I'm sincerely grateful for the amazing support that, honestly, everyone has shown my team and I over the long development of 8-Bit Adventures 2. The project's been surrounded by so much love and positivity, and that's meant so much.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long, but I truly believe we've been able to create something special - and that's in no small part thanks to your support. So THANK YOU! To everyone who's left a comment, shared the game, played the demo, wishlisted 8-Bit Adventures 2, and so much more these past seven years!
And, of course, the biggest thank you has to be for everyone who buys and supports the game now that it's out! Getting this far has been incredibly difficult, but our success or failure is firmly in the hands of players now. My fondest hope is that everyone enjoys our labour of love š
And if you need anything at all or run into any issues in the game, please don't hesitate to ask me on Twitter, on our Discord, or here on Steam!
Over the last few days, we've also had a ton of amazing reviews from journalists and content creators, so I wanted to share their amazing work here too! I'm immensely grateful for the high praise that 8-Bit Adventures 2 has received so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing what players think.
I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but thank you SO much for your support everyone! The reason I say it so much is because it genuinely *does* mean the world to me. I went into game development because I wanted to make people happy - to uplift others in the same way that games like Final Fantasy, Legend of Dragoon, and Chrono Trigger had uplifted me.
So whatever the outcome - whatever lies ahead - I hope that 8-Bit Adventures 2 achieves that goal š ~Josh
Guess what, everyone? We're now just 3 DAYS away from 8-Bit Adventures 2's big launch on PC (Steam & GOG) on January 31st! (With console versions coming later this year) š„³
If you want to support our work and help us have a successful launch, then please consider wishlisting 8-Bit Adventures 2 here on Steam using the button below. It's been making a massive difference for us behind-the-scenes, and I'm now really hopeful that we can make it to the front page of Steam!
I'm back again to share a fourth and FINAL round-up of info, screenshots, and music samples from 8-Bit Adventures 2 that I've been posting on social media (this time from January)!
But first, it's time for our final new video - the Airships and World Map Trailer! To no one's surprise, it focuses on exploring our World Map - both on-foot and via your very own Airship!
8-Bit Adventures 2 features a richly detailed World Map, filled with secrets & optional areas to discover! Our world's full of the character-driven Side-Quests and challenging Super Boss battles that RPG fans expect š
That's the last of the four trailers we've released this month, so I really hope everyone enjoyed them =) If you've missed any of them, please check out my past posts!
Party Swapping
In 8-Bit Adventures 2, you can swap allies into battle at any time ā without even wasting a turn!
Low on HP? Swap! Can't take advantage of enemy weaknesses? Bring in someone who can!
Swapping means you always have access to all 7 party members in battle!āļø
It's hard to show in a single post, but Swapping adds an extra layer of strategy to combat in 8-Bit Adventures 2, and makes late game battles feel very dynamic! Plus everyone in the party always earns full EXP from battle š
Combo and Trio Abilities
8-Bit Adventures 2 lets party members team up & unleash powerful Combo or Trio Abilities!
These include Abilities which both heal & boost Defence, allow single target Magic to hit all enemies, freeze & instantly K.O a foe, or summon a giant Meteor!
There are 11 Combo & Trio Abilities in total, and we tried to make them all unique. Trio Abilities make you feel like youāre really giving everything youāve got! šŖ
Music Sample #7
This energetic music sample follows last week's trailer, which showed a war-torn industrial realm called the Processor šµ
Each area of this dungeon has its own theme. This song accompanies a deadly train ride as you fight your way across the carriage roofs!
The full 8-Bit Adventures 2 soundtrack features 85 songs and it launches alongside the PC release (Steam & GOG) on January 31st 2023!
Cinematic Shots
The story of 8-Bit Adventures 2 features numerous Cinematic Shots like these - detailed pieces of art which show the world from a new perspective.
Our approach to these images was inspired by cutscenes in the NES Ninja Gaiden trilogy, as well as in classic Phantasy Star games š
Glade of Graphics
The Glade of Graphics is a hidden valley with Art Deco style. Here, an eccentric group of robot artists endeavor to imitate humanity - in order to perfect their craft.
But a death in the Glade kicks off a murder mystery that no one wants to solveā¦
Endgame Optional Content
8-Bit Adventures 2 has many Endgame side-quests, including:
ā±ļø A time-hopping mansion with emotional stakes!
š¤æ An underwater lair explored via diving suits!
š¤ A grim prison guarded by insane robots!
šļø A giant Titan who wanders the World Map!
Airship Info
In 8-Bit Adventures 2, the Airship is your high-in-the-sky home!
You can fly across the World Map & reach the Floating Continent, walk on the deck to chat with party members, buy items from an onboard shop, and play the Airship Battle mini-game! š„
Music Sample #8
Our final music sample before 8-Bit Adventures 2's launch next Tuesday is the exciting, dramatic theme from our popular Gamescom 2020 Trailer! šµ
This song *does* appear in the game, but its real name and placement is a big spoiler š
And that's it for our showcase series of posts! Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this post, and if you haven't already, please don't forget to wishlist 8-Bit Adventures 2 by clicking the button below. We're just 3 days away, and I'm immensely grateful for everyone's support so far. I know that together, we can make 8-Bit Adventures 2 a success š
A NEW trailer - featuring an EPIC orchestral arrangement by our wonderful composer Sebastian Cruz (Carfonu) - just debuted at the New York Game Awards!
We're now just 2 weeks away from 8-Bit Adventures 2's big launch on PC (Steam & GOG) on January 31st! (With console versions coming later this year)
If you want to support our work and help us have a successful launch, then please consider wishlisting 8-Bit Adventures 2 here on Steam using the button below. It genuinely makes a massive difference.
I hope everyone's 2023 has gotten off to a great start! We're now just 3 weeks away from 8-Bit Adventures 2's big launch on PC (Steam & GOG) on January 31st! (With console versions coming later this year)
If you want to support our work and help us have a successful launch, then please consider wishlisting 8-Bit Adventures 2 here on Steam using the button below. It genuinely makes a massive difference.
I'm back again to share a third round-up of info, screenshots, and music samples from 8-Bit Adventures 2 that I've been posting on social media (this time from December)!
But first, it's time for another new video - the Adventures in Anbu Trailer! It focuses on a small section of the game's story, in which you fight to save the tranquil Anbu City from an undead uprising.
In the land of Anbu, dead revolutionaries rise from the grave lead by a legendary Samurai. Adventure awaits as the Glitch toys with life and death, stoking old hatreds to restart a long-ended civil war - with you right in the thick of it!
I'll be sharing a new video showcasing 8-Bit Adventures 2 each week in January, so please keep your eyes on Steam or social media!
Music Preview #4
This week's music sample is from a dungeon called The City of Sounds šµ
Here, the music starts off simple, but grows bigger & bolder as you activate the Melody Bells - evolving from melancholic to exhilarating over 5 distinct versions!
The full 8-Bit Adventures 2 soundtrack features 78 songs, and it launches alongside the PC release on January 31st 2023!
The Leviathan
The Leviathan is a fearsome foe with poison fangs, who stalks the oceans of 8-Bit Adventures 2.
It will periodically begin thrashing around, & this is your cue to shield up, as itāll summon a deadly Tidal Wave on its next turn!
Music Preview #5
This music sample is the theme of a Legendary Samurai, filled with heartbreak and determination šµ
He failed his mission in life, but after rising from the grave, he's been given a second chance...and the only thing standing in his way is *you*!
Augments
Throughout the world of 8-Bit Adventures 2 youāll find dozens of equippables called Augments.
These let you customise your party members' stats and grant them special effects in battle - like Auto Sharp, Anti-Poison, or Emergency Barrier!
Each character has 5 Augment slots, plus an Accessory slot, so thereās lots of freedom for RPG fans to create their own builds!
Ship Graveyard
Many a sailor met their end on the icy shores of the Ship Graveyard. This coastline is littered with shipwrecks, and is said by the people of Niveus to be populated only by ghosts, sirens, & spectres.
Your party is split-up in this dungeon - so beware!
The Arena
8-Bit Adventures 2 features a secret Arena where you can fight powered-up foes for spectacular prizes. Arena matches have 4 rounds, with each final round introducing a new boss!
You can also chat with monsters here and learn the Arena's hidden history... š
Music Preview #6
Today's music sample is titled A World of Adventure!
This sweeping, upbeat theme accompanies the player as they explore the World Map in 8-Bit Adventures 2. A world full of stories, secrets, monsters, and Airships awaits!
The Sky Forge
The Sky Forge is an immense tower built by the Dwarves. A rogue experiment forced them to retreat into their mines for centuries.
But now theyāve reclaimed their ancestral Forge, and the lost knowledge of their ancient kin - like Airship construction!
And that's it for another week! I'll have another collection of posts like this coming very soon, and please check back next week for something special! Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this post, and if you haven't already, please don't forget to wishlist 8-Bit Adventures 2 by clicking the button below š
Happy New Year everyone! It's 2023, and that means 8-Bit Adventures 2 is launching on PC (Steam & GOG) this month, January 31st! (The console versions are coming later this year)
If you want to support our work and help us have a successful launch, then please consider wishlisting 8-Bit Adventures 2 here on Steam using the button below. It genuinely makes a massive difference.
But with that out of the way, I'm back again to share another round-up of info, screenshots, and music samples from 8-Bit Adventures 2 that I've been posting on social media (this time from November)!
First up is something brand new - the Panic in the Processor Trailer! It should look very familiar to anyone who's played the 8-Bit Adventures 2 demo.
The Processor is a realm of steam-powered industry - concealed for centuries, now under assault from the Glitchās clockwork army.
Fight your way through the city, survive a deadly train ride, and reach the great Foundry to put an end to the siege!
I'll be sharing a new video showcasing 8-Bit Adventures 2 each week in January, so please keep your eyes on Steam or social media!
But you can explore the Processor NOW by playing our Free Demo!
Niveus
Welcome to Niveus ā a cozy hideaway in the harsh Frozen North, with indoor heating, sentient snowmen, & a Hot Chocolate item which grants the Regen status! Visiting Niveus is optional, but who could resist the chilly charms of this tundra town š
Charlie
Charlieās a quick-witted, impulsive young man whose big mouth often gets the better of him. One of four orphans saved by the Thief, he grew up idolising her. Now Charlie lives in Pheopolis Castle, & he's spent the last two years training to be just like his hero!
Battle System
8-Bit Adventures 2's battles are inspired by Final Fantasy Xās combat system. This means every character takes turns individually & the order of turns is always visible onscreen. Seeing the turn order allows players to plan ahead & think strategically!
Like FFX, we also put a big focus on swapping party members in the midst of battle. More on that in a future post! š
Emma
Emma can seem timid, but sheās a skilled Martial Artist with immense inner strength. An accident claimed both her sight and the lives of her parents, but she was taken in and trained by her Grandpa. Now, Emma yearns to spread her wings & discover her purpose!
Music Preview #3
This week's music sample is the 8-Bit Adventures 2 boss theme - No Escape! šµ
This exciting track accompanies many of the 35+ challenging Bosses you'll battle in 8-Bit Adventures 2, and encourages you to give these fights everything you've got! āļø
The full 8-Bit Adventures 2 soundtrack features 78 songs, and it launches alongside the PC release on January 31st 2023!
Omega Burst
In 8-Bit Adventures 2, you can unleash a powerful Omega Burst attack when the gauge at the bottom of the screen fills up.
In our game there's one gauge for the whole party - so when it's full the player can strategically choose who they want to use it!
Robot
Built by the Computer, the Robot is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry & tasked with hunting down any anomalies which threaten the safety of the world. A warm, stalwart companion with a logical exterior; he always says whateverās on his mechanical mind!
FYI, the Robot, Warrior, Thief, and Mage are all characters named by the player in 8-Bit Adventures 2 š
Robot's Parts System
The most unique character in 8-Bit Adventures 2 is the Robot. He doesnāt use an Attack command or Abilities menu.
Instead, he equips Parts ā 3 in total - which determine the attacks he can use. And since Robot has no MP, they can be used infinitely! š¤
The Factory
The Factory is a bizarre structure, hidden from the world and devoid of humanity š
Run by upbeat robots, it is the seat of power for the mysterious Computer, and is highly coveted by the villainous Glitch. Thereās nowhere else quite like it!
Personal Skills and Abilities
Everyoneās got a special skill & the same is true in 8-Bit Adventures 2!
Personal Abilities (like Speed Boost) are passive bonuses unique to each character, while Personal Skills (like Steal) are techniques that can be used in battle & have no MP cost!
Personal Abilities include always getting the first turn, perfect accuracy, & the chance of reflecting damage. While Personal Skills can be stealing items, regenerating MP, or breaking an enemyās defences!
And once again, we'll leave it there for now! I'll have another collection of posts like this coming very soon. Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this post, and if you haven't already, please don't forget to wishlist 8-Bit Adventures 2 by clicking the button below š
For the past couple of months, I've been sharing info, screenshots, and music samples from 8-Bit Adventures 2 on social media. So now I've gathered the first set of them (from October) together for everyone on Steam!
But before we begin, I just want to remind everyone that 8-Bit Adventures 2 is launching on PC (Steam & GOG) on January 31st, 2023! (The console versions are coming later that same year)
If you want to support our work and help us have a successful launch, then please consider wishlisting 8-Bit Adventures 2 here on Steam using the button below. It genuinely makes a massive difference.
I also wanted to let you know that IndieDB's annual "Indie of the Year" competition is now on, and I'd be thrilled if you'd consider giving your vote to 8-Bit Adventures 2!
With our launch so close, IndieDB's competition is a great opportunity for us. Your vote would be a big help in getting us some more attention ahead of launch, so if you want to go above and beyond in supporting 8-Bit Adventures 2, I'd sincerely appreciate it.
To vote, you can follow the link below and click the Vote Now button! You don't need an account or anything =)
With all that said and done, strap in - because we've got a LOT of posts to catch up on! ĖOrbGetWarriorĖ ĖOrbGetThiefĖ ĖOrbGetMageĖ
Music Sample #1
Musicās an essential part of any JRPG, so I wanted to begin sharing some tracks as we approach 8-Bit Adventures 2's release šµ
First up, itās "The Adventure Begins!" This theme accompanies our gameās prologue, as you fight your way across a twilight desert~
The full 8-Bit Adventures 2 soundtrack features 78 songs, so if you like NES-style chiptune music, you're in for a treat! āŗļø
The Warrior
A hero who saved the world, the Warrior is a kind-hearted soldier who grapples with fear & insecurity. Having settled down with the love of his life, he thought his adventuring days were over. But after an attack on his hometown he suddenly disappears...
To be clear, the Warrior, Thief, Mage, and Robot are all characters which are named by the player in 8-Bit Adventures 2 š
Azureus
Azureus is the central shipping hub of the world ā a role its people work hard to maintain. Thereās not a merchant who hasnāt passed through the marble gates of this scenic port town! The Azureus Guard are always on patrol, but rarely face any danger š
Music Sample #2
The small coastal village of Driftwood is the first town youāll explore in 8-Bit Adventures 2. While its sunny shores seem pleasant, pickpockets prey on travelers, and rumors of a Black Market abound. Driftwood's catchy theme captures that dualityšµ
The Pyramid
The Pyramid was built by an ancient civilisation whose homeland was transformed into a desert by a great catastrophe. The last King of Ra Heru once took refuge here ā but it ultimately became his tomb. What secrets still hide beneath the Pyramid? š¤
The Pyramid was a mandatory dungeon in 8-Bit Adventures 1, so it was fun putting a new spin on it as an optional dungeon in the sequel!
The Enemies of 8-Bit Adventures 2
The world of 8-Bit Adventures 2 is filled with foes both strong & strange, so I wanted to showcase a few!
These include the All-Seeing Idol, Overweight Snake, Self-Obsessed Squid, Gallivanting Grave, Kamikazbee, Regal Rat, & Grinning Ember š¹
Including bosses, 8-Bit Adventures 2 features 98 of the toughest and weirdest foes around. And since they wander the overworld, there are no random battles!
The Thief
Growing up on the streets of Pheopolis shaped the Thief ā yet her sharp tongue canāt hide a heart of gold. She spent years caring for orphans like herself, but has since built a new life with the Warrior. When he suddenly disappears, she begins a quest for answersā¦
Menus!
This one's for the hardcore JRPG fans ā letās look at menus in 8-Bit Adventures 2! We wanted to retain the old school vibe, but ensure a snappy experience without any sluggishness.
Ultimately the goal was to create a UI thatās classic, yet convenient.
And just for fun, here's a bonus pic of the Augments menu - where you can equip powerful Augments to influence your party's stats and abilities!
Pheopolis
The Royal City of Pheopolis is made up of 4 man-made islands, suspended above a lake. It's a city where obscene wealth & abject poverty exist side-by-side - overlooked by a golden castle where young Queen Elena works to change her city for the better.
Pheopolis was in the first game too, but this time players will get to explore the full city, including the gritty Merchant District & the opulent Gold District!
Estriatus Ruins
The idyllic forest town of Estriatus has been transformed into a ruin by the Glitch. Clear water is now poison sludge, spiked vines burst from the ground, and earthquakes tear apart the land. The houses are empty, so what happened to the people? š±
Estriatus was just a normal town in the first game, so figuring out how to transform its layout into a fully-fledged dungeon for 8-Bit Adventures 2 was a lot of fun.
The Bosses of 8-Bit Adventures 2
8-Bit Adventures features more than 35 challenging Bosses, each with unique mechanics and powerful attacks to overcome! So letās meet a few less spoiler-y ones, including the Glitch, Bandit Bros, Beaming Inferno, Leviathan and Experimental Titan!
8-Bit Adventures 2 features 98 of the toughest and weirdest foes around in total!
The Mage
The Mage is centuries-old; the last in a long line of magic users. An experiment gone wrong ended his Fatherās life & changed his fate forever. Formerly known as the Red Mage, he cast his title aside after saving the world, to start anew with his life-long love.
And we'll leave it there for now! I'll have another collection of posts like this coming very soon. Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this post!
After seven years of hard work and anticipation, Iām overjoyed to announce that 8-Bit Adventures 2 will launch on PC (via Steam and GOG) on January 31st, 2023!
Itās finally happening, everyone!! =D And while I really wanted to hit 2022, at least weāll only be one month out ;) If youād like to help make 8-Bit Adventures 2 a success, then please wishlist the game and spread the word to friends or on social media! While it may not seem like it changes much from the outside, it genuinely does make a massive difference for us, and is sincerely appreciated.
A gigantic thanks to Day of the Devs, Double Fine, and iam8bit for the opportunity to signal boost this announcement through their wonderful event!
A unique version of the 8-Bit Adventures 2 demo with Airship and World Map gameplay will be showcased today at Day of the Devs in San Francisco, California, from 3pm until 7pm PDT. Attendance is free, so if youāre in the area, please go and check out this incredible event!
But thatās not all! The online 8-Bit Adventures 2 demo on Steam and GOG has also been updated to reflect the more polished and finalised state of the full game too. While anyone whoās played the demo before probably wonāt notice much of a difference, I wanted to make sure that future demo players would have the best 8-Bit Adventures 2 experience possible ā short of playing the full game =)
Iāve also been doing multiple weekly posts on Twitter and Instagram over the last month, and these will be continuing right through to release (with some of the most exciting ones saved for January!). But I also plan to do regular recaps on Steam, collecting my Twitter posts and sharing them with everyone here - so stay tuned for that too!
But what about console players? Well, to reiterate from my previous news post, while Ratalaika Games have been making some great progress on porting, the whole process has taken significantly longer than anticipated due to some unforeseen challenges. When you add console lotcheck on top of that (the approval process to be launched on each platform), the months pile up.
And so, after talking things over with my team, Ratalaika Games, Post Horn PR (a pro-bono marketing team who are very graciously supporting 8-Bit Adventures 2) and several other developers (whose input Iām very grateful for), Iāve ultimately decided to launch the PC version first, work on any bug fixes and updates necessary (updating a game is a lot easier on PC than on console), and then release the console versions as soon as everythingās ready.
I sincerely apologise to console players for this delay, as the plan was always to launch PC and console on the same day. Iāve stuck to and fought for that plan as long as I could (until about the last month and a half); but after speaking further with Ratalaika, it became clear that things had to change. My hope is that console players wonāt have to wait too much longer than PC players ā and on the bright side, theyāll also receive the Free DLC as part of the base game package, along with any extra fixes and updates for the smoothest and most complete experience.
And just to show you that things are moving ahead, hereās a picture of a (slightly older) development build of 8-Bit Adventures 2 running on a Nintendo Switch console (big thanks to Adrian from Ratalaika for taking this photo for me to share)!
As for PC players, I know that some of you have been waiting for 8-Bit Adventures 2 since late 2015, and so I didnāt feel it was right to delay any longer. Taking this approach comes with some challenges, but I think itāll be worth it to get the game in your hands. Thank you very much for your patience & support.
I absolutely cannot wait for you all to get your hands on 8-Bit Adventures 2! There are so many big moments, fun characters, challenging battles, and little details or secrets in this game, and I know Sebastian, Jerram, Sufyan, and I are all desperate to share them with you.
8-Bit Adventures 2 is coming to PC and GOG on January 31st 2023, so please wishlist and spread the word if youād like to support us! And thank you SO much for all the support that weāve been given so far!
The people who reach out to me about 8-Bit Adventures 2 are always the most wonderfully kind folks I could ever hope to meet, and Iāve pretty much only received polite and positive messages these past 7 years. Given how unpleasant the internet can be, thatās an incredible achievement ā and itās entirely thanks to all of you!
Everyoneās kindness has helped me reach the finish line, and for that I am immensely grateful =) ~Josh
I am thrilled to announce that 8-Bit Adventures 2 will be featured at the Day of the Devs 10th Anniversary Celebration on November 5th! Day of the Devs is the ultimate indie event, and as a massive fan of Double Fine, Tim Schafer, and iam8bit, participating there has been a dream of mine for years. Find out more by clicking on the link or picture below: https://www.dayofthedevs.com/events/
If youāre able to attend the in-person event at the Midway in San Francisco, youāll be able to check out a brand new section of the demo which allows you to freely explore the World Map in an Airship! Explore cities and dungeons, battle bosses, and just see what you run into. Lots of tweaks were made to avoid major spoilers, and the idea was to give attendees a sense of the gameās immense RPG world.
Unfortunately I won't be attending the event myself (living in Australia as I do, there's a lot of travel costs involved that I can't cover), but the wonderful folks at Double Fine and iam8bit will be running the demo in my stead. A massive thanks to them - without their support, this opportunity wouldn't be possible.
But thatās not all! On the same day, weāll FINALLY be announcing the PC (Steam and GOG) release date for 8-Bit Adventures 2!Even the cast can't believe it!
Now, I did say the PC release date specifically and thereās a reason for this. While Ratalaika Games have been making some great progress on porting, the whole process has taken significantly longer than anticipated due to some unforeseen challenges. When you add console lotcheck on top of that (the approval process to be launched on each platform), the months pile up.
And so, after talking things over with my team, Ratalaika Games, Post Horn PR (a pro-bono marketing team who are very graciously supporting 8-Bit Adventures 2) and several other developers (whose input Iām very grateful for), Iāve ultimately decided to launch the PC version first, work on any bug fixes and updates necessary (updating a game is a lot easier on PC than on console), and then release the console versions as soon as everythingās ready.
I sincerely apologise to console players for this delay, as the plan was always to launch PC and console on the same day. Iāve stuck to and fought for that plan as long as I could (until about the last month and a half); but after speaking further with Ratalaika, it became clear that things had to change. My hope is that console players wonāt have to wait too much longer than PC players ā and on the bright side, theyāll also receive the Free DLC as part of the base game package, along with any extra fixes and updates for the smoothest and most complete experience.
And just to show you that things are moving ahead, hereās a picture of a (slightly older) development build of 8-Bit Adventures 2 running on a Nintendo Switch console (big thanks to Adrian from Ratalaika for taking this photo for me to share)!
As for PC players, I know that some of you have been waiting for 8-Bit Adventures 2 since late 2015, and so I didnāt feel it was right to delay any longer. Taking this approach comes with some challenges, but I think itāll be worth it to get the game in your hands. Thank you very much for your patience & support.
With all that said, please stay tuned for specific details on November 5th! I just wanted to take this opportunity to set expectations and be transparent about whatās going on, as Iād hate for anyone to be disappointed by the actual release date announcement.
On the very, very bright side, 8-Bit Adventures 2 will have a set-in-stone, come-hell-or-high-water release date! AND we get to participate in the ultimate indie event at Day of the Devs - how cool is that?! Weāre nearly there everyone =D ~Josh
Hi everyone! Sorry Iāve been so quiet this year, but thank you very much to everyone whoās checked in with me or offered their support =) Iāve spoken to a lot of you individually on Steam, Twitter, Discord, and so on, but Iāve refrained from doing a major update post because Iāve been waiting until I could announce a release date and start promoting the gameās launch.
However, that hasnāt happened, and you all deserve an explanation as to why. So thatās what this update is for!
First of all, the good news for anyone who hasnāt heard ā 8-Bit Adventures 2 is complete. Every cutscene, every battle, every environment, all 100% finished, polished, and tested. Iāve played through the full game from beginning to end multiple times, and it will take players around 30-40 hours to complete ā give or take, due to a wealth of optional content (including a Developer Room with behind-the-scenes info and early assets!).
Iād also like to thank Benedikt Geierhofer (@RealLeogrim on Twitter) for his help testing the game in recent months! Please check out his upcoming pixel-art RPG āFor a Vast Futureā, just announced to be releasing in November:
So if 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finished, why is it not out yet? Well, thatās because weāre waiting for the console ports to be ready. Ratalaika Games have been working really hard on the porting process, despite dealing with a lot of challenges over the past year. But unfortunately, 8-Bit Adventures 2 has taken a lot longer than I expected to be ported ā partly due to the size of the project and the very large number of plugins used in the game (all of which need to be manually converted). Ratalaika have been making consistent progress and doing their best to get the game ready, but it's one of those jobs that just seems to take as long as it takes.
Porting is something that I have no control over (it's totally out of my hands), and so Iāve spent the last several months waiting along with all of you. However, Iāve been using this time as effectively as possible. Not only for testing, but also to make numerous improvements to 8-Bit Adventures 2; combing over every line of dialogue, smoothing any difficulty spikes, testing out more battle configurations and crazy combinations, etc. Iāve now reached the end of that process, but I believe having that extra time to take a deep breath and look over the game as a completed project has resulted in a greatly improved product ā in a lot of small ways that really add up.
Beyond that, Iāve also been starting working on the gameās Free DLC, which has consequently become more substantial than originally planned thanks to this extra time, as well as working on more promotional content (such as mini-trailers highlighting specific sections of the game, and updating the Steam page), and also future top secret plans for releases beyond 8-Bit Adventures 2. While that last oneās a bit premature and relies on 8BA2 selling well, Iām trying to plan ahead so that I can release a game every 2 years, rather than once every 7 years =P
I know that information is cold-comfort for everyone out there eagerly anticipating the release, but you all deserve an explanation and thatās the honest situation. Iāll be providing updates as Iām given news myself, and once we've passed certification I'll be shouting a release date from the rooftops!
But on the very bright side, 8-Bit Adventures 2 is finally done and, in my opinion, itās turned out to be a great game and something really special. Obviously Iām the most biased person in the world when it comes to this project, but Iāve also been taking a hyper-critical eye to the game for the past seven years, so I think I can at least say that anyone who loves JRPGs like I do will have a lot of fun. Iām really, really proud of 8-Bit Adventures 2 ā and so grateful to everyone on our team who made it possible!
Thereās not much I can do to tide you over while we all wait, and I know a lot of people don't want any spoilers beyond what I've shown so far. BUT for anyone whoās interested, hereās a sneak-peek at the āAdventures in Anbuā mini-trailer ā focusing on a small section of the game where you battle a legendary Samurai and his undead army in a distant land inspired by medieval Japan. The videoās unlisted, so itās just a bonus for anyone who read this =)
Anyway, I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew what was going on, and where we're at. Essentially, I'm waiting like everyone else now. But I'm also trying to plan and think ahead so that - if 8-Bit Adventures 2 does well - I'll be able to provide you guys with a steady stream of fun content in future. But for now, thank you very much for all of your support; it really means the world to me! ~Josh
