Arguably, some of the biggest Japanese media properties to make a massive impact in ‘90s pop culture include the likes of Final Fantasy and Ghost in the Shell. If you are a fan of these franchises, here’s an indie RPG that is sure to entice you.
Developed by So Romantic and published by Hypetrain Digital, Jack Move is a turn-based RPG set in a gritty cyberpunk world, rendered in a retro-inspired “hi-bit” pixel art style that wouldn’t look out of place on the Game Boy Advance.
So Romantic is a Taiwanese micro-studio run by Edd Parris, with Parris serving as a developer, designer and artist. This one-man show has been making quirky games since 2012, with Jack Move a big step forward for So Romantic.
Players take on the role of Noa Solares, a vigilante hacker who is thrust into a quest to rescue her estranged father from the evil mega-corporation Monomind. This includes exploring the many distinct areas of Monocity One, where enemies lurk around every corner.
Like any good RPG, Noa will be joined by her trusty party members in her adventure, who include her best friend Ryder and her uncle Guin Blakely, an ex-corporate spy who will help her on her way.
Players will engage in tactical turn-based battles where hacking plays a central role. Using their trusty Cyber Deck, players are able to switch roles mid-battle, balancing between offense, defense, and more.
Choosing which software to use is vital to combat and key to defeating the many enemy types. From street punks and gangsters to mysterious secret agents and corporate overlords, each enemy has their own set of abilities in combat that can impact each encounter.
Throughout the adventure, players will be upgrading abilities by levelling up with experience points earned in battles and by exploring Monocity One. Players can boost individual stats, give Noa extra abilities, and increase the amount of software that can be equipped at any given time.
Jack Move will be launching on PC on September 8, with the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch versions launching on September 20th. It will be included in Hypetrain’s Steam publisher sale on September 8.
RPG fans can also purchase the game in a bundle with action RPG CrossCode for back-to-back cyberpunk action.