Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

A love-letter to older JRPGS, pushed through a modern filter that manages to hit the sweet spot between nostalgic and new.

Everything that makes Eiyuden Chronicle great is introduced in the first part of the game. From the 120 heroes that you can recruit to the epic one-vs-one duels, its game systems always make you feel the heat of the story. While the difficult turn-based battles might not be for everyone, as long as you prepare well they are a lot of fun to engage in. The soundtrack is great, but when played with headphones the sound balance seems a little off at times. Recruiting the 120 heroes functions as a rewarding side activity. Not being able to develop your town as you wish without certain heroes can prove frustrating at times, but the way your fate is influenced by the particular set of characters you’ve crossed paths with is a part of Eiyuden Chronicle’s unique charm.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has the nostalgic feel of a '90s JRPG but revitalizes the genre with lovable characters and epic strategy sequences.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is for fans of turn-based RPGs. It’s challenging, has great heroes, and a deep story. It will pull you in.

Sadly, Yoshitaka Murayama passed away just before Hundred Heroes’ release. But if he was still with us, he might have enjoyed the praise that Eiyuden Chronicle will undoubtedly receive. It’s been eighteen years since the last Suikoden entry, and this game is a delightful reminder of the series’ strengths, whether it’s the rapport between characters or the fulfillment associated with finding a new recruit who divulges a detail about Hundred Heroes’ world.

A joyous adventure and fitting swan song for one of Japan's great RPG directors.

'A love letter to classic JRPG fans' would be the perfect description for this game. It's filled with various elements that evoke nostalgia for JRPG enthusiasts. However, despite its efforts to recreate the nostalgia of the past, maybe the absence of convenience feaures was too much.

While its premise, story beats and main characters echo Suikoden II a little bit too much, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes manages to stand on its own with a compelling tale, excellent characterization, classic JRPG gameplay and great presentation, which make it easy to look past some of its shortcomings, such as balancing and minor gameplay issues. The world of Allraan may never get into the spotlight again due to the unfortunate departure of its creator, but it is undeniable that it couldn't have been introduced to JRPG fans in a better way.

This is a very special experience that will stay with me for a long while. I said it before and I’ll say it again; there are so few games that scratch the same itch that Suikoden did, and this is one that fans will really enjoy.

Eiyuden Chronicle - Hundred Heroes is a large-scale and colorful JRPG with interesting characters, addictive plot and unique missions. And only the slow pace of the narrative can scare away players.

Eiyuden Chronicle stands as a monument to his singular design sensibilities, and a testament to the power of a determined community, both within the game’s fiction, and by its very existence.

While not every gambit succeeds, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes delivers us the spiritual successor we all dared to hope for, but never expected to get. While things like the War Mode and some balance issues and bugs will require additional attention, there’s a great JRPG here worth playing.

Eiyuden Chronicle hits the retro-RPG sweet spot nicely. It's focused on delivering that warm, comforting feeling of a classic JRPG, and even all of the side distractions--the card minigame, the weird Pokemon/Beyblade hybrid top minigame, the raising/racing sim, even commodities trading--don't distract too much from the game's prime mission. Add some gorgeously painted and animated spritework and a stellar soundtrack into the mix, and you've got a delightful experience that sometimes falters, though not enough to make you put it down. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes might not be revolutionary, but it successfully delivered on its core promise--and that's really all it needed to do.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has had a rocky road to release. The latest (and, sadly, final) game from legendary Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama is a beautifully executed JRPG that feels both modern and nostalgic. Above all else, it's a game where the developer's passion for the genre is evident in everything from the storyline to the battles.

Despite these issues, it’s hard not to be won over by Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on the whole, especially if you’re a Suikoden fan. While its story might not have much emotional impact, it’s still pretty engaging. And many will love the fact that this does genuinely feel like a JRPG from the golden age of the genre. It’s not quite the Suikoden successor we were hoping for, but it’s still a worthy game in its own right.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the final work of Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama who passed away earlier this year, and it's a love letter to fans of the classic series. It was a promised beginning to explore a path that has largely been the road not taken by games since, probably due to the scope and ambition that it entails. While he may not have lived to see its release, he would have been nothing but proud of the end result. You should take the time and check out Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and when you're done, look into Suikoden if you enjoyed your time. It’s not perfect, there are flaws, relics of another time and oddities in places, but it's a soulful work with an excellent tale, engaging characters, a rich world and strong gameplay. It’s easy sometimes to miss the forest for trees when reviewing a game, to get caught up in smaller problems that detract from the game, but it's important not to get lost here, and take in the view of it all as a remarkably cohesive, thoughtful and fun whole.

I cannot overstate how glad I am that Eiyuden Chronicle exists, and I adore its excellent presentation & nostalgic charm. Not everything landed for me as well as I hoped it would, but there's room to grow, and I truly hope Rabbit & Bear Studios gets the opportunity to continue with these characters in this world.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an honest tribute to the genre as it was in the nineties. The severe lack of modern quality of life features might discourage new players but the gameplay is rock solid and feels Suikoden every step of the way. Which is enough said.

Indeed, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a JRPG through and through. But does it live up to its most obvious inspirations? Absolutely not. It lacks the heart and soul of the series that most obviously inspired it, and it’s messy around the edges. But it’s not all bad. The base building, character recruitment, and vibes, as the kids say, are right on. So, while Hundred Heroes might not have lived up to my admittedly sky-high expectations, if you’re looking for an old-school JRPG experience with some modern conveniences, this is the place to go. Just don’t expect greatness like I did. You’ll just be disappointed.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a good reminder of why the RPG genre left some parts of its Golden Age behind. It’s also a testimony to what makes the genre special and the power of good storytelling to move and inspire. Admittedly, rigid adherence to archaic structures makes those first impressions tough to look past, but a creative battle system, extensive party customization, and top-notch writing make up for the retro jank.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is an enjoyable JRPG that old-school and new JRPG fans alike will enjoy. It has dozens of playable heroes to recruit and sidequests to complete, the combat system is intuitive and satisfying and the 2D-HD graphics are pleasing to look at. While the storyline, characters, and mini-games are relatively simplistic and there’s lots of micro-management required, these issues do not deter from the game’s positive qualities.

Fans of retro JRPGs and nostalgics will find a beautiful homage to the Suikoden series with all its advantages and disadvantages. Players looking for more action in a fast-paced adventure might think twice before buying.

A sympathetic declaration of love to JRPGs of days gone by with the same strengths and problems as back then.

While Suikoden II and IV remain on another level, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes takes the formula of these classics to some extent and repurposes it in a JRPG that is certainly interesting but perhaps not as beautiful and accomplished as we would have hoped.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is sure to satisfy long-awaited fans of the series, but whether it will win over casual gamers is another story. It boasts a quality script and a large, unique ensemble cast, but its dated design and lack of side-quest guidance will detract significantly from your experience.

“To JRPG lovers” is the first sentence we read when starting Eiyuden Chronicle Hundred Heroes, testifying to the intentions that moved the developers of Rabbit&Bear Studios Inc.. In fact, the game is an impeccable collection of quotes, ideas, mechanics and plots dating back to various sacred monsters of the genre, also staged with careful artistic direction and truly "in love" with its sources of inspiration. However, despite knowing this, it cannot be denied that even with the same addends a derivative sum was obtained, which does not have the same expressive force and lacks some basic attention to the quality of life, which certainly would not have distorted the product, while making it digestible. to the modern audience. Nonetheless, enthusiasts looking for a nostalgic and deliberately taken-from-another-era experience will have what they want.

As far as homages go, Hundred Heroes is an exceptional one. That old-school sensibility is captured perfectly, almost to its detriment. The sprite art is exceptional, the voice work is fantastic, and the character designs are excellent. I wish the pacing was more modern, though. And I’d be fine with an updated approach to inventory management. But all that is what makes this such a faithful successor to the Suikoden series. Well, that and the establishment of your own kingdom full of heroes. If you’re looking for the next Suikoden game, this is it! Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a worthy ascendant to the Suikoden throne.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes emerges as a commendable homage to the beloved Suikoden series. It excels with a rich narrative full of intricate character dynamics and an engaging war story, supported by a vast character roster and beautiful, modern-traditional art design. Strategic gameplay elements add depth, though the game’s tendency to autopilot and underutilized open world might not satisfy players seeking a more interactive RPG experience.

Lovely characters, stylish 2D HD graphics and a catchy soundtrack - it could have been so nice if performance weaknesses and accumulated interruptions hadn't noticeably spoiled the experience.

These smart updates to the classic RPG formula mean the wilfully archaic design choices that remain in place stand out all the more. [Issue#398, p.110]

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a game that requires your familarity with nostalgia to fully appreciate many hours needed to finish it. Fans of jRPGs should be happy, but everyone else need to understand: there's absolutely no guarantee you will enjoy it.

Maybe Hundred Heroes doesn’t have me ready to run outside screaming about miracles, but I’m plenty satisfied and ready to go back and fill in some old, classic JRPG blind spots. Well, after I replay Tierkreis.

There is - or at least, I want there to be - a great game here, with combat that structurally emulates what made Suikoden so memorable and recognisable and a world filled with countless varied characters.

Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes is a good, deliberately old-fashioned JRPG with all the pros and cons. As a love letter to Suikoden it hits the mark despite some uncertainties, but the biggest problem at the moment are the bugs we encountered during the review, some very serious and impossible to ignore. Wait patiently for the bugfixes.