Chained Echoes Review
Echoes of Greatness
Chained Echoes is a game that evokes superlatives. It lovingly embraces its 16-bit JRPG inspirations while never feeling derivative in the slightest. It successfully sets out to reinvigorate the well-worn turn-based combat formula found in many games of that era while adding many smart and well-considered elements to the mix, ultimately creating a bold and involving combat experience that feels classic and fresh at the same time. A crisp pixel-art style and stellar musical compositions wow the eye and ear as it weaves an involved and lengthy narrative full of twists and turns. In short, developer Matthias Linda has tapped into a very specific niche, setting a high-water mark of quality in the process.
Chained Echoes takes place on the war-torn continent of Valandis, a place constantly embroiled in conflicts between its three dominant kingdoms. War has been a way of life for its citizens for hundreds of years, with entire generations living and dying never knowing any other way of life. The game follows an ensemble cast of characters of various fantasy races from all over the continent, brought together for various reasons but ultimately looking for a way to bring the constant hostilities to an end.
[...]
It'd be easy to simply compare Chained Echoes to some of the classics that clearly inspired it and call it a day. But the game brings to the table a lot more than simple callbacks to Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, or Suikoden. It builds on the impressive groundwork set by these household names in such impressive ways that it easily establishes its own identity. Even those who have never played any of the above titans will be able to get into Chained Echoes without any trouble, and all that take the plunge are sure to be quite happy they did so.
Score: 4.5/5
