, placing buildings, decorations and more to make it feel like… well, a home.
It’s a stirring tale of revenge and retribution, with more than 30 allies to recruit, each with their own stories. Not to mention thrillingly strategic turn-based battles with up to eight party members at a time, and beautiful visuals thanks to the series’ signature HD-2D graphics.
Oh, and in true Octopath fashion, it also has one of the best soundtracks you’ll hear this year.
You can get a taste of all of this, of course, in the new demo!
What’s included in the free demo?
One of the first things you’ll do in the Octopath Traveler 0 demo is make your protagonist! For the first time in the series, you get to design the main character yourself, choosing an appearance and a few other features that suit your personal style.
Then, you play through the game’s prologue. The town of Wishvale is celebrating its annual Day of Reverence and about to light the blue flame that protects peace. The festive atmosphere is brought to a sudden stop when the town is attacked and engulfed in red flames.
In the aftermath, your plucky protagonist sets out on a mission to find those responsible.
Once you’re done with the prologue, you have a lot of freedom in what you do and how you explore. The game features three antagonists, known as Masters, who each have their own story arc. In the demo, you can play through the first chapter of all three ‘Master of’ arcs, as well as the ‘Kindlers of the Flame’ story, which introduces the restoration of Wishvale and its town-building mechanics.
The demo lasts for three hours – and you can play through as much of that content as you like in that time.
What can you expect from the battle system?
Whichever arc you choose to play, you’ll get to experience the game’s super satisfying turn-based battles.
The game uses the acclaimed ‘Break & Boost’ battle system, which is based around exploiting enemy weaknesses to whittle down their Shield Points and break them. Once broken, an enemy is stunned and vulnerable to attacks.
Each turn, characters in your party also accumulate Boost Points (BP). These can be spent to attack multiple times in a single turn, strengthen certain attacks, increase the potency of healing and buffs and more.
The key to success is knowing when to use BP and when to hold them. For example, is it worth using multiple attacks to break an enemy now, or should you save them for when your foe is vulnerable so you can maximize damage? Each fight is a fun, strategic challenge.
You’ll meet some allies in the demo, and the combat system only expands further in the main game. You’ll be able to recruit more than 30 characters to your team, and battle with up to eight of them in the party at a time.
You’ll have a front and back row in battle, and have the ability to switch between them even mid-fight. That means more BP to play with, and faster battles with even more strategic depth!
How does town-building factor into the demo?
Your journey’s not just about retribution – it’s about restoration as well.
During the demo, you’ll be able to start rebuilding Wishvale and explore the new town creation mechanics. You can place buildings, decorations and more as you start to build a settlement that feels uniquely yours.
As you build Wishvale in the demo and in the full game, you’ll add more residents and facilities, which can supply items and equipment, train your party with new skills and more to help you on your adventures.
As you adventure, you’ll collect valuable resources and potential residents that you can use to expand and improve Wishvale.
There’s a lot of depth to the town-building in the game, and you’ll get to lay some strong foundations in the free demo, before you unleash your creativity in the final game!
Do you need to have played Ocopath Traveler I or II to play this?
Octopath Traveler 0 is set in Orsterra – the setting for the original Octopath Traveler. However, the game starts before the events of that game, and tells its own, unconnected story, so you’re not missing any vital narrative if you’ve never played an Octopath game before.
That said, If you do have save files on the same console for Octopath Traveler I, Octopath Traveler II (and even Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake or Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake!), you’ll also earn some useful items or customization items for your town in the full game.
How do you get the Octopath Traveler 0 demo?
The Octopath Traveler 0 demo is available today for PS5 and PS4. To get it, simply visit PlayStation Store.
We hope you like what you play! If you do, you can preorder the full game – and doing so gets you some neat in-game rewards when it launches:
- 5 Healing Grapes (M)
- 5 Inspiriting Plums (M)
- 2 Revitalizing Jam
- Action Skill: Icewind Mastery
Octopath Traveler 0 comes out for PS5 and PS4 on December 4, but start your adventure today with the free demo!