Angeline Era [Review]

Angeline Era is a prime example of what a modern classic should be. This Adventure Action RPG  takes cues from early PlayStation 1 titles like Brave Fencer Musashi—one of my personal favorites—and other games from the 1996–2000 era. From the very start, the game delivers the kind of nightmare fuel that older gamers will remember: you pop in a new game (or a rental from Blockbuster back in the day), and within minutes you’re thrown into an immediate in-game crisis followed by a boss fight. You have to figure out the controls on the fly, probably die once or twice, and quickly realize the game is tough from the start. Angeline Era nails that experience. Unlike many modern games that merely try to imitate the “good old days,” this one truly captures the feeling.

The graphics genuinely look like they belong to that era rather than relying on a cheap filter. The music, movement, and overall design feel authentic as well. Combat takes a moment to adjust to—you have to walk into enemies to attack—but it quickly grows natural and even satisfying. The storytelling is both reflective and powerful, with some moments leaning heavily into religious undertones. There are also quirky lines of dialogue and grounded, human topics that I didn’t expect. Overall, Angeline Era is a fantastic game, and I would love to see it on the Nintendo Switch 2.