JRPGs and video games based mostly on JRPGs usually have just a few tropes that may be janky however nostalgic for lots of players. Hardly ever does one come out that takes all the pieces folks love in regards to the style and improves on it, however 8-Bit Adventures 2 does simply that. Between wonderful writing, snappy fight, and exquisite graphics, 8-Bit Adventures 2 seems like a near-perfect dream for JRPG lovers.
Every part begins out with Charlie, one of many new characters within the recreation, operating away from a pseudo-orphanage to assist Thief discover Warrior, two of the unique characters. They discover him underneath the management of Glitch, the brand new villain. After a little bit of battling, Mage reveals up and saves the day. Glitch is a big, world-ending downside that the gang has to cease, and alongside the journey to just do that, Robotic and Emma be part of. Collectively, the six of them make their means throughout the continents to cease Glitch whereas additionally serving to out the cities they meet.
The Characters Really feel Actual
8-Bit Adventures 2 is the direct sequel to 8-Bit Adventures, going down two years after the unique recreation. The unique characters are again and higher than ever, they usually’ve all constructed a life for themself after the primary recreation. The sport’s fairly simple to play with out realizing the primary story, and it fills within the gaps of what occurred over time. 4 new characters spherical out the squad, and regardless of having a fairly massive celebration, all of them really feel distinctive. Relationships between the celebration members construct organically all through the journey, and these aren’t simply shallow moments-at some level, many of the characters have a one-on-one expertise with the opposite celebration members that really feel pure. I used to be invested in these characters, and it felt like a deal with to see them join increasingly by means of the sport.
One particular character I bonded with was Emma. Emma’s a mage who’s blind, and the story doesn’t overlook that truth in its darkest moments. At one level, the group is in a pitch-black space the place sound stops utterly. This had a profound influence on Emma that the celebration acknowledges and works with contemplating she depends on sound greater than the common particular person. At one other level, the participant has to navigate as Emma by means of cracking ice whereas Warrior tries to assist. Not solely is that this a fairly anxious second for the participant, but it surely builds up Emma and Warrior’s relationship. These moments introduced 8-Bit Adventures 2 to a deeper stage than most different video games in the identical style.
It’s not simply the principle characters who’re totally fleshed out. The principle villain of the sport, Glitch, is one other compelling character with motives that pull at heartstrings. Characters are introduced up in practically each city that has tales, and lots of the principal characters have moments with others not within the celebration that basically make the world really feel complete.
Fight, Characters, and Calamity
The turn-based fight system is your normal JRPG-esque fight with just a few enhancements, like a system of swapping characters out at any level with out dropping a flip. There are additionally equipable objects known as Augments. These give particular, larger buffs to particular person characters on prime of the usual equipment, weapons, and armor that each different JRPG has. A few of these embody buffs like resisting sure standing results, which may actually flip the tide of harder battles. Sure weapons even have distinctive results, like an opportunity of inflicting paralysis. Many of those weapons are discovered by exploring and interacting with folks, which seems like a fairly nice reward.
The characters shine on the sector as properly. Every character has a singular playstyle, and using the complete celebration collectively is the important thing to the vast majority of battles. Whereas there could also be favorites in battle (mine was Charlie and Emma), every member of the workforce has a helpful position that you just’ll want in most main fights. For instance, Charlie’s a dual-wielding assist who can always lower down defenses whereas Warrior is the final word tank. Regardless of these being basic lessons, they play like excellent variations of themselves.
That’s to not say there have been no points in fight. Generally numbers simply didn’t make sense – Emma would knock an enemy with Magic Harm one flip, the enemy’s Magic Protection can be decrease, and the subsequent flip Emma would one way or the other hit with the identical assault for much less. Fortunately, this didn’t detract a lot from the sport, it simply made some bosses really feel considerably tougher. There have been additionally just a few technical points. Nevertheless, Important Video games was extraordinarily fast to patch any subject discovered.
Stunning Pixel Artwork
Whereas the pixel artwork aesthetic is not for everybody, 8-Bit Adventures 2 could be appreciated by everybody. The character sprites are vigorous and stuffed with persona, and the cinematics that includes the characters additional that. The overworld and fight appear like what you’d anticipate from a JRPG, however then a random scene will pop up that is breathtakingly beautiful. The colours pop, and artist Jeremy Fahey’s expertise is on show practically always.
The music is simply as grand in a way more delicate means. Some boss fights have tunes that can stick in your head (particularly if you must go at it a number of instances). Others are one thing you look again on. Sure elements of the sport pull feelings out of the participant, and an enormous a part of that lies within the cohesiveness of each a part of the sport, together with the music. Elements which can be increase and really feel anxious will usually use music-or the shortage of it-to assist improve these emotions. It is an expertise that is not in your face, however noteworthy by itself.
Total, a Deal with for JRPG Followers
8-Bit Adventures 2 is the perfect sequel, and it’s simply as simple to leap into with out realizing something in regards to the first game-the story from the primary title is labored in splendidly. Between a unbelievable story with endearing, well-written characters and fight that makes use of each function out there, the sport is ideal for any JRPG fan.
TechRaptor reviewed 8-Bit Adventures 2 on PC with a duplicate offered by the developer.