Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Preview – A Promising Spiritual Successor to Suikoden

One series that continually captivates me, yet remains criminally underrated, is Suikoden. Be it the first release, fifth installment, or spin-off titles like Tierkreis, I’ve explored the rich worlds with unwavering enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the dissolution of the creative team and Konami abandoning the series, it shattered hopes for a continuation, or revival of the series.

However, my excitement was reignited when Rabbit Bear Studios, comprised of key members from the original Suikoden team, announced their endeavor to create a spiritual successor, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. With the release date set for Apr. 23, I eagerly seized the opportunity to delve into the first five hours of this experience.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes begins with Nowa being immediately tasked with a mission to raid a dungeon alongside a group of intriguing, and charming characters, all in pursuit of uncovering the secrets of the Primal Lens. For fans of the Suikoden series familiar with True Runes, the Primal Lens serves as its analogous counterpart, holding vast power for those who possess it. From the outset, I found myself deeply engaged with the story, and as a long-time Suikoden enthusiast, I’m eager to uncover more about the Primal Lens as the game progresses.

During my brief playthrough, I was astounded by the variety of characters available for recruitment. While the Suikoden franchise is renowned for its 108 recruitable characters, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes boasts even more. The initial characters often required completion of certain tasks before joining, adding depth to their backgrounds, and motivations. Additionally, I appreciated every piece of dialogue, outside of interacting with NPCs, were voiced. The English dub proved quite satisfactory, featuring diverse accents, though a Japanese dub is available for those who prefer it.

Interesting Perspectives

Combat enthusiasts will find comfort in the turn-based six-man party system. With a plethora of characters expected to be available for battle, players can create near endless party compositions. The beloved Unite Attacks from Suikoden make a return under the moniker “Hero Combo,” allowing select party members to execute powerful combos against enemies. During my playthrough, I unlocked three Hero Combos, each with impressive, and stylish, animations. To add further depth to combat, a “gimmick” feature was introduced during certain battles, or boss fights. This feature allows players to hide in debris, granting temporary evasion from enemy attacks on the subsequent turn.

While I was eager to explore the headquarters, unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to see it. However, I did have the opportunity to try out a fishing mini-game, which was enjoyable. Additionally, I’m particularly excited about the upcoming card game feature. It seems that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will offer a variety of side activities, especially once headquarters construction is introduced.

Visually, the game is a treat for the eyes, boasting stunning aesthetics reminiscent of Octopath Traveler, but elevated to a new level in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. The 2D character sprites are exquisitely detailed, while the 3D environments are equally captivating. Additionally, the inclusion of an overworld adds another layer of visual splendor. During my playthrough, I primarily experienced the game on my Steam Deck OLED, where the vibrant screen truly showcased Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes‘ beauty. Remarkably, the performance remained stellar, maintaining a solid 60 frames per second at 15w TDP.

Based on my initial impressions, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes shows great promise as a spiritual successor to Suikoden. With the release date rapidly approaching, I anticipate thoroughly enjoying the full game. While it’s premature to say Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will attain the same revered status as the Suikoden series; my early experiences instill confidence, and I have high hopes for its success based on what I’ve played thus far.