Monitoring this bar plays a significant role during battles and forces players to strategize and plan ahead rather than just doubling down on the same few abilities. The biggest addition is the inclusion of a constantly evolving meter with three stages depending on the area the player finds themselves in, they can either receive a boost in performance or suffer more damage from enemies. The narrative is well-thought-out and develops nicely over the rather long campaign.Ĭhained Echoes' combat has all the makings of a conventional turn-based system, albeit one that changes a few things up to keep things fresh. Utilizing 16-bit visuals, the game takes place in a world defined by an endless war, which serves as the background for a rat race-style story that finds multiple groups pursuing a MacGuffin that could bestow one nation an edge over their enemies. Inspired by the '90s masterpieces that dominated consoles, Chained Echoes is a modern throwback that provides way more than just a nostalgia trip. In a year that produced Atelier Sophie 2, Rune Factory 5, Soul Hackers 2, and Star Ocean: The Divine Force, the best 'JRPG' might have been an indie project by a German developer.