Quartet is a retro-inspired JRPG from indie developers Something Classic Games LLC. It features four separate stories that converge as you work together to stop a war over the control of magic. It balances a light-hearted narrative with a deeper, overarching story to create a game worthy of ‘90s inspirations like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy.
The story follows four protagonists—hence the name: Quartet. You begin your quest by playing through each character’s backstory. These can be attempted in any order and last for a couple of hours apiece. First up is Alexandra, a simple shopgirl who discovers special abilities through a deck of magic cards. When her mother falls ill and her unreliable brother breaks the law, the family store is left under her control. Adding magic to the mix just complicates matters, drawing her into a strange new world.
Next up is Nikolai, a sergeant in the Austen Army. When he’s assigned to track down rogue mages, he becomes disillusioned with his chosen path as he’s commanded to do something that goes against his conscience.
Ben is a chef who struggles paying the rent on time. Things become even more difficult when he develops magical powers. He turns to helping people with his newfound abilities, thrusting him into something much deeper than he expected.
Finally, we have Cordelia, a headstrong and adept student of magic. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Magic, she embarks on her first assignment. Her story involves political scandals and her own desire to make a name for herself.
Each of these four introductions is well written. Whether you’re learning how to use magic cards or summon the elements, each tale is about wonder and excitement as these characters navigate their worlds. There are heartfelt moments, like the story of Alexandra and her comatose mother. There’s also plenty of humor on offer, like when Ben accidentally zaps his teammates as he learns how to control his lightning power. The narrative weaves these four stories together in a way that hooks you, allowing you to care for each character. Fear not, though, because once you’ve met them all, our four protagonists and their stories combine for the remainder of the game.
In fact, the entire second half of the game is played this way. It provides a robust story that lasts for 20 or more hours, providing a decent amount to do for its relatively low US$19.99 price on the eShop.
Gameplay involves exploring various settings like towns, marshes, industrial areas, and forests. Along the way, you’ll encounter enemies via turn-based battles akin to classic JRPGs. There’s an instant level of comfort with this well-known style, though Quartet somehow provides one of the most user-friendly battle systems I’ve come across. Firstly, a list on the right of the screen shows the order of attacks, allowing you to plan ahead. Secondly, buffs and debuffs are clearly labelled on the relevant character with symbols. Thirdly, your magic levels automatically replenish at a specified rate with each turn. It’s still possible to run out of power, but careful timing of spells means you’ll never be left completely unprepared.
Your team is made of up to four characters, though your party features more than this. You can swap teammates in and out at any time, another nice touch. Although you learn more spells as you go, most characters start off with a few tricks already up their sleeve. It might be a personal preference, but I love that battles aren’t randomized; you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, and there’s no grinding required.
In this way, the story is a little linear. If that doesn’t bother you (and it certainly doesn’t bother me), you’ll have no issues here. For example, most battles are unavoidable, with enemies often blocking the path you need to take. There’s still an opportunity to wander off the beaten track at times with hidden areas boasting treasure chests just waiting to be discovered. Plus, things open up a little as you progress, giving you even more room to explore.
Graphically, if you love your top-down RPGs from the 16-bit era, you’ll adore Quartet’s style. It features a colorful, pixelated world full of NPCs to interact with. Whether you’re roaming through a town or exploring a forest, everything looks lush and colorful. I quite often found myself feeling Secret of Mana vibes. The soundtrack is equally lovely. It features a varied composition that delivers everything from sombre, piano-based melodies to jazzy tunes. It’s very well done.
Overall, Quartet is an absolute delight. The characters are wonderfully designed, the graphics and audio are superb, and the retro stylings take you back to the glory days of the ‘90s. If you’re a fan of turn-based, top-down JRPGs, you owe it to yourself to check out Quartet.
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