Transitioning into adulthood involves numerous roadblocks, such as self-acceptance, adapting to new roles and expectations, and pervasive anxiety. The word adulthood took on a new meaning; I was forced to evolve quickly without prior knowledge or an idea of what I should do for my future. I had to abandon personal freedoms for financial and physical security to keep steady, while also ensuring that I did not step on any toes.
As time passes, the stakes became grander. The gap between success and failure widens as individual worth is put on a pedestal. Embarking on personal journeys after being abruptly taken away from childhood can be an unnerving experience, especially when the future is unknown. That process, while daunting, is necessary to discover one’s purpose and form a personal worldview. Life is full of uncertainties, but I believe that striving to be the best version of myself is always a worthy pursuit.
One way that we explore our own growth is through the journeys of others, and for me, the best way to do that is through video games. To experience a truly transformative journey, it’s essential to let a character evolve and reach their true potential. To truly develop that character, it’s essential to cultivate intricate relationships. As a result, the bond between the audience and the character deepens and becomes more meaningful, leading to an unforgettable experience.
One game that upholds such high standards in character development is 2023’s Octopath Traveler II, a JRPG that goes beyond simple, forgettable tropes in favor of in-depth character writing. The game, set in a 2.5D sprite-based world, tells eight vignettes—one for each character—that connect the overarching storyline. It weaves personal and grand narratives in a way that leaves a lasting impression on the player’s journey. I’ve continued to think of it often since playing it (it was my 2023 Game of the Year).
The game’s strongest narratives are around two of the eight characters: an entrepreneurial spirit, Partitio Yellowil, and a dancer in search of stardom, Agnea Bristarni. Partitio and Agnea are exemplary characters who stand out due to their unwavering commitment to self-confidence and honor. Their portrayals are a testament to the importance of strong character writing, and their stories have continued to inspire me as well as, I’m sure, other young adults on their own in the world.
Spoilers ahead for the personal stories of Partitio and Agnea in Octopath Traveler II.
Humble Beginnings, Big Dreams
Partitio is a merchant who wants to end poverty and bring prosperity to his desolate town which was once booming with economic growth. Agnea is a dancer who wants to be a star and follows in the footsteps of her mother who once brought smiles to the many who had witnessed her perform. While Partitio and Agnea’s vignettes have less of an impact on any world-ending stakes than the other six sections, their personal stories speak volumes about optimism and the pursuit of dreams and goals. Unlike the rest of the playable cast who are concerned with a sense of duty to save the world, Partitio and Agnea’s stories center on idealism..
The other main characters are fueled by survival, and some of their actions will be seen as morally gray to the player. For example, the thief Throné kills a mafia boss who is actually her mother who had been torturing Throné for years. However, this action leaves behind vengeful would-be thieves who viewed Throné’s mother as a parental figure. The accompanying travelers serve to right wrongs and make sure their enemies get their comeuppance, while Partitio and Agnea look to living up to expectations and growing beyond them.
These characters’ themes resonated deeply with me, as the 2020s encapsulated ambiguity for me. Graduating from college during the Covid-19 Pandemic, dreading adulthood, looking for viable career paths, and pushing past anxiety in unfamiliar places have filled my personal journey so far with uncertainty.
Octopath Traveler II sells the fantasy of developing those dreams, and players can imagine the advancements a society could make if everyone had each other’s back.
These stories of Partitio and Agnea are about pushing through the mud and discovering how potential and effort can help people realize the value of optimism. Maintaining an optimistic outlook in a dreary world can empower young adults to reframe and exert control over things they have control over.
From Rags to Riches
From childhood through adulthood, Partitio has always had the talent for being a genius salesman, but it has been necessary for him to overcome the hardship of poverty and his naive optimism. Helping others became a catalyst for Partitio’s journey—for better or for worse, his naive outlook on the world causes him to lose much more than he expected.
This is highlighted when his optimism comes back to haunt him when his hometown, Orerush, falls on hard times due to Partitio signing a contract where the previous owner, Roque, bleeds everyone dry of their wealth. This mistake drives him to end poverty across Solistia to prevent others from experiencing his circumstances.
People need room to stretch, breathe, and take their struggles in stride along with personal accomplishments. Societal pressure to push goals towards unobtainable heights in a realistic timeline becomes an obstacle for people, at any age, to improve themselves, creating a scuffle between internal and external aspirations.
Throughout his journey, he focuses on a plan to promote innovation and create new opportunities for his community to excel. Partitio’s character serves to provide the most opportunities to his friends—and even enemies—despite his years of turmoil. The game clearly wants players to like him, since he is bursting with charisma on the surface. Yet, he is quick-tempered and will pull out all the stops for those experiencing inequality. This rings true in Chapter 4 where Partitio kickstarts an industrial revolution by building upon the Steam Tank Obsidian, a train-like weapon Roque developed in an attempt to kill Partitio.
Amid the battle, Partitio says, “Thanks to you, I experienced abject poverty beyond anything I could’ve imagined. That’s what helped me realize the truth. That things of value, well, they deserved to be shared.”
Strong convictions shape decision-making by reinforcing values that allow people to be a better version of themselves. Partitio is no exception; his selflessness inspires others to follow in his path. Young adults can draw the connection to real life with things that can be dangerous on the surface yet have practical use, such as computers harboring tons of information, cleaning chemicals, cooking with fire, etc. Partitio holds to his goals and forgoes his rivalry with the enemy.
For Me or Thee?
One can summarize Partitio’s deeds as aiming for equality through opportunity. Impractical as it sounds, he makes an effort to give those who are in search of something greater that and much more. Wealth for him is a means to establish a system of ideas and desires through hard work and good character. This is evident in Chapter 3 where he revitalizes a department store in Wellgrove to try and get an outrageous loan from a wealthy noble. Partitio hires all corners of Solistia to convince them that they can make a profit at this location, and it seemingly works! The store owners start by selling low-ranking items as a start but as the game progresses players can get their hands on some sick items and gear. However, realistically this marketing system can be exploited by the people themselves since all of their desires cannot be the same and some have higher needs than others.
Whether or not Partitio’s methods are perfect, his main intention is to spread happiness by changing attitudes and giving people a way to escape poverty. His narrative arc suggests that everyone deserves to be happy, to express themselves, and to seek others less fortunate than them to join in. His story also illustrates the differences in definition of king versus tyrant: Partitio and Roque each want to enrich themselves, yet Partitio wants prosperity and Roque wants control.
A society may admire elites—celebrities, politicians—due to the power they have, but those elites are not actively living the lives of others beneath them. The imbalance of Partitio spreading happiness is a chance for players to imagine how those spaces can further evolve if realistic plans are implemented. Octopath Traveler II sells the fantasy of developing those dreams, and players can imagine the advancements a society could make if everyone had each other’s back.
A Shooting Star
Agnea, the small-town dancer who wishes to deliver smiles, is on her way to stardom but she must overcome her naive understanding of show business. The meaning of dreams is a focal point in Agnea’s story, and inspiring others to accomplish their own allows her to build confidence in her abilities.
There is also the tale of the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Cuani Bristarni, who was famous all across Solistea and inspired Agnea to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Cuani was a traveling dancer and became worn down from giving her full effort during multiple performances to improve her dance skills. Agnea, a people pleaser, must prioritize her feelings over others while performing or she may suffer the same fate as her mother.
Chapter 2 of Agnea’s story has her arrive in the bustling town of New Delsta, where she immediately feels out of place. Unaccustomed to the city and overwhelmed by its size, her hopes for opportunities fade away quickly as she explores the town. It is also the first time where she is confronted with the disillusionment of her skills. When she observes her rival, Dolcinaea Luciel, show off her dance skills at the local theater, she feels the need to prove herself and cast away any self-doubt. She often finds herself struggling with anxiety when trying to live her truth around those who reflect her insecurities. In Chapter 5, Agnea faces off against Dolcinaea in a dance battle. Agnea, knowing that she is out of her depth, musters up the courage to be on equal footing in dancing. The people that she helped along the way are cheering for her on the sidelines.
Reflections and Connections
Although Agnea’s characterization may seem flat at first, the simplicity of her goals allows her to make the most realistic impact on the story. This is coupled with Agnea being the only character out of eight to reminisce about their journey through the medium of a play, towards the end of which she gives an inspiring speech about forging forward past uncertainty.
The theming of fleeting connections to make a lasting impression on someone’s life helps establish the narrative of an RPG. The charm that comes from Agnea’s character being someone out of her element, inspiring others, and upstaging her obstacles emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself.
Stories often begin with a protagonist feeling aimless and lost but when true direction begins to unfold, that moment of impact is made more extravagant when it necessitates reflection between the player and the character’s journey. Agnea heading off into the world on her lonesome is something every young person must do once they reach maturity, and though it may seem like a daunting process, it becomes a necessary step for Agnea to reach her true potential. Over time, she builds relationships with others while simultaneously building a better version of herself.
Agnea’s chapters illustrate the manifestation of the artistic dream and how humbling it can be to learn new perspectives. Agnea’s pursuit of hope is an important and recurring theme to her character; despite the setbacks against her, she always finds the courage to challenge uncertainty.
Sharing is Caring
Partitio and Agnea make the case for what the world would be like if people truly lived by their stated principles and generous morals. Their decision to act altruistically during times of greed and selfishness is rewarded rather than punished. The creators wrote two characters that cast off their self-entitlement and use it to create a better society for themselves and those around them.
The challenge with these archetypes is avoiding making them perfect characters where kindness can fix everything. Both Partitio and Agnea have inherent flaws and have been taken advantage of throughout their journey, but their strong convictions to help others they come across help their goals to be realized as their journey stretches on.
Young adults can struggle to find direction. Instead of being spoon-fed through routine and community with structured schooling and family obligations, adulthood life is dictated by choices and personal goals. Time is valued more, relationships become harder to balance, and the desire to be financially successful turns into a tireless chore. People need room to stretch, breathe, and take their struggles in stride along with personal accomplishments. Societal pressure to push goals towards unobtainable heights in a realistic timeline becomes an obstacle for people, at any age, to improve themselves, creating a scuffle between internal and external aspirations.
All of us, young and old, can stand to learn a few lessons from Partitio and Agnea.
