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Chained Echoes
Released On: Dec 8, 2022
8.5
All Platforms
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
90
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
90
93% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
7% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
If I had more time to play through Chained Echoes before the holidays hit, it most definitely would have made my top 10 list for the year of 2022. It’s every bit as stellar as you’ve likely heard so far, and something that is certainly worth checking out regardless of your platform preference. I’ve found it to be a perfect Switch experience, but I’d imagine that it runs extremely well on any console you might choose, and right now it’s freely available to play on Xbox via Game Pass. So definitely check out Chained Echoes, you will not be disappointed.
There are so many “retro homage” JRPGs these days that I tend to approach them with caution. Even when they’re made well, they rarely live up to the standards of the games that inspired them. Chained Echoes not only meets that standard but, were this released back on the SNES when Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI were flying high, people would have considered them comparable. It’s more than a homage. It’s a genuine and powerful contribution to the genre.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 219 User Ratings
8.5
84% Positive
185 Ratings
185 Ratings
8% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
8% Negative
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 219 User Ratings
8.5
84% Positive
185 Ratings
185 Ratings
8% Mixed
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
8% Negative
17 Ratings
17 Ratings
To my red feathered friend. Thank you for the wonderful memories. The world building, story, combat, characters, music and pixel art are all a 10/10 for me. I wish I would have played this over sea of stars when they both released roughly around the same time.
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Nintendo Switch
I played chained echoes on Nintendo switch and it was an amazing experience. I could say easily one of the best RPG I ever played. Everything looks perfect in there.
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Nintendo Switch
Fans of old school 2D JRPGs, who would like something made today that resembles the great Super Nintendo and PS1 classics, need to play Chained Echoes. It’s a wonderful game. It’s more ambitious than the common indie throwback JRPG, but has many of their modernizations. Every single element of Chained Echoes is full of loving attention to detail. Hopefully Chained Echoes is a success and we can see future projects from its creator. I’ve already ordered a physical copy.
Chained Echoes is a loving tribute to 90s JRPGs but also a thorough reinvigoration of the genres stalest aspects. Not just a great tribute, a great game.
Chained Echoes is one of the best RPGs we have played in a long time: charming, colorful and wisely designed, it's a love letter to fans of the genre.
While Chained Echoes has the advantage of decades of distance from the games it looks to for inspiration, it’s a better experience in many instances than those vaunted games from which it arose. I prefer this combat, storytelling, and approach to progression and exploration to many of the JRPGs I grew up so enamored with playing. That’s the highest praise I can heap on a game so removed in time from the games to which it might be compared. Whether you currently count yourself a JRPG connoisseur or fondly recall the ʼ90s heyday of the genre, Chained Echoes is well worth your time.
Chained Echoes is an incredibly uneven RPG heavily inspired by the likes of Chrono Trigger and Xenogears. With bad writing, poorly thought out mechanics, and an overly complex… everything it can be hard to get through. Even so, there is a little fun to be found here, mostly near the beginning.
Don't be fooled by the old-school graphics. This is a bold, sophisticated, and tasteful ride of a story with what I believe to be a hell of an ending. The game and world design are also so exceedingly well done, you almost feel like you're stealing from the game with how much it gives you. Chained Echoes is so good at what it does that it transcends the retro-homage approach and is something original, unique, and enjoyable for just about anyone.
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Nintendo Switch
The game is a solid 7.5. At the beginning, and for the first few hours of the game, it was a 10/10. However, during the last 25% of the game, it became a mess with more of the same. The narrator couldn't handle it well, and the plot twists and character conclusions were lacking.
The pros of the game include the battle system, overall quality of art and sound, unique monsters, characters, and the experience of using the sky armors to discover the map is a 10/10.
The cons of the game include the fact that the story started off well but became confusing towards the end. Additionally, the combat became much easier towards the end, and some characters were introduced too late to be used effectively.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game, and it was a fun experience. For the price, it's a must-have if you enjoy JRPGs, despite some flaws towards the end.
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Nintendo Switch
Its a nice throw back to the 90's JRPG's with a very interesting twist on turn based combat using the overdrive system where you do more damage or take more damage and spend less TP depending on where you are on the overdrive bar. You can freely swap out teammates without losing a turn using the link system and to lower your overdrive bar if it gets close to overheat and the combat in general is just a lot of fun. The combat and overworld in general are very well done and enjoyable.
With all that said, while I didn't hate the general premise of the story. The way its played out leaves a lot to be desired. Its not bad per say, but its a bit of a mess.
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Nintendo Switch
I thought I was going to like this one. Initially, I thought the mechanics and dialog were unique and was enjoying the game. However, in true RPG fashon, there is an issue with balancing the difficulty with grinding. If you don't grind enough, you will have no chance beating bosses and will be forced to go back and do tedious battles with enemies in the open world until your character gets more exp. This game has that in spades and I was not trying to skip battles, I just didn't go around and hunt down every enemy I could. I got bored of that and had to give this one up, unfortunately.
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Nintendo Switch
An amalgamation of references to old RPGs that doesn't mesh or come together in any way.
Overdrive system ruins the game and feels like a straightjacket. Every battle is long and drawn out for no reason. Either make Overdrive unique to boss fights, or make it a bonus *only* and not a penalty.
Finally, too many characters are blatant plagiarism.
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Nintendo Switch
Summary Take up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit SNES style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits. Follow a group of heroes as they explore a land filled to the brim with charming characters, fantastic landscapes and vicious foes. Can you bring peace to ...
Rated M
for Mature
Platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox One
Initial Release Date: Dec 8, 2022
Developer:
Publisher:
DECK13 Spotlight
Genres: