The very last thing I anticipated enjoying within the yr 2026 was a brand-spanking-new Recreation Boy Coloration title. However that’s Infinity for ya!
The historical past behind this once-scrapped, now-revived GBC RPG is sort of the saga, stretching all the way in which again to 1999 and making Infinity about as previous as RPGFan itself. Lastly, due to a current profitable Kickstarter marketing campaign, Infinity exists as a bodily cartridge to plug into your GBC (or GBA, no matter gadget is appropriate from Nintendo). In due time, this 4MB cartridge will probably be ported to Steam and Nintendo Swap. Till then, Kickstarter backers are at present receiving their supplies, and most of the people has entry to bodily and digital editions of the GBC model by way of writer Incube8 Video games. However it’s possible you’ll surprise: may such a sport, on such a dated console, really be price enjoying? That’s what I’m right here to reply.
Inspirations
Over the many years, the unique dev staff Affinix haven’t hidden the truth that Infinity was designed as a love letter to Japanese RPGs. In spite of everything, throughout Nintendo’s lineup of 8-bit platforms (NES, GB, GBC), the overwhelming majority of RPGs on these platforms hail from Japan. All through my ten hours enjoying Infinity, listed below are some inspirations I observed.
At the beginning, the tile-based backgrounds and character sprites instantly jogged my memory of Sq.’s 4 Recreation Boy RPGs: the Closing Fantasy Legend trilogy (that are SaGa video games) and Closing Fantasy Journey (which is definitely a Mana sport). These aren’t one-to-one, cookie- cutter clones. I believe Infinity has a definite visible type, and it’s not solely because of the addition of colour. Even with such a restricted variety of pixels on the display screen, I used to be impressed on the visuals, which have their very own type whereas hearkening again to a number of the greatest Recreation Boy RPGs on the market.
The sport gives cities, dungeons, and a comparatively small world map that isn’t totally traversable till the final quarter of the sport to discover. On this regard, development feels lots like Closing Fantasy or Dragon Quest. Visually, I do just like the added contact of the world map showing considerably skewed, so as to add depth and perspective.
The sport’s mechanics comprise a hodgepodge of basic RPG inspiration, however as soon as once more, the top result’s one thing distinctive. Your occasion begins with one participant and grows to as many as 4. Fight is initiated by way of random encounter, however the participant is definitely in a mini-strategy RPG structure as soon as it begins. With out drawing any grids on the display screen, the devs laid out a hexagonal grid (years earlier than Wild Arms 4 applied an analogous format). Menu navigation in fight, which could be a bit complicated, is mostly laid out with the cardinal instructions. Followers of Lufia and Breath of Fireplace ought to acknowledge this mannequin. You need to memorize numerous icons, as there’s valuable little on-screen textual content description in your alternatives (although the sport features a handy-dandy instruction guide with buy). The educational curve was a tad steep for this participant, however as soon as I obtained the hold of the menu navigation, I actually loved battles. I additionally appreciated the choice to make use of gadgets to keep away from random encounters, in addition to the excessive flee success charge once I didn’t wish to be overwhelmed. Maintaining my mana at max for potential massive boss fights was paramount.
As these battles are tactical in nature, followers of Shining Power and/or Fireplace Emblem might discover themselves most drawn to those short-form tactical battles. Studying to maximise effectivity with sure character-unique abilities is an actual pleasure, although I want there have been extra selection on this regard.
A Distinctive Contact
With these inspirations famous, let’s dig into facets of Infinity for which I couldn’t discover an apparent legacy parallel within the huge again catalog of JRPG-dom. Let’s begin with the music.
Composer Eric Hache laid down early variations of this music for followers to take heed to beginning again in 2002. Materia Collective launched an up to date model of the music in 2016, even whereas the sport remained unfinished. Nonetheless, that OST seems to have been pulled in anticipation of the entire OST coming this yr. There are notable variations between the music in these respective many years, however the important thing themes (title, world map, commonplace battle) have maintained their core melodies. The notable distinction within the Infinity soundtrack’s evolution is the way in which it maximizes the Recreation Boy’s three-channel setup to create chiptunes. Using oscillations to counsel bigger chords than would in any other case be potential is a good approach, one which didn’t get almost sufficient use all through the ’90s. Hache nails down this method in quick and gradual songs alike. Hache additionally makes nice use of the noise channel for percussion.
Is there any analogous composer I may tie Hache’s work to? Truthfully, not likely. This music sounds lots distinct from Sq.’s mainstays of the period (Uematsu, Ito, Shimomura, Kikuta). And it undoubtedly doesn’t sound like Pokémon music! If something, I discover some melodic work that jogs my memory a little bit of Motoi Sakuraba’s work in later Shining Power titles, however that’s in a much more expansive soundscape than pure chiptunes.
To that finish, I believe Hache might need pulled off the best feat right here, creating a chiptunes rating that capabilities on a really actual, 4 megabyte cartridge and a Recreation Boy Coloration, with strategies that rival what trendy chiptune artists can do with a single gadget. I like this soundtrack’s type, and solely want there was extra to like. Sadly, there simply isn’t sufficient content material within the sport to justify an expansive three-hour Recreation Boy OST.
And that brings us to the story. I discovered this to be essentially the most distinctive method in comparison with Infinity‘s JRPG predecessors, and it’s additionally the place I discovered essentially the most frustration. At a excessive degree, this sport has an absorbing world. The lore (historical past and mythology), the bigger plot, and the important thing occasions are improbable. When the participant learns of a sure weapon known as the Geist Cannon, it’s really a horrifying expertise, full with spectacular nonetheless photos that improve the second’s energy. This early plot level made me understand simply how darkish the Infinity devs had been keen to go.
What didn’t work, nonetheless, was the dialogue. Our protagonist, Connor, is an ultra-jaded former knight pressured into an journey he doesn’t wish to take. Early within the sport, the participant learns why Connor has an axe to grind towards his residence kingdom of Selera. And, okay, you’re indignant. I get it. However when your dialogue is simply nonstop brooding and resentment, even towards well-meaning occasion members and NPCs, it will get previous. I haven’t hated a protagonist this a lot in a very long time. And even on the finish of the sport, after he’s achieved whole redemption, I nonetheless don’t like Connor.
The opposite main characters are extra bearable. The lycanthropic Victor might be my favourite character, as his aggression begins to tone all the way down to extra acceptable banter with the remainder of the occasion close to the top of the sport. Roland, Connor’s rival within the northern kingdom of Alutha, is each bit as bitter as Connor. And, once more, for good motive. The sport’s entire story is concerning the continuous failures of humanity and the traps set by evil supernatural entities to speed up extinction. The few forces for good, just like the well-meaning and religious mage Elya, are nicely overshadowed by the antagonist forces led by Kraith—and, dare I say it, the antipathy of the remainder of the playable characters.
I don’t have any complaints concerning the plot’s pacing, although. Whereas a part of me would love some further/elective content material close to endgame, I additionally discovered myself longing to see how the endgame situation would play out. The presentation is a bit barebones; extra key artwork all through the ultimate hour would have been welcome, although I additionally acknowledge area limitations. (Once more, solely 4 megabytes! That’s insanity!)
An RPG For The Ages
Is Infinity the best sport on the Recreation Boy Coloration platform? No. Can it compete with retro-style RPGs that haven’t any precise area limitations? Completely. Whereas I’ve my complaints and would have beloved to take a stab at rewriting the dialogue in order that the primary characters weren’t so curmudgeony, I believe Infinity is finally an gratifying retro expertise that we’re fortunate to see launch many years after its first curtailed growth cycle. The visuals are easy but efficient. The music and sound are a surprise to behold. Dungeon exploration and fight are enjoyable, and solely run the danger of monotony if the participant chooses to tackle heavy grinds.
Should you satisfaction your self on having a library of nice retro video games, right here’s a stunning previous/new entry only for you! It’s not going to alter your life, however it is going to make for an gratifying 10-15-hour gaming expertise!
