Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes on PS5
Modern gaming has definitely changed how players enjoy the content that studios put together. There seems to be something for everyone, and if there is a clamour for it, DLC can be a way to enhance what could already be a solid offering. What Rabbit and Bear Studios, together with 505 Games, have done with Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is deliver an epic roleplaying adventure that is grand in scale and satisfaction, but is tinged with traditional elements that may not be for everyone.
It is vital to establish the fact that this game is positioned as the spiritual successor to the classic Suikoden series that made its name on the original PlayStation. As someone who remembers those games fondly, much of what this modern interpretation tries to do provides a certain level of resonance. Sure, it may not make sense sometimes in terms of quality of life for players, but it is a meaty RPG that requires plenty of investment in order to savour everything it has to offer, and a slow burn is exactly what these games are all about.
From joining the main character Nowa in the early days as a local army recruit to convincing over a hundred allies to join in a large-scale war against the villain, building up relationships as well as a home base full of amenities and functions, and engaging in various side activities and quests, it is all vintage Suikoden.
Beyond the plentiful conversations and exploration of the world, the heart of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is its combat, where teams of heroes combine their might in encounters, both large and small, in order to emerge victorious. On the micro level, players can create parties of six to take into turn-based battles, each with their own pros and cons.
Perhaps you would much rather have hard-hitting warriors doing the work or prefer speed over everything else; whatever your preference, it is likely that there are characters who fit that mould; all you have to do is recruit them first. This affords players a large degree of flexibility when it comes to building the best party for all situations, but at the same time, it also means that there will be favourites that will be ever-present while many others get left by the wayside.
That is a shame, considering that these characters all boast unique personalities and quirks, and spending time with them can help you to understand their backgrounds even more. Of course, getting them to join the cause is not always an easy affair either. Some may enlist just by talking to Nowa, whereas others may require multiple things to be done before even thinking about it. Putting in the hard work should rightfully make it worthwhile for players, but that’s not always the case.
At least, quite a sizable portion of characters join in a non-combat capacity, offering their services and expertise in passive ways, such as opening up new shops back home or introducing new activities that will further immerse you into the world of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. Progression, both on and off the battlefield, is something players must not ignore, especially when war comes calling.
This other side of combat sees players controlling armies instead of their party, going up against rival factions like a strategy experience. Generals further differentiate their leadership with various abilities that can tilt things to their advantage when used tactically, and random and special events can occur that force players to think more on their feet.
On occasion, there will also be duels that can be contested between generals who have a score to settle; upping the tension in one-on-one fights that require reading your opponents’ moves will allow you to gain the upper hand and prepare them for that one fatal blow. It is a legacy system that felt much better implemented in the past compared to the present, but it does freshen things up a little when it happens, even when you are scripted to lose to move things along.
The cycle continues as players move from conflict to conflict, doing their best to quell the dangers, explore new places, find new allies, and keep fighting the good fight. How much time you want to devote to minigames and character recruitment is entirely up to you, with the option to progress the main story always available, meaning that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes can last between 35 to 60 hours for different players.
If it clicks, your journey can just fly by, but if things get too convoluted, then it will be a slog to get through, even if you plan on mainlining the game. This isn’t helped by some of the decisions made by the team, especially when it comes to boss fights. Whereas these were oftentimes intense and risky affairs in Suikoden and its sequels, the reliance on gimmicks can chip away at the significance of some major encounters. It’s one thing to risk your party to deliver a hopeful finishing blow in lieu of taking cover from a powerful attack, it is quite another to waste a turn trying to initiate an interaction that may not result in anything meaningful during a fight.
The insistence of having so many recruitable characters is also a double-edged sword. We have already covered the combat situation, but when it comes to character development, not everyone gets a fair shake either. It is obvious some allies are meant for bigger things, whereas others are here to fill out the numbers and play much smaller parts.
This constant back-and-forth is what makes Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes a conundrum to recommend. The party flexibility is what makes the combat fun and enjoyable, but it also creates other problems. The environments and the characters help establish a world worthy of helping and fighting for, but there is also a bunch of uninspired content that crops up along the way. The sole element that remains ever so fabulous is seeing how your army and base grows, but that could be because of rose-tinted glasses.
Just like the people caught in this war, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has parts that are stronger and some that are weaker, but that is perhaps what makes it a journey worthy of embarking on. This is an epic that tries to do as much as it can when it comes to delivering a roleplaying story that draws players in, spicing up combat every now and then, and packing substantial content that might just get ignored by most. Just remember why you are on this journey, and you may just walk away happy like us.
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Summary
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes has parts that are stronger and some that are weaker, but that is perhaps what makes it a journey worthy of embarking on.
