Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has arrived, and for fans of classic JRPGs, especially those with a fondness for the Suikoden series, it’s like stepping back into a beloved era of gaming. Developed by Rabbit & Bear Studios and published by 505 Games, this title isn’t just a nostalgic throwback; it’s a fully realized world brimming with adventure, intricate political narratives, and a vast cast of characters to recruit. If you’re eager to dive into Eiyuden Chronicle, consider this your guide to understanding why this game is capturing the hearts of players worldwide and earning its place as a standout in the genre.
Reliving the Golden Age of JRPGs with Eiyuden Chronicle
From the moment the game boots up, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes proudly wears its classic JRPG inspirations on its sleeve. For players familiar with titles like Dragon Quest or, more specifically, Suikoden, the turn-based combat system will feel immediately comfortable. This isn’t a modern reinvention of the genre; it’s a deliberate and loving return to the strategic depth and engaging storytelling that defined 90s JRPGs.
Suikoden aficionados will recognize many familiar elements woven into the fabric of Eiyuden Chronicle. Expect to discover special combo attacks between characters with intertwined histories, engage in dramatic one-on-one duels, and even participate in large-scale strategic battles commanding armies. While it sounds like a lot to manage, the game introduces these mechanics gradually, ensuring a smooth learning curve. The tutorials are notably clearer than many older titles in the genre, making it accessible even to players new to classic JRPG conventions.
The core gameplay loop is intentionally reminiscent of the late 90s. Playing on normal difficulty presents a balanced challenge, requiring strategic thinking in battles, light grinding to level up your party, and puzzle-solving to progress through dungeons. The game telegraphs challenges in classic ways – a save point deep within a dungeon is almost always a clear indicator that a boss encounter is imminent. Resource management and strategic preparation are key; healing up before progressing and saving frequently are habits that will serve you well. Don’t be surprised by challenging boss encounters, sometimes even back-to-back, demanding tactical prowess and smart resource utilization. Game overs are a possibility, offering a chance to retry, reload, or take a break, echoing the classic JRPG experience.
Assemble Your Army: A Guide to Eiyuden Chronicle’s Massive Character Roster
One of the defining features of Eiyuden Chronicle, and a significant draw for those who see it as a spiritual successor to Suikoden VI, is the sheer number of characters you can recruit. The title itself hints at “Hundred Heroes,” and much like Suikoden‘s famed 108 Stars of Destiny inspired by the Water Margin novel, Eiyuden Chronicle offers a vast and diverse cast to find and recruit to your cause.
These characters are not just numbers; each one is unique, with distinct personalities, backstories, and combat abilities. Finding them all is a significant part of the game’s appeal and encourages exploration and revisiting previous locations. You might encounter characters early in your journey who are not yet recruitable, requiring you to return after specific story events unfold. For example, revisiting early game mines after certain events will allow you to find characters who may have been left behind.
To aid in your quest to gather heroes, Eiyuden Chronicle provides helpful in-game tools. An easily accessible recruit is an Oracle who can offer guidance and hints towards characters you haven’t yet encountered. For veterans of Suikoden, it’s worth noting that Eiyuden Chronicle developers have confirmed the absence of time-gated recruits, a feature that caused stress in previous games. While almost all characters are obtainable throughout your playthrough, there might be one potentially missable character near the endgame. For completionists, readily available spoiler-free recruitment guides online can be valuable resources to ensure you don’t miss anyone.
Performance and Technical Guide for Eiyuden Chronicle Players
Embracing its old-school roots also means understanding the save system in Eiyuden Chronicle. While an autosave feature exists, its functionality is primarily a safety net. The primary method for saving your progress involves manual saves at inns and glowing checkpoint orbs scattered throughout the world. There is no quicksave or suspend feature, reinforcing the classic JRPG approach of deliberate save points. Remember the mantra: save early and save often, especially before venturing into unknown territories or challenging dungeons.
Despite its retro aesthetic, Eiyuden Chronicle is built for modern hardware and boasts impressive visual fidelity. The pixel art characters and monsters are incredibly detailed, almost giving a cel-shaded impression. The 3D environments are vibrant and colorful, and the dynamic camera work during battles adds a modern flair. The overworld map is intentionally simple but remains visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly at 60fps on platforms like Steam Deck, with only minor occasional stutters that were present in the reviewer’s beta build. Load times are frequent but brief, evoking a nostalgic feeling of classic console gaming. Eiyuden Chronicle is designed with controller support in mind, making it well-suited for console play. While the game’s scale and graphical detail might raise questions about the Nintendo Switch version, the developers have stated it will run at a stable 30fps. Given the turn-based nature of the gameplay, the 30fps lock should not significantly impact the experience and aims to make Eiyuden Chronicle accessible across platforms.
Conclusion: Why Eiyuden Chronicle is a Must-Play JRPG
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes quickly establishes a strong emotional connection with players through its engaging story and characters, particularly Nowa and his initial companions. The narrative unfolds with bittersweet moments early on, drawing players into the unfolding conflict. Players who experienced the prequel game, Eiyuden Chronicles Rising, will find satisfying connections and answers to lingering questions. From there, the game delivers a familiar yet emotionally resonant JRPG journey, filled with themes of friendship, betrayal, and war.
Eiyuden Chronicle offers substantial playtime, with early players reporting 60+ hours for a fast playthrough and estimates of around 80 hours for a more thorough experience. It’s a game rich in content, exploration, and character interactions, delivering the kind of immersive JRPG adventure many players have longed for. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a triumphant return to classic JRPG design, embracing its old-school charm while offering a polished and engaging experience for modern gamers. It’s a game that feels both nostalgic and fresh, and one that fans of the genre will undoubtedly embrace.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
