Once upon a time, turn-based JRPGs were at the forefront of gaming, and some of the most beloved and classic titles of all time were released under the genre's banner. However, such games gradually began to fall out of favor. While the genre didn't disappear, it was in something of a lull for a while. Recently Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been a breath of fresh air too JRPGs. Expedition 33 has earned its praise and outshined many AAA-caliber titles with its unwavering commitment to a strong vision by unashamedly channeling old-school designs and combining them with modern ones from games like Persona. For everyone Clair Obscurs well-deserved credit, but there's another great turn-based JRPG that preceded it that deserves just as much admiration: Chained echoes.
Primarily an indie solo project developed by Matthias Linda over the course of seven years,Chained echoes released in 2022. With stunning pixel art and inspiration from the titans of time like The Secret of Mana and Final Fantasyit's a loving and well-crafted homage to the 16-bit era of JRPGs. And while it may have been overlooked compared to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Chained echoes stands just as strongly as the former does for its implementation of turn-based mechanics and other related elements, and similarly gives many modern AAA titles a run for their money.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Might Be the Face of JRPG Turn-Based Combat Now, But Chained Echoes Did It First
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may currently be the most noted title that is pointed to having revived and refined the genre through its hybrid of turn-based and action mechanics. And not to take anything away from it, because it absolutely deserves recognition for the success it achieved in this and other areas. Before Expedition 33 exploded onto the scene this year, however, Chained echoes had already shown that a steadfast devotion to the classic JRPG formula while updating it in a few key ways can result in a compelling and satisfying gaming experience that thrives in the modern landscape.
Chained echoesThe decision to keep many core elements intact while removing or significantly altering others disproved the recurring notion that the genre had mostly faded into obscurity and was becoming obsolete. And it can almost be seen as a precursor to Clair Obscurimpact this year. Chained echoes may be a little more under the radar even now, but it still serves as a template that other games, especially those in the AAA realm, would do well to emulate and learn from.
Like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Chained Echoes' Turn-Based Combat and other classic JRPG designs stand toe-to-toe with any AAA title
How Chained Echoes expertly marries classic and modern sensibilities
Chained echoes lies on a design spectrum that is somewhere in between Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and acclaimed JRPGs from a AAA developer well versed in the genre. While it doesn't use the same 2.5 HD visual style, it's not hard to see shades of Square Enix. Octopath Traveler series and Dragon Quest redo in Chained echoes. And even if it hasn't either Expedition 33s mix of turn-based and reactive combat system, Chained echoes exemplifies a well-designed JRPG with its other important characteristics:
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Robust roster of recruitable characters with custom skills
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An epic and emotionally engaging story that spans four major acts
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Overworld map composed of large explorable areas
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Lots of optional side quests
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Extensive customization and upgrade options, similar Clair Obscurs pictos and lumina
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Secret locations and hidden objects
While these are likely pretty standard in the eyes of many players, Chained echoes features some great innovative ideas on top of them, especially regarding its traditional, strictly turn-based combat system. Most notable is the Overdrive mechanic, which tasks players with managing a dynamic meter during fights to maximize each character's strengths, reduce ability costs, and exploit enemy weaknesses.
Another one of Chained echoes' The most welcome and convenient updates to established modus operandi are that the entire party fully heals and restores all ability points after each successful encounter. This eliminates some of the frustrations that can often come with stubbornly following older and more limited designs in this regard, and encourages experimentation. All these aspects come together seamlessly Chained echoesand its incredible job of incorporating and balancing them is reflected in its impressive Metacritic and Steam scores.
Chained echoes received a significant DLC in 2025, Ashes of Elrant, which is also highly rated.
More AAA games can also learn excellent lessons from Chained Echoes
Clair Obscur's current status as the poster game for the modern face of JRPGs outside of the AAA space all but ensures that it will serve as inspiration going forward. In fact, Square Enix itself stated that it potentially takes cues from Expedition 33 for the next one Final Fantasy game. But that shouldn't be the only game the company and others are looking at. Chained echoes provides an equally compelling case for developers creating games within the genre to benefit from its excellent design as well, particularly in its commitment to turn-based combat.
Another lauded indie game in the same vein and spirit as Chained echoes was 2023 Sea of starswith developers citing memorable games like Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG as inspirations.
While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has enjoyed his time in the limelight, Chained echoes should also receive its full due date. It's like absorbing an experience, exhibiting the same level of quality and thoughtful design, arguably made more impressive because it was mostly the work of a single person. Chained echoes wholeheartedly embraces its classic JRPG roots to produce a highly engaging title, and if Clair Obscurs success signals to AAA developers a return to those roots, then Chained echoes should be considered right along with it for many of the same reasons.
