8-Bit Adventures 2 Review
Throwback JRPG 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a highly polished tribute to the classics.
8-Bit Adventures 2. (Credit: Critical Games)
8-Bit Adventures 2 is a love letter to JRPGs of old. Its look and gameplay will remind you of a bygone era but with the quality-of-life comforts of more modern games. Critical Games has created a polished experience that felt like opening a time capsule from my childhood.
The game’s story is simple and typical JRPG fare: Charlie, a young boy, joins the previous game's heroes on a quest to save the world from an unknown, powerful villain. You won’t find anything here that shatters genre conventions, but I think the nostalgia is the point. The dialogue is fun, though there might be a little too much; still, much of it is in service to the many playable characters who are charming to spend time with, and it never made me feel like I was missing crucial information because I didn’t play the first game. The NES-style cutscenes, some of which reminded me of the ones in Ninja Gaiden, are a nice touch that helps break up the pacing by not making everything take place in the game’s top-down view.
8-Bit Adventures 2. (Credit: Critical Games)
The game will be mechanically familiar to anyone who has played a classic Final Fantasy game. You explore the maps as the story takes you all around the world, fighting enemies and bosses to get more powerful via leveling up. You’ll buy items, weapons, and armor. You’ll talk to innumerable NPCs. If you love those classics like I do, you’ll feel right at home.
Combat is turn-based and not difficult as long as you’re not careless. You can pay attention to the turn order list on the right side of the screen to strategize how to tackle your enemies. Take advantage of weaknesses, use your AP (action point) consuming abilities wisely, and you’ll be fine. Each character also has unique special skills that don’t consume AP. In addition, you fill an energy meter at the bottom of the screen as you fight; when it’s full, you can use it to have a single character execute a powerful Omega attack. Speaking of meters, I appreciated that a life meter is visible over each enemy’s head during combat.
8-Bit Adventures 2. (Credit: Critical Games)
Unlike the games 8-Bit Adventures 2 models itself after, the game has no random battle encounters. Whether on the overworld or inside one of the many dungeons, you see all enemies on the screen and can avoid them if you wish. Enemies don’t revive unless you deliberately reset them using an option available at save points. I never found the need to grind, so I rarely did this unless I was hunting for items to steal.
The game’s graphics are similar to those of 8-bit Final Fantasy games from the NES era, though in truth, they are closer to 16-bit, not strictly adhering to the limitations inherent in NES hardware. The artists paid close attention to detail in their efforts because there wasn’t even a pixel out of place. The pixel art is a beautiful homage to the era, full of color and vibrancy that elevates it above its self-imposed limitations here. I particularly liked the design and art of all the enemies and bosses in the battle screen. Similarly, the chiptune soundtrack is wonderful, with some great themes throughout.
8-Bit Adventures 2. (Credit: Critical Games)
8-Bit Adventures 2 is not mechanically complex, but it is a meaty experience that lasts 25-30 hours. It’s a charming trip down memory lane worth any classic JRPG fan’s time. With its recent console release, it’s a great time to check out the game.
8-Bit Adventures 2 is available on PC (Steam / GOG), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Overall Score: 8/10
Played on: PS5
