Quartet Review – A JRPG-Inspired Delight

I have a paradoxical relationship with nostalgia. Sometimes, I long to embrace those iconic old games that saw my upbringing and remember The Good Old Days. Others, I feel like shedding my former self and disconnecting from what I once was. Quartet, a new JRPG-inspired turn-based adventure, does an excellent job at marrying both concepts. While more prominent in the former, with its perpetually charming 16-bit pixel art style and familiar turn-based combat, its creative narrative and the way the story is presented show a creative step forward.

We all know the JRPG classics. They’re probably on the tip of your tongue already, and I haven’t even named them yet. Once developers got a hold of narrative storytelling in those early days, the first thing they did was subvert expectations. It is no surprise then that Quartet follows in those same footsteps. What instantly caught me by surprise was how clever the writing was from the first moment. In a year such as 2025, when pixel-art JRPGs have gone through the golden age, died, and revived, it is not a simple task to make one in that same vein.

The developer, aptly named Something Classic, exudes mastery over this genre all too well. Cold-blooded murder, political intrigue, and rampant abuse of power are all topics brushed upon. Nothing is off the table to those looking for more mature storytelling. After an expository prologue, four scenarios can be chosen. Starting with four separate stories that collide unexpectedly, each of the glimpses into the seemingly simple lives of all characters reveals an intriguing lore and worldbuilding.

Ben, Nikolai, Cordelia & Alexandra live in a world where magic is heavily politicized, and they are all deeply affected one way or another because of it. Every scenario starts with a bang. Some tales feel more lighthearted than others, in the beginning, but they go in-depth on the social issues of the world and time. That said, each markedly different campaign shows the many turn-based mechanics connoisseurs of the genre will recognize instantly.

With an AP bar for special skills and abilities that each character has, buffs, debuffs, and weaknesses are some of the elements that will need to be taken into account to succeed. Intuitive moves that I remember were not present, such as your character attacking a new enemy when your target dies, so the combo doesn’t go to waste, feels nice. From the changing sprites depending on the damage to the animations to the memorable music, Quartet’s fights never cease to impress.

While the game offers three difficulty settings, as per the 1.1 update, from Easy to Hard, this makes sure to cater to all types of players. Another welcome addition to said update is the Turbo mode, which, as it implies, speeds up the fights and general exploration. Grinding is not really necessary, at least in the first chapters. Enemies drop useful recovery items, so buying them next time you are exploring in town is unneeded.

Talking of which, the story tab in the menu will always have brief and concise instructions as to where to go exactly. Although the conversations in-game are always clear, to have this backup help and never feel lost is a Quality of Life feature the games that inspired Quartet lacked. That said, going off the beaten path is also a worthwhile endeavor. Discovering abandoned places that reward you with useful items like a Max Revive is enlightening at the same time.

Verdict

More than a homage, Quartet builds upon what its predecessors planted to flourish into its own. Sure of itself in every aspect, building your party all the way to eight characters while unraveling the grander narrative in the background, it is impossible to put down this game. With a console announcement in the works, I just hope it reaches more audiences that can see what turn-based greatness looks like.

Remember to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Bluesky to keep up to date on everything we have going on!