Play Fire Emblem : Tactics Universe Online

Fire Emblem: Tactics Universe is one of those fan-made GBA games that somehow nails the feel of the classics—like someone bottled the essence of Blazing Blade and poured it into a new story. You start off with a ragtag group of knights, mages, and archers, each with their own little quirks (the healer in my squad wouldn’t stop complaining about muddy boots). The battles play out on those grid maps we all love, where a single misstep can leave your favorite swordfighter six feet under—permanent death keeps you sweating every decision.

The pixel art’s got that warm, chunky GBA style, and the battle animations are satisfyingly crisp. There’s even this one map where rain pours down the whole time, and the music shifts to this melancholic track that somehow makes losing a unit feel even worse. It’s unofficial, but it scratches that Fire Emblem itch better than some official spinoffs. Just be warned: you’ll tell yourself "one quick battle" at midnight, and suddenly it’s 3 AM.