Chained Echoes Reviews
Chained Echoes is a JRPG that captivates thanks to a centered and smooth narrative. The story told, classic but nonetheless engaging, impresses especially because of its protagonists. If nothing else, it is amazing how one person managed to come up with such a work, succeeding in the complex attempt to get to the goal and surprise. A unique way to bring nostalgics and newcomers alike closer to a genre that is always fascinating.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Regardless of the criticisms I have with Chained Echoes, the fact that it was created is astounding and it is clear that the developer has a ton of love for RPGs and why they are so special. The game is unapologetically dense, making a perfect title for those that put in the extra time it takes to learn its world. This is a full-sized adventure in a classic style, making it an easy-to-recommend game for fans of the genre.
"JRPG with German precision.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Even if inspired by classic franchises, Chained Echoes delivers what it proposes and even more: I'd dare say future games will be inspired by it. That's the case because its story and soundtrack wipe the floor with [what] many renowned games [have to offer], not to mention its multiple combat styles. The Overdrive and Overheat gauges are a smart choice to make battles dynamic and fun. Extra content also helps, being inserted in the right measure. Actually, is there anything in Chained Echoes that isn't perfect?
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Chained Echoes is simply one of the best games of the genre, worthy to be remembered like the others iconic classics.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I’ve played a lot of retro-inspired games this year, and Chained Echoes easily stands out as one of the best – and it’s not even particularly close. With gorgeous artwork, addicting mechanics, and a world that blends steampunk with high fantasy seamlessly, Chained Echoes is a loving homage to old-school RPGs while still managing to proudly blaze its own path. If you’re looking for a challenging (but not punishing) RPG with an engaging story, enjoyable characters, and mechanics that will keep you coming back for hours at a time, Chained Echoes is an absolute must.
Don't look at Chained Echoes as a throwback to the 16-bit JRPGs of yesteryear, just look at it as an amazing game with an engaging battle system and wonderfully paced story. You can also look at it as one of the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022.
A product of a 7 years of hard work, Chained Echoes is a very, VERY successful debut game for a game made by a single person. I recommend it not only to JRPG fans, but to anyone who is interested. Who knows, maybe your entry into the JRPG genre will be Chained Echoes.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Chained Echoes isn't a perfect old-school RPG but it sure as heck is top-tier. I imagine that if it released on PS1 back in the mid-'90s, it would have either been a huge hit or gradually garnered a massive cult following and how many games can you say that about?
No matter how you look at Chained Echoes, it's undeniable that this is a project whose mere existence impresses. Developed by a single person, it is an exceptional game in everything it proposes to do, from its story to the graphics, passing through the engaging combat and rich universe. It's a must-have game for all RPG fans around the world.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Chained Echoes is a must-play for fans of classic SNES, PS1, and PS2 RPGs.
Chained Echoes is a title that knows how to honour the past, celebrate the present and embrace the future through a development inspired by the great tradition of the JRPG genre.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The best sequel to Chrono Trigger there's never been, with a pseudo-Japanese role-player that maintains a delicate balance between retro homage and modern indie game.
Valendis is a beautifully pixelated world with a rich history in this story-driven RPG. The initial introductions drag on a bit long, but once the story picks up it pays off in the end. Chained Echoes manages to introduce useful mechanics to its combat with the Overdrive system that work with the player while challenging them to change up their gameplay and strategy at the same time while still affording plenty of room for customization and accessibility.
Fans of SNES-era games (and especially JRPGs) will certainly love Chained Echoes, but there are plenty of quality-of-life improvements (like being able to save at pretty much any time) that keep the game feeling new and distinctly 21st-century. For all the aesthetics of games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 6, Chained Echoes doesn't feel like a '90s game (a trap that many retro-leaning indies fall into). Chained Echoes is a fresh, smart adventure that celebrates classic JRPGs while not being afraid to push into new directions. It's sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking - and always fun. It's a must-play.
Chained Echoes builds on what makes older JRPGs great to feel familiar and new at the same time.
There are so many “retro homage” JRPGs these days that I tend to approach them with caution. Even when they’re made well, they rarely live up to the standards of the games that inspired them. Chained Echoes not only meets that standard but, were this released back on the SNES when Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI were flying high, people would have considered them comparable. It’s more than a homage. It’s a genuine and powerful contribution to the genre.
A love letter to console RPGs that left a mark on the life of many players in the past, Chained Echoes succeeds in delivering an adventure worthy of the titles it pays homage to, and it can already be considered a modern classic. The charismatic characters, excellent soundtrack and enticing plot from the very start will definitely please fans of the genre looking for something new that smartly reminds them of the past. Thus, for all intents and purposes, do not let yourself be deceived: though it may seem small, this is one of the big titles of 2022.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Chained Echoes is a great throwback to the old JRPGs of the SNES era, and for those who loved those sorts of games, this one is definitely worth your time. This game is also for those who are not looking for a nostalgia trip though. This comes from someone who does not ordinarily enjoy JRPGs, but Chained Echoes is chockful of content, systems, and loads of great characters and complex mechanics. You’ll probably love it if you do or don’t love those old-school JRPG classics.
Chained Echoes is a wonderful mash-up of '90s JRPG tropes, masterfully woven together to produce an experience that feels simultaneously nostalgic and fresh. A well-paced story, unconventional progression system, tactical combat system, and expansive world all come together to make for a game that is shockingly one of the very best RPGs that we've played this year. Really, there's no place where it feels like Chained Echoes drops the ball, which is all the more impressive when you consider that the vast majority of it was put together by one person. If you consider yourself a fan of JRPGs, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up as soon as possible. Even if you aren't a fan of the genre, we'd still encourage you to snap this one up; it stands as a shining example of everything that makes RPGs great.