• Michael from Gizmocrowd
• Apr 23, 2025
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Seed of Nostalgia: A Modern JRPG Rooted in Golden Era Magic

Seed of Nostalgia is a heartfelt tribute to the timeless JRPGs of the SNES and PS1 eras. Inspired by the emotional storytelling and unforgettable worlds of classics like Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger, this pixel art adventure blends modern game design with old-school soul.

We sat down with James Sloan, the creator behind Primitive Pixels, to explore how his early obsession with JRPGs sparked a mission to reignite that same sense of wonder in a new generation. From thoughtful turn-based combat and no random encounters, to a philosophically layered story and a soundtrack with legendary collaborators, Seed of Nostalgia is designed as both a love letter and a leap forward.

A Love Letter to the Golden Era

Seed of Nostalgia is deeply inspired by JRPG legends like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI. What was your personal journey with these games, and how did they influence your decision to create a modern adventure that captures that same sense of wonder and storytelling?

I have loved and played video games since I was a tiny child, in fact my very first memory was looking at the box of our brand new NES console when I was only around 3 years of age. While I was always in love with games and the fun that they brought, it wasn’t until I played my first real JRPGs, Final Fantasy IV, and Earthbound on the SNES. These games completely broke the mold of what I thought was possible with this medium. I was instantly obsessed and addicted. I couldn’t believe how grand and enthralling the stories, characters and worlds of these games were, it truly felt like I would be transported to these magical realms, where all of the stresses of everyday life would vanish into thin air.

Early Passion

I have carried my love and adoration for JRPGs since those early moments, and I always will.

While I have continued to play games my entire adult life, I have found it harder and harder to find experiences that can live up to the heart and soul that was put into those classics. Graphics became flashier and more realistic, and studios stopped putting the focus on story and character developments. Plots became predictable, and the characters began to blur together.

I would say my early passion, and these feelings of yearning for those experiences today, is what led me to become a game developer, and to focus specifically on celebrating classic JRPGs and trying my hardest to bring back some of that deep magic, storytelling, and world building that was so wonderful and cherished from the 16 and 32bit golden eras.

Storytelling That Resonates Across Generations

The story of Atilla and the island continent of Sylvara explores themes of memory, sacrifice, and cosmic mystery. How did you approach writing a narrative that blends lighthearted exploration with philosophical and symbolic depth?

Writing and building the narrative, world, and characters of Seed of Nostalgia was certainly a lengthy process. The central idea for the game I’ve actually had and been working on for a few years leading up to the start of pre-production. Something that I have always appreciated and used as much as I can, is a defined sense of contrast. I find that there is a real “sweet spot” with writing that can only be achieved with a flow between positive and negative emotions and events. Much like our real lives, there is this constant wave of hills and valleys in our experiences, relationships, and outlooks. I find that lighthearted moments are made that much sweeter, when they come after a period of extreme trial and hardship, the same is true the other way around.

The story of Seed of Nostalgia aims to be a very real case of “more than meets the eye”, while it may seem from first inspection, or even the earlier hours of the game, that it’s going to be a very lighthearted and magical adventure, and while this is true, the game delves into much deeper and more unsettling themes and concepts, such as morality, self acceptance and doubt, existentialism, and the divine / anti-divine. It is always a challenge to find that perfect balance between them, but I believe we are up to that task.

Gameplay That Honors the Past While Embracing the Present

From stylish turn-based combat and no random encounters to customizable skill trees and environmental storytelling, Seed of Nostalgia offers modern touches while staying true to classic design. How did you strike that balance between nostalgia and innovation?

This comes mostly natural to me and the team. As most of us grew up playing those games as kids, and have continued to enjoy games into adulthood, we are viscerally aware that there were design decisions made in the early days, that just don’t make sense anymore, as indie developers in the modern age, we feel absolutely no need to make mechanics in the game that simply just force people to play longer, instead we focus on a concise and “filler-free” design philosophy. Focusing in on exactly what made those legendary classics fun, and avoiding everything that wasn’t.

Quality of life is very important, especially for today’s players. We want to make sure that nothing gets in the way of the sense of wonder, adventure, and mystery that is at the heart of Seed of Nostalgia. We can build off of our inspirations, and add elements of modern games when it makes sense, for example we are big fans of customization, both with characters and combat strategy, so this was a no-brainer for us to introduce to enhance the experience.

Building a Game with the Community, for the Community

This campaign is clearly fueled by community passion, from exclusive rewards to creative backer input. Why was Kickstarter the right platform, and how have backer feedback and engagement helped shape the vision of the game?

This to me is the absolute best benefit of bringing your project to a platform like Kickstarter. That deep connection that is instantly formed between you as devs and your audience is priceless. I have been so overjoyed and humbled by the passion and excitement that our wonderful community has shown for the project. We have received so much great feedback and suggestions from players who are obviously just as passionate about this genre as we are.

You can’t really put a price on this level of transparent cooperation, we have the blessing of being able to show new parts of the game, and get instant feedback from our supporters, helping us always focus on the things that people love and have fun with, and also know when we are heading down the wrong path with a mechanic or game system, thus avoiding a lot of headaches and disappointment when the game is finished.

Music as an Emotional Bridge to the Past

With contributions from guest composers like Hiroki Kikuta and Eddie Marianukroh, and a score deeply rooted in the PS1 era, the soundtrack is a cornerstone of the experience. What role does music play in setting the tone for Seed of Nostalgia, and how does it reflect the game’s emotional arc?

I would say that music is just as important as the visual aspects of the game. All games, but this genre specifically, lives or dies based on it’s soundtrack and sound design. Especially since there is a good level of abstraction in a top-down pixel art game, music is extremely necessary to portray the emotional and atmospheric feelings and moods of events and area’s in the game. Mushra, our composer and sound director, is putting an absolute endless amount of energy and passion into the soundscapes that you will experience, as well as our wonderful collaborators who will bring their own true nostalgic spirit and legacy into the world of Sylvara.

Thank you to James and the team at Primitive Pixels for sharing the soul behind Seed of Nostalgia. With its deep reverence for the past and thoughtful updates for today’s players, this game invites us to rediscover the magic, mystery, and meaning that made JRPGs unforgettable.

Seed of Nostalgia – Classic Pixel JRPG

About Primitive.Pixels by James Sloan

Primitive Pixels is a retro-inspired indie studio led by creator James Sloan, whose passion for JRPGs began as a child in front of a glowing SNES. Driven by a desire to recapture the emotion and world-building of classic RPGs, James founded Primitive Pixels to build games that honor the golden era while embracing the creative tools of today. Seed of Nostalgia is their flagship title—crafted with pixel art, philosophical depth, and a community-first spirit.