Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
- February 15, 2018
- 42h median play time
The passage of time has done nothing to diminish the beauty of this fantastic RPG.
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is a single-player Role Playing game with perfected gameplay, pretty visuals, and an excellent soundtrack. Wield the White Chronicle's time-traveling power to alter the past and protect the future in the face of war and desertification on the continent of Vainqueur. This edition features new story content, an additional timeline, and the enigmatic character Nemesia, who offers insights into the world's history.
Reviews
- The game features a fantastic story with engaging characters and a well-executed time travel mechanic.
- The graphics and music are greatly improved, with vibrant visuals and an epic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The battle system is fun and strategic, offering a unique twist on traditional turn-based combat.
- The game can feel linear at times, with limited freedom in exploration and some side quests being cumbersome to trigger.
- Certain characters may end up underleveled due to the time travel mechanics, making it challenging to utilize them effectively.
- Some players may find the new character portraits to be more generic compared to the original's artistic style.
- story84 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its engaging narrative, strong character development, and innovative time-travel mechanics, drawing comparisons to classics like Chrono Trigger. While some reviewers note its linearity and occasional predictability, the overall consensus is that it offers a compelling and immersive experience, making it a standout in the RPG genre. The game is recommended for those seeking a rich, story-driven adventure complemented by excellent voice acting and a memorable soundtrack.
“The story is fantastic and engaging, while the core plot device of the game, the white chronicle, allows you to time travel (but done right).”
“Radiant Historia was an unbelievable masterpiece, and I believe it is perhaps the greatest RPG ever developed - both in terms of its built-in time traveling mechanisms and its incredible story that touches on social commentary about our world in a way that virtually no other game has.”
“The gameplay is fun, the music is great, and the story is phenomenal, entertaining, and moving.”
“Then it seems like the new third timeline is more side story than anything.”
“Since the story has to be done in a certain way, there’s a noticeable lack of freedom.”
“The only problem is that if you have any inkling of how the game’s plot will turn out, the portraits of some characters will spoil their roles in the game’s plot and narrative.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its unique time travel mechanics and engaging turn-based combat, offering a refreshing take on traditional RPG elements. While some players find the frequent timeskipping and enemy manipulation tedious, the overall experience is enhanced by a solid story, great artwork, and voice acting, resulting in a captivating and enjoyable adventure. Many recommend it for RPG enthusiasts seeking a story-driven experience with substantial gameplay hours.
“The gameplay is fun, the music is great, and the story is phenomenal, entertaining, and moving.”
“Gameplay - the gameplay is okay, but somewhat tedious due to the frequent timeskipping and needing to manipulate enemies on the map for maximum damage dealing.”
“While it’s far from the first adventure to draw on parallel timelines, it smartly integrates its world-hopping into both gameplay and narrative, and the result is a unique, beautifully-paced experience that’s a joy to play.”
“The amazing combat system is thankfully left untouched, the new scenario offers more than its weight in gameplay, and the optional nature of most of the new content means anyone uninterested in the changes can simply find comfort in an amazing base experience.”
- music27 mentions
- 89 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic and memorable soundtrack, composed by Yoko Shimomura. Players find themselves captivated by the tracks, often continuing to listen to them long after completing the game. Overall, the music significantly enhances the gaming experience, complementing the story and gameplay beautifully.
“The music is incredible and memorable.”
“The soundtrack is captivating and I find myself still listening to the tracks a week after finishing the game itself.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, composed by Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Xenoblade Chronicles).”
- graphics22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the solid artwork and improvements in cut scenes, while others find them lacking compared to recent VR titles. The art style, which includes chibi elements, may not appeal to everyone, and some players feel that the graphics do not significantly enhance the overall experience. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered good, they are seen as a step down from the standards set by contemporary games.
“It also has a much-deserved upgrade in graphics and cut scenes.”
“The lack of modification done to the sprites will surely sour some, but it's arguably for the best, as it preserves the aesthetic identity of an already great looking adventure.”
“To be honest, it’s on the worse half compared to other VR-level graphics of recent games.”
“The graphics have some changes and some things that are very similar to the original game.”
“Graphics are nothing special; some side quests are cumbersome.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the "friendly mode" for eliminating tedious grinding, allowing them to focus on the story without the usual farming requirements. However, some find the gameplay can feel repetitive due to time manipulation and enemy management, and the overall experience may feel shorter due to reduced experience points and a lack of guidance for exploration.
“Gameplay - the gameplay is okay, but somewhat tedious due to the frequent time skipping and needing to manipulate enemies on the map for maximum damage dealing.”
“Exp was also cut, so more grinding.”
“For those of you just wanting to experience the story, friendly mode is a godsend that cuts out all the tedious grinding.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is heightened by a masterful orchestral score that intensifies both the tension during boss battles and the poignancy of key moments. Additionally, the engaging time-travel mechanic and politically charged narrative contribute to a compelling emotional experience that captivates players throughout.
“The grand orchestral numbers keep you on the edge of your seat as you face down the various bosses along the way, and touching moments are made all the more impactful in tandem with the masterful score.”
“[The involving time-travel mechanic is mentally and emotionally engaging, and the politically loaded story holds your attention from beginning to end. The enhancements exclusive to this 3DS version are worthwhile additions.]”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in "Radiant Historia" is praised for its depth and uniqueness, intertwining personal growth with a compelling narrative that explores themes of political corruption and social commentary. The game's ability to address complex issues while maintaining a classic good vs. evil storyline sets it apart from other RPGs, making it a standout in character-driven storytelling.
“Radiant Historia was an unbelievable masterpiece, and I believe it is perhaps the greatest RPG ever developed. Both in terms of its built-in time traveling mechanisms and its incredible story, the character development is one of a kind. It touches on social commentary about our world in a way that virtually no other game has, especially in revealing the political corruption behind war, with the masterminds shrouded in secrecy, pulling all the strings.”
“My dislike of the newer art sometimes extends to the updated character designs.”
“Radiant Historia was an unbelievable masterpiece, and I believe it is perhaps the greatest RPG ever developed. While the story is thematically typical (good vs. evil / saving the world), the character development is one of a kind. It touches on social commentary about our world in a way that virtually no other game has, especially in revealing the political corruption behind war, with the masterminds shrouded in secrecy, pulling all the strings.”
Critic Reviews
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology Review – Time to Make History
The passage of time has done nothing to diminish the beauty of this fantastic RPG.
90%Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology (3DS) Review
If you miss this the second time around, make sure to go back and go through the timeline where you play this game.
90%Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology Review
Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is a top-shelf JRPG, with an engaging time-travel hook, brilliantly fun, puzzle-like combat, and a genuinely likeable cast of characters. While it’s far from the first adventure to draw on parallel timelines, it smartly integrates its world-hopping into both gameplay and narrative, and the result is a unique, beautifully-paced experience that’s a joy to play. This 3DS release doesn’t feel drastically different from the DS original, but the new additions - especially a third ‘what-if’ timeline - make excellent replay incentive. Whether it’s your first trip through time or you’re reliving a prior playthrough, Radiant Historia is well worth a wind of the watch, and another stellar addition to the 3DS’ RPG collection.
90%