Topic: User Impressions/Reviews Thread

@LtSarge I've long learnt to give up on games if I'm not enjoying them. Sure there might be sections that you can get through, but if that drags on for too long I will most likely move on.

I have recently been playing a fantastic rpg, chained echoes. It's a callback to the top down jrpgs of yore. For the last ten days I have been smitten. It takes everything that's been good within the genre and eradicates the faff. I was wondering why @ShogunRok hasn't reviewed it? @kyleforrester87 have you played it, I know you would love it!

The world and story are wild. Admittedly it's gotten a bit xfiles for me nearing the conclusion but the first 20 hours are some of the best the genre has to offer. The fighting builds throughout the campaign and the rewards board is one of the best mechanics I've seen for a long time. Simple, clean and you want to fill that thing!

The maps are puzzles within themselves and the revelations of what's going on, railroads you to keep playing. Not since the mass effect trilogy have I froze in horror realising it 3:30am in the morning and I can't put it down.

You have genre staples with their own twist. From the levelling to equipment, the bestiary to side quests, base building to secret bosses. Storming castles to petting dogs. It's such a beast of a game.

Oh and the music is gorgeous and perfectly fitting.

It has a couple of negatives. The crystal system is confusing, I understand what to do but the implementation seems a little off. Like a twisted version of materia, which isn't as simple. Also at times the fanatstic story is undermined by writing which looks a little amateurish (like this here review). And I was stuck on one particular puzzle in Glen's mind and needed to reach for a solution. It was just confusing were as the rest of the game is fun fun fun.

So if you want an old skool jrpg, with well thought out mechanics and a brilliant overarching story. This is the game you want to play. Its quality of life improvements are respectful of your time and it's better than the games it's inspired by. And that includes FF6 and Chrono Trigger.

Go buy it

9/10

@themcnoisy thanks for the recommendation - it is on the list actually, it looked good based on the Nintendolife review I read. But I’ll get to it sooner after your endorsement 👍🏻

@themcnoisy I've seen a ton of praise for the game, but I've held off since I often have mixed feelings about Western indies that take heavy inspiration from classic JRPGs. But maybe I'm being closed-minded. Your piece certainly represents strong praise. Maybe it'd be a good idea to give this a go on Game Pass.

Thanks for the contribution!

@Ralizah You would enjoy it Rali. 😀. Go in with an open mind and its easy to love.

@kyleforrester87 it would be even better on the switch. You can save pretty much anywhere and drop 20 minutes on your lunch break.