Chained Echoes

 Switch
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 79 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 92
  3. Negative: 9 out of 92

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  1. RicardoDavid
    Jan 2, 2023
    10
    Great JRPG. Amazing story, made me remember the good old days. If you liked Chrono Trigger, you are going to love this.
  2. kefka_palazzo
    Dec 24, 2022
    10
    This game is so well crafted. Your decisions when leveling and outfitting your characters actually matter. Everything about the game design is so well considered and tightly integrated. You'll actually want to explore each zone to make sure you maximize small gains to your loot. The story is really good and perfectly paced. What in God's name do people even see in a game like XenobladeThis game is so well crafted. Your decisions when leveling and outfitting your characters actually matter. Everything about the game design is so well considered and tightly integrated. You'll actually want to explore each zone to make sure you maximize small gains to your loot. The story is really good and perfectly paced. What in God's name do people even see in a game like Xenoblade 1/2/3 when an actual masterpiece like this comes from a single developer? The battles are just challenging enough to make you rethink your loadout and actually engage with the systems. I love all the little details that make the simple zones feel alive. I'm so impressed.… Expand
  3. RisingZeus
    Dec 11, 2022
    10
    Gorgeous pixel graphics, fun and thought-provoking turn-based battles, and amazing sound/music!
  4. Darueck
    Dec 25, 2022
    10
    Best surprise of 2022. Love it! Miss another languages, but every detail of this game is a love letter to the classic JRPGs that we loved in our childhood ❤️
  5. Elwingzy
    Dec 28, 2022
    10
    Perfect RPG games i'm looking so for. The combat not boring as other RPG game.
  6. TuffinUp
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Good combat, sprite and story. Giant robots, good characters and 10 hours in an engaging story, I am stoked on this game. Might be a bit old school for the kids, but classic jrpg fans will definitely enjoys
  7. Climhazzard101
    Dec 21, 2022
    10
    The perfect JRPG

    If you like RPG games from the 16 bit era then i promise you that this is a dream come true. Chained echoes is a an homage to especially Chrono trigger and FF6. It takes the best of these games and even manages to build upon their greatness. The story and writing are absolutely excellent. The music is fantastic, some of the best that you've heard in a RPG in quite a    The perfect JRPG

    If you like RPG games from the 16 bit era then i promise you that this is a dream come true. Chained echoes is a an homage to especially Chrono trigger and FF6. It takes the best of these games and even manages to build upon their greatness. The story and writing are absolutely excellent. The music is fantastic, some of the best that you've heard in a RPG in quite a while. The battle system is a mix of familiar and new mechanics. I absolutely loved how you need to be managing the overdrive meter and switching out characters on the fly made things more dynamic. The sky armors are a total blast in battle and to control because of the verticality and versatility they bring. Movement overall is a joy with your party members literally flying over the map. Everything controls so fluidly and you're constantly rewarded for exploring the map through the awesome reward board. The game starts off linear and story focused but seriously opens up halfway, bringing you tons of opportunity to explore, do side quests or recruit new character. The game can be a little challenging sometimes but it's fair and each fight can be fought all in because your HP and TP are restored after each fight. You can always see your enemies on the map and you can always flee from every battle. If things get too heated, you can also lower the enemy stats and aggression. Honestly, square enix should be embarrassed. Bandai Namco should be embarrassed. Falcom should be embarrassed. They have all been beaten by this indie game created by only one man. Mattias Linda is a simply genius. He has made a masterpiece that outclasses anything that has come out in the last decade.    … Expand
  8. PMG-Writer
    Dec 31, 2022
    9
    "Chained Echoes" does everything perfectly for fans of the genre and newcomers. You get an exciting story with many interesting characters and great dialogues. The gameplay is also enjoyable, as are the other options in the gameplay. The graphics have their charm and the sound always does everything right. If you would like to have another good role-playing game with a certain look, you"Chained Echoes" does everything perfectly for fans of the genre and newcomers. You get an exciting story with many interesting characters and great dialogues. The gameplay is also enjoyable, as are the other options in the gameplay. The graphics have their charm and the sound always does everything right. If you would like to have another good role-playing game with a certain look, you should take a closer look at "Chained Echoes".… Expand
  9. Frelonsumo
    Jan 7, 2023
    10
    A huge surprise, probably one of my top game 2022. I highly recommend this game for JRPG lovers
  10. Andoverjon
    Jan 8, 2023
    10
    If you like JRPGs from the SNES / PS1 era, this game is for you. I can tell this game was made with love and care. A mix between FF6, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears with some modern updates and mechanics. I haven't felt this excited to play a game since BotW and a JRPG since FFX (20 years ago...). Can't recommend this game enough.
  11. Tom_Supreme
    Jan 23, 2023
    9
    Every aspect of this game shows that a lot of love was put into it. Absolutely recommendable.
  12. SpookyDick
    May 20, 2023
    10
    One of the most ambitious indie games I've played in a long while. The gameplay is balanced and fun. It's never too punishing with a learning curve that is understandable. You need to try and experiment to win battles rather than just grind and level up to beat a boss or a challenge. The story is rather fantastic. I think it might be a little rough around the edges but this isn't a hugeOne of the most ambitious indie games I've played in a long while. The gameplay is balanced and fun. It's never too punishing with a learning curve that is understandable. You need to try and experiment to win battles rather than just grind and level up to beat a boss or a challenge. The story is rather fantastic. I think it might be a little rough around the edges but this isn't a huge production so bonus points for having so many fleshed out characters. Once the world opens up I spent hours upon hours just exploring the world. So many things to discover. So many fun additions that make this title special. I couldn't recommend this enough to RPG fans. This is obviously a love letter to the genre.… Expand
  13. Granfino
    May 21, 2023
    9
    Chained Echoes é um jrpg clássico que aprimora a estética e o design dos rpgs antigos, da era ps1. Mantém um visual retrô com uma pixel art de alta qualidade, e faz um juntando das melhores mecânicas dos clássicos jrpgs que ele reverencia. O sistema de batalha possui característica única que nao é de explodir a cabeça mas desempenha um ótimo papel dando desafio ao jogo. A melhorChained Echoes é um jrpg clássico que aprimora a estética e o design dos rpgs antigos, da era ps1. Mantém um visual retrô com uma pixel art de alta qualidade, e faz um juntando das melhores mecânicas dos clássicos jrpgs que ele reverencia. O sistema de batalha possui característica única que nao é de explodir a cabeça mas desempenha um ótimo papel dando desafio ao jogo. A melhor característica desse jrpg pra mim foi a de ter focado na duração das batalhas e não na quantidade. O jogador enfrenta poucos inimigos nas dungeons, porem as batalhas são longas o suficiente pro jogador se sentir desafiado. Além do preço justo em algumas lojas (paguei 50 reais na eshop, e na steam acho que está 70), o jogo dispõe de conteúdo para aproximadamente 50 horas, e o seu fator de rejogo é altíssimo devido ao alto número de personagens jogáveis e set de habilidades. Essa gama de personagens e habilidades permite o jogador montar diversas estratégias de combate, tendo que se abdicar de muitas estrategias em prol de outras, que logicamente poderão ser exploradas no rejogo. Ja foi anunciado uma atualização que adicionará um modo new game+ que, alem do aumento da dificuldade, trará novos conteúdos. A trilha sonora do jogo é ótima, digna de grandes produções. A história segue OK até a metade do jogo, onde então enfim começa a se comportar de forma mais atraente fazendo o jogador se entregar de vez ao jogo e passar a querer saber mais e mais sobre o desfecho. A história é ótima.
    As partes que não me agradaram no jogo não foram tão graves a ponto de abandonar a jogatina. Eu acho que esse jogo teve uma ótima produção indie, mas se tivesse recebido um financiamento digno das grandes desenvolvedoras, esse jogo seria mais foda do que é. Senti falta de cutscenes, de mais traduções, talvez até vozes pros personagens. Além disso, precisei contar com a internet em 10% do jogo, pra encontrar algumas side quests que não tive saco de procurar por conta própria. Normalmente você revisita toda a área extensa do jogo pelo menos 2 vezes, buscando mais conteúdos do game. Quando se nota que ainda falta algo a se buscar, na terceira varredura das áreas do jogo, começa a ficar exaustivo e é aí que eu recorri a internet. Pelo menos a maioria das side quests você consegue encontrar por conta própria, é como eu disse, apenas 10% do jogo requer essa pesquisa, afim de evitar frustração com o jogo.
    Trilha sonora bem feita.
    Jogo altamente recomendado aos saudosistas dos rpgs classicos da era ps1. Chained Echoes é um ótimo jrpg, por um ótimo preço, que dificilmente vai aborrecer o jogador nas suas 50 horas de conteúdo. É bem provavel que ele deixe muito jrpg atual no chinelo (so nao posso afirmar de fato pois nao joguei tanto jrpg atual pra isso) e em relação aos antigos ele supera a maioria.    … Expand
  14. cyphus6
    Jan 12, 2023
    10
    A phenomenal love letter to SNES JRPGs. Everything great about them, with modern convenience at every level; such as very little rng, full heals for your team after every battle, free Flees and battle Retries. Perfect balance between story, battle, and strategy, and so much content that never drags. Beating the main game is easily 60 hours, and side quests + secret final boss add anotherA phenomenal love letter to SNES JRPGs. Everything great about them, with modern convenience at every level; such as very little rng, full heals for your team after every battle, free Flees and battle Retries. Perfect balance between story, battle, and strategy, and so much content that never drags. Beating the main game is easily 60 hours, and side quests + secret final boss add another 10 hrs for sure; Amazing value.
    A fresh battle system that is easily understood and a fun way to encourage flexibility in your attacks (instead of spam). You only 'level up' from bosses (although you could grind to slightly improve your moves but its never required); Its about learning, and retrying with a different team setup and strategy. Personally I don't like excessive dialogue (which this game does not have), but even I wished I payed more attention by the end. Nothing to really complain about. Best JRPG of 2022    … Expand
  15. alybry420
    Jan 29, 2023
    10
    The game definitely deserves a 10/10 recommendation to every RPG enjoyer!
    Very well written great story and intriguing worldbuilding. I personally think it is impressive that none of the characters story feels bland or cliche. You can tell that the game has really been putting effort into each character’s growth
    Combat system is a lot of fun and easy to follow. Quality of life is good    The game definitely deserves a 10/10 recommendation to every RPG enjoyer!
    Very well written great story and intriguing worldbuilding. I personally think it is impressive that none of the characters story feels bland or cliche. You can tell that the game has really been putting effort into each character’s growth
    Combat system is a lot of fun and easy to follow. Quality of life is good when there’s no random encounters, no need for hard grinding. every aspect of the game just feels smooth.
    Had so much fun playing it!    … Expand
  16. ofpm
    Aug 30, 2023
    10
    Like the game Sea of Stars this is a must play game. I hope they keep releasing games like these every year. Its a nostalgic adventure that reminds me of Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. 10 OUT OF 10.
  17. BadSector
    Apr 11, 2023
    10
    This is the perfect game. Great story great battle system a lot of interesting puzzles I wish it was longer and hoping for a sequel.
  18. Jeanditpasplus
    May 19, 2023
    10
    Meilleur rpg au tour par tour depuis chrono trigger ou encore FF6. Gameplay original, personnages attachants, musique de très bonne qualité qui reste en tête même après arrêter d'y jouer. Histoire et lore très complet. j'ai adoré ce jeu , il me restera en souvenir pour très longtemps.
  19. TheXxchaKing
    Jul 7, 2023
    9
    + The game as a whole is a spirited love letter to the JRPGs of yesteryear
    + Battle system is innovative while still retaining traditional turn-based mechanics
    + Art style and design of the world and enemies are delightful + OST is of a magical god-tier standard that puts AAA titles to shame + Story and character arcs are enthralling from beginning to end - Sky armour battles were    + The game as a whole is a spirited love letter to the JRPGs of yesteryear
    + Battle system is innovative while still retaining traditional turn-based mechanics
    + Art style and design of the world and enemies are delightful
    + OST is of a magical god-tier standard that puts AAA titles to shame
    + Story and character arcs are enthralling from beginning to end

    - Sky armour battles were underwhelming and frustratingly imbalanced    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Switch Game of 2022
33
#33 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Apr 3, 2023
    90
    I ended my playthrough of Chained Echoes at roughly 65 hours. On the Switch OLED this game is beautiful, the vibrant pixel art aesthetic shines on screen, and its performance other than the aforementioned UI bug is flawless. Gameplay is also buttery smooth and appears to be running at a high frame rate. I enjoyed my time in Valandis so much that I experienced as much of the side content as I could. This full length RPG stands as a love letter to the games I grew up with. The inspirations are clear, and yet this is a wholly unique RPG experience that anyone who has an affinity for the style–and 90s’ RPGs in particular–owes it to themselves to enjoy.
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  2. Impulsegamer
    Feb 7, 2023
    90
    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.
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  3. Game Informer
    Jan 25, 2023
    88
    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.
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