Chained Echoes: A Timeless Journey Through Nostalgia and Innovation

March 20, 2025

Every now and then, an RPG comes along that doesn't just remind you why you love the genre—it makes you fall in love with it all over again. Chained Echoes is one of those rare gems. Developed almost single-handedly by Matthias Linda, this indie RPG isn't just an homage to the golden age of 16-bit classics; it's a modern masterpiece in its own right.

From its pixel-perfect visuals to its masterfully written story, Chained Echoes delivers everything you'd expect from a top-tier RPG: deep character development, an engaging combat system, and a sprawling world brimming with secrets. But what really sets it apart is how it takes the best parts of old-school RPGs, trims away the tedious bits (goodbye, random encounters, and grinding!), and injects just the right amount of fresh ideas to make it feel brand new.

With an expansion, Ashes of Elrant, on the horizon, now is the perfect time to revisit—or dive headfirst into—one of the best RPGs of the last decade.

A War-Torn World That's as Messed Up as It Is Beautiful

To put it mildly, the world of Valandis is a hot mess. Three kingdoms—Taryn, Gravos, and Escanya—have been at each other's throats for centuries, fighting wars no one wins. Peace treaties? They last about as long as a snow cone in the desert. The real wildcard in all this chaos is the Grand Grimoire, an ancient artifact with enough destructive power to make entire cities disappear.

The game starts with a bang as one city gets reduced to a smoking crater. And just like that, you're pulled into a high-stakes adventure full of political intrigue, betrayal, and more plot twists than a soap opera with a time-travel subplot.

Unlike many RPGs where the story is just an excuse to run from dungeon to dungeon, Chained Echoes makes every moment feel important. The writing is sharp, the stakes are real, and the game pulls the rug out when you think everything is figured out. But it's not all doom and gloom—there's a good dose of humor, character banter, and just enough levity to keep things from feeling too heavy.

A Cast That Feels Like Family (The Kind That Argues a Lot But Still Has Each Other's Backs)

A great RPG isn't just about big battles and epic quests—it's about the people you meet. And Chained Echoes delivers a cast of characters who feel like real, flawed, and wonderfully complex human beings (well, mostly human—there are some fun exceptions).

Glenn: The Walking Guilt Complex

Our main protagonist, Glenn, is a mercenary with a heavy conscience. He's good with a sword, bad at forgiving himself, and even worse at staying out of trouble. He was involved in a catastrophic event that left thousands dead, and now he's on a mission to prevent history from repeating itself. He's the kind of guy who'd throw himself into danger to save a stranger but would refuse to talk about his feelings over a campfire.

Kylian: The Pragmatic Warrior

Where Glenn leads with his heart, Kylian leads with cold, calculated logic. He's been fighting in this war-torn world long enough to know that idealism won't get you far, and sometimes, doing the right thing means making some very uncomfortable choices. He's one of the more serious members of the group, but his clashes with the more optimistic party members make for some of the game's best moments.

Lenne: The Princess Who'd Rather Be Anywhere Else

Lenne is technically royalty, but you wouldn't know it by how she swings a sword. She's been hiding her identity for years, trying to carve out a life of her own away from the burdens of her lineage. She's strong-willed, intelligent, and constantly wrestling with the question of duty versus personal freedom.

Sienna: The Thief You Should Probably Keep an Eye On

Every RPG needs a rogue with a sharp tongue, and even sharper daggers and Sienna delivers. She's quick-witted, effortlessly cool, and has an uncanny ability to get herself (and the party) into trouble. But beneath the bravado is someone who's spent a lifetime looking out for herself, and watching her slowly learn to trust her new companions is one of the game's most rewarding story arcs.

These are just a few standout characters in Chained Echoes, but every party member has layers to them. Nobody feels like a one-note archetype, and their relationships evolve naturally throughout the game.

Combat That Makes Every Move Count

If you've ever played an RPG where battles felt like a repetitive slog (cough, random encounters every three steps, cough), Chained Echoes will feel like a breath of fresh air. Battles are turn-based but fast-paced, with an Overdrive system that keeps things constantly engaging.

Here's how it works: as you attack, heal, and use skills, the Overdrive meter fills up. Staying in the green zone boosts your stats and reduces skill costs, but if you push too far into Overheat, your party takes extra damage, and suddenly, every fight feels like a boss battle. This means you can't just spam your strongest attacks—you must manage your party's actions carefully, switch strategies on the fly, and sometimes even defend instead of going full offense (wild concept, I know).

There's also no grinding. That's right—no wandering around for hours battling the same three goblins to level up. Instead, characters grow stronger through skill progression, encouraging you to focus on strategy rather than brute force.

A World That Feels Alive

Visually, Chained Echoes is pixel art at its finest. Every town, dungeon, and battlefield is bursting with detail, from the grand halls of castles to the smallest market stalls. The game's world feels hand-crafted, and every environment tells a story.

And then there's the music. Eddie Marianukroh's soundtrack is magical, delivering everything from sweeping orchestral pieces to delicate piano melodies. Whether you're gearing up for a climactic battle or just wandering through a quiet village, the music always hits just right.

The Future: Ashes of Elrant Brings Even More Adventure

If you've already finished Chained Echoes and are craving more, good news—the upcoming Ashes of Elrant expansion is coming. Slated for release in 2025, the DLC promises a brand-new story set before the game's final act, introducing new characters, locations, and over 40 new enemies and bosses.

The highlight? A new playable character known as the White Wolf. Not much is known about them yet, but if the base game is anything to go by, expect a character with depth, mystery, and probably a lot of baggage.

With fresh mechanics, expanded lore, and tight, strategic combat, Ashes of Elrant will be well worth waiting for.

Play This Game. Seriously.

Chained Echoes isn't just one of the best indie RPGs in years—it's one of the best. It takes everything we love about 16-bit classics and refines it into something nostalgic and completely new. The characters are memorable, the combat is rewarding, and the story sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Whether you're an old-school JRPG fan or looking for a fresh take on the genre, Chained Echoes is an adventure worth taking. And with Ashes of Elrant on the way, there's never been a better time to dive in.

Now go. Explore. Save the world. And maybe—maybe—don't trust the rogue with your wallet.