Live A Live is mostly known for its distinct premise. Almost three decades later, Square Enix has released it internationally with a beautiful HD-2D upgrade and other updated features. While titles like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VII dominated international markets throughout the decade, Live A Live was never localized due to its low sales in Japan. Live A Live originally launched in Japan in 1994 during the peak of exciting and unique JRPGs. Its gameplay and the individual stories are fine, but it would have been better if the main heroes felt more unified and familiar with each other. It would have been great to see quiet or powerful moments between characters like in Final Fantasy VII Remake or Persona 5. The group spends the majority of their time together, but you barely see them interact or develop personal relationships with each other.

While the premise of Octopath Traveler - eight protagonists with their own storylines teaming up to work together - is intriguing, the game never really fulfills its promise. Its sprawling world features snowy mountains, barren deserts, and other diverse locations that showcase what the HD-2D art style is capable of. It follows eight different protagonists who begin on their own journeys before eventually meeting up and forming a party of mighty heroes.

Octopath Traveler is a turn-based RPG and the first game to feature the HD-2D aesthetic.

Between remakes of older games like Live A Live and new adventures, HD-2D brings worlds and characters to life like never before, so we've decided to update this list to include the newest title that features the style - Octopath Traveler 2 - to see where it ranks. Updated on April 30th, 2023 by Kyle Chamaillard: Since Square Enix first revealed the HD-2D aesthetic, the developer has consistently launched new titles that continue to broaden the potential of the art style. Now that five titles are available and more are on the horizon, it's time to see which HD-2D games are as amazing as the aesthetic they use. The company trademarked the term back in 2019 and has used it to breathe life back into hidden gems like Live A Live, and create new adventures with games like Triangle Strategy. Related: The Best Square Enix Games On Nintendo Switch Its fusion of stunning pixel art alongside high-definition 2D and 3D models creates a mesmerizing style that draws you into its worlds with ease.

Square Enix's HD-2D style caught the eye of many when it was first shown during the Project Octopath Traveler reveal trailer in 2017.

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