When Triangle Strategy was first revealed by Square Enix, one of the first things players noticed was how similar it looked to Octopath Traveler. The game used the same beautiful HD-2D visual style, featured detailed pixel art mixed with modern lighting, and even had a working title that reminded fans of Project Octopath Traveler. Because of those similarities, many people immediately asked the same question: is Triangle Strategy made by the Octopath Traveler developers?
The short answer is yes, but there is a little more to the story.
Triangle Strategy was created by many of the same key people and creative leaders who worked on Octopath Traveler. However, it was not developed by exactly the same team from start to finish. The two games share Square Enix’s “Team Asano,” but they were co-developed with different external studios. Understanding that difference is important if you want a complete answer.
The Short Answer: Yes, But Not Exactly the Same Team
Triangle Strategy and Octopath Traveler were both produced under Square Enix by producer Tomoya Asano and his internal group, often called Team Asano. This is the same team responsible for modern HD-2D RPGs and remakes, including Bravely Default, Octopath Traveler, Live A Live, and several Dragon Quest remakes.
Because Team Asano worked on both projects, Triangle Strategy definitely comes from the same creative family as Octopath Traveler. The games share:
- Similar HD-2D graphics
- A focus on strategic combat and deep storytelling
- The involvement of producer Tomoya Asano
- The same general Square Enix design philosophy
- Music and presentation inspired by classic RPGs
However, the outside development studio helping Square Enix changed between the two games.
- Octopath Traveler was co-developed with Acquire.
- Triangle Strategy was co-developed with Artdink.
So while the same core Square Enix creators were involved, the secondary development partner was different.
Who Is Team Asano?
To understand why the two games feel so similar, you first need to understand Team Asano.
Team Asano is not the official name of a company. Instead, it is the nickname fans use for the Square Enix development group led by Tomoya Asano. Over the years, this team has become famous for creating role-playing games inspired by the golden age of the Super Nintendo and PlayStation era.
Tomoya Asano originally gained attention through the Bravely Default series. Those games mixed old-school RPG mechanics with modern design choices and became very popular among fans of traditional Japanese RPGs.
After the success of Bravely Default, Team Asano helped create Octopath Traveler. That game became one of the biggest surprises on the Nintendo Switch. Players loved its retro-inspired look, turn-based combat, and eight-character structure.
Following Octopath Traveler, Team Asano continued experimenting with the HD-2D style. Triangle Strategy was one of the next major projects from the same creative leadership.
Because the same producer and many of the same Square Enix staff worked on both titles, Triangle Strategy absolutely has roots in the Octopath Traveler development team.
Why Do Triangle Strategy and Octopath Traveler Look So Similar?
The biggest reason people assume Triangle Strategy was made by the Octopath Traveler developers is because the two games look almost identical at first glance.
Both titles use Square Enix’s HD-2D art style. This style combines pixel-art characters with high-definition environments, dynamic shadows, advanced lighting, and cinematic camera angles.
When Octopath Traveler launched, the HD-2D style became one of the game’s biggest selling points. Fans loved how it modernized classic 16-bit RPG visuals without losing their nostalgic charm.
Square Enix realized that the style was extremely popular, so Team Asano continued using it in later projects. Triangle Strategy uses the same visual foundation, but applies it to a tactical role-playing game rather than a traditional turn-based RPG.
There are still some visual differences between the two games:
- Octopath Traveler uses brighter colors and more fantasy-inspired environments.
- Triangle Strategy has darker, more political settings.
- Triangle Strategy uses larger battlefields and a more zoomed-out camera.
- Octopath Traveler focuses more on exploration and towns.
Even with those differences, the shared HD-2D style makes the connection between the two games impossible to miss.
Different Co-Developers: Acquire vs. Artdink
One of the most important details people often miss is that Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy were developed with different outside studios.
Octopath Traveler and Acquire
Octopath Traveler was developed by Square Enix alongside Acquire. Acquire is a Japanese game studio best known for titles such as Tenchu and Way of the Samurai.
Acquire played a major role in building Octopath Traveler. They helped shape the combat, world design, and technical side of the game. While Square Enix and Team Asano guided the vision, Acquire was heavily involved in the actual production.
Triangle Strategy and Artdink
Triangle Strategy, on the other hand, was developed by Square Enix together with Artdink.
Artdink is another Japanese studio with a very different background. The company is known for simulation and strategy games, making it a natural fit for Triangle Strategy’s tactical gameplay.
Because Triangle Strategy focuses on grid-based battles, positioning, terrain advantages, and strategic movement, Artdink’s expertise helped shape the game in a way that differed from Octopath Traveler.
That is why Triangle Strategy may look like Octopath Traveler, but it plays very differently.
Did the Same People Work on Both Games?
Although the outside studio changed, several important people did work on both projects.
Tomoya Asano
Tomoya Asano is the biggest connection between the two games. He served as producer on both Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy.
Asano has repeatedly spoken about his love for classic Japanese RPGs and strategy games. His goal is to create modern games that feel similar to the titles people loved in the 1990s.
Because he guided both projects, it is easy to see why they share the same spirit.
Art and Presentation Teams
Some members of the visual and design teams also contributed to both projects. Team Asano reused and expanded the HD-2D technology first created for Octopath Traveler.
The camera system, environmental lighting, visual effects, and general art direction all evolved from the work originally done for Octopath Traveler.
Composer Connections
The music in the two games also feels similar, although they do not share exactly the same composer.
Octopath Traveler’s music was composed by Yasunori Nishiki. Triangle Strategy’s music was composed by Akira Senju.
Even though the composers were different, both soundtracks aim for a dramatic, orchestral style that fits the old-school RPG atmosphere.
Why Fans Compare Triangle Strategy to Octopath Traveler
There are several reasons why fans constantly compare the two games.
1. The HD-2D Art Style
This is the most obvious reason. Few games look like Octopath Traveler, so when Triangle Strategy appeared with the same visual style, comparisons were guaranteed.
2. Similar Naming Conventions
Before release, both games even had temporary project names.
- Project Octopath Traveler eventually became Octopath Traveler.
- Project Triangle Strategy eventually became Triangle Strategy.
The unusual names made many players think the games were directly connected.
3. Square Enix Marketing
Square Enix itself often promoted Triangle Strategy by highlighting that it came from the creators of Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default.
That marketing was not misleading. The company wanted players to know that the same creative minds were involved.
4. Nostalgic RPG Design
Both games are inspired by classic Japanese RPGs from the Super Nintendo era.
Octopath Traveler feels inspired by games like Final Fantasy VI and SaGa Frontier.
Triangle Strategy feels closer to Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre.
Even though their genres are different, they share the same retro-inspired DNA.
Are Triangle Strategy and Octopath Traveler Connected in Story?
Another common question is whether Triangle Strategy and Octopath Traveler take place in the same universe.
The answer is no.
The two games are not connected in terms of story, characters, or setting.
Octopath Traveler takes place in the world of Orsterra, while Triangle Strategy takes place in the world of Norzelia. There are no direct references linking the two universes.
However, because they share a visual style and creative team, many players feel like they belong in the same larger family of Square Enix games.
You can think of Triangle Strategy as a spiritual cousin to Octopath Traveler rather than a sequel or spin-off.
How Triangle Strategy Differs From Octopath Traveler
Although Triangle Strategy was made by many of the same developers, it is very different from Octopath Traveler in gameplay.
Gameplay Style
Octopath Traveler is a traditional turn-based RPG. Players travel around the world, enter towns, fight enemies, and level up eight main characters.
Triangle Strategy is a tactical RPG. Battles take place on a grid, and success depends on positioning, terrain, and strategy.
Story Structure
Octopath Traveler tells eight separate character stories that eventually connect.
Triangle Strategy tells one large political story focused on war, loyalty, and difficult choices.
Tone
Octopath Traveler is more adventurous and fantasy-driven.
Triangle Strategy is darker and more serious. It deals with political conflict, betrayal, class struggles, and moral decisions.
Choice System
One of Triangle Strategy’s biggest features is its branching story paths. Players make decisions that affect the ending and relationships between characters.
Octopath Traveler does not have that same level of player choice.
These differences show that while Triangle Strategy came from the Octopath Traveler developers, it is not simply “Octopath Traveler with strategy combat.” It is its own unique game.
Why Team Asano Keeps Returning to HD-2D Games
The success of both Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy proved that there is still a huge audience for classic-style Japanese RPGs.
Many players grew up with games from the 1990s, but modern gaming companies often focus on action-heavy, realistic titles. Team Asano found a way to bring old-school RPG ideas into the modern era.
The HD-2D style became the perfect bridge between nostalgia and modern technology.
Since Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy, Team Asano has continued using this style in several other games and remakes. This includes:
- Live A Live
- Octopath Traveler II
- Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake
- Other future Square Enix projects
Because of this, Triangle Strategy is part of a larger movement inside Square Enix rather than just a one-time experiment.
Final Verdict: Was Triangle Strategy Made by the Octopath Traveler Developers?
Yes, Triangle Strategy was made by many of the same developers and creative leaders behind Octopath Traveler.
Both games were produced by Tomoya Asano and Square Enix’s Team Asano. They share the same HD-2D visual style and the same overall approach to classic-style Japanese RPG design.
However, they were not built by the exact same outside studio. Octopath Traveler was co-developed with Acquire, while Triangle Strategy was co-developed with Artdink.
So the most accurate answer is this:
Triangle Strategy was made by the same core Square Enix team that created Octopath Traveler, but with a different co-development partner.
That is why the game feels familiar while still offering its own unique identity.
For fans of Octopath Traveler, Triangle Strategy is absolutely worth trying. If you loved the art style, storytelling, and nostalgic feeling of Octopath Traveler, there is a very good chance you will enjoy Triangle Strategy as well.
At Wisto Blogs, we believe Triangle Strategy stands as one of the strongest examples of how the Octopath Traveler development team continues to evolve classic RPG ideas for modern players.
