Rabbit & Bear Studios has meticulously crafted a JRPG that’s not only worthy of praise but also an acknowledgment of the undying formula that makes this genre so special. Yoshitaka Murayama’s tragic passing has left a dent in millions of hearts. Before I get into the details of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, I would like to acknowledge that this game has paid homage to both – the genre itself, and the undying legacy of Yoshitaka Murayama.
That being said, this review comes from the heart of someone who cherishes heartfelt storytelling, diverse characters, and a world that wraps itself in mystery. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is made by people who celebrate the intricacies of a detailed adventure. However, its unsurprising turn of events and predictability often left me wanting more.
Heads up: Even though the story and combat mechanics have a lot to them, this review is going to be spoiler-free. I know, some of you JRPG just breathed a sigh of relief reading that.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes comes out on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation on April 23.
Characters, Chemistry, and the Art that binds them together
Yoshitaka Murayama was known for holding a particular philosophy quite close to his game design decisions. The idea is that a game’s supportive characters play a bigger role than its protagonists. This is something I found to be true in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and my beliefs solidified further the more I journeyed through the game.
Instead of describing it, part of me believes that the game’s visuals are so amazing that you’ll have to see it for yourself! Think of games like Octopath Traveler that make use of 2D + 3D graphics, and then blend them into something so refined that it breathes life into the game’s world. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes thrives on that.
My adventures started in the shoes of Noah, an endearing yet bold adventurer. Quickly, I was in a party of a few others like him, each of whom had distinct and important traits. I do wish I could see my entire party when traversing through the world, and not just Noah. Of course, the game kept displaying all my party members during multiple occasions and conversations.
Furthermore, almost every NPC I encountered had their own little dialogue, and the main characters didn’t refrain from sharing their opinions and observations with one another. A beautiful soundtrack nonchalantly added to the experience of it all.
Navigation is something Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes does immaculately well. So well, that the game isn’t afraid of showing you how big the world truly is, right off the bat.
An unsurprising combat system that gets the job done
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes carefully mixes personality and combat systems. For each character’s distinct personality type, there are forms of attacks and spells that suit their playstyle. This is one of those experiences where instead of having my own playstyle, I found myself getting used to different characters’ ways of fighting against enemies, and the turn-based combat felt extremely familiar.
If you’re used to games like Persona and Chrono Trigger, you’ll feel right at home. The game takes its time to notify you about everything that’s going on, and you can take your time picking the best moves that should work in battle. You also have the option to auto-select this and let the game’s AI work for you.
Unfortunately, certain fights felt like slow-burn, in hopes of giving me a sense of the narrative’s importance at that moment. Mind you, these weren’t even boss fights to begin with.
However, all of this quickly left my headspace as the unique dialogue, fight animations and environments made the best of every battle. The spotlight is certainly taken by a special item called Rune-Lens. These are special items that let characters do unique movesets, sometimes even turning the tides of battle. Most characters have their personal story and orientation to how they acquired a Rune-Lens and what it does in battle.
Is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes good?
How retro are you? Give it a thought. If you’re someone who dives into nostalgic experiences and enjoys the retro-ness of gaming, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will feel right at home. But, if you’re new to the genre and cannot stand the lack of hand-holding… maybe give this one a second thought.
During my playtime, I faced no bugs or glitches. However, I found the forced controller input a bit necessary, though I understand how it makes the game feel so special simultaneously.
As complex as Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is, I found it to be an experience that felt like a long-term relationship rather than a new infatuation I’d be excited about. Unlike me, there are going to be players who are new to this genre and will have a tough time truly understanding and enjoying the game.
However, that shouldn’t drive anyone away from the game’s detailed storytelling, awe-inspiring visuals and soundtrack. Even though the turn-based combat system may require a certain level of understanding to enjoy, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes does a fair job at handling it.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – 7/10
