Developer: CriticalGames
Publisher: Ratalaika Games
Platform: Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Tested on: Switch
8-Bit Adventures 2 – Review
We don’t have any numbers to back this up, but we suspect that out of the thousands of projects that wannabe game developers start in RPG Maker MV, very few are completed. Even fewer actually get a commercial release. This is the case for CriticalGames’ 8-Bit Adventures 2, a sequel to 2015’s 8-Bit Adventures: The Forgotten Journey. We never played that first game, but having dabbled in RPG Maker MV ourselves, our interest was piqued. Eager to see just how far an experienced developer could push the software, we embarked on our own 8-bit adventure. Here’s what we found.
Story
Two years before the events in 8-Bit Adventures 2, the Warrior, the Thief, and the Mage saved the world from the Dust. They’re considered legendary heroes in their own right, and are still going on adventures around the world. Our story opens with one such adventure, as the Warrior is wandering through the desert. This turns out to be a prologue scene, which doubles as 8-Bit Adventures 2’s tutorial. Right before the Warrior is overwhelmed by skeletal monsters, he is saved by a mysterious entity, and the prologue ends on a cliffhanger. We’re taken to the true protagonist of our story, the young soldier Charlie. What he lacks in book smarts, he makes up for through sheer enthusiasm. When Charlie finds out that the Thief has requested an audience with the queen, he sneaks into the throne room. He overhears that the Thief wants to set up an expedition to find the Warrior, who has gone missing for over a month now. Eager to help the Thief, Charlie stows away on her ship. Little does he know that this is the start of an epic adventure. Eventually, Charlie ends up being joined by not just the three heroes from the first game, but others as well, including a robot and a blind master of the martial arts.
The writing is perhaps 8-Bit Adventures 2’s biggest strength. The dialogue is characterful, and filled with humor, without pushing things into parody territory. Not only that, but certain gameplay elements are seamlessly integrated into the plot. Naming the legendary heroes is done by Charlie having to fill in an exam where their names are the answers, for example. Another good example is how the recap of the plot of the first game is handled: while Charlie is traveling on the Thief’s ship, he can ask her to recall tales of her adventures. This is a fantastic way to bring newcomers up to speed without forcing veterans to sit through what they already know, as the tales are optional. 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a true sequel, and the plot of the first game is integral to the story. Luckily, this manner of storytelling makes for a compromise that feels natural.
Graphics
The title alone already gives away what kind of visuals you can expect here. Within the limits that 8-Bit Adventures 2 sets for itself, it’s an impressive game in terms of graphics. The sprite work is lovely, with varied environments ranging from snow-covered mountains to dank sewers. The enemy portraits in combat are a particular highlight, pushing the 8-bit aesthetic to its limit. Even so, the inherent simplicity of the visuals makes for a game that runs as smoothly as butter.
Sound
Unsurprisingly, 8-Bit Adventures 2’s soundscape is rendered through 8-bit audio as well. This is perhaps the one aspect of the game that didn’t land as well with us: there is no voice acting, of course, but the game’s soundtrack doesn’t really compensate for this. Tracks range from annoyingly repetitive to utterly forgettable. The game’s sound effects aren’t exactly a highlight either. They’re not bad, but about as generic as it gets, especially given the inherent limitations of the 8-bit audio.
Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, 8-Bit Adventures 2 delivers exactly what you’d expect. It’s a top-down RPG not too dissimilar from the original Final Fantasy games on the NES. You assemble a party of adventurers from the rag-tag cast of characters that you encounter throughout the story and make your way through different dungeons. Combat is fought in a turn-based manner, with each of your party members having access to unique abilities and skills. Of course, 8-Bit Adventures 2’s mechanics aren’t as deep as the combat systems introduced in modern RPGs like Bravely Default II or the Romancing SaGa 2 remake. That’s all part of the appeal, as 8-Bit Adventures 2 aims to emulate the feeling of old-school RPGs, just like its predecessor. This approach allows the story to shine, and it keeps things accessible. Don’t let that fool you into thinking that 8-Bit Adventures 2 is an easy game, however. There are a couple of difficulty spikes that really require you to grind. We were pleasantly surprised to see how the dev team handled this. You can save at any point, but at key moments in the game, you’ll run into a sentient save point that warns you of what’s up ahead. This means you’ll never be caught off-guard, and you’ll even get the suggestion to keep grinding for a while instead of rushing in to face off against a boss.
With its simple core gameplay and retro presentation, you may be under the assumption that 8-Bit Adventures 2 is a short or one-note game. In actuality, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is fairly sizable, and a single playthrough will take upwards of 30 hours, nearly 40 if you decide to complete the myriad of sidequests. The game also avoids being a repetitive grindfest thanks to the multitude of twists and turns that the narrative introduces: one minute you’re stealthily avoiding castle guards and the next you’re trying to solve a murder mystery. 8-Bit Adventures 2’s greatest strength is arguably how much variety it can squeeze out of its framework, making it a joy for retro fans and modern RPG enthusiasts alike. To top it all off, it’s also surprisingly cheap, coming in with a €16.79 RRP. Our only real regret is that the first game isn’t available on the Switch as well, as the format is very much suited for quick bursts of handheld play.
Conclusion
CriticalGames certainly set several limitations for itself, both by working entirely within the confines of RPG Maker MV and by sticking to the 8-bit aesthetic. The end result is definitely worthy of praise, both as a showcase of the development tools and as an RPG in its own right. From the accessible gameplay to the well-written dialogue and the surprisingly varied narrative, 8-Bit Adventures 2 delivers on most fronts. Our only gripe with the game is that the audio doesn’t live up to the rest of the game, although that might just be a matter of taste. Either way, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is well worth checking out.
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