Info about Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising:

Official game description:
CRIME BOSS
==========
Available Now!
==============
About the Game
==============
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising combines a thrilling adventure through ancient ruins with the tale of one town’s rise from the ashes.  
Drawn by lenses and other treasures in the nearby Runebarrows, our heroes learn that the town is struggling to rebuild after an earthquake and decide to help. Along the way, they’ll resolve disputes between eager adventurers and wary locals who don’t think the Barrows should be disturbed. And they’ll learn more about each other’s reasons for seeking treasure, deepening their bonds in the process.  
As you will learn, these Runebarrows hide a great secret that has fateful implications for one of the characters. What begins as a simple treasure hunt turns into a dark conspiracy that will shake the world and plant seeds that carry over into the main story of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.  
The game will introduce a portion of Eiyuden Chronicle’s cast of characters in an original story with thrilling action and engaging town-upgrading elements.  
There will be some perks for players that link the game with **Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes**.  
_\*The name of one character from the Eiyuden Chronicle franchise has been changed from JB to CJ._

Release date: May 10, 2022

Categories: Action Platformer, Action RPG, Metroidvania, Side-scrolling, Town Building, Hack and Slash, Character Switching Mechanics, JRPG

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works Well; summary: The filtered reviews are overwhelmingly positive for Linux, SteamOS, and Steam Deck compatibility. Users report no crashes or compatibility issues on CachyOS, SteamOS, and Steam Deck, and several describe the game as running very well. The only Proton-related concern is a speculative controller workaround comment, with no confirmed launch, performance, or stability failure described.
- Steam Deck: score 20; verdict: Seamless with minor caveats; summary: The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game runs well on Steam Deck with no crashes or compatibility problems. Only minor issues appear: a missing 16:10 display option and a speculative controller workaround involving a Proton version swap. No frequent crashes, unreadable UI, anti-cheat failures, external launcher problems, or required tinkering are confirmed.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $4.99 - $9.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently treat this as a short, lower-budget side game rather than a full-priced release. Several reviewers call roughly $10 or the local equivalent acceptable, while many say they would only buy at a discount or during a sale. The frequent mentions of sale prices around a few dollars show strong value at the low end, but the fair base-game range is best anchored around $5-$10 rather than the full launch price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: 5.0h
  - Reasoning: The translated main-story report supports a story-only completion estimate of about 5-6 hours, so storyCompletion is set to 6 hours. Completion reports cluster around 20 hours for doing everything or 100%, supporting gameCompletion = 20 hours; one review also describes roughly 5 extra hours for postgame cleanup, so endgame = 5 hours. A separate review says the game can be played in half-hour chunks, supporting sessionLength = 0.5 hours. Values are rounded practical estimates because reports vary.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players often must push through repetitive fetch quests, grinding, backtracking, and a slow opening before the game opens up and town/battle progression start to pay off. Many others find the repetition too persistent to enjoy.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The game opens up
  - Time to anchor: 7h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive fetch and delivery quests; Resource grinding and stamp collection for progression; Backtracking through the same areas and dungeons; Slow opening and poor pacing; Low difficulty and unchallenging combat; Laggy controls or questionable keybinds
  - Unlock drivers: The game opening up after the early section; Town development and village progression; Battle system and combo chaining becoming more enjoyable with familiarity
  - Conditions: Tolerance for repetitive fetch quests and checklist-style completion; Willingness to skip optional side quests; Engaging with town development and progression; Pushing through the slow opening until the game opens up; Interest in the story and finale rather than combat challenge
- Player Archetypes:
  - Checklist Completionist Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: The endorphin payoff of finishing tasks, filling checklists, and reaching 100% completion.
    - Playstyle: Repeats dungeons and fetch quests deliberately, optimizes money and EXP grind spots, hunts achievements and full completion.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: person who gets an endorphin rush from completing a task
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Eiyuden Lore Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: Getting to know the world, characters, and backstory that lead into the main game and its spiritual predecessors.
    - Playstyle: Story- and lore-driven play, completing the prequel as preparation before moving on to the main title.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: fan of the first Suikoden games
    - Reference games: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes; Suikoden
  - Casual Breeze Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and killing time with something easy and undemanding.
    - Playstyle: Short casual sessions, low mental effort, ignores or skips optional side content, waits for discounts.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Action-Platformer Metroidvania Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying responsive side-scrolling action combat, character swapping, and stage exploration with RPG progression.
    - Playstyle: Fast combo-driven action with character switching, exploring interconnected stages, leveling and gearing up.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Hollow Knight; Octopath Traveler


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Beautiful Graphics and Visuals (weight 0.42): The game's graphics are frequently praised as beautiful, gorgeous, and high quality. The animation and visual presentation consistently impress players.
- Core Gameplay Is Enjoyable (weight 0.39): Players consistently describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and fundamentally good despite some flaws. The core gameplay loop is widely praised as entertaining and worth playing.
- Interesting and Engaging Story (weight 0.29): The story is described as interesting, cool, and mysterious with funny dialogues. It keeps players engaged and motivated to follow the narrative.
- Likable and Charismatic Characters (weight 0.26): Characters are praised for being fun, charismatic, and full of personality. Their uniqueness and charm enhance the overall experience.
- Satisfying Combat System (weight 0.22): Combat is described as satisfying, fun, and fair with an excellent feel. The system is simple yet enjoyable, offering a pleasant challenge.
- Appealing Art Style and Aesthetic (weight 0.18): The art style and aesthetic are described as sublime, lovely, and visually pleasing with retro charm and great details. The art direction is a major highlight for players.
- Relaxing and Stress-Free Difficulty (weight 0.14): The game is designed to be easy and stress-free, with a simple system that demands nothing from the player. This makes it relaxing and accessible.
- Fun Character Switching Mechanics (weight 0.12): Switching between three characters and chaining their attacks is enjoyable once players get used to it. The unique skills of each character add depth to combat and exploration.
- Satisfying Link Attacks (weight 0.11): Link attacks are fun and satisfying when they land, adding a solid mechanic to the combat system. Players find these attacks rewarding.
- Enjoyable Side-Scroller Gameplay (weight 0.11): The side-scroller gameplay is fun and cute, offering a short but enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the simple yet entertaining design.
- Satisfying Town Progression (weight 0.11): Town building and progression are very satisfying, as the town visually improves through player actions. This ties well with character progression and includes musical changes.
- Good Music and Audio (weight 0.11): The music is generally praised as nice and good, with several tracks standing out. It complements the pleasant visuals and enhances the overall atmosphere.
- Great Value for Price (weight 0.11): The game is appreciated for its low price and great value. Players find it super affordable and worth the cost.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive gameplay loop (weight 0.48): Many players find the core gameplay loop becomes repetitive and dull quickly, with little variation in tasks and escalating tedium.
- Overabundance of fetch quests (weight 0.45): The game is saturated with fetch quests, both in main story and side content, which are seen as tedious and meaningless.
- Simplistic and easy gameplay (weight 0.33): Combat and overall gameplay lack depth and challenge, often feeling too basic and easy.
- Bland and forgettable story (weight 0.28): The narrative is often described as bland, predictable, and unengaging, failing to captivate players.
- Short main story padded with side content (weight 0.22): The main story is very short, and the game's length is artificially extended by excessive, repetitive side quests.
- Lack of voice acting (weight 0.1): The absence of voice acting for characters is noted as a downside, reducing immersion.
- Hard mode locked behind completion (weight 0.1): Hard difficulty is only unlocked after finishing the game, preventing players from starting with a challenge.
- Boring and unfun experience (weight 0.09): Some players find the game simply boring and not enjoyable overall.
- Limited enemy and location variety (weight 0.09): Enemies and environments are heavily recycled, leading to a lack of variety and freshness.
- Short playtime and weak endgame (weight 0.08): The game is considered short, with an unsatisfying endgame, leaving players wanting more.
- Generic and stereotypical characters (weight 0.08): Characters are often seen as generic and stereotypical, lacking originality despite an interesting setup.
- Repetitive and annoying music (weight 0.08): The soundtrack is criticized for being uninspired and repetitive, becoming annoying over time.

Gameplay feedback:
- Fetch quest heavy gameplay (weight 0.35): Both main and side quests often involve fetching materials, delivering messages, or finding people, making fetch quests a core and repetitive part of the experience.
- Town building through quests (weight 0.35): Town development is a major mechanic where completing quests for townspeople gathers resources and stamps to build and improve the town, unlocking facilities.
- Side-scrolling action combat (weight 0.29): Combat is side-scrolling action with combo-based attacks, character switching, and a sense of speed, often described as hack-and-slash or beat 'em up style.
- Three playable characters (weight 0.27): Players control three unique characters (CJ, Garoo, and Isha) that can be switched during combat for combos and juggling enemies.
- Side-scrolling perspective (weight 0.27): The game is presented as a side-scroller with 2D or 2.5D visuals, combining platforming and dungeon exploration.
- Metroidvania exploration elements (weight 0.26): The game features Metroidvania-style exploration with backtracking through maps, side-scrolling dungeon crawling, and action RPG mechanics.
- Fast travel with restrictions (weight 0.24): A fast travel system is available for moving between points, but it is often one-way and limited to specific signposts or town maps.
- Extensive side quest system (weight 0.22): The game includes numerous side quests, ranging from fetch tasks to finding people, often tied to town development and unlocking over time.
- Action RPG with platforming (weight 0.21): The game blends action RPG elements with 2D platforming, featuring real-time combat and exploration in a side-scrolling format.
- Hard mode unlocked post-game (weight 0.17): A hard mode becomes available after completing the game once, providing a New Game+ option for increased difficulty.
- Prequel to Hundred Heroes (weight 0.13): The game is a prequel and companion to Hundred Heroes, featuring characters from that title and sharing its universe.
- Easy and relaxed difficulty (weight 0.11): The game is generally considered easy and not difficult, requiring no special skills, making it accessible and relaxed.

Performance notes:
- Strong Steam Deck performance (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers report the game runs at a consistent 60 fps on Steam Deck with high or maximum settings, with only occasional dips below 60. One notes it runs fine on a handheld running Steam OS.
- Stable and crash-free (weight 0.1): Reviewers experienced no crashes or freezes across Windows 11, CachyOS, and Steam Deck. Compatibility is solid on these platforms.
- Occasional frame rate dips (weight 0.09): A couple of areas show occasional frame rate dips, and the forest area is notably taxing on hardware. GPU load varies by location, which can cause instability at higher fps.
- Runs on low-spec hardware (weight 0.07): The game runs on very low-spec, potato-tier PC hardware. On a desktop PC it also ran at a locked frame rate matching the monitor's refresh rate.
- Unity engine heat and fan noise (weight 0.04): The Unity engine causes the GPU to run hot and fans to spin loudly despite stable framerates. This is a notable hardware-related drawback.
- Slightly laggy controls (weight 0.03): One reviewer found the controls to be a bit laggy, which may affect responsiveness during play.

Recommendations:
- Buy only on sale (weight 0.51): Many reviewers agree the game is not worth full price but becomes worthwhile at a discount. Multiple clusters emphasize waiting for a sale or deep discount before purchasing.
- Not recommended overall (weight 0.2): A significant portion of feedback outright does not recommend the game, even to those with free time. These reviewers suggest spending time on other games instead.
- Strongly recommended by some (weight 0.15): A vocal group of reviewers highly recommends the game, calling it wonderful and a favorite. They wholeheartedly endorse it without reservations.
- Avoid if dislike fetch quests (weight 0.12): Reviewers warn that the game contains over 100 fetch quests and is not suitable for players who cannot tolerate them. Many will quit within the first hour.
- Good for action RPG fans (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for fans of action RPGs and those seeking a light action RPG experience. It also suits players who are not skilled at Soulslike games.
- Appeals to Suikoden fans (weight 0.09): Fans of the Suikoden series are specifically recommended to try this game. It is seen as a strong fit for those who enjoy the franchise.
- Good entry to JRPGs (weight 0.06): Reviewers suggest it is a great starting point for the JRPG genre and appeals to both JRPG and ARPG fans. It is seen as one of the best games for newcomers.
- Simple and relaxing experience (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for players wanting a simple side-scrolling action game with nice visuals and relaxing music. It offers a straightforward, enjoyable time.
- Solid review scores (weight 0.06): Some reviewers gave explicit scores of 8/10 and 80/100, indicating a generally positive reception among certain players.

Other player notes:
- Prequel to Hundred Heroes (weight 0.42): Multiple clusters note that the game serves as a prequel or companion to Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, setting up its world and story. It is described as an introduction that can be played in any order.
- Short playtime around 10-20 hours (weight 0.39): Many reviewers report the main story takes roughly 5-15 hours, with side content extending playtime to around 15-20 hours. A few mention up to 40 hours for full completion, but most agree it is a short experience.
- Standalone story with ties to main game (weight 0.19): The story is self-contained but includes references and connections to Hundred Heroes, providing background and world-building. Some note it has little direct connection but still teases the larger universe.
- Not difficult or complex (weight 0.15): The game is described as not difficult and light/simple, making it accessible and easy to play.
- Decent start for Hundred Heroes (weight 0.15): Some reviewers see the game as a decent start or strong foreshadowing for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, succeeding in its goals better than that game.
- Low price point (weight 0.14): Several reviewers highlight that the game is sold at a low or relatively cheap price, which aligns with its shorter length and smaller budget.
- Achievement completion takes 15-27 hours (weight 0.13): Players report that earning all achievements takes between 15 and 27 hours, depending on play style and fast travel usage. This is longer than the main story but still moderate.
- Art style compared to Octopath Traveler (weight 0.13): Reviewers frequently compare the visual style to Octopath Traveler, noting it is similar but more refined. The game is also described as visually beautiful with good music.
- Spiritual successor to Suikoden (weight 0.11): The game and its series are seen as a spiritual successor to Suikoden, with elements that recall the classic franchise. It is a prologue to the new Eiyuden series by the same creators.
- Lots of side content (weight 0.06): Reviewers mention that the game has a lot of side content, and the majority of playtime is spent on side quests rather than the main story.
- Kickstarter stretch goal appetizer (weight 0.06): The game was originally a Kickstarter stretch goal for Eiyuden Chronicle and is presented as bonus content or an appetizer before the main game.
- Not a full-length JRPG (weight 0.06): Reviewers note that it is not a full JRPG and does not have 100+ hours of content, so expectations should be adjusted accordingly.
- Brazilian Portuguese subtitles and translation (weight 0.06): The game is fully subtitled and translated into Brazilian Portuguese, and the translation is well done according to reviewers.
- Controller support works well (weight 0.06): Reviewers report that the game works perfectly with a PS5 DualSense controller without needing mouse or keyboard, and is playable well with an Xbox One controller.
- Mixed review scores around 7/10 (weight 0.06): Review scores mentioned range from 6.5 to 7.5 out of 10, indicating a generally positive but not outstanding reception.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.14): Players report that the game is bogged down by repetitive fetch quests, shallow combat, and a bland story that only picks up near the end. Many expected a deeper RPG experience with meaningful progression and character growth, but found mediocre writing, stiff animations, and a short main narrative.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): The charming atmosphere, satisfying town-building, and snappy action combat are the main sources of fun. Players appreciate the colorful pixel art, likeable characters, and a simple but engaging gameplay loop of quests, exploration, and town development.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Common pain points include excessive and mandatory fetch quests, forced backtracking, and a poor fast-travel and UI system. Combat stun-locks, a tiny inventory, and an unpolished translation further compound the irritation.
- Boredom (weight 0.09): Players find the gameplay loop highly repetitive, with countless trivial side quests, material grinding, and constant revisiting of the same locations. The shallow story and monotonous quests quickly become tedious.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Satisfaction comes from tangible progress: town development, gear upgrades, and completing quests. The combat system and art style, along with a low price point and accessible difficulty, provide a rewarding experience for many.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Specific annoyances include unskippable cutscenes, clunky controls, poor aiming, and a translation bug that wastes time. Technical issues like loud fans and overheating also detract from the experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): The beautiful graphics, detailed backgrounds, and charming character designs are widely praised. The nostalgic art style and atmospheric music also earn appreciation.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Humorous dialogue, quirky characters like the kangaroo man, and absurd fetch quests provide comic relief. The charming team interactions and over-the-top scenarios keep players entertained.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.02): Some players feel the game is too simplistic and short, with mediocre music and a story diluted by trivial mandatory quests. The animations and dialogue can feel childish.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.02): The game feels like running errands, with shallow combat and repetitive gameplay. Many consider it not worth the full price due to a lack of improvement in systems and balance issues.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement centers on the unique combat mechanics, character-switching strategy, and link attacks. The story's twists and foreshadowing build anticipation for the main game, Hundred Heroes.
- Pleasant surprise (weight 0.02): Several players were pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the game turned out, exceeding their initial expectations. The complete experience and unique combat system contributed to this positive outcome.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Fans of Suikoden feel a strong sense of nostalgia through the town upgrade cut-ins, old-school platforming, and the influence of Yoshitaka Murayama. The game evokes memories of classic PS2 JRPGs.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed at the gorgeous HD-2D art style, vibrant backgrounds, and consistent visual quality. The game's polished presentation and engaging story are also admired.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm stems from the game being a full meal despite being a prequel, with excellent music, graphics, and fluid combat. Its appeal to Suikoden fans, charismatic characters, and cozy town further fuel excitement.
- Fatigue (weight 0.01): Players grow tired of the massive amount of side content, repetitive fetch quests, and grinding. The game's length is artificially extended by numerous sub-tasks, leading to fatigue.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): The cozy, lighthearted gameplay and non-demanding difficulty offer a calming experience. The classic JRPG atmosphere and pleasant presentation make it easy to unwind with.
- Tedium (weight 0.01): Tedium arises from repetitive fetch quests, infinite material collection, and wandering through dungeons for side objectives. The early hours are particularly slow and repetitive.
- Fun (weight 0.01): The beat 'em up gameplay, chaining attacks between three characters, and collecting items are fun. The early game and simple main story provide straightforward entertainment.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players look forward to Hundred Heroes, hoping the town-building systems carry over. The prequel serves as an introduction that builds anticipation for the main game.}