A Hundred Heroes Rise: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, a spiritual successor to the beloved Suikoden series, has finally arrived. This turn-based RPG, funded by a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, promises a sprawling narrative, a massive cast of recruitable heroes, and a focus on building a thriving community. But does it deliver on its ambitious vision? This comprehensive review delves into the world of Eiyuden Chronicle, dissecting its story, combat, characters, world-building, and more, to help you decide if it’s a worthy addition to your RPG library.

A Legacy of a Hundred Stars: Story and Setting

Eiyuden Chronicle takes place on the continent of Allraan, a land fractured by war between the oppressive Galdean Empire and various resistance factions. Players take control of Seign Kesling and Nowa, a couple caught in the conflict. As they embark on a journey to rebuild their shattered lives and uncover the secrets of their past, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and stories to tell.

The narrative in Eiyuden Chronicle is a slow burn. While the core story involving Seign and Nowa holds intrigue, it takes time to fully develop. However, the game shines in its world-building. Allraan is a richly detailed continent filled with diverse regions, each with its own culture and history. The game excels at capturing the nuances of war, showcasing the struggles of both the resistance and the empire.

Building a Legacy: The Hundred Heroes System

One of Eiyuden Chronicle’s defining features is its “Hundred Heroes” system. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter a staggering number of potential recruits, each with unique personalities, skills, and backstories. Building your party allows for a high degree of customization, enabling you to assemble a team that reflects your preferred playstyle.

Recruiting heroes involves a variety of methods, from completing quests to simply conversing with them in your growing town. The town-building aspect, reminiscent of Suikoden, allows you to establish shops, workshops, and other facilities that not only enhance your characters’ abilities but also breathe life into your community. Witnessing your town flourish alongside your growing party adds a layer of satisfaction to the experience.

Tactical Triumphs and Turn-Based Battles

Combat in Eiyuden Chronicle is a turn-based affair. While familiar to veterans of the genre, the system incorporates some interesting twists. Each character has a unique set of skills and abilities, and positioning plays a crucial role in maximizing your team’s effectiveness. The battlefield itself is divided into a grid, adding a layer of strategic depth as you maneuver your characters to exploit enemy weaknesses and flank them for devastating attacks.

While the combat system offers strategic depth, the encounter rate can feel excessive at times, leading to repetitive battles. Additionally, some might find the animation sequences a bit slow, impacting the overall pace of combat.

A Symphony of a Hundred Voices: Characters and Voice Acting

Eiyuden Chronicle boasts a truly expansive cast of characters. While not every hero receives in-depth development, the sheer variety ensures you’ll find some who resonate with you. The voice acting adds a layer of depth to these characters, bringing their personalities and motivations to life. The soundtrack is another highlight, with sweeping orchestral pieces that perfectly complement the game’s grand narrative.

A Legacy Forged: A Verdict on Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a love letter to the golden age of JRPGs. It captures the essence of what made classics like Suikoden so beloved, offering a sprawling narrative, a massive cast of characters, and a deep town-building system. The turn-based combat, while strategically engaging, can feel repetitive at times due to the high encounter rate. Ultimately, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a solid RPG experience that will particularly appeal to fans of classic JRPGs who yearn for a return to form.

However, if you crave fast-paced action or a tightly focused narrative, this might not be the game for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

• Is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes a sequel to Suikoden? (continued) Eiyuden Chronicle is heavily inspired by the Suikoden series and shares many similarities in its gameplay and themes. It’s considered a spiritual successor.

• Do I need to play the prequel, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, to understand Hundred Heroes? The stories of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes and its prequel, Rising, are separate. However, there might be some minor references or returning characters. You don’t necessarily need to play Rising to enjoy Hundred Heroes.

• Is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes difficult to get into? The game’s slow-burning narrative and high encounter rate might feel daunting for newcomers to the JRPG genre. However, the turn-based combat system is accessible, and the world-building and character interactions can be quite engaging.

• How long does it take to beat Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes? The length of your playthrough can vary depending on how much time you spend exploring the world, recruiting characters, and completing side quests. A typical playthrough can range from 40 to 60 hours.

• Is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes available on PC? Currently, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is only available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A PC version might be released in the future, but there’s no official confirmation yet.

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