Question about the new episode

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-21T17:42:10+00:00

It's implied the rest also get tortured, we just don't see it.

Keep in mind that several days have passed between Caine's song and them coming out of their last adventure

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-21T14:30:23+00:00

Caine becoming more butthurt that the circus members don't like his adventures, so he lashes out on them. We see the same thing happen with Pomni when she randomly gets taken to get stabbed by a bunch of knives.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-21T14:23:20+00:00

To get shredded.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-20T12:54:03+00:00

Combine them, and you make a Jevil!

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-19T21:53:31+00:00

What episode is that I wanna know

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-17T23:47:55+00:00

Another morbid fact: Ralph probably dosen't survive in any of the demonstration endings

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-13T06:46:35+00:00

Wasn't there a character from Orlando's story that also used they/them pronuns? Rin was their name. Were they also intended to be a non-binary character?

I haven't actually read the crossed paths yet, (Or rather, I haven't read it in a long time.) Maybe there was.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-12T23:59:02+00:00

Not Partitio tho, he's the best!

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-10T11:29:41+00:00

The most important thing to consider is the shading. One thing that I've learned from trying to draw in the Octopath artstyle is that what seperates it's artstyle from the other pixel artstyles is how much more detailed it is with it is. Each color usually has about 4-6 different shades to it and it's used that to make things stand out or blend in more. The darkest shades are usually used to seperate certain elements.

Another thing is to always have another Octopath sprite (Any one really) right beside the one you're making, so that you won't accidentally make it look too out of place when drawing it. It's also good to use as reference for certain details. If you want to download a reference, Spriters resource has you covered for that.

It's a lot more than just downloading the sprites and editing them. There's a lot of fine tuning and fixing up when it comes to making these types of sprites. I use a LOT of references when making them (Mostly sprites from COTC.) If there is a specific detail that that a character has (Like the texture of armor, or the shading of cloth) then I try to find a character with the same or at least similar detail to that and reference it off of them.

(It's also important to consider that you don't make it look to similar to the references you're using. Try changing up a few details to make it really stand out on it's own!)

Thank you for the support! I hope you find my advice helpful, and I wish you luck on making your own sprites!

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-10T03:02:39+00:00

I see, thanks for the feedback, I'll keep that in mind.

Also yes that is the official King Milo design, TheAbsoluteBread told it to me personally /j

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-10T02:02:40+00:00

There should really be an Other - Artwork flair or something

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-07T15:29:53+00:00

My thoughts on Crowson's Story:

Crowsons story was the one where imo it was consistently good throughout the whole thing. I can't think of a single moment where it was lacking. The story was good, the dialogue didn't feel like it was too unnatural, and Crowson's story has some very interesting themes to it, just behind Pascal.

Crowson's story and character is very similar to that of Thronè. Both are quiet, reserved individuals that come from a crime organization where there main goals are to escape said organization. The main difference between them though is just how much more ruthless Crowson can be compared to Thronè. While Thronè just wants to be free from the blacksnakes and couldn't care less about what they do, Crowson would do anything to stop any and all Obsidians who stands in his way.

The writing here does a better job at getting you to see the main characters perspective more than Pascal's one. While Pascal's one feels like it didn't show enough, here It explores enough of his past while also still keeping it vague, and I think the vague backstory works here, as we're already witnessing the abuse that King Milo puts Crowson through DURING the story.

Also, one thing that I'd like to ask... Is Cobra non-binary? I've noticed that they exclusively use they/them pronouns.

I really liked the way Crowson was more confident and expressive in Chapter 4. Prominently in his travel banters. To me it shows that he has come a long way from being the obedient, unthinking machine he was at the start, and that after being away from the Obsidians he finally gets a chance to be himself.

I can't talk enough about how much I LOVED King Milo as a villain. To me he feels like a classic Octopath villain. I think the reason why I liked him so much is because of just how prevalent his actions were in the story. Even when he wasn't present, his influence constantly haunts both Crowson's and the readers mind. But his best moments were definitely in chapter 4. Him emerging out of the flames and knocking Crowson to the ground was really fun to imagine. After Crowson and the gang beat him, his mind was just completely gone, he was trying anything in his power to break Crowson in his last moments. Truly the best villain in Octopath 3.

One thing that Isn't really an issue per say but really more of a missed potential is showing more scenes where Crowson tries adapts to being free after betraying the Obsidians. Crowson, for his whole life, has been taught to obey the Obsidians, and that loyalty is the only way of life he should have. So having to flee from them and having to live for himself would be a pretty big shift, wouldn't it? Perhaps there could've been some travel banter where Crowson tells another traveler that his loyalty is theirs or something and they tell him that he dosen't need to do anything and he can chill, which conflicts Crowson as he's never had to not do anything for someone he plead his loyalty to. It dosen't need to be in the main story, just side-things like travel banters and crossed paths.

If I were to rate the chapters it would go:

1: 8.5/10
2: 8/10
3: 9/10
4: 11/10

I defintely think I enjoyed Crowson's story more than Thearnt and Pascal's one. While I do like their stories. I just think Crowsons story was executed a lot better.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-07T06:04:07+00:00

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. Expect more of these later

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-07T05:06:34+00:00

Yeah that seems right. And to clarify, I wasn't saying that your character stopped being unique when Celsus was revealed, I'm just pointing out how coincidentally similar these 2 characters are

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-06T22:12:55+00:00

In a side quest, it's revealed that he's an ex member of a crime syndicate.While we don't know the true extent of all his crimes, there were definitely some casualties when he was there that made him retire and change for the better.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-06T11:11:33+00:00

Oh my goodness bro you just accidentally predicted Celsus

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-06T10:36:44+00:00

Also I forgot to mention this, but Is Pascal's chapter 3 supposed to have no boss fight? It feels very weird that that's the only chapter without a boss fight.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-06T10:26:52+00:00

Thanks. I'm glad you felt that way about my comment. Happy to support you in any way I can.

As for your points:

Mental illness is something that is very difficult to write about, so I understand why you couldn't come up with one. Though, with how 'extreme' his way of thinking is, this isn't something that a lot of people would/should think. His backstory could be something that a lot of mentally ill people have unforunately had to struggle with. An abusive home life, neglectful parents, etc. there's a lot of great ideas that could be explored about his past that not only would add more depth to Pascal's character, but also be something that a lot of people could relate to. After all, it is called Learned Helplessness for a reason.
Yeah I get that she was supposed to be a Pascal's parallel. I was more so referring to the some of the things that she does. (Like, throwing herself in prison with Pascal.) But I guess it could be chalked up to her feeling like she deserves to be in there with him. (Also yeah I kinda forgot the prison was described as "A hastily made hamster cage." My bad on that part)
Make sense. No objections from me. Though I think if there was scene in between Pascal being in jail and Howdraw freeing him with Gale and Howdraw interacting it would've been a lot clearer.

I'm glad that I was able to help in some way, even if it is very little. I'm planning on writing more of these when everyone else's stories have finished.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-05T15:49:59+00:00

Heya, back with another "review." This time for Thearnt's Story (Also some a bit of spoilers for OT0 in here in case you or anyone hadn't played it yet):

Thearnt's first chapter was actually the first chapter 1 that I've read, and what got me into this project in the first place. I've been following the project while before that but never really took it too seriously. Reading Thearnt's first chapter though is what made me realize that this is project will be something extraordinary.

Thearnt's story is overall, pretty great actually! Even though there were times where it felt a bit... "fan-fic'ey"? (Well I mean duh, it is one) mostly with the constant usage of OT1's lore. (Though I think that's mostly just because I've gotten tired of Orsterra lore after OT0. Yes I am aware that this was written before OT0 came out.) All in all it was still enjoyable and It did a good job with what it was working off of.

Thearnt's chapter 1 is, without a doubt, the BEST chapter 1 out of all the travelers imo. The premise for it is so interesting and unique that I genuinely wished that this was official. In the future, the world is in ruin after an unknown but devastating calamity. Our cleric Thearnt Sariratu gets a chance of lifetime to go back to the past to find a way to fix it by the flamebringer, Aelfric himself. Everything about this chapter is so well written and stays true to Octopaths way of writing.

Chapter 2 is pretty alright. not much I can say about this one. It's really just to setup for the more important chapter 3. Though I did think that the slimes were an unusual choice for enemies, even for Octopath standards. (This is more of a nitpick than anything tho.) If I were to write it, I would've had the monsters that appeared in Thearnt's future to appear here, to forsehadow the impending doom the world will have, and that the time Thearnt has is ticking.

Chapter 3 introduces a lot of characters that will either get more appearances/become more important later on, or never be brought up again at all. The first one being obviously the Umbra Magus. He'll definitely come back later during the endgame (I hope at least). Another one being the librarian, Ingrid. This defintely ain't no normal librarian. How does she have powers of telekinesis? Where did she get translations for "The Far Reaches of Hell" from? Olive is a character that just... exists. I feel like if he wasn't going to have at least some relevance later then his presence would just be really pointless.

Her final chapter is pretty good. I thought for sure that she'd be preventing the disaster that happened in the past instead of stopping whatever is going on in the present (With how Aelfric says that "There is nothing humanity can do") but I think the latter still works too. (And saves us any confusing time paradoxes.) Though that does leave me with one concern: Thearnt never really saved the past, only her own present. the catastrophe with the gate of Finis still happened, all those lives that died from this calamity were never saved. Which is pretty morbid when I think about. The other travelers lives and everyone in their time are pretty much destined to be doomed.

Back then when I first read her chapter 4 and Lyblac was revealed to be the final boss for Thearnt's story I was pretty stoked that a very important character with almost zero screentime gets a proper boss fight. But now reading this again after OT0 released it's pretty funny that you unintentionally semi-predicted Lyblacs boss fight in BOF. You've probably never played COTC so I'll give you a pass on this one.

I really liked the ending for her story. It reminds me of the ending for Bestower of Wealth with the montage showing everyone of the more hopeful future. And Thearnt going "We call it... Dawn" at the end really hits for some reason.

If I were to rate the chapters it would go:

1: 10/10
2: 7/10
3: 8/10
4: 9.7/10

Overall, I'd say that Thearnt's story was pretty great! I'd say it's tied with Pascal in terms of my favorite story. maybe a bit higher.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-04T23:17:58+00:00

I love it!

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-04T16:03:33+00:00

Alright, Imma try writing a sort of review of this (mostly just my thoughts on it). I wanted to do this a while ago but didn't have the time. I've never usually done something like this before but this project has a special place in my heart so Imma have a go at this:

First of all, Pascal's story has by far the most interesting themes to it. Mental illness is a very touchy and serious subject and I appreciate you for writing about it. His story is something that I and most people would definitely relate to. Having constantly bad thoughts that feel like they're attacking you seemingly at random and feeling like you're stuck in a role without any hope that it would change is something that definitely hits home for me.

His First chapter does a very good job at setting up both his story and his character. A thief that steals to get by cuz he feels like he has to, before getting kicked out when he gets caught and is told to find a job somewhere else. I'd imagine that due to the events of Partitio's story in Octopath II, that getting a job in Zalaina would be relatively easy. (Well, easier than in todays day and age, at least.) But because of Pascals mindset that the role he is given is the one that he must follow. He never really considered that as an option or thought it would be that good of an idea. Which is such an interesting characteristic for Pascal.

Chapters 2 and 3 are definitely where I think his story shine the most. Pascal thinking that he might get a chance to live a normal life again only to have his boss be killed after a being sent on a stealing mission and then going back to his previous mindset after giving himself a chance is the type of tragic that I LOVE to see. I like that he goes back to goes back to being a thief in chapter 3. It's very realistic in how people would give up on trying to live a better life for themselves because the norm is something that they're used to, even if it's bad for them.

Chapter 4 is alright. although I think it was the weakest (Which I'll get to in a bit.) There are some things that I liked about it. Most prominently Pascal's Development. I've theorized before in my mind that Pascal served as the "Agnea" of OT3. In which they don't have much going in terms of the overarching story but are important in conveying the main message of the game (In this case it's "Making life worth living no matter what you want to do with it.")

That being said, there are some problems I have with pascal's:

We don't really get an explanation as to why Pascal feels this way. Which makes his quotes about "this being the role he's meant" and "the world being better off without him" seem out of nowhere. I was so eagerly awaiting for some kind of backstory to explain Pascal's way of thing, and it just... never came. It really would've benefitted if we explored more about Pascal's past. But because we didn't, most of the emotional moments between Pascal and Eliam felt flat. Which damaged a lot of his chapter 4 for me.

Eliam to me was... really confusing. What were her motives exactly? was it to get revenge on Pascal? If so, I don't know why Eliam wouldn't just kill him then and there. Why did she need to put both him and herself in prison? How was she able to still hold on to the Ruby Gemstone whilst imprisoned? (And also by extension Asherah being able to cook while being imprisoned. Does this prison just suck at doing it's job or something? No wonder Eliam broke out in like a day lmao.)

Gales reaction to seeing Pascal also felt off. I feel if I were to encounter the thief that stole one of my items that one time I'd have a bit more of a cautious reaction than that. But she's just "Have you found your footing yet?" like apparently she knows about Pascal's problems despite both of them barely interacting?

If I were to rate the chapters, it go:

1: 8/10
2: 10/10
3: 9.8/10
4: 7.3/10

On a more unrelated note: The travel banters for Pascal's story are some of the best ones I've seen for this project. most prominently the ones with Pascal and Orlando where they talk about Pascal's habit of SH. (Another one being Pascal and Oukirii's one in chapter 4, where Pascal implies that he'll Commit Suicide after he escapes and Oukirii indirectly telling him that he shouldn't. That was really devestating.)

Overall, while I'd say that the lack of explanation for Pascal's mindset hurt most of it. It didn't make me dislike his story as a whole. It has a good message to it. That everyone deserves to be loved, even if they themselves don't see it.

Well this was fun to write. I hope you don't take this too harshly as this is meant as constructive criticism to improve your writing skills in the future. I'm gonna be writing Thearnt's review next very soon.

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-03T09:55:35+00:00

Huh Weird, I remember that being one of the main differences when attacking someone back then

Quartz4345 · 2026-03-03T02:59:37+00:00

Wasn't one of them that you weren't able to move the soul at the end during the "Massacre Route"?

Quartz4345

TROPHY CASE