Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Download) (PC)

Eiyuden Chronicle schafft es zwar, den gewissen Charme der 90er einzufangen, zeigt sich allerdings an vielen Stellen inkonsequent. Allen voran fehlt es an sinnvollen Komfortfunktionen. So schafft das Spiel es trotz viel Herzblut nicht, in den oberen Reihen heutiger JRPGs mitzuhalten.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes bietet besonders für Fans von JRPGs aus den 90er exzellente Kost, sieht super aus und beschäftigt auch auf lange Sicht hin mit den vielen auffindbaren Charakteren. Nur die Story leidet mitunter am Pacing und das aktuelle Ziel ist nicht immer komplett klar. Doch das hindert den Titel nicht daran ein toller Neubeginn für eine fast vergessene Reihe zu sein.

The Good: -Excellent 2D artwork and superb soundtrack -Well-done narrative that keeps you eager to see what happens next -Characters brimming with uniqueness and personality that are fun to recruit and interact with -Satisfying army- and base-building element The Bad: -Boss fight gimmicks are hit or miss, with some difficulty spikes -Army battles are plodding and dull

What could have been the best strength of Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes is its greatest weakness. With the amount of things to do, types of gameplay available, and sheer number of heroes to recruit, the game feels unfocused and inconsistent. Some of what it does, it does very well, but it doesn't quite overcome the negatives. Those who truly love classic JRPGs like myself will find plenty to feast on, but those who don’t should go Nowa near it.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has had a rocky road to release. The latest (and, sadly, final) game from legendary Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama is a beautifully executed JRPG that feels both modern and nostalgic. Above all else, it's a game where the developer's passion for the genre is evident in everything from the storyline to the battles.

A big throwback RPG that doesn't meaningfully mess with Suikoden's 30-year-old formula.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a good reminder of why the RPG genre left some parts of its Golden Age behind. It’s also a testimony to what makes the genre special and the power of good storytelling to move and inspire. Admittedly, rigid adherence to archaic structures makes those first impressions tough to look past, but a creative battle system, extensive party customization, and top-notch writing make up for the retro jank.