8-Bit Adventures 2 review

Nostalgia that doesn’t forget the nuances

Since its origins in the last 1980s, the console role-playing game has evolved considerably. Habitually, modern efforts deliver sizable casts of nuanced characters, multifaceted combat systems, and symphonic scores. But at their core, even the most sophisticated RPG builds upon the foundations established by seminal titles like Dragon Warrior or Final Fantasy’s inaugural entry. Both NES titles demonstrated how adept storytelling and challenging turn-based battles could stir imaginations.

As its moniker implies, 8-Bit Adventures 2 revisits that bygone era, where simple sprites and succinct dialog served as the underpinnings of an epic adventure. Critical Games’ follow-up offers up the customary cataclysmic threat, similar to the entity known as “The Dust” from the first game. But the game’s characters are so well written, it’s easy to overlook any dependence on world-wrecking disasters or simplistic-looking characters that move with a three-frame walking animation.

Didn’t Play the First Game? Don’t Worry

Set two years after the original 8-Bit Adventures, the sequel demonstrates how standalone sequels ought to be written. If you played the original game, there are plenty of smile-inducing references and indulging dialog delivered by returning characters. But for newcomers, there’s little sense of missing out, thanks to exposition that organically recaps events and developments of the inaugural game. 8-Bit Adventures 2’s new cast might not have been around for the original outing, but they’ve heard the stories of a trio of heroes selected by the Computer and burdened with restoring balance to a world on a trajectory for obliteration. It’s a point-of-view that makes an excellent inroad for a series.

Adventures 2’s impetus is rooted in the disappearance of one of the original game’s lead characters. Here, a reformed thief decides to seek out her lost love, but the expedition is underscored by doubt. When an omniscient machine determines that a warrior embodies strength and resilience, any kind of absence signals a particularly perilous omen. This time out, lead character Charlie sneaks aboard a ship to assist his mentor on an exceptionally fateful undertaking.

A Glitch You Won’t Completely Despise

Pleasingly, Critical Games delivers some wonderfully rich character arcs. 8-Bit Adventures 2’s villain is a formidable force known as Glitch, capable of disrupting the world on a whim. Remarkably, he has much in common with Charlie, they’re both orphans who have faced the persistent mistrust of others. As such, it’s not surprising that the game frequently juxtaposes the two characters, with Charlie’s virtuous intentions contrasted with Glitch’s frustrations. But that’s hardly the only time Adventures 2 plucks the heartstrings. Occasionally, you’ll control an NPC, with Critical Games providing nested narratives that are remarkably poignant.

While 8-Bit Adventures 2 apes the visual appearance of late ‘80s RPGs, its battle system includes innovations from more modern genre entries. Pleasingly, there are no random battles, so if you’re ever disoriented in one of the game’s sprawling dungeons, you’ll want to look for any areas dotted with enemies you haven’t confronted yet. While the game’s 30-40 hour length tries to eschew grinding, bosses in the second half of the game will occasionally humiliate an unprepared adventuring party.

A Tranquil and Inviting First Half

If you find yourself unable to beat one of these elevated foes, you can opt to respawn enemies at selected points gaining a bit of supplementary experience. Pleasingly, Adventures 2 allows you to save almost anywhere, with sparking specks of light acting as a warning of imminent danger ahead. But that’s hardly the only welcoming attribute. From being able to automatically optimize each character’s equipment, color-coding to measure health and action point levels, as well as explanations and reminders, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is an incredibly welcoming RPG.

The title’s turn-based system is built around role-playing rudiments, allowing each member to attack, deploy distinctive abilities, use an item, adopt a defensive stance, swap members and if you’ve filled a communal gauge, unleash an Omega Burst. While groups of standard foes aren’t too dangerous, there’s enjoyment in exploiting weaknesses and setting up the odds for a counterattack. Interestingly, defense not only braces for an imminent assault from an antagonist but also provides a small health bonus as well. But in maintaining tradition, preparation is essential, and you’ll still want to stock up on HP-rejuvenating elixirs, ethers that restore action points, and of course, Fenix Downs to resurrect fallen party members.

Just a Patch or Two Short Away from Brilliance

Despite a procession of launch window patches, a few issues linger. Presently, there’s no menu adjustment to change the speed of text, which can make some of the some long-winded conversations advance quite slowly. Holding down the action button can speed things up a bit, but your risk skipping an important piece of dialog. Like many retro RPGs, finding the trigger that advances the story can slow things down. Ideally, Critical Games’ could offer a bit more telegraphing of new navigational areas or perhaps highlight which NPC is holding up your progress. Lastly, there are a few minor quirks on Steam Deck, such as a window that pops up and promptly disappears every time the game is loaded up.

Undoubtedly, modern RPGs offer magnificent treks that deliver cutting-edge aesthetics and scripts that outshine Hollywood blockbusters. But they often eschew the plucky protagonists, cheerful dialog, or aesthetic modesty of yesteryear’s classics. 8-Bit Adventures 2 makes a few modern concessions. Beyond some additions that contribute some strategy to combat the stimulating soundtrack is a bit more sophisticated than the chiptunes of old. But at its core, the game captures what was so special about early console role-playing games.  8-Bit Adventures feels like Square or Chunsoft before the mergers, which is a very good thing.

8-Bit Adventures 2 was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.