Chained Echoes

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,562 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Chained Echoes Game Cover
Chained Echoes is without a doubt the best RPG I've played all year, and should be pushed to the top of your backlog immediately.
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"Chained Echoes" is a 16-bit style JRPG set in a fantasy world filled with diverse landscapes, charming characters, and vicious enemies. Follow a group of heroes on a mission to end a centuries-old war between three kingdoms, using magic, mechs, and swords in fast-paced turn-based battles. With no random encounters, explore the continent of Valandis and discover items as you try to bring peace to a land plagued by war and betrayal. The game promises 30-40 hours of playtime.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,562 reviews
story954 positive mentions
grinding252 negative mentions
  • Chained Echoes is a love letter to classic JRPGs, combining elements from beloved titles like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy while introducing innovative mechanics.
  • The combat system is engaging and strategic, with the Overdrive mechanic adding depth and requiring players to think carefully about their actions.
  • The story is captivating, with well-developed characters and unexpected twists that keep players invested throughout the game.
  • The Overdrive system can feel tedious and RNG-dependent, leading to frustrating moments in combat where players are forced to waste turns.
  • The pacing of the story can be uneven, with some plot points feeling rushed or unresolved, particularly towards the end of the game.
  • The crystal system for upgrading gear is cumbersome and poorly explained, making it a chore to manage and often leading to wasted time.
  • story2,419 mentions

    The story of "Chained Echoes" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and unexpected plot twists, drawing comparisons to classic JRPGs like "Chrono Trigger" and "Final Fantasy VI." While some players appreciate the mature themes and intricate world-building, others note pacing issues and a tendency for the narrative to become convoluted, particularly in the latter stages. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling storytelling that keeps players invested throughout the journey.

    • “The story is so rich and the world-building is incredible.”
    • “The story, characters, and their interactions, visuals, music, and atmosphere of the game are all really well executed.”
    • “Chained Echoes is a remarkable indie game that stands out not only for its captivating story but also for its profound exploration of redemption and forgiveness.”
    • “The story itself feels incoherent, has a ton of boring and pointless parts, and at some point it also makes a complete 180 and never mentions anything before anymore.”
    • “The story is a mess with terrible pacing that pulls so many twists it starts to become funny.”
    • “The story is weak and I just find myself getting bored; it already feels like it is turning into a chore.”
  • gameplay986 mentions

    The gameplay of "Chained Echoes" is characterized by its innovative turn-based combat system, which incorporates unique mechanics like the overdrive bar and character swapping, adding strategic depth to encounters. Players appreciate the blend of nostalgic JRPG elements with modern quality-of-life improvements, although some mechanics, such as the crafting and crystal systems, can feel convoluted or underexplained. Overall, the game offers a rich and engaging experience, balancing challenge and accessibility, though it may require some adjustment to fully grasp its various systems.

    • “The game does a lot of the great classic story RPG elements, but the overdrive system, sky armors, and 8-player combat system were fun new mechanics that made the game stand out.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics were a breath of fresh air with its innovative idea of the overdrive bar, making each battle feel like a challenge without taking away the turn-based nostalgia.”
    • “Chained Echoes hits the sweet spot of fun turn-based gameplay, character progression, and story.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and filled with massive random spikes in difficulty.”
    • “The mechanics are so convoluted and the difficulty spike is insane once you leave the opening town.”
    • “The gameplay is standard turn-based JRPG but with an annoying mechanic that doesn't really have any benefits and will snowball against you if not played around, which is unfun and extremely limiting.”
  • music686 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating and nostalgic quality, often compared to classic RPG soundtracks like those from *Chrono Trigger* and *Final Fantasy*. While many players found the compositions to be beautifully crafted and fitting for the game's various environments, some noted instances of repetition and a lack of standout tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, enhancing the game's immersive experience and emotional depth.

    • “The music was captivating; I stopped playing on many occasions just to listen to the melodies of the flower fields of Perpetua, Tormund, Fiorwoods, and many more places.”
    • “This soundtrack stands up there with Chrono Trigger, Suikoden II, and Star Ocean: The Second Story as some of my favorite RPG music ever.”
    • “The music is phenomenal; there hasn't been a track I don't like, but there have been multiple that I love.”
    • “The music specifically is mostly lacking in character and expression.”
    • “The music is serviceable and does the job more or less, but is completely unmemorable and music is very important to me in a JRPG.”
    • “The only downside are the music but other than that the game is really good!”
  • graphics350 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received a largely positive reception, with many praising its beautiful pixel art and vibrant environments that evoke nostalgia for classic 16-bit RPGs. While some critiques mention that character portraits lack detail and expressiveness, the overall aesthetic is celebrated for its charm and polish, successfully blending retro and modern styles. The visuals, complemented by a captivating soundtrack, contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, making it a standout in the indie RPG landscape.

    • “The graphics are exactly what I wanted out of a game like this, retro meets modern.”
    • “The breathtakingly beautiful and detailed pixel artwork makes every area feel truly alive, and the musical soundtrack is an enjoyable complement to each area.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and incredibly detailed, far beyond the old pixel graphics of yore.”
    • “While I'm not a fan of the art style in the character portraits, it seems silly to only have one per character.”
    • “The character portraits are not great and the worst aspect of the visuals, and lack any emotional variations as well which is kind of immersion breaking.”
    • “Disjointed storytelling mixed with subpar graphics (there are better looking SNES games) and a combat system that is restrictive, boring, and one-sided.”
  • grinding289 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game features a unique leveling system that minimizes traditional grinding for experience points, instead rewarding players for defeating bosses and completing story-related tasks. While many players appreciate the absence of grind-heavy mechanics, some find aspects like the crystal management and certain combat systems to be tedious. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat and exploration, with grinding being largely optional and not necessary for progression.

    • “While you are not grinding for experience, you do grind for weapon proficiency with the sky armors.”
    • “The joy of exploration is heightened by the way the rest of the gameplay is structured: no random battles, no annoying enemy respawns, no grinding. Chained Echoes doesn't waste your time and actually wants you to engage with the world it presents, rather than keeping the player on repetition.”
    • “One of the best JRPGs ever made, combat is fun and strategic, exploration is done well, no grinding needed to finish the game, a colorful cast of characters, a great story, many different party combinations and playstyles to choose from.”
    • “The gameplay is tedious and filled with massive random spikes in difficulty.”
    • “It is, without a doubt, the most annoying, tedious, repetitive, boring, and poorly thought out portion of this game.”
    • “The overdrive system is really cool, but managing overdrive can get very tedious, leading to either stretching out combat trying to stay out of overheat instead of doing damage, or risking taking more and doing less damage by ignoring overdrive management.”
  • humor73 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, with players enjoying funny item descriptions, quirky character interactions, and unexpected comedic moments that balance the darker themes of the story. Many reviews highlight the effective use of humor to enhance the narrative and character development, making the experience engaging and entertaining. However, some critiques mention instances of juvenile humor and uneven pacing, suggesting that while the humor is generally well-received, it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “There's even fun goofy songs like the goblin village theme that pull away from all the pretty and invigorating soundscape to inject a little humor.”
    • “The art and sound hit a very retro, colorful and adventurous tone that fits the game well, but the story has a bit of an edge to it and some genuinely interesting hooks (and some decent humor).”
    • “The music, combat, humor, and pixel art are fantastic and probably the best thing since Final Fantasy IX.”
    • “The humor falls flat and often feels forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
    • “The attempts at humor are so over-the-top that they become annoying.”
  • character development64 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and natural progression, particularly in how characters evolve through story-driven moments and exploration. However, some players feel that certain characters, especially those introduced later, lack impact and that the overall development can be uneven or occasionally disjointed. Despite these criticisms, the writing and character arcs are often highlighted as standout features, contributing to a compelling narrative experience.

    • “Almost all of the character development felt natural and story-driven, and eventual character twists and reveals were executed well.”
    • “The characters are great and unique, they're not as black and white as many other games, they each have their own flaws but each go through their own character developments so that by the end of the game, I love almost all of them.”
    • “Overall, to me what really stands out about this game is the absolutely phenomenal writing, world-building, and character developments.”
    • “The weakest part of the game is the story and character development.”
    • “While it is great to have a variety of playable characters for a turn-based RPG such as this, their late arrival in the game and their limited use make the character development extremely uneven.”
    • “I wish I could endorse the writing, but I personally don't particularly like any of the cast since the character development kept choking to death on the plot.”
  • emotional60 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has garnered mixed reviews, with many players praising its heartfelt storytelling, character development, and the ability to evoke strong feelings, including moments of joy and sorrow. However, some critiques highlight issues with dialogue translation and character expressions that detract from the emotional impact, leading to a lack of investment in certain characters and story arcs. Overall, while the game resonates deeply with many, it also faces challenges in delivering consistent emotional engagement.

    • “The story provides a substantial, emotionally fueled experience, filled to the brim with twists and moments of solemn contemplation for the events that transpire.”
    • “Most importantly, the story is well written and full of surprises, great character development, and some very emotionally charged moments.”
    • “I cried several times and I'm still thinking about the ending months later.”
    • “Boring story, boring characters, boring soundtrack, boring art style. I don't like the font; even the combat system is just like... 'randomly some moves get a +1'. That's the brilliant idea of this combat system.”
    • “Beautiful game, great sprite art, great interface, but boring story.”
    • “The story is horrible. I'm not gonna lie, this is one of the most boring stories I've seen in an RPG in a long time.”
  • stability23 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck, but also experiencing frequent freezes, particularly during battle encounters. While some users encountered minor glitches and UI issues, others faced more significant problems that required troubleshooting. Overall, the game is playable but has notable stability concerns that could affect the experience.

    • “My first playthrough was bug-free for those wondering if they should purchase the game.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck; you can expect to get 5-7 hours of game time before recharging your deck.”
    • “The game isn't buggy; the graphics are a dream with a passable story.”
    • “The game freezes on any battle encounter for minutes at a time for each action.”
    • “Although this game seems 'verified' on deck, I'm having consistent game freezes and occasional lag issues.”
    • “A game-breaking glitch: when accessing the 'settings' for sky armor late game, the whole game freezes.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among reviewers. While some appreciate the New Game+ feature and the variety of characters that allow for different playstyles, many note the linearity of the plot and limited changes in gameplay as significant drawbacks, leading to a consensus that replay value is relatively low unless players seek to complete the game 100% or adopt entirely different strategies.

    • “The game offers a good amount of replayability in the form of New Game+, with the few options it gives you, or by simply making a different team.”
    • “Discovering hidden treasures, unearthing ancient ruins, and meeting quirky NPCs add depth and replayability to an already impressive package.”
    • “I'm sure that down the road there will be challenge runs created by the community to only use certain characters, ban skills, etc., and that will add unlimited replayability.”
    • “No branching plot, so not much replayability.”
    • “I find that this game doesn’t have much replay value because there isn’t much to change outside of your cast, as most serve a specific role.”
    • “The weakest part is that it is not really replayable unless you choose an entirely different tactic for the whole game because the game is 90% pretty linear.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating identity, blending eerie and immersive elements that evoke nostalgia for classic RPGs. Players highlight the exceptional attention to detail in visuals and an outstanding soundtrack that enhances exploration and emotional engagement. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enriching the gameplay experience and drawing players into its world.

    • “The art and atmosphere are captivating aspects of the world and really deliver a true sense of immersion throughout the entire experience.”
    • “The attention to detail in the visuals and the atmospheric soundtrack enhanced the sense of exploration, making each step a delightful discovery.”
    • “The music throughout the game does a great job capturing the atmosphere and vibe of the events and surroundings.”
    • “This game was much more about atmosphere than plot for me.”
    • “The atmosphere, how the story starts and continues, the combat system... it's all great and I am enjoying this a lot!”
    • “I really love the atmosphere and the war drama, and I also like how the music is really good once I listen to it enough times.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with players noting impressive performance and quick load times, especially on lower-end systems. However, some users experienced performance hiccups on the Steam Deck, particularly during the initial boot, which could detract from the experience. While the crystal upgrade system could benefit from adjustments, it is not essential for success, and many players found enjoyment in character customization and optimization despite some frustrations with RNG.

    • “The boosts conferred by optimized crystals are immense, and with gearing just one character out with an ideal set, that character managed to kill the secret boss by themselves before said boss even got a turn in.”
    • “I got to a place where I didn't really bother to learn new skills for 3 of the last characters I added to the party because I was happy with how optimized my 8 other characters were, with turn loop I fine-tuned.”
    • “At a 2 GB requirement, snappy loads and very optimized.”
    • “On the Steam Deck, there were performance hiccups that caused freezing in certain sections of the game.”
    • “Having this on the go with my Steam Deck is a dream, but I've got only one gripe with the optimization on deck.”
    • “The difficulty is a bit lacking; even the secret boss doesn't require much optimization to beat it.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate a growing concern that monetization strategies in games are prioritized over delivering a quality gaming experience, with some players noting a lack of originality in mobile games that rely heavily on similar assets and aggressive advertising.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I can't believe how many ads pop up during gameplay; it completely disrupts the experience.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which is frustrating for players who don't want to spend extra.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

Buy Chained Echoes

Play time

43hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
7-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 39 analyzed playthroughs

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