Aside from differences in technology, production values, and simply how games are played, there’s something in the essence of classic games that’s been lost over the years. Somewhere, starting probably in the 90s, characters began to change. Perspectives and attitudes began to get more “mature”, and in many cases classic heroes were replaced by anti-heroes and characters with darker complexities. There’s just an optimism and even naive essence of being a hero that became less commonplace. Out of all the things that 8-Bit Adventures 2 features, turning back time, I think that’s what I appreciated seeing make a return the most.

This spirit is absolutely captured in the game’s main character, Charlie, an orphan who was saved in the original game and now, coming of age, is determined to do his part to pay back that debt by becoming a hero himself. For fans of classic JRPGs the nature and feel of this journey will likely feel familiar, though very little feels outright copied from classics, they’re more just emulated in some fashion. The turn-based combat is generally tight and quick, featuring attacks, defense, and your typical character-based skills. As you battle a gauge will fill, which when full will allow you to trigger powerful Omega Burst abilities as well, giving you a periodic table-turning opportunity in combat if they’re utilized well. As your party grows you’ll then also be able to mix and match your combat crew, and with the right combinations you’ll then be able to utilize even more powerful combo and even trio attacks as well. Despite being pretty old-school and traditional overall, there’s no doubt that the game’s combat is handled well and it helps keep the experience from feeling stagnant.

Throw in some great tunes, a look that may generally fit the classic 8-bit mold but still regularly has surprising visual flourishes, and a story with some odd beats and an unusual nemesis, and you’ve got a game that consistently stands out as being pretty unique. Perhaps if you weren’t a gamer or an RPG fan back in those earlier days it won’t feel as satisfying, but for me it was a pleasant surprise, truly feeling like an experience that could have fit in nicely as a contemporary of titles from that era. If you’ve been looking for a game with loads of heart, this is one that delivers.