Phantasy Star II: Anne’s Adventure is one of those classic Genesis RPGs that still holds up if you can handle the old-school grind. You start off as Anne, this scrappy hunter with a knack for getting into trouble, and the game wastes no time throwing you into its weird sci-fi world—think cyberpunk cities one minute, alien deserts the next.

The combat’s turn-based but faster than you’d expect, and the enemy designs are these gloriously pixelated monstrosities. Early on, you’re scrambling for Meseta (the in-game cash) just to afford decent gear, which gives it that satisfying "rags to (slightly less raggedy) riches" feel. The story’s got that classic ‘80s anime vibe—dramatic betrayals, ancient civilizations, the works—but it’s the little details, like the way NPCs drop hints about hidden dungeons, that make it stick.

Fair warning: no hand-holding here. You’ll be scribbling notes or getting lost in maze-like corridors, but that’s part of the charm. If you’ve got the patience for it, Anne’s Adventure is a solid deep-cut from the golden age of RPGs.