Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review
Release date: April 21, 2024
Series: Eiyuden Chronicle
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, MORE
Designers: Yoshitaka Murayama, Junko Kawano
Mode: Single-player video game
Composers: Motoi Sakuraba, Michiko Naruke
“Review Copy Provided By 505 Games and GreenMan Gaming”
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To frame this review accurately, it's essential to disclose my deep affinity for the Suikoden series, which significantly colors my expectations and experiences with Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Having engaged with nearly all the Suikoden titles—except for the PSP-exclusive Suikoden game available only in Japan—I have a profound appreciation for the series, especially for landmark entries like Suikoden II and V. Given this context, Eiyuden Chronicle’s Kickstarter origins and its thematic and mechanical aspirations inherently resonated with me as they seemingly target the nostalgic core of Suikoden enthusiasts.
Approaching Eiyuden Chronicle, I harbored concerns that it might merely replicate Suikoden in a superficial, uninspired manner, particularly given the limited budget typical of many Kickstarter projects. Rabbit & Bear Studios, though a fledgling developer, embarked on this venture amid a landscape where many crowdfunded games fail to deliver on their promises. Compounding these concerns were early promotional materials which spotlighted a central conflict between characters Nowa and Seign, prompting fears of a narrative rehashing Suikoden II's well-trodden paths.
Despite these initial reservations, Eiyuden Chronicle establishes its own identity fairly early in the game. While it retains clear influences from Suikoden—observable in combat systems and other gameplay mechanics—it manages to diverge in its narrative and character dynamics. The game unfurls as a robust JRPG adventure, with a potential playtime extending to 50 hours if one delves into all aspects of character recruitment, base building, and its array of minigames. It’s an experience that feels simultaneously retro and contemporary, blending traditional JRPG elements with modern design sensibilities.
The setting of Eiyuden Chronicle is a world divided between the Galdean Empire and a coalition known as the League of Nations. The storyline commences with protagonist Nowa joining a group of mercenaries tasked with uncovering the secrets of the Primal Lens, a powerful artifact coveted for its immense energy. This mission sets off a series of events that eventually see Nowa leading a burgeoning resistance movement.
A hallmark of both Eiyuden Chronicle and its spiritual predecessors is the extensive character recruitment system. With over 100 potential allies, of which around 70 can participate in combat, the game offers a sprawling cast for players to explore. The combat itself is a traditional turn-based system, where players arrange teams of six across two rows. The vast array of characters, each with unique abilities and tactical advantages, introduces a rich layer of strategy, although it occasionally comes at the cost of character depth, with many characters feeling underdeveloped beyond their functional role in battle.
The game also incorporates a Rune Lens system, reminiscent of Suikoden’s rune mechanics, allowing for detailed customization of characters’ abilities and stats. This system enriches the strategic depth of forming combat teams, though the game’s difficulty on normal settings often leans towards the easier side, with more challenging modes available but locked from the start.
Town building is another feature borrowed from Suikoden, enabling players to develop their headquarters as they recruit more characters. This mechanic unlocks new functionalities, shops, and minigames, contributing to the game’s depth. However, this aspect can sometimes feel more like a mandatory expansion task rather than an integral part of the game’s narrative or strategic components.
The variety of minigames in Eiyuden Chronicle, which include activities like racing and cooking competitions, adds to the game's diversity but lacks significant depth, often resembling simple, brief distractions rather than fully fleshed-out components. The game's control scheme, particularly on PC, is cumbersome and non-intuitive without the option for key rebinding, presenting an unnecessary barrier to accessibility and enjoyment.
As the narrative progresses, the game’s strengths in visual and auditory presentation become increasingly evident. The art style, featuring vibrant sprites and animations, evokes a strong sense of nostalgia while maintaining a fresh aesthetic appeal. The soundtrack, composed by notable figures like Motoi Sakuraba and Michiko Naruke, enhances the atmospheric depth of the game. Voice acting varies, with a mix of strong and weaker performances, but the overall auditory experience supports the game's expansive narrative.
Despite its rich storytelling and engaging mechanics, Eiyuden Chronicle sometimes struggles to deliver the emotional impact of its Suikoden predecessors, with some plot elements feeling scattered or secondary to gameplay mechanics. Additionally, the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch is notably poor, with significant frame rate issues and lengthy loading times that detract from the gameplay experience.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes offers a substantial and heartfelt homage to the Suikoden series, crafted with both reverence and innovative ambition. While it excels in many areas, including presentation and gameplay depth, it also faces shortcomings in performance and narrative cohesion. For fans of JRPGs and particularly for those with a penchant for Suikoden, Eiyuden Chronicle remains a commendable endeavor, albeit one that might benefit from waiting for potential improvements in post-launch updates if you intend to buy it on the Nintendo Switch.
