8-Bit Adventures 2 is Good Retro FUN! Review!

In this episode of Experience Points, we dive deep into the world of 8-Bit Adventure 2 as we explore a new indie RPG that impressively harnesses the power of retro aesthetics! From a composer with masterful chip tunes to graphic designers making the most out of each pixel, this review covers it all! If you're a fan of retro RPG games, or even if you're just curious about how modern titles are bringing back classic styles, this is the video for you! Plus, get a sneak peek of some gameplay on a CRT television, and find out how this title measures up in the modern gaming landscape!
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[@CriticalGamesDev]

Developer of 8-Bit Adventures 2 here - I'm posting this before the video's debut because of time zones (it's late at night here in Australia), but I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to Derek for covering our game! It sincerely means a lot to me, and is *genuinely* a big help. It's incredibly difficult to get attention as an indie developer, so word of mouth and awesome creators like you make a world of difference - especially as we look ahead to our upcoming console release! So thanks Derek! I've been watching your reviews since Dark Cloud 2, so it's really exciting to see our game on your channel =D Charlie's likeness was definitely a happy coincidence though - that thumbnail's amazing XD

[@diegoarmando5489]

Loved the first one. Have to get to this one soon.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@diegoarmando5489 Oh awesome! If you liked the first one Diego, then I hope you'll love the second =D

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@Terranigma23 Thanks mate! I've had a lot of reports about the Switch version recently, so it's coming along =D

[@qundrowii]

@@CriticalGamesDev I need this on my Nintendo Switch right now! Love your work guys!

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@qundrowii Thank you so much! Ratalaika Games is hard at work on the Nintendo Switch version, so I hope we won't have to keep you waiting too much longer =D

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Following up now that I've watched the video - I loved it Derek! I'm absolutely thrilled that you're enjoying the game so much - and I'd like to think that it only gets better =) You covered every point really well, and you absolutely made my day with some of conclusions you reached/points you made (especially in regards to pacing, story, and combat) =D You even got the meaning of the name (which not everyone does)! And it looks amazing in action on a CRT screen. I've seen pictures before, but never video, so that was fantastic to see it in motion. Makes me want to find a way to set it up myself! And just to answer some of your questions: We actually do use the original NES colour palette, but we don't limit the number of colours on-screen - which is why it looks a bit more vibrant than an actual NES game. Not everything is quite perfect (good catch on the text!), but it's as close as we could make it under limitations, so I appreciate the kind words =) All of the in-game art was actually done by one man (Jerram Fahey) too, so he really went above and beyond! Same with our composer (Sebastian Cruz). He composed the entire 78 song soundtrack in a program called Famitracker, using NES hardware limitations. He developed a few techniques of his own, but the goal was to have everything sound authentic. And credit to our programmer (Sufyan Noor) and our awesome Discord/Steam community for the bug-free comment! We think we've finally caught them all XD

[@jamesz28]

Great video, Derek. I love new rpgs with that classic feel to them. I’ll definitely pick this up if/when it’s released on consoles.

[@DergonQuert]

Okay that resemblance is uncanny😂

[@nostalgicnicknacks]

Another great video Derek! I'll have to check out 8-Bit Adventures 1 & 2...awesome looking games!

[@HybridAngelZero]

I actually snagged this a few weeks after it launched on Steam and, while I haven't played super far into it yet, but what I have played as been an treat

[@notverysoft8247]

I loved the first one and I bought the second, but haven't played it yet (backlog). I think I'm going to remedy that now. This is right up my alley. Freakin' love indie RPGs.

[@JDHutchison]

I’m glad your talking about this! I have this game in my queue, and can’t wait to get to it. Working my way through Trails of Cold Steel IV right now (just started), then have Reverie. Then o think I’ll play this game. So I’ll be getting to 8-Bit Adventures sometime on 2025, probably.

[@LordKaiser003]

Thanks for showing us how these games look on a CRT as It truly makes the difference.

[@shard_the_sage1320]

I loved being able to name the characters, I also would name them after myself and friends.

[@diegoarmando5489]

I like the option as long as there's no voice acting lol Having nobody say Meg Ryan's name can really break the immersion in FFX

[@1DangerMouse1]

This looks really nice. Thanks for sharing!

[@nuclearbeeberman]

I love your should outs for indie RPGs, they have earned to get more attention :)

[@quadpad_music]

Battle screens look inspired by Phantasy Star, Mother 2 and 3 and FF10 all at the same time. Definitely checking this one out later.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Developer here - just wanted to say that you're absolutely spot-on in that assumption! Those were the exact inspirations =) Thank you very much!

[@justsomejojo]

I played this game earlier this year (pretty much right after release I think) and it was SUCH a great surprise. I also haven't played the first game (yet - I have it in my library) but the characters of this game really hit my feels HARD for a couple reasons, in a way I haven't felt in a while. The writing is topnotch in my opinion. The combat mechanics (the stuff I usually care about the most) were very engaging and even addictive as well. I love the switching mechanic and the AP management you get access to later on really raises the battle system above its inspirations. It's such a good blend of modern sensibilities and oldschool mechanics/visuals. Not too simple but also not too complicated/tedious. It's quite possibly one of if not the best story I've played this year.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Wow, thank you SO much for the amazing compliments justsomejojo! That's incredibly high praise, and I sincerely appreciate it. I love designing battle mechanics (and combining the old with the new), so I'm thrilled you enjoyed the combat! But most of all, I really hoped that the story and characters would connect with players. So it's immensely gratifying to hear that they connected with you =) I tried my best to follow the Hironobu Sakaguchi approach to characters and themes - with a bit of my own style thrown in haha.

[@justsomejojo]

@@CriticalGamesDev You definitely got yourself a fan. :D We actually spoke on Reddit once before and my opinion hasn't changed. I still haven't managed to make time for 8-bit Adventures 1, but the world building in the second game really made me want to try it.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@justsomejojo Aww, that's so kind of you - thank you Jojo! Oh we did? That's awesome! It's hard to keep usernames straight across all the different platforms, but it means a lot to hear that =) The first game is a downgrade from the second (something I'd love to address eventually), but I think it does add a lot of extra context to the sequel. If you ever get the time, I really hope you enjoy it!

[@justsomejojo]

@@CriticalGamesDev I go by a slightly different name there, no worries! The big reason I want to play the first one is because the world building seems fascinating in the second game and I'm wondering if the first one goes more into it (it's treated like more of a known fact in the second game, since, well, a couple characters are familiar with the computer) By the way, if you don't mind me asking, are you planning of using that world for more games or do you consider the ending of 8 Bit Adventures 2 the closing chapter for that world?

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@justsomejojo Ah, that's a good point! Yes, there's definitely some extra concepts and ideas in the first game that weren't relevant to the second, so I hope you'll be pleasantly surprised there =) I certainly don't mind - it's nice to hear that there's interest! So far I've tried to design the games with complete endings. So if you want to cut the story off after 8BA1, you can do it - and I tried to make sure 8BA2 was the same and felt complete. I *do* have a lot of ideas for how to continue the world and its story (in a pretty big and crazy way XD), but it all comes down to how well 8BA2 does on console. Unfortunately games aren't cheap, and I self-fund everything haha. So while I do consider 8BA2 a closing chapter and a very complete ending, I would certainly love to continue the series and world - at least for one more game =)

[@TylerMireMusic]

This game is a gem

[@amybeins]

The Rat with a Fork, great idea. Great Video SuperBabe.

[@NordicNinja]

This game is soooo good, glad to see the review

[@sirrealkiller8357]

Awesome review, Derek. Any word on a physical release for either of the two games by any chance? It would be sweet if there was a pack of both together!

[@CriticalGamesDev]

Developer here! There's no word yet, but once the console versions are released digitally, I'll be trying to make it happen. As a collector myself, a physical release would be a dream come true =D

[@sirrealkiller8357]

@CriticalGamesDev Great news, and thanks so much for the response. This game looks absolutely stunning, and being a fan of games since the days of Dragon Warrior and the OG Final Fantasy, I really appreciate what you do. Thanks so much for keeping projects like this alive.

[@CriticalGamesDev]

@@sirrealkiller8357 You're welcome! Thanks for the question - it's always very flattering to hear that players would be interested in a physical release =D And I sincerely appreciate the very kind words! You sound like exactly the kind of person we made 8-Bit Adventures 2 for, so I really hope you'll enjoy it if you check it out =)

[@Mianroca]

Hey Derek. I will wait till this lands on Nintendo Switch. That's my preferred platforms for indie games. What is great about 8-bit indies is that they have the aesthetic we all love but use modern mechanics which make them perfect IMO.

[@SuperDerek]

Truly the best of both worlds!

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

Speaking of games with protagonists who resemble gaming KZbinrs, that Guardians of the Galaxy game has a Star Lord who looks a lot like Happy Console Gamer.

[@franciscor390]

Will definitely be checking out the Switch version for sure.

[@Kingfrozttheartist]

You and the character of the game have great hair! 😆

[@Eagleknight815]

On the wish list. I think I would enjoy both of these. Going to have to wait for the console however. I enjoy my switch too much

[@2soulzkilluminati135]

Wow I never knew you would have played this.

[@Unscrypted]

Wow! How are you playing this game on a PVM???

[@MarvellMan]

My cousin made this game I know no one will believe me but he did

[@SuperDerek]

he did a great job! :)

[@roseforyoubabe]

was this suppose to come to the switch?

[@SuperDerek]

I _think so_ if I recall correctly, but the date has not yet been announced.

[@cam9144]

Played it, beat it, 6.5/10

[@piomio8583]

zobacz co nagrywam