Four Tales, One Epic Quest: ‘Quartet’ from Something Classic Games Is the Retro JRPG You’ve Been Waiting For

Fun Fact: The original Mortal Kombat game was developed in just 10 months.

In today’s email:

• Four Tales, One Epic Quest: ‘Quartet’ from Something Classic Games Is the Retro JRPG You’ve Been Waiting For

• Lock ’n’ Load: Time Crisis, Point Blank & Steel Gunner Blast Onto Modern TVs with G’AIM’E!”

• When Kids Take Charge: Stray Children Westward Bound in 2025!

Four Tales, One Epic Quest: ‘Quartet’ from Something Classic Games Is the Retro JRPG You’ve Been Waiting For

Something Classic Games is back with Quartet, a retro-inspired JRPG that builds on the cult hit Shadows of Adam (2017) by letting you play four interconnected stories in any order. Funded on Kickstarter for $54,203, Quartet puts you in control of eight heroes caught in a conspiracy spanning train robberies and airship battles. A free Steam demo is available now, and the full game launches August 26, 2025 on PC and consoles. In this newsletter, we’ll dive into what makes Quartet a must-play for retro gamers craving neo-retro flair, branching narratives, and classic turn-based combat.

What Is Quartet?

A Spiritual Successor with a Fresh Spin
Quartet is described by its creators as the “second retro-inspired JRPG” from the team behind Shadows of Adam, updated with lessons learned from the 2017 release. It features four standalone chapters—each introducing two playable characters—that merge into one overarching epic about magic, mayhem, and government conspiracies.

Kickstarter Origins
Launched on Kickstarter on September 1, 2021, Quartet beat its funding goal with $54,203 raised, showing that the indie scene still craves thoughtful, pixel-perfect JRPGs. Backer rewards ranged from digital copies to designing gear and NPCs, highlighting Something Classic’s community-driven approach.

Gameplay Highlights

Branching Stories, Four Ways to Play

• Chapter Freedom: Choose your starting tale—be it a train-robber turned spy or an accidental mage embarking on a magical vision—and experience the plot in any order.

• Tag-Team Swaps: Borrowing from classic JRPGs like Final Fantasy X, you can switch between two active party members mid-battle, crafting deeper strategies.

• Eight Heroes to Master: Each story duo brings unique abilities, from airship-wrecking spells to high-speed daggers. Learn their synergies as their paths converge.

Demo Availability
A free Steam demo dropped alongside the Kickstarter campaign, giving players a taste of the opening chapters and battle mechanics. Early feedback praises its nostalgic pixel art, earworm chiptune soundtrack, and tight pacing.

Why Retro Gamers Should Care

Nostalgia Meets Modern Design
Something Classic’s Shadows of Adam earned high marks for polishing outdated mechanics—no random battles and a clearer narrative—and Quartet doubles down on that philosophy.

Art & Sound

• Pixel-Perfect Graphics: Crisp sprites and detailed backgrounds that evoke 16-bit classics.

• Memorable Score: A fully composed chiptune soundtrack that rivals the best SNES-era JRPGs.

Community-Focused Development
Through Kickstarter stretch goals and demo feedback, Something Classic refined Quartet’s balance and story beats, making backers feel like co-designers.

Release & Wishlist

• Launch Date: August 26, 2025 on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox Series X|S.

• Wishlist Now: Add Quartet to your Steam wishlist to get notified at launch.

Whether you’re in it for the branching narratives, the tag-team tactics, or the pure pixel-perfect nostalgia, Quartet promises an eight-hero, four-story JRPG experience that respects the classics while pushing the genre forward. Don’t miss out—dive into the demo today and prepare for an epic quest when Quartet releases later this summer!

Lock ’n’ Load: Time Crisis, Point Blank & Steel Gunner Blast Onto Modern TVs with G’AIM’E!”

Ready to relive that heart-pounding arcade action in your living room? The new G’AIM’E light gun brings Namco’s classic shooters—Time Crisis, Point Blank, and Steel Gunner—to any LCD or OLED screen without a console. Plug in, load up, and step on the pedal just like the good old days—no CRT required.

What Is G’AIM’E?

G’AIM’E (or “GAIME,” if you prefer) is a standalone, AI-powered light-gun system that connects to modern TVs via a simple HDMI box. No PC, no console—just plug, play, and you’re back in the arcade’s crosshairs. The hardware was redesigned by Tassei Denki after its initial unveiling last year, promising seamless compatibility with any LCD display at a variety of distances and room layouts.

The Star-Studded Lineup

Time Crisis (1995)

– Step on the foot pedal to duck, then press to pop back up and rack off rounds. It’s as tense as ever.

Point Blank (1994)

– Shoot paper targets in bizarre minigames. Think carnival fun—if carnival fun packed explosives.

Steel Gunner & Steel Gunner 2 (1990–1991)

– Lock onto on-screen baddies with precision. Light-gun purists, this one’s for you.

How Does It Work?

1. AI Tracking:

   • G’AIM’E uses onboard computer vision and machine learning to detect where you’re aiming—no IR sensor bar needed.

2. Plug-And-Play:

   • Pop the HDMI dongle into your TV, connect the USB power, and attach the gun via its proprietary cable. That’s it.

3. Pedal Support:

   • The deluxe kit includes the original-style foot pedal for cover mechanics in Time Crisis. Instant nostalgia.

Pricing & Packages

• Standard Package ($89.99):

  • G’AIM’E gun unit + HDMI box + Time Crisis arcade ROM built-in.

• Premium Package ($119.99):

  • Everything in Standard, plus Point Blank, Steel Gunner 1 & 2, and the foot pedal. Early-bird tiers may include keychains and discount coupons.

Why It Matters

• CRT-Free Retro: CRT TVs have all but vanished. If you’ve missed that trigger-happy magic, G’AIM’E is your ticket back.

• Officially Licensed: Namco and Bandai Namco Entertainment have given their blessing. No sketchy ROMs here—just legit arcade code.

• Multi-Player Potential: Buy extra controllers and challenge a friend to a Point Blank duel. Who doesn’t want bragging rights?

Get In on the Ground Floor

G’AIM’E launches its Kickstarter this month. With early-bird rewards and stretch goals hinted at, now’s the time to lock and load your pledge. Whether you want the pure Time Crisis experience or the full deluxe suite, nostalgia has never looked—or shot—so good.

When Kids Take Charge: Stray Children Westward Bound in 2025!

Onion Games’ latest indie RPG, Stray Children, is finally escaping its Japanese roots and heading for Western consoles and PC this year. Originally launched on Nintendo Switch in Japan in December 2024, the game has been teasing fans with cryptic social-media updates—until now. In mid-2025, both the Switch and Steam versions (complete with English localization) will be available, promising a bizarre world where kids outnumber, outwit, and even out-whisper menacing adults known as “The Olders.” Headed by veterans of cult classics like Moon: Remix RPG Adventure and Rule of Rose, this survival-meets-turn-based RPG is poised to become a must-play for retro aficionados—especially those craving oddball narratives and genre-bending mechanics.

What Is Stray Children?

Stray Children thrusts you into an otherworldly RPG where you play as a child sucked through an ancient console into a secret realm populated exclusively by kids. Outside their fortified sanctuary roam The Olders—mutated adults driven mad by stress and regret.

Key Features at a Glance

• Spinning Roulette: Your choices and fate pivot on a roulette-style mechanic.

• Tactical Whispers: Instead of swords, sometimes your words are your sharpest weapon.

• Survival Horror Vibes: Dodge brutal, stress-fueled attacks from monstrous adults.

• Cult-Classic Pedigree: From the creators behind Moon: Remix RPG Adventure and Rule of Rose.

Why Retro Gamers Should Care

Stray Children isn’t just another indie RPG—it’s a love letter to the quirky, off-beat titles of yesteryear.

• Nostalgic Roots: Developed by Onion Games alumni from the golden era of Japanese oddities.

• Unique Art Style: Hand-drawn sprites that evoke the charm of late-’90s SNES titles.

• Deep Lore: A thought-provoking narrative about childhood versus adulthood that echoes cult hits like Undertale and Yomawari.

Where and When to Play

• Nintendo Switch: Full English localization arriving in late 2025.

• Steam (Windows PC): English version available via the live Steam page—wishlist now!

• Demos at Conventions: Play early builds at BitSummit (July 18–20, Kyoto) and Tokyo Game Show (Sept 25–28, Tokyo).

Behind the Curtain: Onion Games’ Journey

Onion Games formed from Love-de-Lic alumni who helped craft beloved titles like Moon, Chulip, and Little King’s Story. After re-releasing Moon with an authorized English translation, the studio has slowly regained fan confidence, culminating in this Western rollout of Stray Children.

Ready to Jump In?

Wondering if you’re brave enough to face The Olders? Grab your virtual flashlight—and maybe a thesaurus for those tactical whispers. This spring, gear up for one of the most unusual JRPGs to hit the West in 2025.

• Wishlist Stray Children on Steam

• Follow Onion Games on Bluesky, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest updates.

Don’t let the adults catch you—embrace your inner child.

We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!