Games Happy

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes didn’t must exist. No person in a board room greenlit the sport so as to fill a slot on a fiscal calendar. No established studio had the means or justification to influence a writer to fund it. Earlier than Eiyuden’s announcement in 2020, Konami had proven no curiosity (or presumably functionality) in reviving the long-dormant Suikoden collection. Hundred Heroes solely manifested as a result of veteran Suikoden creators from years previous needed to create this classically-styled RPG, and lapsed followers needed to play it, resulting in one of the vital profitable Kickstarter campaigns ever for a online game.

Let me state my biases right here, first. It is primarily unattainable to debate Eiyuden Chronicle with out mentioning its roots in Suikoden, and I’ve performed each Suikoden title, save for the Japanese-only Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki on PSP. I like the collection dearly, particularly Suikoden II and Suikoden V, though I’ve delicate spots for every entry, together with Suikoden Techniques and Suikoden Tierkreis. So, the entire idea surrounding Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes and its Kickstarter is kind of tailored for me and folks like me. And thus, that is the angle of this evaluation.

My main concern for Eiyuden Chronicle, going into it, was that it would really feel like a half-baked unwhelming rehash of Suikoden, whereas additionally presumably stretching out a modest growth finances that would not be capable to obtain its ambition. Rabbit & Bear Studios was newly established to create this sport, and thus had no pedigree to talk of as a developer. We have additionally all seen some Kickstarter tasks stumble severely, regardless of reaching crowdfunding objectives. Not solely that, a few of the early trailers for Eiyuden targeted on a war-torn relationship between essential characters Nowa and Seign, and I do not blame some individuals for asking themselves “Is that this simply Suikoden II once more?”.

Suikoden II is among the most beloved RPGs on the unique PlayStation, and I feared that Eiyuden would possibly lean slightly too far in that course in its try and recapture that affection. However fortunately, whereas there’s a superficial resemblance, the narrative and character dynamics do swerve from these similarities comparatively early on. Do not get me mistaken, nonetheless. There are quite a few locations wherein Eiyuden Chronicle is undoubtedly Suikoden, particularly in its fight stylings and different sport mechanics.

Eiyuden can be far more fully-fledged than I used to be anticipating. It is a prolonged journey, with a full playthrough presumably reaching 50 hours for those who exit of your means in recruiting characters, constructing your base, or messing round within the sport’s quite a few minigames. This can be a full-fat JRPG, one which feels prefer it time-shifted to the current from a long time in the past, not less than in some methods, though there are some extra trendy components of designs and comfort right here.

The world of Eiyuden Chronicle is essentially separated into two nations: the Galdean Empire and the loosely-unified League of Nations. On the onset of the sport, Nowa joins a bunch of mercenary-slash-fixer-uppers as they embark on a cooperative mission between the League and Empire to research the situation of a Primal Lens – a fabric possessing magnificent pure energy. As you may think, although, tensions begin to flare, ambitions manifest, and Nowa finds himself the top of a newly fashioned resistance alliance earlier than too lengthy.

In contrast to many JRPGs which may deal with a core solid of 5-10 characters that stick collectively all through the course of an journey, a core part of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (like Suikoden earlier than it) is in search of out the quite a few allies to both be a part of your new alliance or to take part in battle. True to its subtitle, there are greater than 100 characters that Nowa can recruit, and roughly 70 of those characters can be utilized in fight.

Those that have performed Suikoden or Suikoden II will acknowledge the fight system. You dispatch a group of six fighters in two rows of three, and battles stick with it in a round-based affair. With so many characters obtainable to take part in battle, there may be a wide range of skills and battle gimmicks obtainable to construct your fight group.

Fortunately, the sport is designed in such a means that characters which can be a a lot decrease stage than your foes will achieve EXP at an exponentially larger fee, that means it’s virtually painless to catch up any character to be succesful in fight. The sport encourages gamers to check out completely different character mixtures, and contemplating the sheer variety of characters obtainable, switching out your combatants is one thing you will possible be doing frequently.

There may be additionally a Rune Lens system much like Suikoden, which establishes the skills and properties that every character reveals. Some rune-lenses are inherent to a personality. The swordswoman Mio, for instance, has a capability Iaido Strike that offers Slash injury and has an opportunity of an immediate kill. Nevertheless, different Rune Lens slots may be unlocked and crammed with numerous sorts of Lens, permitting for slightly little bit of flexibility in social gathering creation and tinkering. I gave the martial artist Lian a Lens that will increase her assault energy on the expense of her protection, making her a powerful glass cannon attacker. You too can regulate the kind of magic that mage characters can use, too.

For RPG gamers who wish to coordinate battle events, experiment with completely different battle rosters, and theorycraft completely different rune-character mixtures, this can be the place you benefit from the sport most. Nevertheless, Eiyuden Chronicle will not be a difficult sport, and on its regular problem stage, it is truly pretty simple to turn out to be overpowered. There’s a Arduous Mode obtainable, in addition to numerous problem limiters comparable to double MP/SP price or restrictions on merchandise utilization in battle, however these have to be opt-into in the beginning of the sport moderately than one thing that may be toggled.

Going hand-in-hand with the character recruitment is the town-building facet, which as soon as once more, Suikoden followers will already be accustomed to. By recruiting new characters, you’ll unlock new features at your self-named ever-growing city citadel. As you progress by way of the sport, you will unlock new retailers, new minigames, and new gameplay elements. For instance, some city upgrades will can help you carry extra objects in your bag, or you’ll be able to achieve entry to a kind of problem trial room which you should use to energy up your characters whereas gaining cash and objects. There is a material-collection part to constructing your city, nevertheless it’s comparatively fundamental in implementation.

There are additionally simulation-like struggle battles and one-on-one duels — each additionally common constituents of Suikoden titles — however these are extra like interactive scripted occasions than core gameplay elements.

Eiyuden Chronicle is a sport I loved extra the additional I obtained into it. The opening hours are considerably boilerplate and extra slowly paced as world dynamics start to be established and the character solid is launched. Even main mechanical elements of the sport, such because the town-building operate, take a number of hours to achieve. Suikoden followers is perhaps used to this, particularly those that have performed Suikoden III or Suikoden V. However as soon as the world opens up slightly, when you get entry to fast-travel, and as soon as the narrative begins to get rolling, I discovered myself increasingly more invested.

From a presentation standpoint, Eiyuden is the whole lot I hoped it might be. Spritework has turn out to be extra uncommon within the trendy age, normally relegated to indie RPGs or Sq. Enix’s HD-2D catalog. As a lot as I do respect the HD-2D model, I am glad Eiyuden went for one thing that feels a bit extra like basic Suikoden, with taller sprites and a bigger number of sprite types.

The colourful sprites and animations are each glorious and nostalgic; I like seeing how Mio’s hair cascades within the wind of battle as she grasps her katana from her scabbard. The ever-cool Yusuke — who by no means takes his fingers out his pockets — stands in fight, chin up, together with his headband and coat flowing behind him. Lian has a slight bounce to her battle-ready stance as if she’s all the time able to strike or dodge. The sport makes use of a mixture of 2D sprites in three-dimensional backgrounds, in addition to some 3D boss encounters, and the combination of types is exceptionally properly completed. The world map is a little more barren than cities or explorable areas, however that additionally makes the sport really feel extra basic, in a means.

The musical rating is great, too, primarily composed by JRPG stalwart composer Motoi Sakuraba, in addition to contributions from Wild Arms veteran Michiko Naruke, Personally, Naruke’s work on the Wild Arms collection is a few of my favourite within the style, and with the ability to hear a few of her music once more after functionally a decade is heartwarming.

The voice performing is a little bit of a mixture, extra good than dangerous (with Erin Yvette’s portrayal as Perrielle a private favourite), however with actually greater than 100 voice characters, it was in all probability inevitable that there can be some actual stinkers in there. That stated, I used to be stunned at merely how a lot dialogue there may be within the sport, and nearly all of it’s voiced exterior of some anonymous NPC chatter. There are even quite a few distinctive voice clips that happen in battle or numerous minigames just like the city theater.

Very similar to how I felt with the companion sport in Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, Hundred Heroes’ English textual content can be fairly properly completed, with a handful of veteran RPG translators credited. I very hardly ever felt {that a} line got here throughout as stilted or unnatural (which is one thing you can’t say about some Suikoden titles). That is one other part I feared would possibly find yourself missing coming from a brand new studio and writer that hasn’t launched many Japanese video games, however I really feel this can be a sturdy displaying on this regard.

So far as writing and storytelling go, the one place I discover Hundred Heroes considerably missing is in emotional affect. Suikoden has a handful of memorable, poignant scenes that come to thoughts all through the collection. ‘Ready for Jowy’ in Suikoden II, Yun’s sacrifice in Suikoden III, the duel with Miakis in Suikoden V; these moments and so many others have caught with me for years. There have been sure portrayals of private character relationships that carried these tales, the place I felt that a lot of Eiyuden’s narrative is a little more plain as compared, regardless of good dialogue and plausible writing in any other case. An excellent proportion of Eiyuden’s narrative itself are basically diversions from the plot (though Suikoden does this at instances), normally with Nowa in search of out allies to affix his rising military. I do not wish to overstate a way of dissatisfaction – it is charming and likeable, nonetheless, however I can not make certain what story moments would possibly keep on with me down the street.

There may be actually a litany of different small complaints I’ve. I want the default run velocity was sooner than it’s, not requiring an in-game merchandise to realize an ample motion tempo. I want the English voice-acting was slightly higher total. I want the auto-mode in battle was slightly sooner. I want Arduous Mode was one thing I may toggle at will moderately than must opt-into completely. I want the menu navigation was slightly bit snappier. I believe a few of the mini-game unlocks are slightly overdone, particularly contemplating how fundamental the minigames themselves are inclined to me. The pre-release construct I performed was a bit buggy in locations. However these are minor blemishes greater than main flaws in design.

I can not overstate how glad I’m that Eiyuden Chronicle exists, and I like its glorious presentation & nostalgic appeal. Not the whole lot landed for me in addition to I hoped it might, however there’s room to develop, and I really hope Rabbit & Bear Studios will get the chance to proceed with these characters on this world. 

8