START AGAIN: a prologue

Ever find yourself stuck in a day that just won’t end? That’s the core idea behind START AGAIN: A Prologue, a clever turn based RPG by indie developer insertdisc5. Picture this: you’re Siffrin, trapped in a time loop inside a frozen, eerie castle. Every time you die and trust me, you will you wake up right back at the entrance. Your friends? They remember nothing. You’re the only one carrying the weight of each failed attempt, which honestly starts to mess with your head after a while.

The game isn’t just about fighting monsters though the combat is slick, with an ATB system that keeps battles fast and tactical. You’ll need to figure out enemy weaknesses, use different skills, and work with your party to survive. But the real challenge is balancing your knowledge of the loops with the relationships around you. Your friends have no clue you’re reliving the same horrors, and watching them reset each time adds a layer of emotional tension that’s rare in RPGs.

What’s really cool is how your choices ripple across each loop. There are four endings in total, including a true ending that wraps everything up but getting there isn’t straightforward. Depending on how you play, you might uncover new story beats, hidden interactions, or even alter character dynamics. The whole experience is wrapped in nostalgic, retro style sound by Studio Thumpy Puppy, which pulls you deeper into this melancholic, mysterious world.

Best part? You can finish START AGAIN: A Prologue in one sitting around 3 to 5 hours but its emotional punch and clever time loop mechanics will stick with you long after. It’s short, bittersweet, and packed with replayability. If you’re into stories that make you think and turn based combat that keeps you on your toes, this one’s a hidden gem worth diving into.