Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 830 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising Game Cover
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising has flashy combat and gorgeous visuals, but the repetitive gameplay loop really holds it back.
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"Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising" is an action-adventure game that follows a thrilling expedition through ancient ruins to help a town rebuild after an earthquake. Players resolve disputes, deepen bonds with characters, and uncover a dark conspiracy that connects to the main story of "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes." The game also introduces a portion of the larger series' cast.

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Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 830 reviews
story151 positive mentions
grinding90 negative mentions
  • Charming characters and engaging dialogue that evoke nostalgia for the Suikoden series.
  • Beautiful 2.5D graphics and a vibrant art style that enhance the overall experience.
  • Fun combat mechanics with a unique character-switching system that allows for combo attacks.
  • Overly repetitive fetch quests that can feel tedious and detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • The story is simplistic and lacks depth, making it less engaging for players seeking a rich narrative.
  • The game is very easy, with little challenge, which may disappoint players looking for a more difficult experience.
  • story681 mentions

    The story of "Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising" serves as a lighthearted prequel to "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes," featuring a straightforward narrative centered around rebuilding a town and uncovering its mysteries. While the main plot is simple and often overshadowed by an abundance of fetch quests, many players appreciate the charming characters and humorous dialogue that add depth to the experience. However, the repetitive nature of the side quests and the lack of significant narrative weight have led some to find the story less engaging, often resulting in players skipping dialogue as they progress.

    • “The narrative is rich with lore, and each of the dozens of inhabitants adds a unique touch to the unfolding story.”
    • “The joy of seeing New Nevaeh flourish under your guidance, coupled with the engaging quests and delightful characters, makes this game a standout experience.”
    • “The story is enjoyable and a good way to introduce the upcoming JRPG sequel.”
    • “However, if the story, world, characters, and overall writing quality of this prequel are supposed to make me excited to play Hundred Heroes and spend 50 more hours with them, I can assure you:”
    • “The story is also very barebones and could be summed up in three sentences.”
    • “The story is short and admittedly dragged out over the course of lots and lots of mini fetch quests as you rebuild a town and uncover the secrets... you know, the usual.”
  • gameplay232 mentions

    The gameplay of "Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising" is characterized by its blend of simple action RPG mechanics and town-building elements, offering a straightforward yet engaging experience. While the combat is generally easy and can become repetitive due to an abundance of fetch quests, players appreciate the fluid controls and the satisfaction of unlocking new abilities and combos as they progress. Overall, the game provides a light, enjoyable gameplay loop that may appeal to fans of casual RPGs, though it lacks depth and challenge for those seeking a more complex experience.

    • “It's a neat little metroidvania with some fun combat mechanics, so I'd recommend it if that's what you're looking for.”
    • “The gameplay is a blend of classic RPG elements and town-building mechanics.”
    • “The combat is simple but with some intricate mechanics that make it a dopamine rush every time you nail a combo.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, doing jobs and quests (mostly fetch quests) to help the townspeople so you can get stamps which will help the protagonist build the town into a proper town.”
    • “The bulk of your gameplay consists of fetch quests.”
    • “The main gameplay itself is just a big fetch quest, from the start to finish.”
  • graphics127 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning 2.5D visuals, vibrant colors, and charming art style that evokes nostalgia while feeling modern. Players appreciate the meticulous detail in character designs and environments, which contribute to an immersive experience, although some have noted minor issues with character animations. Overall, the combination of beautiful artwork and a captivating soundtrack enhances the game's enchanting atmosphere.

    • “The art style is colorful and detailed, with a charming aesthetic that brings the world of New Neveah to life.”
    • “Visually stunning hand-drawn artwork brings the world of Eiyuden Chronicles: Rising to life, with every environment and character meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia.”
    • “With gorgeous 2.5D graphics, cute anime-style artwork, a fully-realized cast of characters and world-building, as well as an excellent soundtrack, this game will give you a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
    • “Graphics look a bit rough on my 10-bit HDR monitor, yet on my 10-bit HDR TV, they look smooth and flowing.”
    • “First of all, the game feels like a mobile game (graphic and gameplay-wise).”
    • “Mediocre metroidvania with lackluster story, graphics, and action.”
  • grinding94 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the resource gathering and fetch quests tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the grind as a rewarding part of the gameplay, especially for those who enjoy completing side quests and achievements. Overall, the game is characterized by a significant amount of grinding, particularly in the late game, which can detract from the story and exploration for some players, but may appeal to those who enjoy traditional RPG mechanics.

    • “The learning pattern is quite simple and straightforward; no tedious gameplay, no boss is too hard, and no grinding is required.”
    • “Not too grindy.”
    • “No grinding for leveling up.”
    • “Game started off looking great, ended up feeling like a farming material simulator, lost interest in the story and all the useless side quests.”
    • “Make no mistake, it's grindy as hell; you have to keep clearing out the same areas over and over again to find crafting components and quest items, especially if you want to complete all the side quests (which are mainly fetch quests).”
    • “The endless fetch quests got exceedingly tedious.”
  • music88 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it pleasant and atmospheric, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety. Many appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's visuals and overall experience, though some suggest it doesn't stand out as particularly memorable. Overall, while the music complements the game well, it may not leave a lasting impression for all players.

    • “The soundtrack complements the visual experience perfectly, with melodic tunes that enhance the atmosphere and immerse players in the game's world.”
    • “Beautiful visuals and soundtrack: the game's art and music create an enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “With gorgeous 2.5D graphics, cute anime-style artwork, a fully-realized cast of characters and world-building as well as an excellent soundtrack will give you a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
    • “The music is unbearable.”
    • “Most cookie-cutter music in all of gaming, like they didn't even try to make an engaging soundtrack.”
    • “Due to how the game re-uses areas, you'll sadly be subjected to the same few tracks constantly, further hampering an already limited soundtrack.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players highlighting a mix of witty dialogues, quirky characters, and light-hearted moments that enhance the overall experience. While some find the main story lacking, the comedic interactions and charming writing provide a delightful contrast, making the game entertaining and engaging. Overall, the humor is described as cute, heartfelt, and often tongue-in-cheek, contributing positively to the game's nostalgic JRPG vibe.

    • “The game's writing is superb, offering a mix of heartfelt moments, humorous interactions, and intriguing mysteries that keep players invested in the town's revival.”
    • “This is a really cute light-hearted RPG with an interesting sense of humor.”
    • “The story is great, the character development is superb, and the infighting between characters is hilarious.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the engaging dialogue and memorable character designs inspired by Suikoden, while others criticize the pacing and depth of character arcs, noting that significant development is often relegated to the final moments of the game. While there are standout moments and appealing designs, the overall execution of character development leaves some players wanting more.

    • “The character designs are distinctive and memorable, contributing to the overall appeal of the game.”
    • “The story is great, the character development is superb, the infighting between characters is hilarious.”
    • “For story game aspects: the dialogue is interesting and engaging, the character development is great.”
    • “However, every 5 enemies you fight, you get assaulted with story and character development... and it's not very good.”
    • “- The meat of the story and character development is held until the last 5% of the game.”
    • “No huge stakes, little to non-existent character development.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its superb writing, which blends heartfelt moments, humor, and nostalgia for classic JRPGs, creating a charming and engaging experience. Players appreciate the heartwarming story and likable characters, though some feel the game serves as a brief appetizer rather than a full meal, leaving them eager for more. Overall, it evokes a sense of warmth and nostalgia, appealing to both new players and fans of the genre.

    • “The game's writing is superb, offering a mix of heartfelt moments, humorous interactions, and intriguing mysteries that keep players invested in the town's revival.”
    • “Thematically, a love letter to JRPGs of yesteryear - sweet, emotional, and genuinely funny in places.”
    • “Eiyuden Rising is definitely an important introduction for Eiyuden: Hundred Heroes to establish not only the lore, but the quality of product that the developers are aiming for with this new IP - a spiritual successor to Yoshitaka Murayama's Suikoden, which I have a lot of emotional investment in since Suikoden is perhaps the most important game of all time for me.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is largely praised for its enchanting visuals and melodic soundtrack, which effectively immerse players in its world. While the music enhances the experience, some players note that it can become repetitive over time, particularly in certain locations. Overall, the game successfully captures a chill vibe and a sense of wonder, characteristic of quality JRPGs.

    • “The soundtrack complements the visual experience perfectly, with melodic tunes that enhance the atmosphere and immerse players in the game's world.”
    • “Beautiful visuals and soundtrack: the game's art and music create an enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “But this game has nailed atmosphere, vibe, the sense of wonder that truly good games provide!”
    • “Nothing especially notable that I can recall, but it does its job of generating atmosphere.”
    • “For the most part, it leaned towards a 'chill' atmosphere more than anything.”
    • “Quirky characters, very JRPG atmosphere.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while it offers some value through its contained narrative and the ability to switch between three playable characters, many players find the side quests shallow and express a desire for more playable characters and additional content. Overall, the limited scope and character options contribute to a perception of low replayability.

    • “The game also offers a lot of replay value even if many side quests are shallow.”
    • “Three are playable as your party (switching between them freely within dungeons), some primary characters and many secondary characters.”
    • “Would be great if there are more playable characters and maps DLC.”
    • “Not really replayable.”
    • “Not a lot to say in terms of replayability.”
    • “The game also offers a lot of replay value even if many side quests are shallow.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it runs well on high-end hardware with vibrant graphics and minimal performance issues, players have reported stuttering during dodges and a need for high TDP to maintain consistent FPS. Comparatively, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is noted for its strong optimization, making it a standout in the action RPG genre.

    • “The game runs well without any performance and graphical issues (RTX 4070 laptop), and the blending of the environment while the player is exploring or battling is vibrant and pristine.”
    • “Maybe my nearest comparison is Ender Lilies with the team system of FFXV and actually ridiculously easy and optimized grinding that is addictive and enjoyable.”
    • “Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising's performance is very optimized for an action RPG game.”
    • “You can't do multiple dodges in a row fluidly without stuttering pauses in between.”
    • “The game is not optimized very well, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS.”
    • “Though the game is so easy on the normal difficulty, you can even use these non-optimized side characters without relying on anyone else and easily slap bosses.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability with no significant glitches or game-breaking issues reported. However, some players noted that certain basic attacks can lead to frustrating stun locks and movement freezes. Additionally, it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, enhancing its accessibility.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “The game is incredibly stable, with minimal crashes or bugs.”
    • “I've experienced smooth gameplay throughout, which really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “There are no game-breaking glitches.”
    • “Basic attacks can stun-lock you, petrify freezes movement, ice freezes all action, and the damage-over-time effects prevent you from switching characters.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of the game is viewed positively, as it is not perceived as a cash grab but rather as a thoughtful introduction to the Eiyuden universe, reflecting the developers' genuine passion and care for the project.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
3-25hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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