Absinthia

I was entertained the whole time! The characters are well written and charismatic, the story is good, the music is amazing, and the graphics are pretty and consistent. Beyond all that, he LGBTQIAP+ representation is healty and clarifying, and the criticism about capitalism is so on point :) #taxtherich

This game is off to a great start. I'm playing on hard and it feels pretty fair, nothing to crazy but you have to really pay attention in battle because you can get wiped out pretty quick. MUSIC: 9/10 Very enjoyable, but I felt like some parts of it were too loud Combat: 8/10 Every character has a skill that regenerates MP, in addition to providing other buffs for a few turns. I think this combat system is really fun, and the battles are just the right length. The only concern is that enemies are already applying status affects right at the beginning, and you don't really have any items so it might feel like a kick in the teeth for more casual RPG players. I didn't have any trouble adapting, but it certainly was surprising and kinda annoying to have to deal with it constantly. Other than that, the mechanics are very satisfying. Exploration: 9/10 This is where this game really sold itself. The exploration is very satisfying, with plenty of items to find. It even has secret areas hidden throughout the world. Locations are very detailed, with all sorts of npcs and architecture. My only complaint is that you can only interact with very limited objects; a little more text upon interacting with things would be great for your next game. Visuals: 9/10 Beautiful pixel art, with very detailed character portraits for all the main characters. A lot of characters don't have portraits, but I don't think anyone can complain about that when they see how detailed the artwork is. Everything in the game is really enjoyable to look at, especially the special effects over the screen (such as leaves blowing). I am really impressed, especially by the combat screen. Enemies all have great designs, and you can see your entire party from behind. It's a really nice improvement over this developers previous games, and really stands out from other RPG maker games. The game would be perfect in this aspect if it wasn't for the boring UI, which also has the item text cut off in the inventory. Performance: 10/10 The game runs flawlessly with my recording setup. It's smooth with no hiccups so far. Overall Rating: 9/10

Absinthia, developed by Joshua Keith in collaboration with Team Bewitched and published by Team Bewitched, is a character-driven indie JRPG that embraces retro inspiration while focusing heavily on emotional storytelling and inclusive representation. Set in the Ambrose Isles, the narrative follows Freya, a disciplined knight, and her apprentice Sera, whose quiet life is shattered by forces that threaten not only their homeland but their personal convictions. What begins as a localized conflict soon expands into a journey marked by betrayal, grief, identity struggles, and the difficult process of growth through hardship. Though modest in scale, the story carries an earnest tone that distinguishes it from many nostalgia-driven RPG projects. Combat in Absinthia adheres to traditional turn-based mechanics while incorporating modern pacing adjustments. Battles are initiated through visible overworld encounters rather than random interruptions, allowing players to engage on their own terms. The regenerating MP system encourages frequent use of abilities instead of conservative resource hoarding, which keeps combat flowing and strategic rather than grind-heavy. Party members can coordinate through combination skills and synergistic techniques, adding layers of tactical decision-making. While the mechanics do not radically innovate within the genre, they are polished and balanced enough to support varied playstyles. Adjustable difficulty settings further allow players to tailor the experience toward either strategic challenge or narrative immersion. Exploration unfolds across towns, dungeons, and natural landscapes rendered in colorful pixel art reminiscent of 16-bit era RPGs. The visual presentation strikes a balance between simplicity and expressiveness, with detailed character portraits enhancing emotional dialogue scenes. Environments are compact but thoughtfully designed, offering hidden treasures and optional interactions that reward curiosity. Dungeons focus more on combat and progression than on elaborate puzzle-solving, maintaining steady pacing. Though not sprawling in scale, the world feels cohesive and carefully constructed. A defining strength of Absinthia lies in its character writing and representation. The cast includes LGBTQ+ protagonists and supporting characters whose identities are integrated naturally into the story. Themes of acceptance, vulnerability, and resilience are woven into character arcs without feeling tokenistic. Sera’s personal journey from insecurity to self-assurance, Freya’s mentorship and internal conflicts, and the evolving relationships within the party give the narrative emotional weight. These interpersonal dynamics elevate the experience beyond homage, offering a sense of authenticity that resonates strongly with players seeking representation within the JRPG framework. The soundtrack complements the retro aesthetic with compositions inspired by classic console RPGs while maintaining its own melodic identity. Music shifts fluidly between contemplative town themes and energetic battle tracks, reinforcing emotional beats without overwhelming dialogue or exploration. Sound design remains understated but effective, supporting the atmosphere rather than drawing attention to itself. As an indie production, Absinthia inevitably reflects its scope. The campaign runs roughly a dozen hours, making it shorter than many genre counterparts. Certain dialogue exchanges may feel uneven, and dungeon segments occasionally emphasize combat repetition over environmental variety. However, these limitations are offset by the sincerity of its storytelling and the consistency of its design philosophy. Rather than attempting to replicate large-scale RPG epics, it delivers a focused narrative experience centered on character growth. Ultimately, Absinthia succeeds as a heartfelt tribute to classic JRPG traditions while carving out space for modern themes and inclusive storytelling. It may not redefine the genre mechanically, but it offers a well-crafted blend of turn-based combat, pixel-art charm, and emotionally resonant character arcs. For players who value narrative depth and representation alongside nostalgic gameplay foundations, it stands as a thoughtful and memorable indie RPG experience. Rating: 8/10

mysigt JRPG som blev betydligt mer intressant ac 4 timmar in

Adorei o jogo, história legal, recomendo <3

Safe and fun little recommendation if you like classic RPGs. Despite its short length of 10-15 hrs its paced extremely well and doesn't feel rushed anywhere. A very small amount of map puzzles, mostly lever pulling jumping ones that can expand two rooms at times. The story does has some interesting twists that make it more unique than the normal tropes you often see as well. I would suggest reading the manual key item to learn about status effects and know that your characters actually have elements they are weak to and also some they resist!

Was good

this is so much improve than knight bewithced (I buy android version) so much content and lore. damn i love this fr also yeah TAX THE RICH! and fck Student Loan

Very well written game !

Excellent and heart breaking story featuring a transfem main character