I found this game when I was craving a simple turn-based RPG. I didn't want anything crazy long like a Final Fantasy, but a nice short story with fun combat. Jack Move fit the bill perfectly, and I cannot recommend it enough.

You play as Noa, a hacker who does dangerous jobs like stealing data from big corporations. With her partner, Ryder, you successfully pull off another mission. However, afterwards, Noa gets a call from her father. He's a genius scientist who abandoned Noa and her mother for secret research. He appears to be in danger. Despite Noa hating his guts, she decides to look into it. This puts her into a deep and perilous adventure to learn about her father, the powerful company Monomind, and more. Will she survive?

Jack Move is a turn-based RPG. As Noa, you'll be exploring buildings, the city, and even cyberspace to complete missions. You can buy skills like software (spells) and hardware (equippable passives) to help you in your battles. There are 3 tech schools, and certain enemies have weaknesses to particular moves that can help you gain an edge in battle. You can't equip every skill at once, though. The game has a nifty feature in which you can spend a turn to switch your spells during combat. This made the gameplay feel incredibly customizable, so you can tackle any challenge the game throws at you.

The animation in this game is simply amazing. From the overworld to the combat, this game oozes charm. Your limit-breaking specials, called JACK MOVES, have great animations as well that completely overwhelm enemies and bosses. Everything has a nice cyberpunk pixel aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye.

Another thing I like to praise the game for goes back to customization as well as accessibility. Early on, the game gives you the option to tweak the encounter rate of battles. As a person who has made RPGs on RPG Maker before, I saw first hand how my testers would get upset when they're trying to solve a puzzle and can't focus because they keep getting in random battles. Having the option to change the encounter rate at will is a great thing. Sometimes you will have to backtrack and don't feel like wasting time on enemies, or, as stated, trying to solve a puzzle and need the battles to pause for a bit. Bosses can still kick your butt, though, so be careful not to turn it off and get underleveled in the process.

Now for the gripes. I don't have many of them, honestly. I think my only major one is the choice paralysis I got when you first go to the shop to buy spells and equipment. You can buy EVERY spell and hardware in the game as soon as you hit the shop (though some are inaccessible until you level up). With so much thrown at the player so early, it stopped me from wanting to test anything out because I was still new to the game. After some time, I was able to come back and actually look through the shop and pick things out. Other than that, I don't have any major gripes.

Final verdict? This was a nice, fun, and short RPG, which is exactly what I was looking for. You can finish it in 7-10 hours. There are some side quests you can do for fun, and the bosses can be a lil spongey, but it was an overall fun experience. I don't believe the game is worth its base price, though. Maybe grab it when it's on sale. I hope I can find more short and sweet RPGs like this, we need more of em. Thanks for reading!

Jack Move developed by So Romantic and published by HypeTrain Digital is a stylish, tightly scoped cyberpunk RPG that blends retro turn-based combat with a modern narrative sensibility. At its center is Noa Solares, a self-taught hacker whose relatively quiet life spirals into chaos when her estranged father is abducted by the powerful corporation Monomind. What begins as a personal rescue mission quickly evolves into a confrontation with corporate overreach, digital consciousness, and the blurred line between humanity and machine. The story unfolds within a neon-lit dystopia that feels indebted to classic cyberpunk fiction while maintaining a focused, character-driven core.

Visually, Jack Move stands out immediately through its vibrant “hi-bit” pixel art. The aesthetic draws inspiration from 16-bit RPGs but enhances that foundation with modern lighting effects, fluid animations, and richly detailed backgrounds. Rain-soaked alleyways, glowing skyscrapers, and stylized cyberspace arenas create a cohesive world that feels alive despite its relatively contained scale. Character portraits are expressive and dynamic, reinforcing emotional beats in dialogue sequences. The art direction avoids feeling derivative by committing fully to its cyberpunk palette—deep purples, electric blues, and neon pinks dominate the screen, giving every scene a strong visual identity.

Combat is where the game distinguishes itself mechanically. Rather than managing a large party, players primarily control Noa, customizing her abilities through a system of equippable “software” programs loaded into her cyber deck. Each piece of software determines her offensive, defensive, or support capabilities, and players can switch between loadouts mid-battle, introducing a tactical layer rarely seen in similarly streamlined RPGs. This approach transforms encounters into strategic exercises in adaptability. Hardware upgrades expand deck capacity, allowing for more flexible builds and encouraging experimentation. The result is a combat system that is accessible yet layered enough to reward thoughtful planning and resource management.

The pacing of the adventure reflects its concise design philosophy. With a runtime generally spanning under a dozen hours, Jack Move avoids the sprawl typical of many RPGs. There is minimal filler content, and story progression remains steady throughout. Side quests exist but are limited, ensuring the narrative retains focus. This brevity can be seen as both strength and limitation. On one hand, the compact structure prevents fatigue and maintains momentum. On the other, some players may wish for deeper exploration of supporting characters or additional worldbuilding to further flesh out the setting.

Character relationships form the emotional backbone of the story. Noa’s interactions with allies such as Ryder and her uncle Guin bring warmth and occasional humor to the otherwise tense corporate conspiracy. Dialogue balances earnest emotional stakes with moments of levity, grounding the futuristic setting in relatable human concerns. Themes of trust, ambition, and self-determination emerge organically through these exchanges, ensuring that the larger cyberpunk narrative never loses sight of its personal dimension.

Audio design complements the visual style with a synth-driven soundtrack that echoes classic cyberpunk motifs while maintaining a contemporary edge. Battle themes pulse with energy, contrasting with quieter exploration tracks that emphasize mood and atmosphere. Sound effects during combat and hacking sequences add impact without overwhelming the experience, reinforcing the polished presentation.

While Jack Move does not radically reinvent the RPG genre, its strength lies in refinement. Systems are carefully tuned, progression is streamlined, and the overall experience feels cohesive from beginning to end. Difficulty remains balanced, with battles challenging enough to demand strategy but rarely frustrating. Accessibility features and full controller support further enhance playability across different platforms.

Ultimately, Jack Move succeeds as a focused, character-driven cyberpunk RPG that respects the player’s time while delivering a satisfying blend of narrative and tactical combat. Its retro-inspired presentation, innovative software-based battle system, and emotionally grounded storytelling create a memorable journey through a neon-drenched dystopia. Though its limited scope may leave some wishing for a larger world or longer campaign, its concise design ensures a consistently engaging experience. For players seeking a modern RPG infused with classic sensibilities and cyberpunk flair, it stands as a polished and rewarding adventure.

Rating: 8/10

Jack Move is a very short turn-based RPG that you can enjoy, and beat, in-between games. Not too much I could say other than I really had a good time playing this little hidden gem.