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Chained Echoes

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Chained Echoes
Developer(s)Matthias Linda
Publisher(s)Deck13 Spotlight
Composer(s)Eddie Marianukroh
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseDecember 8, 2022
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Chained Echoesis a 2022role-playing video gamecreated by Matthias Linda and published byDeck13 SpotlightforLinux,macOS,Windows,Nintendo Switch,PlayStation 4,PlayStation 5,Xbox OneandXbox Series X/S.The game is inspired by classic Japanese role-playing games from the 1990s, featuring turn-based combat, 16-bit-style visuals, and a multi-character narrative. Linda was influenced by games such asXenogears,Terranigma,Secret of Mana,Suikoden 2,Breath of Fire,The Legend of DragoonandFinal Fantasy VI.The game has been praised by several reviewers as living up to the quality of its inspiration while offering modern advancements.

Gameplay

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Chained Echoesis a role-playing video game featuringpixel artvisuals inspired by the16-bit eraand turn-based combat.[2]Unlike most older role-playing games that featurerandom encounters,enemies are visible on the map and trigger encounters on the same screen, similar toChrono Trigger.[2]Battles are turn-based, and each character in the player's party has a standard attack, several special abilities, items, and a defensive stance.[3]In combat, party members use attacks and abilities that raise the "overdrive" meter, which reaches an optimal green zone where abilities are more effective.[2]However, the overdrive meter can overheat, and the party must discharge some of the excess by using specific abilities, such as defenses and "Ultra Moves".[3]

Chained Echoesis set on the continent of Valandis during the time of a multi-generational war between three kingdoms.[3]Unlike other role-playing games, characters inChained Echoesdo not level-up, instead leveling up skills automatically through battle, with added skill point rewards.[3]The player controls a party of up to 8 characters.[4]The game's estimated length is up to 30 or 40 hours.[2][5]

Plot

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Development

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The game was made by the German developer Matthias Linda, who grew up makingfan gameswithRPG Maker.His favorite games includedXenogears,Terranigma,Secret of Mana,Suikoden 2,Breath of Fire,The Legend of DragoonandFinal Fantasy VI,all of which influenced his development ofChained Echoes.He was mindful not to copy them, instead trying to capture his experience of playing them, which he remembers as "in my head, all these games look and play better than they actually did."[2]

The game's development nearly took 7 years, beginning in 2016 after a year of considering the story concept. The game had a successfulKickstartercampaign in 2019.[2]The game was published byDeck13.[4]

The music was developed over 4 years by Eddie Marianukroh and includes 50 tracks at 2 hours in length.[6]

Reception

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The PC and Switch versions ofChained Echoeshave received "universal acclaim",[7][8]while the PlayStation 4 version has received "generally favorable" reviews onMetacritic.[9]

Rock Paper Shotgunsaid that "Chained Echoeshas taken all the right lessons from its 16-bit inspirations... [feeling] modern and nostalgic at the same time ".[2]Siliconerapraised the game because "[t]he 16-bit art feels right for the style of the game, everyone in the large cast of characters feels distinct, the story is engaging, and the battle system feels familiar and unique at the same time."[3]Nintendo Lifecalled it one of the best role-playing games of the year and "a wonderful mash-up of '90s JRPG tropes, masterfully woven together to produce an experience that feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh".[13]Windows Centralspoke positively about the combat system and story, saying that "for those players with ingrained nostalgia for classicSNESJRPGs,Chained Echoesis an absolute must have title ".[4]Digitally Downloadedsaid that the game would reach the quality of the best classic Japanese role-playing games since "Chained Echoesnot only meets that standard, but if it was released back on the SNES whenFinal Fantasy IV,V,andVIwere flying high, people would have considered them comparable. "[5]Screen Rantcalled the game "a must-play", because it is "a fresh, smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while not being afraid to push into new directions".[16]

References

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  1. ^Saver, Michael (2022-12-27)."Made with Unity: 2022 in review".Unity Technologies.Retrieved2023-07-31.
  2. ^abcdefgCastle, Katharine (2022-11-28)."Retro JRPG Chained Echoes has all the makings of a modern classic".Rock, Paper, Shotgun.Retrieved2022-12-22.
  3. ^abcdeHaffen, Adam (2022-12-19)."Review: Chained Echoes is a Love Letter to Classic JRPGs".Siliconera.Retrieved2022-12-22.
  4. ^abcMartin, Cole (2022-12-20)."Chained Echoes Xbox Review: A must-play 16-bit JRPG journey for a new generation".Windows Central.Retrieved2022-12-22.
  5. ^abS., Matt (16 December 2022)."Review: Chained Echoes (Nintendo Switch)".Digitally Downloaded.
  6. ^"Chained Echoes (Original Game Soundtrack), by Eddie Marianukroh".Eddie Marianukroh.Retrieved2023-12-24.
  7. ^ab"Chained Echoes for PC Reviews".Metacritic.Retrieved2022-12-28.
  8. ^ab"Chained Echoes for Switch Reviews".Metacritic.Retrieved2022-12-28.
  9. ^ab"Chained Echoes for PlayStation 4 Reviews".Metacritic.Retrieved2022-12-28.
  10. ^"Chained Echoes for Xbox Series X Reviews".Metacritic.Retrieved2023-01-23.
  11. ^Miller, Matt (2023-01-25)."Chained Echoes Review".Game Informer.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-02-13.Retrieved2023-02-17.
  12. ^Lloret, Alberto (2022-12-07)."Análisis de Chained Echoes, un RPG que mira de tú a tú a los clásicos y leyendas de los 16 bits".HobbyConsolas(in Spanish).Retrieved2022-12-28.
  13. ^abVogel, Mitch (2022-12-15)."Review: Chained Echoes - One Of The Very Best RPGs Of The Year".Nintendo Life.Retrieved2022-12-28.
  14. ^Tekaia, Pascal (2023-01-27)."Chained Echoes Review".RPGamer.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-02-05.Retrieved2023-02-17.
  15. ^Argyros, Caitlin (2022-12-24)."Chained Echoes".RPGFan.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-12-26.Retrieved2023-02-17.
  16. ^abKing, Austin (2022-12-19)."Chained Echoes Review - What's Old Is New Again".Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-01-19.Retrieved2023-02-17.
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