8-Bit Adventures 2
- January 31, 2023
- CriticalGames
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"8-Bit Adventures 2" is a nostalgic RPG with turn-based combat and pixelated graphics. Explore a vast world, complete quests, and battle enemies to uncover the truth about a mysterious force threatening the land. With an engaging story and customizable party system, players will enjoy the charm and challenge of this old-school adventure.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game is a heartfelt love letter to classic NES-era JRPGs, capturing the nostalgia and charm of the genre.
- The combat system is engaging and strategic, allowing for character swapping and unique abilities that keep battles fresh and interesting.
- The graphics and music are excellent, with vibrant pixel art and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- The dialogue pacing can be slow, making it tedious to get through conversations and cutscenes, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Some players may find the game too easy, lacking the challenge that is often expected from traditional JRPGs.
- There is a reliance on character and story elements from the first game, which may leave new players feeling lost if they haven't played the original.
- story268 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and nostalgic homage to classic JRPGs, while also introducing fresh elements and plot twists. However, some players feel that certain cutscenes are overly lengthy and that the story can be confusing for newcomers who haven't played the previous installment. Overall, it strikes a balance between meaningful character exploration and entertaining gameplay, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
“The story is immersive with lots of great plot points even early on.”
“The story was great, paying homage to the classic tropes of the genre without being generic itself, the characters were endearing, and the villain was interesting.”
“A fantastic 'throwback' to classic 8- and 16-bit JRPGs, with a fantastic story expanding and deepening the world inherited from its predecessor title.”
“This might not seem like a 'flaw' because it's meant to be a sequel, but I'm mentioning it because the store page description specifically encourages new players to jump straight into this one, despite the fact that huge chunks of the story and dialogue will make little sense to you.”
“It's impossible to engage with the story if I flat out don't understand what characters keep referring to or what 'the glitch' even is supposed to be.”
“I expected a straightforward classic JRPG adventure story and instead got whatever this is trying to be.”
- music140 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience. While some noted that a few pieces felt generic, the majority highlighted the soundtrack's ability to evoke nostalgia and fit seamlessly within the game's aesthetic. Overall, the music is described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and enjoyment.
“The amount of heart & passion that was poured into this game is felt with every dialogue box, every soundtrack, & every location.”
“With an extremely powerful soundtrack capable of making you hum the tunes of the areas you last saved & quit and characters that do actually make you care about their own struggles, you're constantly drawn back into the world to see what happens next.”
“The music is absolutely top notch - every track is a total jam.”
“The music sometimes feels a bit generic and forgettable, but the soundtrack has several awesome tracks that'll get stuck in your head.”
“None of the music tracks really stood out to me much, at least not as bangers.”
“Music: as someone who most definitely isn't into the chiptune style, the soundtrack completely took me by surprise.”
- graphics98 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 8-bit style, reminiscent of classic NES titles, while also showcasing improved production values and vibrant visuals. Players appreciate the detailed world maps, charming character designs, and the overall artistic quality that enhances the storytelling experience. The retro aesthetic, combined with modern gameplay mechanics, creates a visually appealing and immersive environment that resonates with fans of old-school RPGs.
“The graphics are great, especially the world map; it really feels like you're sitting in front of an NES game.”
“The visuals are more vibrant and a feast for the eyes, with several memorable locales to visit and see.”
“The graphics are pixel perfect, and conjure feelings of sitting down with a friend playing games of a bygone era on the original NES.”
“If you hate pixel art or 'older' styled graphics, this is not the game for you.”
“It is designed as a retro game from the 1990s, with pixel graphics and similar mechanics from that era.”
“The visuals of course are simple, but at the same time very well done.”
- gameplay92 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of nostalgic retro RPG mechanics and modern enhancements, featuring improved graphics, a detailed world, and a unique party-swap system that adds strategic depth to combat. While the combat is polished and engaging, some players feel the story can drag, and outside of combat, the gameplay lacks complexity with minimal puzzles. Overall, it offers a fun, intuitive experience with a strong emphasis on exploration and character variety, making it a recommended upgrade from its predecessor.
“It offers a new story and improved mechanics, keeping the nostalgic feel while introducing fresh elements.”
“The overall gameplay has an emphasis on exploration and fun, and while it wasn't the most challenging game, the combat is awesome with unique skills/spells for each character and enough variety that they all feel different.”
“Each character brings something unique to the battle, and the quick-swap system is infinitely useful and makes strategizing less of a chore and more of an engaging mechanic.”
“Outside of combat, the gameplay is fine, but that's because there's very little going on other than a few extremely rudimentary 'puzzles'.”
“Feels like I got 15 minutes of gameplay and 2 hours of conversations in the time I spent on this one.”
“Gameplay does have shortcomings.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
Overall, players appreciate that grinding is minimal or unnecessary in the game, with many noting that the streamlined battle system and lack of random encounters contribute to a more enjoyable experience. While some found certain aspects of gameplay tedious, particularly in specific quests, the general consensus is that the game avoids the tedium often associated with traditional RPGs. The absence of required grinding allows players to focus on the story and characters without feeling pressured to level up excessively.
“No grinding needed; you will be overpowered just by playing it.”
“While I did finish the game, and it was clearly a labor of love, my god was this game tedious to play though.”
“And holy shit was the part in the town playing detective tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, strong character development, and emotional depth, with many players reporting moments that moved them to tears. While it features some clichéd humor and forced moments, the overall experience is described as a labor of love that resonates with nostalgia and genuine emotion, making it a memorable adventure. Players feel deeply invested in the characters and their arcs, highlighting the effective combination of writing, music, and visuals that enhance the emotional impact.
“I cried multiple times playing it.”
“Good character development and emotional themes throughout.”
“Their arcs are some of the most wholesome I ever saw in an RPG and their character moments are well handled.”
- character development10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and emotional resonance. The writing effectively enhances the storyline, creating strong dynamics among characters, including a well-developed antagonist. Players report feeling a deep attachment to the cast by the game's conclusion, highlighting the evenly distributed character growth throughout the experience.
“The overall plot is good, but I think the writing here really shines best with its character development.”
“Character development is dispersed evenly throughout the game, and by the end of the game, I was attached to the entire cast.”
“Beyond the art, there's a strong story with deeply rooted character dynamics that give a depth to character development that you just wouldn't see in an 8-bit game.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive world, evocative music, and striking enemy art, all of which contribute to a nostalgic and engaging experience. Players appreciate the aesthetic quality of the character sprites and environments, enhancing the overall ambiance. Despite some players refunding the game early, many highlight the well-paced combat and exploration as key elements that complement the atmospheric design.
“The world and the music manage to create a great atmosphere that pulls you in.”
“Enemy art is amazing and easily a highlight of the game for me, although that isn't to say the rest of it, the character sprites as well as the environments, don't also contribute greatly to the atmosphere and nostalgic feelings you may get from the game.”
“I refunded after about 30 minutes, the first 8-ish minutes were the prologue which was part of the demo I played a few years back during the Steam Next Fest that made me wishlist the game - lots of well-paced combat and exploration, no tutorials outside of a few button prompts, a lack of dialogue, and generally a great aesthetic and atmosphere.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-integrated, featuring a mix of entertaining, tongue-in-cheek moments that enhance the story without overshadowing its dramatic elements. Overall, it strikes a good balance, making the experience both engaging and amusing.
“The story is pretty good and entertaining with bits of humor peppered throughout without being silly.”
“There's a decent dose of tongue-in-cheek humor, balanced well with more dramatic moments and scenarios.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a unique blend of a classical medieval setting with themes of glitches and errors in programming, suggesting a stable narrative framework that creatively explores the intersection of traditional storytelling and modern technological issues.
