Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

The Road to Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising

When the spiritual successors to the legendary Suikoden series, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, smashed its Kickstarter goals, fans were ecstatic. But rather than make us wait years without a taste of the world, developer Rabbit & Bear Studios partnered with NatsumeAtari to create Rising. This isn’t just a tech demo; it’s a fully-fledged prequel that introduces us to the world of Allraan, its lore, and a few characters who will undoubtedly play roles in the larger saga. It blends classic town-building elements with engaging side-scrolling action, offering a unique blend that stands on its own two feet. Think of it as a warm-up act that’s surprisingly good in its own right, giving us a peek into the rich universe being built.

Gameplay Loop: Town Building Meets Action RPG

At its core, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising presents a compelling gameplay loop that revolves around restoring the town of New Nevaeh. You’ll spend your time accepting quests from townsfolk, venturing out into the surrounding Rune-lensed ruins and wilderness to gather resources and fight monsters, and then bringing those resources back to upgrade the town’s various facilities. Every upgrade, from the general store to the smithy, expands your capabilities, unlocks new items, and progresses the story. It’s a wonderfully intertwined system where every monster slain and every piece of wood collected directly contributes to the town’s revival and your characters’ strength.

Combat and Character Swapping

Combat is a fluid, side-scrolling affair. You primarily control three distinct characters: CJ, a nimble scavenger who excels at quick attacks and dashes; Isha, the town’s deputy mayor with powerful ranged magic; and Garoo, a massive kangaroo-like warrior who delivers heavy, impactful blows and has a trusty shield. The genius lies in the “Link Attacks” system. By timing your attacks and switching between characters mid-combo, you can unleash devastating chained abilities that exploit enemy weaknesses and deal massive damage. It’s simple enough to grasp quickly but has enough depth to reward skilled timing and strategic character usage. Each character also has unique exploration abilities – CJ’s dash, Isha’s warp, and Garoo’s strong hit for breaking obstacles – making environmental traversal engaging too.

Quests and the Stamp Card System

The heart of New Nevaeh’s revival lies in its robust questing system. These aren’t just generic fetch quests; they directly contribute to the town’s growth. As you complete tasks – whether it’s collecting specific ores, defeating certain monsters, or helping a baker find their ingredients – you earn stamps on a town-wide stamp card. Fill enough stamps, and you’ll rank up the town, unlocking new services, shops, and even more challenging areas. This clever system makes every small task feel meaningful, creating a satisfying sense of progression and community building. You truly feel like you’re personally rebuilding this frontier settlement, one quest at a time, which is a big part of the game’s charm.

A Story with Heart: The Forerunners’ Tale

The narrative of Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising centers around CJ, a young and energetic prospector from a distant land, who arrives in New Nevaeh seeking adventure and treasure. Her goal is to complete a “Scavenger’s Challenge” by collecting the largest Runebarrows in the world. She soon crosses paths with Isha, the stern but well-meaning acting mayor of the newly developing town, and Garoo, a gruff but honorable beastman bodyguard. The town itself is built atop ancient ruins, a land rich with valuable “Rune-lenses” that attract adventurers and prospectors, but also hold a deep, dangerous secret.

What begins as a simple quest for treasure quickly evolves into a tale of community, responsibility, and uncovering the mysteries of the ancient Forerunners. The story might not be as sprawling as its upcoming “Hundred Heroes” counterpart, but it’s remarkably earnest and endearing. The character interactions are a highlight, filled with witty banter and genuine emotional beats that make you care about CJ, Isha, Garoo, and the quirky residents of New Nevaeh. It’s a journey about finding your place, understanding sacrifice, and the power of people coming together, all while hinting at the much larger narrative that awaits us.

Visuals & Audio: A Retro-Modern Charm

Visually, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is an absolute treat for anyone who appreciates classic 2D pixel art mixed with modern techniques. The game employs a beautiful 2.5D aesthetic, where incredibly detailed, expressive pixel sprites move across lush, hand-drawn-looking backgrounds. The character animations are fluid and full of personality, from CJ’s energetic slashes to Garoo’s weighty swings. Each environment, from the bustling streets of New Nevaeh to the mysterious depths of the Runebarrows, feels vibrant and distinct, brimming with small details that bring the world to life. It perfectly blends nostalgia for the 16-bit era with contemporary polish, creating a truly unique and appealing look that holds up wonderfully on modern displays.

The audio experience matches the visual charm. The soundtrack is a wonderful collection of catchy, often soaring tunes that evoke the best of classic JRPGs. Each area has its own memorable theme, and the combat music gets your pulse racing just enough without being overly intense. Sound effects are crisp and satisfying, with every sword clang, magic blast, and monster roar feeling just right. The collective package of visuals and audio crafts an immersive and pleasant atmosphere that makes spending time in Allraan a joy.

Who Should Play Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising?

This game definitely has a specific audience, but it’s broader than you might think. Firstly, if you’re eagerly anticipating Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, playing Rising is almost a no-brainer. It will familiarize you with the world, its lore, and some key characters, making the transition to the main game much smoother. It’s a fantastic way to get invested in the setting and understand the foundations of the upcoming epic.

For Fans of Classic JRPGs and Action RPGs

Beyond the lore, fans of classic 2D action RPGs like Odin Sphere or even titles with heavy town-building elements will find a lot to love here. The combat is engaging without being overly complex, and the loop of questing, gathering, and upgrading is incredibly satisfying. It’s a game that respects your time, offering a complete, well-paced experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome. If you enjoy a good story, charming characters, and a blend of exploration and combat, then this game is absolutely worth checking out on PC Games. It’s not a grueling challenge, making it suitable for those looking for a more relaxed but still rewarding adventure.

Newcomers to the Eiyuden Universe

Even if you know nothing about Suikoden or Hundred Heroes, Rising serves as an excellent introduction. Its story is self-contained enough to be enjoyed without prior knowledge, making it a perfect jumping-on point. You’ll get a taste of the unique charm and world-building that the full series promises, allowing you to decide if the larger saga is for you. It’s a low-commitment, high-reward entry into a potentially massive franchise.

Performance on PC: Smooth Sailing?

When it comes to PC performance, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is remarkably well-optimized. Given its 2.5D nature and distinct art style, it doesn’t demand a high-end rig to run beautifully. Most modern and even several older systems should handle it without breaking a sweat, maintaining a consistent 60 frames per second at high resolutions. The graphics options are straightforward, allowing you to tweak resolution, V-sync, and a few other visual settings without overwhelming complexity.

I’ve played it on a couple of different setups, and across the board, it runs like a dream. Load times are minimal, and I encountered no significant bugs, crashes, or performance dips throughout my playthrough. Both keyboard and mouse controls are perfectly functional, but as with many action-oriented games, a gamepad feels most natural and responsive, offering that familiar console-like comfort for combat and platforming. This makes it a fantastic addition to any PC Game Library, knowing it will simply work and deliver a smooth experience.

Tips for Aspiring Prospectors

Diving into New Nevaeh is a blast, but a few pointers can make your prospecting adventure even smoother:

• Prioritize Town Upgrades: Don’t just rush through the main quests. Many side quests contribute to town upgrades which in turn unlock better gear, abilities, and even new areas. The more you invest in New Nevaeh, the more it gives back.
• Master Link Attacks: Seriously, practice those character swaps! Learning the timing for CJ, Isha, and Garoo’s link attacks is crucial for maximizing damage and taking down tougher enemies and bosses efficiently. It’s the most satisfying part of the combat.
• Explore Every Nook and Cranny: The environments are teeming with hidden resources, secret passages, and breakable objects. Take your time to explore off the beaten path; you’ll often be rewarded with rare materials or helpful items.
• Keep an Eye on Resources: You’ll quickly learn which materials are in high demand for upgrades. Try to keep a healthy stock of common ores, wood, and monster drops so you’re not constantly backtracking.
• Utilize Each Character’s Strengths: CJ is fast and nimble, great for aerial combos. Isha’s magic excels at ranged damage and hitting multiple targets. Garoo is your tank, absorbing hits and dishing out massive damage. Switching strategically based on enemy types makes a huge difference.

Replay Value and Post-Game Musings

Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising offers a solid amount of content for its price point. While there isn’t a traditional New Game+ mode to carry over your progress with enhanced difficulty, the game does feature plenty of post-game content for completionists. After the credits roll, you’re free to continue exploring New Nevaeh and its surrounding areas, tying up any loose ends. There will likely be remaining side quests, the satisfaction of fully maxing out all town facilities, and collecting every last resource.

The primary “replay value” for many will undoubtedly be its role as a foundation for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. The lore tidbits, character relationships, and general vibe established in Rising create an undeniable excitement for the larger narrative. It’s a standalone experience that feels complete, yet leaves you hungry for more. You might not immediately jump back in for a second playthrough right away, but the enjoyable journey and excellent pacing make it a game you’ll remember fondly, especially once Hundred Heroes drops.

Overall, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is far more than just a promotional tie-in. It’s a genuinely charming and well-crafted action RPG that delivers a cozy, satisfying experience. With its engaging town-building mechanics, delightful characters, and beautiful art style, it easily stands out as a hidden gem that any PC gamer looking for a relaxing yet rewarding adventure should consider.

Whether you’re a long-time admirer of the Suikoden legacy or just someone looking for a fresh, feel-good game to dive into, Rising hits all the right notes. It provides a perfect taste of the upcoming Eiyuden universe while offering a complete and enjoyable narrative in its own right. Go on, give New Nevaeh a visit – you won’t regret helping its people rebuild!