Eiyuden Chronicle is an absolute delight so far, and bursting at the seams with nostalgic vibes. I really missed JRPGs like this, and even if I barely played the Suikoden series, I already enjoy games with lots of characters to play as or collect. The story, gameplay, music, and visuals are mostly on point here. There's a few glaring issues, such as text that doesn't display what the voiceovers say, annoying inventory limit, and an oldschool JRPG challenge that requires you to absolutely be prepared or you'll find yourself with no healing items. The latter isn't that much of an issue, because I enjoy that this game can be pretty challenging at times. But I really hate how you have a limit to the items you can carry, it is obnoxious! This issue with items also extends to MP items being rare and scarce... what is with these oldschool JRPGs and not wanting your spellcasters to have enough MP if you like to cast spells more liberally?

Despite Eiyuden Chronicle having a decidedly oldschool feel, there are some damn solid quality of life improvements. Grinding is almost not a thing, because if your characters get to a certain level threshold, they will earn less and less XP from enemies lower and lower levels than them. You will earn the inverse if you have characters lower and lower levels than your enemies, meaning even more XP for them. Yes, characters not in your party won't earn XP. You will also have an objective marker that will tell you where to go to progress the story, making knowing where to go a breeze, and checking out side content easier.

The biggest feature of the game is the massive roster of characters. Some can't fight alongside you in battle, but can help run things back at headquarters. Oh yeah, you manage a cool castle town and fortress, which is your HQ. You level it up, grow your population, gather resources during your adventures, build new facilities, and recruit characters to run said buildings. It's really quite a joy.

Eiyuden Chronicle is a fantastic return to a bygone era, one that I've been missing for awhile. Games like Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 also fit nicely into this growing collection of oldschool style JRPGs. More, please!

Eiyuden Chronicle is an absolute delight so far, and bursting at the seams with nostalgic vibes. I really missed JRPGs like this, and even if I barely played the Suikoden series, I already enjoy games with lots of characters to play as or collect. The story, gameplay, music, and visuals are mostly on point here. There's a few glaring issues, such as text that doesn't display what the voiceovers say, annoying inventory limit, and an oldschool JRPG challenge that requires you to absolutely be prepared or you'll find yourself with no healing items. The latter isn't that much of an issue, because I enjoy that this game can be pretty challenging at times. But I really hate how you have a limit to the items you can carry, it is obnoxious! This issue with items also extends to MP items being rare and scarce... what is with these oldschool JRPGs and not wanting your spellcasters to have enough MP if you like to cast spells more liberally? Despite Eiyuden Chronicle having a decidedly oldschool feel, there are some damn solid quality of life improvements. Grinding is almost not a thing, because if your characters get to a certain level threshold, they will earn less and less XP from enemies lower and lower levels than them. You will earn the inverse if you have characters lower and lower levels than your enemies, meaning even more XP for them. Yes, characters not in your party won't earn XP. You will also have an objective marker that will tell you where to go to progress the story, making knowing where to go a breeze, and checking out side content easier. The biggest feature of the game is the massive roster of characters. Some can't fight alongside you in battle, but can help run things back at headquarters. Oh yeah, you manage a cool castle town and fortress, which is your HQ. You level it up, grow your population, gather resources during your adventures, build new facilities, and recruit characters to run said buildings. It's really quite a joy. Eiyuden Chronicle is a fantastic return to a bygone era, one that I've been missing for awhile. Games like Octopath Traveler 1 and 2 also fit nicely into this growing collection of oldschool style JRPGs. More, please!