Chained Echoes is a game I do not remember hearing much about before its release but has created a massive response from fans since its release. The reason for this is that Chained Echoes does for JRPG fans what Stardew Valley did for fans of classic farm sims. The game is a tribute to the 2D JRPG classics from the Super Nintendo and PS1 eras and brings them into the modern era in the best way possible.
Right from the beginning of the game, there are tributes to classics like Chrono Trigger present, and it continues with tributes to Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy IV and VI, Suikoden, Ys, Xenogears and more. This is a project by a one-person team who managed to study the genre and create the perfect blend of what fans like. What stood out to me from the start was not these tributes but what the game does new on the other hand.
Chained Echoes does not use a typical levelling system but instead has a unique stat growth system. Your party members won’t gain XP in battle, but rather SP points, which are used to upgrade skills. You will also gain objects called grimoire shards that will let you gain new skills or upgrade major stats. This format may not seem all that convenient but actually works extremely well.
Chained Echoes has a story that goes much further than games did in the 16-bit era, at least in the west. Many characters are shown dying in fully gory detail, and suicide is also depicted briefly. The story also touches on the nature of war and its impact on societies, and the subject is handled with appropriate depth and care.
Chained Echoes also handles battles with a bit of a modern touch. There are no random battles, instead, you will see enemies on the overworld and can choose when and if to act. There are some moments where enemies can surprise you, but that is done as part of special areas that have a certain gimmick to them. Some enemies pose much more of a threat than others, but if you die, the game lets you opt to restart the battle and try again or use a restart from the generous autosave option to begin again right before the battle.
Battles themselves are handled well, with a nice variety of skills that offer both offensive options, buffs and debuffs and defensive options. Your TP, which is used for skills, and your HP are restored after every battle, and the game takes the time to point out what each skill, buff and debuff does. This has the effect of making Chained Echoes extremely friendly for newcomers to the RPG genre, while not alienating long-time fans of the genre at the same time.
What might be an issue is the somewhat complex overdrive system where actions move your party on a meter. You will want to be in the middle section where you are strongest and moving into the red overheat section will put the party in danger. You can reduce the meter in a number of ways though, including defending or using certain skills, and the game lets you know which skills will reduce the meter, and so the system is actually easy to use once you adjust and figure things out.
Your party will consist of up to eight characters, four of whom will be on the battlefield and can be swapped with a partnered party member. This swap can be done as a free action and will not use a turn, but the remaining characters will not be used in battle unless you swap for them. When it comes to the party, while most will join through the main story, there are four recruitable characters that you will gain through sidequests instead, so make sure to go after all the sidequests possible.
In terms of presentation, Chained Echoes is truly amazing. The art calls to mind the classic 16-bit pixel art style, albeit with some modern touches and the world truly feels lived in with all you can do and find. The music is also some of the best in an RPG and really makes you appreciate just how much time goes into making this work.
Chained Echoes is a wonderful tribute to classic RPGs. It both references what came before in interesting ways, while doing what it can to move the genre forward in its own way. This is the kind of RPG that a potential true Phantasy Star V should be if Sega were to let an indie developer try their hand at making one and developer Matthias Linda is a good choice for Sega to turn to if they ever do license out the IP for a true fifth entry.
In conclusion, if you love classic RPGs and want one that captures the spirit of the past while showing something new, then Chained Echoes is a must-play for you.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided