Nostalgia (2009). Play online

Summary

Nostalgia feels like a classic RPG on the DS, with vibrant 3D visuals that pop across the two screens. The upper screen shows the action while the lower one continuously draws a map of wherever you wander.

Battles play out turn‑based with a Combat Order bar, letting you chain attacks, defenses, items, and unique character abilities. There’s a twist when you’re airborne – you can engage enemy airships with special commands that feel fresh compared to ground skirmishes. Every fight awards a letter grade, influencing the loot you collect.

The soundtrack, crafted by Rei Kondoh, Kaori Komuro, and Shinichiro Sato, adds steampunk flavor to each town and sky segment. I love how the simple, traditional RPG systems let the imagination run wild without overwhelming the handheld’s controls.

Storyline

Nostalgia takes place in an alternate‑reality steampunk version of the 19th‑century Earth. The story follows Eddie Brown, the aristocratic son of famed British explorer Gilbert Brown, who vanishes while rescuing the amnesiac Fiona. Determined to find his father, Eddie gathers a rag‑tag crew and sets out aboard a high‑powered zeppelin. His companions include Pad Remington, a street‑wise survivor from London’s East End with a talent for firearms; Melody Farklight, a young witch from the isolated Mervielle Village who learns humility and magic; and Fiona, the mysterious “Bearer of the White Wings” whose white‑magic healing powers are coveted by the Ancient Father’s Cabal. As the airship sails over ruined cities and exotic locales, the party raids ancient ruins to uncover clues about a lost civilization and the tablets the Cabal seeks. Along the way the group confronts the Cabal’s agents, reunites Pad with his mother Elisabeth, and eventually discovers Gilbert, wounded but alive, after a fierce battle. The journey blends exploration, friendship, and the quest to stop the Cabal from opening a portal to Asgard.