JRPGs and video games based mostly on JRPGs usually have a couple of tropes that may be janky however nostalgic for lots of players. Hardly ever does one come out that takes every part folks love concerning the style and improves on it, however 8-Bit Adventures 2 does simply that. Between glorious writing, snappy fight, and exquisite graphics, 8-Bit Adventures 2 looks like a near-perfect dream for JRPG lovers.
Every little thing begins out with Charlie, one of many new characters within the sport, 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 major, world-ending drawback that the gang has to cease, and alongside the journey to just do that, Robotic and Emma be a part of. Collectively, the six of them make their manner 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, happening two years after the unique sport. The unique characters are again and higher than ever, and so they’ve all constructed a life for themself after the primary sport. The sport’s fairly simple to play with out figuring out 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 social gathering, all of them really feel distinctive. Relationships between the social gathering 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 social gathering 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 social gathering acknowledges and works with contemplating she depends on sound greater than the common individual. 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, nevertheless it 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 primary characters who’re absolutely fleshed out. The primary villain of the sport, Glitch, is one other compelling character with motives that pull at heartstrings. Characters are introduced up in almost each city that has tales, and most of the foremost characters have moments with others not within the social gathering that actually make the world really feel entire.
Fight, Characters, and Calamity
The turn-based fight system is your basic JRPG-esque fight with a couple of 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 high of the usual equipment, weapons, and armor that each different JRPG has. A few of these embrace buffs like resisting sure standing results, which may actually flip the tide of tougher 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 looks like a fairly nice reward.
The characters shine on the sphere as nicely. Every character has a singular playstyle, and using the whole social gathering collectively is the important thing to nearly all of battles. Whereas there could also be favorites in battle (mine was Charlie and Emma), every member of the crew has a helpful function that you simply’ll want in most main fights. For instance, Charlie’s a dual-wielding assist who can continually lower down defenses whereas Warrior is the final word tank. Regardless of these being basic courses, they play like good variations of themselves.
That’s to not say there have been no points in fight. Typically numbers simply didn’t make sense – Emma would knock an enemy with Magic Injury one flip, the enemy’s Magic Protection could be decrease, and the subsequent flip Emma would someway 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 a couple of technical points. Nonetheless, Vital Video games was extraordinarily fast to patch any challenge discovered.
Lovely Pixel Artwork
Whereas the pixel artwork aesthetic is not for everybody, 8-Bit Adventures 2 may be appreciated by everybody. The character sprites are vigorous and stuffed with character, and the cinematics that includes the characters additional that. The overworld and fight appear to be 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 almost continually.
The music is simply as grand in a way more refined manner. Some boss fights have tunes that can stick in your head (particularly if you need to go at it a number of occasions). Others are one thing you look again on. Sure components 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 are increase and really feel anxious will typically use music-or the shortage of it-to assist enhance 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 best sequel, and it’s simply as simple to leap into with out figuring out something concerning the first game-the story from the primary title is labored in splendidly. Between a incredible 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.