Review
Review | Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (PC)
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a game that successfully recreates the experience of a classic JRPG while incorporating modern aspects.
Raise the Flag of Resistance
2024 has been a good year for traditional JRPG fans. We have seen the return of some beloved classics while new titles have entered the scene. All of them demonstrate that gamers regardless of generation enjoy a good adventure. One such title that has surprised me is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes began as a successful Kickstarter project spearheaded by Yoshitaka Murayama, the visionary behind the Suikoden series. While his legacy alone drew significant support, the final product proves he still knows how to craft a masterpiece. At the same time, his team has leveraged lessons learned over the past 20 years to create an unforgettable odyssey.
Although I’m a JRPG fan, I have never experienced the Suikoden games. For this reason, I won’t be drawing comparisons between them and Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Instead, my critique will focus on how this game measures up against other similar JRPGs.
Know Thy Enemy
Allraan is a world made up of different nations whose existence is being threatened by the Galdean Empire. In their pursuit of an artifact that could amplify rune-lenses technology, the Empire is threatening the peace of the world. Players take on the role of Nowa, a young adventurer who joins the resistance against the Galdean Empire. Players must set out on a journey, recruit different characters, and build up their party to stop the Empire from harnessing advanced technology that could threaten the world.
From a narrative perspective, the plot has a balance between the standard tropes and enough elements to be its own story. On the surface, it’s a by-the-books story experienced in most JRPGs. What makes it unique is how the world is defined along with the many characters that populate it. Besides the adventure party, you will meet a variety of people who will help you along the way or add to the lore of the game. Adding to its charm are the self-aware references and meta jokes that take jabs at the genre tropes.
Skilled in War
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a game that takes the best of aspects of the PlayStation 2 era JRPGs while incorporating modern mechanics and features.
The gameplay mechanics are the standard ones seen in most JRPGs. Players will lead their party of up to six characters to explore numerous worlds while battling a variety of foes. During the journey, you will earn XP while also finding loot that will enhance your party. At the same time, you will need to solve puzzles to overcome an obstacle and battle bosses. Combat follows a standard turn-based setup where you select your character’s attack and target before engaging. The action and results are also tied to the player’s weapon, skills, and stamina. This makes every decision impactful.
The world itself is massive yet perfectly proportioned. It offers abundant opportunities for exploration and discovery. Simultaneously, traversing it to level up or uncover its hidden wonders is easily achievable. Each world possesses its own distinctive theme, concealed secrets, and unparalleled challenges. The dungeons are also no different as they are rich in wonder and danger.
A Place for Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is one of those games that knows its player base all too well. This JRPG title is developed for fans not only of the genre but also for those who enjoy the classics. Particularly those from the SNES, PS1, and PS2 eras. At the same time, it has been designed to be welcoming to gamers who are not familiar with classic JRPGs.
Players will immediately be captivated by the stunning 2.5D visuals blending modern and classic styles. The world and background settings are intricately designed, offering a crisp and immersive experience. Character designs retain a 2D aesthetic while also being highly detailed. Music also plays a pivotal role in establishing its tone and setting. The soundtrack expertly sets the emotional atmosphere, aligning with each scene to heighten the impact of key moments.
I must also commend the game for breaking from several frustrating genre tropes. Most notably, the game wastes no time opening up its gameplay or diving into the action. Players hit the ground running immediately, with every key gameplay element introduced within the first 20 minutes. If you’ve read my reviews, you know how much I dislike games that drag their feet getting started.
Hero of Destruction
My main complaint about Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the excessive frequency of random encounters in dungeons and the overworld. Calling them frequent would be an understatement, as even short trips between nearby settlements often involve at least four encounters. This turns quick journeys into unnecessarily prolonged ones. Additionally, there’s no indicator to warn of upcoming enemy parties or monsters, making these encounters even more frustrating.
However; this is just my personal annoyance than a real issue since it can easily be overlooked. Also, I don’t think many will be bothered by this.
Hero of the People
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is one of those games that aims to capture the essence of a classic JRPG while integrating modern features. It succeeds by offering a familiar adventure with a narrative that strikes a balance between traditional fantasy tropes and original story elements. The gameplay follows a classic JRPG formula, enhanced with quality-of-life features that make it accessible to newcomers. Additionally, the stunning visual design blends classic and modern aesthetics, creating a visually striking experience.
Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.
This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (PC)
10
Pros
- Narrative balances between the standard fantasy adventure and having enough elements to be original.
- Familiar JRPG mechanics that are also welcoming for those new to the genre.
- It has all the hallmarks of a classic JRPG along with quality-of-life elements.
- Stunning visual design aesthetics that is a balance of classic and modern.
Cons
- Excessive frequency of random encounters in dungeons and the world.
Stan Rezaee
Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
