Chained Echoes

 Switch
Chained Echoes Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

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  • Summary: Take up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit SNES style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits. Follow a group of heroes as they explore a land filled to the brim with charming characters, fantasticTake up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit SNES style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits. Follow a group of heroes as they explore a land filled to the brim with charming characters, fantastic landscapes and vicious foes.

    Can you bring peace to a continent where war has been waged for generations and betrayal lurks around every corner?

    Chained Echoes is a story-driven game where a group of heroes travel around the vast continent of Valandis to bring an end to the war between its three kingdoms. In the course of their journey, they will travel through a wide array of diverse landscapes spanning from wind-tanned plateaus and exotic archipelagos to sunken cities and forgotten dungeons.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Gaming Age
    Jan 10, 2023
    100
    If I had more time to play through Chained Echoes before the holidays hit, it most definitely would have made my top 10 list for the year of 2022. It’s every bit as stellar as you’ve likely heard so far, and something that is certainly worth checking out regardless of your platform preference. I’ve found it to be a perfect Switch experience, but I’d imagine that it runs extremely well on any console you might choose, and right now it’s freely available to play on Xbox via Game Pass. So definitely check out Chained Echoes, you will not be disappointed.
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Dec 20, 2022
    100
    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.
  3. TouchArcade
    Jan 4, 2023
    100
    Chained Echoes really surprised me with its quality. I feel like I have a good sense of what to expect from these indie JRPG-style games that throw back to the 1990s, both their lows and highs. Chained Echoes blew past the upper end of those expectations, and is among the very best RPGs I played in 2022. If you like the genre at all, give it a shot. Between its fascinating world, enjoyable characters, unique and entertaining mechanics, and excellent presentation, this one is a winner from top to bottom.
  4. Nintendo Life
    Dec 15, 2022
    90
    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.
  5. Hey Poor Player
    Jan 13, 2023
    90
    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.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 9, 2023
    90
    Chained Echoes is one of the best RPGs we have played in a long time: charming, colorful and wisely designed, it's a love letter to fans of the genre.
  7. GamingTrend
    Jan 13, 2023
    55
    Chained Echoes is an incredibly uneven RPG heavily inspired by the likes of Chrono Trigger and Xenogears. With bad writing, poorly thought out mechanics, and an overly complex… everything it can be hard to get through. Even so, there is a little fun to be found here, mostly near the beginning.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Andoverjon
    Jan 8, 2023
    10
    If you like JRPGs from the SNES / PS1 era, this game is for you. I can tell this game was made with love and care. A mix between FF6, ChronoIf you like JRPGs from the SNES / PS1 era, this game is for you. I can tell this game was made with love and care. A mix between FF6, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears with some modern updates and mechanics. I haven't felt this excited to play a game since BotW and a JRPG since FFX (20 years ago...). Can't recommend this game enough.… Expand
  2. Frelonsumo
    Jan 7, 2023
    10
    A huge surprise, probably one of my top game 2022. I highly recommend this game for JRPG lovers
  4. TuffinUp
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Good combat, sprite and story. Giant robots, good characters and 10 hours in an engaging story, I am stoked on this game. Might be a bit oldGood combat, sprite and story. Giant robots, good characters and 10 hours in an engaging story, I am stoked on this game. Might be a bit old school for the kids, but classic jrpg fans will definitely enjoys… Expand
  5. cyphus6
    Jan 12, 2023
    10
    A phenomenal love letter to SNES JRPGs. Everything great about them, with modern convenience at every level; such as very little rng, fullA phenomenal love letter to SNES JRPGs. Everything great about them, with modern convenience at every level; such as very little rng, full heals for your team after every battle, free Flees and battle Retries. Perfect balance between story, battle, and strategy, and so much content that never drags. Beating the main game is easily 60 hours, and side quests + secret final boss add another 10 hrs for sure; Amazing value.
    A fresh battle system that is easily understood and a fun way to encourage flexibility in your attacks (instead of spam). You only 'level up' from bosses (although you could grind to slightly improve your moves but its never required); Its about learning, and retrying with a different team setup and strategy. Personally I don't like excessive dialogue (which this game does not have), but even I wished I payed more attention by the end. Nothing to really complain about. Best JRPG of 2022    … Expand
  6. Darueck
    Dec 25, 2022
    10
    Best surprise of 2022. Love it! Miss another languages, but every detail of this game is a love letter to the classic JRPGs that we loved inBest surprise of 2022. Love it! Miss another languages, but every detail of this game is a love letter to the classic JRPGs that we loved in our childhood ❤️… Expand
  7. Elwingzy
    Dec 28, 2022
    10
    Perfect RPG games i'm looking so for. The combat not boring as other RPG game.
  8. Lother
    Jan 4, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Half decent, it has a lot of good things going for it: the graphics, the gameplay, the music. It's all made (somewhat) by one dude.

    The story? It just falls apart. It tries too hard to be Xenogears, even copying entire plots, but not in a way that makes it fit with the rest of the story. The dude just doesn't know how to write a story. How can you expect people to relate to your protagonist if you make him out to be some mish mash of anti-hero/hero?

    Oh, so the dude was a major **** in the past, but then spent lifetimes "apologizing"? Oh, so the dude at the very end of the game decides "fk it, I'm too tired to keep on living, I'll let the guy we were just fighting have my body".

    No, this is sht writing. It also has some wke elements as well.

    It's a shame that the story tries so hard to be "different", but ends up just being a jumbled mess. So we have the major evil bad guy, who we NEVER fight, that inspired the ACTUAL villains of the game to keep killing humanity every few centuries IN ORDER TO FIGHT HIM. I know there is a reason given, but it's still rtrded as fk.    … Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Switch Game of 2022
40
#40 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

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