Pleasingly, Critical Games delivers some wonderfully rich character arcs. This time out, lead character Charlie sneaks aboard a ship to assist his mentor on an exceptionally fateful undertaking. When an omniscient machine determines that a warrior embodies strength and resilience, any kind of absence signals a particularly perilous omen. Here, a reformed thief decides to seek out her lost love, but the expedition is underscored by doubt. It’s a point-of-view that makes an excellent inroad for a series.Īdventures 2’s impetus is rooted in the disappearance of one of the original game’s lead characters. 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. But for newcomers, there’s little sense of missing out, thanks to exposition that organically recaps events and developments of the inaugural game. If you played the original game, there are plenty of smile-inducing references and indulging dialog delivered by returning characters. Set two years after the original 8-Bit Adventures, the sequel demonstrates how standalone sequels ought to be written. 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. Critical Games’ follow-up offers up the customary cataclysmic threat, similar to the entity known as “The Dust” from the first game. Both NES titles demonstrated how adept storytelling and challenging turn-based battles could stir imaginations.Īs 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. 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. Habitually, modern efforts deliver sizable casts of nuanced characters, multifaceted combat systems, and symphonic scores. Since its origins in the last 1980s, the console role-playing game has evolved considerably. Price: $19.99 via digital download, $17.99 launch discount price

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