Which is the best version of the Octopath Traveler 0? Switch 2, PS5, Switch, Steam, PS4, and Xbox compared

This week sees the release of Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler 0 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). I’ve tested the game on all platforms – PS4, PS5 (running the PS4 version), Switch, Switch 2, Steam (on both Steam Deck and ROG Ally) – to help you choose the best version. I also tested the Xbox demo on PC and Xbox Series X to evaluate performance and loading speeds, and will update this comparison when I get access to the full Xbox game. You can find James’ complete review of Octopath Traveler 0 here.

Octopath Traveler 0 visuals and performance across PS5, Switch 2, PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox

Square Enix had previously shared the expected resolution and frame rates for Octopath Traveler 0 on various consoles and PC. At the time, it wasn’t clear if those targets applied to both docked and handheld modes on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Now, after playing the complete game on most platforms, I’ve been pleased with some versions and underwhelmed by others.

Octopath Traveler II aims for smooth performance, targeting 120 frames per second on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC (with PC supporting up to 120fps). Other platforms generally aim for 60fps, while the Nintendo Switch is limited to 30fps. Currently, the game doesn’t quite reach these targets on any console, experiencing occasional frame rate drops. However, some consoles struggle more than others. I’ve included some advice on how to optimize your experience based on your TV or monitor and which console or PC you’re playing on.

Octopath Traveler 0 on PS5 and Xbox Series X

If your TV or monitor supports VRR, you don’t need to worry about performance issues when playing Octopath Traveler 0 on PS5 or Xbox Series X, as VRR smooths out frame rate drops below 120fps. If you don’t have VRR, I suggest setting your console to 60fps before starting the game. Unfortunately, there’s no option to choose 120fps or 60fps within the game itself, so you’ll need to adjust this in your console’s display settings. Based on my experience, Octopath Traveler 0 runs flawlessly on both PS5 and Xbox at 60fps.

Just so you know, Octopath Traveler II on PlayStation 5 loads the quickest compared to other platforms. The Xbox version takes a while to start up, but it does offer Quick Resume, which is a nice feature for lengthy role-playing games.

Octopath Traveler 0 Switch 2 vs Switch 1

I tested Octopath Traveler II on both the original Switch and the new Switch 2, focusing on how well the first version plays on the newer console, especially considering the Switch 2 version is only available digitally. I wouldn’t recommend buying the original Switch version just to play it on the Switch 2, because the graphics look significantly worse. While it runs smoothly, the lower resolution graphics are very noticeable on the Switch 2’s screen when played handheld. If you only plan to play the game docked, it’s an okay experience, similar to other older Switch games on the new console, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.

The Switch 2 version of Octopath Traveler II aims for a smoother experience with a target of 60 frames per second, whether played on a TV or in handheld mode, a significant improvement over the original Switch’s 30fps. While the resolution is higher on the new console, the handheld visuals aren’t as sharp as some might hope. Ideally, I’d have liked to see options for prioritizing either performance or visual quality, similar to what was offered in the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. Although recent updates have improved performance, Octopath Traveler II doesn’t consistently maintain 60fps on the Switch 2. There are occasional frame rate dips during battles, and more noticeably, some stuttering while exploring the world, which is frustrating given the game isn’t pushing a particularly high resolution.

Playing Octopath Traveler II on the Switch in handheld mode isn’t very smooth; you’ll notice a lot of visual flickering and jagged edges even when just navigating menus. It’s especially noticeable during battles. I strongly suggest downloading the demo first to see if these visual issues bother you, as it’s easily the most technically flawed HD-2D game on the Switch. The game also struggles to maintain a consistent 30 frames per second, which impacts how smoothly it plays. Hopefully, future updates will fix these problems, but the performance isn’t ideal right now.

Octopath Traveler 0 full game Steam Deck and ROG Ally impressions

As I mentioned in my first look, Octopath Traveler II runs wonderfully on the Steam Deck without any adjustments. I suggest limiting the frame rate to 60fps at 60hz on the Steam Deck OLED for the best experience. I’ve already detailed the PC version’s performance in my preview. For those using the ROG Ally, the 25W Turbo Mode provides a great portable experience, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) really helps when targeting 120fps. While the game doesn’t consistently hit 120fps during intense moments with lots of effects—it sometimes dips into the 80s—VRR smooths things out, making the game feel great. If you were concerned about performance on the ROG Ally, you should have a very enjoyable experience with VRR turned on and aiming for 120fps.

Octopath Traveler 0 load times across Switch 2, PS5, Steam, Xbox, PS4, Xbox on PC, and Switch 1

I tested how quickly Octopath Traveler II loads on different systems. I timed how long it took to get to the title screen from the console’s home screen, and also how long it took to load an early part of the game. I tested the game on: a Switch OLED with a micro SD card, two different Switch models using internal storage, a PS4 Pro with a hard drive, a PS4 version played on a PS5 with an external hard drive, a PS5 using its internal SSD, the full game on Steam and a demo of the Xbox version both installed on a ROG Ally, the Xbox version on an Xbox Series X’s internal SSD, and the Steam version on a Steam Deck’s internal SSD.

Platform	Dashboard to title	Loading a save
Switch	38	10
Switch on Switch 2	21	6
Switch 2	24-25	5
PS5	10	4
PS4 on PS5 HDD	23-24	7
PS4 Pro	34-36	9-10
Steam Deck	27-28	6
ROG Ally Steam	17	4.5
ROG Ally Xbox on PC*	40-47	6-7
Xbox Series X*	26-28	4

Just a quick note: all the loading times mentioned are measured in seconds. The Xbox and Xbox on PC results are from playing the game’s demo. I’ll share updated results once I have access to the complete Xbox game. All other times were recorded using the fully updated and patched game on each platform.

When it comes to loading times, Octopath Traveler 0 performs best on PS5. The Steam version running on the ROG Ally is a close second. Xbox Series X loads quickly once the game is running, but takes longer to start up initially. The Nintendo Switch and PS4 versions are noticeably slower overall. The Switch 2 version performs similarly to the PS4 version when played on PS5, and is slightly faster than the Steam version on the Steam Deck. The original Switch version is particularly slow, with long loading times between areas.

Which version of Octopath Traveler 0 is the best?

If you’re playing on a TV or monitor that supports VRR, I recommend the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions with the default settings. Enabling VRR allows for a smoother, more responsive experience at 120fps. If your display doesn’t have VRR, those same consoles are still the best choice – just make sure to set them to 60Hz (or disable 120Hz on PS5).

While Octopath Traveler II is great on consoles, the PC version is the best overall. It supports 4K resolution and a smooth 120fps if your computer is powerful enough, loads quickly, and runs perfectly on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. Speaking of portable play, the Steam Deck OLED provides the best 60fps experience. However, you can achieve a good 120fps on devices like the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme or the MSI handheld. The Switch 2 version is a significant improvement over the original Switch, but it doesn’t quite match the quality of the experience on other handhelds.

Which version of Octopath Traveler 0 should you buy today?

I’ve played Octopath Traveler II on every platform – Switch (including the new Switch 2), PS5 with the PS4 version, and various PC handhelds. While it’s not a terrible experience on most systems, the game clearly could have used more development time to fix technical problems. I’m hopeful Square Enix will release updates to improve it further. Here are my detailed thoughts on how the game performs on each platform:

Octopath Traveler 0 on Switch: Octopath Traveler 0 on Switch is sadly not as polished as prior HD-2D releases on the platform. If it was like Octopath Traveler II on Switch, I would have recommended it with some caveats about the technical improvements present on other platforms, but Octopath Traveler 0 in its current state on Switch does not feel good to play. This is with 1.0.2 installed. While you do get a physical copy compared to the Game Key Card on Switch 2, I do not recommend the Switch version of Octopath Traveler 0 unless you have no other way to play it.
Octopath Traveler 0 on Switch 2: Octopath Traveler 0 on Switch 2 is a big upgrade over the Switch 1 version with its higher resolution and 60fps frame rate target, but it isn’t a perfect experience. While not as polished as the Dragon Quest I & II or even III HD-2D remakes on Switch 2, Octopath Traveler 0 is a fine way to play the game. It definitely feels like a conservative port all things considered though. It is also sadly not the best portable version of Octopath Traveler 0. Both the Switch and Switch 2 have good HD rumble implementations with the latter being excellent.
Octopath Traveler 0 on Steam: If you play on Steam Deck or PC in general, Octopath Traveler 0 for Steam is best version. It plays perfectly on Steam Deck out of the box at 60fps while also looking amazing on the OLED display. If you play on a high end PC or even more powerful PC handheld, you can even play with a 120fps target.
Octopath Traveler 0 on PS5 and PS4: Since this a combined purchase digitally, I am covering Octopath Traveler 0 on PS4 and PS5 together. If you want to play on your TV, care about trophy support, and don’t care about portable play (unless you stream to a PlayStation Portal or phone which is not a native experience), Octopath Traveler 0 for PS5 is the best version with the fastest load times as well. I don’t recommend playing the PS4 version on PS5, but if you do play on PS4 Pro, it is a good experience that lines up with the Switch 2 version docked. I also want to note the PS5’s DualSense haptics are implemented well here.
Octopath Traveler 0 on Xbox: If you have access to a PC handheld or play on Xbox Series consoles and Windows 11, Octopath Traveler 0 is a Play Anywhere release letting you play on your console or PC at home and then pick up your progress on your PC handheld. The only real issue with this version, as with most Xbox versions of multi-platform games I test, is the load times and initial syncing taking longer than other versions right now. I also want to note the rumble implementation is very good on Xbox Series X.

I hope this guide helped you choose the best place to buy and play Octopath Traveler II, especially if you have options across different platforms. If you only play on one platform, I hope it gave you a good idea of what to expect. And if you’re still curious about how it runs on a specific platform, you can always try the demo to see for yourself!

Octopath Traveler II will be available starting December 4th on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

2025-12-03 14:00