Absinthia

Absinthia nails an old-school JRPG vibe: turn-based combat, regenerating MP instead of random encounters, crisp pixel art. Representation is handled with genuine intent: queer protagonists, trans and aro/ace characters are part of the core story rather than mere side notes. Despite this, it is never heavy handed. The scope is manageable (10-20 hours depending on how much optional content you explore).

If I had to come up with a criticism... I think the OST is sometimes a little weak, but still enjoyable enough. It does not help the weakest track in the game is one you will hear a LOT.

If you’re a fan of “classic JRPG” feels, appreciate thoughtful queer representation and want something that doesn’t demand a month of your life, Absinthia is a strong pick. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it drives a well-built vintage model with heart.

A heartfelt story, deals with some queer topics very well, most particularly trans people, the trauma inflicted upon them and how it can affect one's perception and decisions. I especially appreciated that the solution to major conflicts between lovers in this game is never a sudden, complete exoneration and restoration of the old norm. Characters spend a lot of time uncertain about where they stand with each other. We come away from these situations hopeful but ultimately uncertain as to whether anything like what the characters once had will be reached. The hurt is not downplayed, it's real. And the wrongdoer is not always innocent and misunderstood, there's some real toxic ♥♥♥♥ here. It's not the best written game I've ever played, but the care was put in to create very compelling characters and tell very relevant stories with them.

Gameplay is pretty good. I always enjoyed getting new abilities, as well as finding side content and secrets for new gear and such. It's not amazing and sometimes I got a little tired of the battles, but the JRPG fatigue is helped by the game's relatively short length and the lack of random encounters (outside of two very specific sections that reference a previous game).

Got it for $5 and never regretted it. Very worth both the time and money (even at full price, imo)

Set a few years after the events of Celestial Hearts, this one focuses on a new set of heroes facing Lillith after she fell to the continent below when she was defeated by the heroes of the previous game, but not all is what it seems and Freya, a deserter Halonian Knight, has more than one secret she's afraid her companions won't understand.
Another solid entry in the series, similar in tone, gameplay, pacing and themes as the previous games, it also features mentions of minor appearances of characters from the previous games and one of the main characters is the great-grandson of Morgoth the wizard.
And like the previous games, it features a post-credits scene that sets up a future plot point, though it remains to be seen if it will ever be addressed directly in a sequel, or indirectly such as when we found out through a second-hand account in the third game how the original heroes faced off against Morgoth in their final battle, or how in this game we finally see the fight against Lillith, but not being fought by Kaya, Helen and Achilles.
I do have to say that I found Lillith's arc very interesting because in the first coupe of games she's an optional super boss you can encounter and learn about, but not directly part of the main story, but then in Celestial Hearts she turns out to be the main bad guy at the end, and in this one she's the main bad guy from the start, but she's no longer a crazed angel/goddess of death being controlled by an evil god who created her, so she's more reminiscent of Lissandra after Hermes removed her curse than of herself in the previous game when she was already free but still basically ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ crazy. She even mentions that her ultimate goal is to kill a god, much like Lissandra did at the end of Knight Bewitched 2 during her youth.
I thoroughly enjoyed all these games because they include every element I love in retro JRPG's, including a relatively detailed story, but they're also fast-paced and you can finish them in less than 10 hours instead of 50 or 100 hours the bigger names require. I already got Knight Eternal, The Black Dungeon and Knight of Heaven to play on my phone and finish all the series so far.
My only very minor complaints are that I caught a couple of misspelled words in the dialogue, and that this one has my least favorite character portrait art of the whole series.
Also, If you're one of those Anti-Woke hysterics-prone types, you'll probably lose your ♥♥♥♥ at the amount of gay and lesbian characters in these games and pitch a fit because they're destroying western civilization or whatever your media outlet and/or pastor says, but it honestly didn't bother me in the slightest and I'm a straight guy who's old enough to have played the Atari 2600 when it was popular.
Hell, the games themselves have a sense of humor about it, like how in this one a random Halonian Knight NPC says that he's surrounded by women soldiers all the time but he still can't get a date and it feels like every chick in Halonia is a lesbian. And I'd say that out of the complete series, this is the one with more gay people in the main cast and where they discuss those issues the most during the story, but they certainly don't spend the whole game talking about that, much less in a preachy or confrontational manner like, say, Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

I bought it mostly because the artstyle, so Absinthia is quite better than I initially expected. I strongly recommend it to RPGMaker enthusiasts and moderately recommend it to turn-based JRPG fans. Keep in mind that I played on easy difficulty and haven't played other related games.
Story
I somewhat enjoyed the story. It's less simple than I initially expected, since I didn't see the plot twists coming. But regarding the main casts, I feel there's insufficient build-up or exploration to make me feel invested. I even finished many side quests that contain more story and character interactions. So it's a shame, because I believe it has potential to be an amazing and emotional story.
The LGBTQ+ element doesn't feel forced or excessive, but I felt amount of pop/modern culture references is too much, which felt distracting from the main story.
Gameplay
I feel easy difficulty closer to medium ones, but the turn-based combat is actually fun and balanced. Using strategy feels rewarding, and I almost never spam attack/heal loop or use auto-combat. The enhanced/combined skill system based on character availability (whether in party and not receiving certain debuffs) is decent gameplay design and makes overall combat and strategy feel richer. Some grinding is necessary if you can't strategize well, but I appreciate lack of random encounters.
Aside from combat, you can explore around, finding secrets and solving puzzles. The puzzles are just like other RPGMakes, with good balance. I never felt bored due to being too easy or frustrated due to poor design. Additionally, story mode difficulty exists, but I didn't choose it since some puzzles would be skipped by the game.
Visual and Audio
The overall visual quality is outstanding by RPGMaker standards. It has a great classic/retro pixel style, while also feel fresh. Many of the battle animations are great, I never changed setting to reduce or disable them. Aside from that, it features custom UI design, wide-screen aspect ratio and even pixel perfect scaling option. Both sound effects and soundtrack are also decent enough, that I decided to buy it. I only wish there were some cutscenes or CGs during certain parts of the story.
Other
This game runs without any problem on my Linux device, without any tweaks.

the best of the series so far excited to see what comes next

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

Excellent and heart breaking story featuring a transfem main character