Eiyuden Chronicle: The Unexpected Champion Outshining FF7 Remake 3

Last Updated: October 20, 2025

The RPG world is holding its collective breath for the final act of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. After the jaw-dropping, timeline-shattering conclusion of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the anticipation is at a fever pitch. We're all desperate to see how Cloud and the party's journey concludes as they finally hunt down Sephiroth. I'm right there with you, poring over every theory. But if I'm being honest, another RPG has already captured the energy, passion, and excitement I was saving for that grand finale. It’s the spiritual successor we waited decades for: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

While the scale of FF7 Remake Part 3 will undoubtedly be immense, Rabbit & Bear Studios' love letter to the JRPG golden age has delivered something more immediate, more personal, and arguably, more vital for the genre.

The Irresistible Charm of Nostalgia Reborn

Before you ready your Buster Sword, let me explain. My excitement for the conclusion of Cloud's saga is real. We've invested years and immense emotion into this modern retelling. The spectacle of a AAA Square Enix title is a force of nature. But sometimes, what you truly crave is the warmth of a familiar recipe executed with fresh, master-chef precision. That is Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.

Helmed by the late, great Yoshitaka Murayama, the visionary creator of the legendary Suikoden series, this game was born from a desire to return to a classic form. Its gorgeous 2.5D art style—blending detailed pixel-art characters with lush, vibrant 3D environments—is a visual feast. It evokes the spirit of the 32-bit era without feeling dated, creating painterly backdrops and expressive character sprites that feel both nostalgic and breathtakingly new.

Where Final Fantasy VII Remake rebuilds a known world, Eiyuden Chronicle built a new one on a hallowed foundation. The core appeal is timeless: a sprawling political conflict, a massive cast of over 100 recruitable heroes, and the satisfying progression of building a fortress from a humble outpost into a bustling castle town. Discovering a quirky new character in a remote village, seeing your base grow with new shops and facilities, and strategizing in classic six-person, turn-based battles—it’s a gameplay loop that feels like coming home.

The Thrill of Discovery vs. The Weight of Expectation

Let’s be honest: the hype for FF7 Remake Part 3 carries an immense weight of expectation. We have decades of attachment, theories, and fears about how the developers will handle one of gaming's most iconic conclusions. After the narrative diversions in Remake and Rebirth, the final chapter is a tightrope walk. Every decision, from the fate of certain characters to the implementation of the Highwind and the open world, will be scrutinized by millions. We’re watching with bated breath, but also with a critical eye honed by memory.

With Eiyuden Chronicle, the experience was a blank slate. Despite being a spiritual successor, it offered a new world, new lore, and new heroes like Nowa, Seign, and Marisa to champion. There were no decades of established canon to live up to. This freedom allowed for genuine surprise and the pure joy of discovery. The thrill wasn't in seeing how the developers would reinterpret a story we already knew, but in uncovering a brand-new epic, chapter by chapter.

This is where the magic of a project like Eiyuden Chronicle shines. It doesn't have the budget of a modern Final Fantasy, but that often translates to a more focused design and a distinct artistic vision. It’s a testament to the idea that a compelling world, memorable characters, and satisfying systems can create an experience just as epic and emotionally resonant as the most graphically advanced blockbusters.

A Tale of Two Journeys

I remember stumbling upon games like Suikoden II or Chrono Trigger long ago—titles that weren't the biggest blockbusters but left a permanent mark. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes became one of those games for this generation. It wasn't perfect, launching with some performance hitches that have since been patched, but its heart was undeniable. It delivered on its Kickstarter promise of a heartfelt, sprawling adventure that felt like a gift to fans of a bygone era.

So, while I will absolutely be there on day one for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3, ready to witness Cloud’s ultimate confrontation and see this ambitious trilogy to its end, my RPG story of the year has already been written. Eiyuden Chronicle represents the power of a new IP built on a classic formula: boundless creativity, a unique visual identity, and the promise of an adventure untainted by preconceived notions. It’s the kind of game you can’t stop thinking about, a new classic that feels like an old friend.

Am I alone in this? Do you find yourself drawn to the allure of fresh experiences, even when massive sequels loom large? Or are you fully committed to the conclusion of Cloud's journey? Let us know what you think.