Take up your sword, channel your magic or board your Mech. Chained Echoes is a 16-bit style RPG set in a fantasy world where dragons are as common as piloted mechanical suits.
The game features a classic turn-based combat system with a unique "Overdrive" mechanic at its core. Each action in battle shifts an Overdrive gauge, which the player must keep in the optimal "green" zone to gain bonuses to damage and defense. Strategically using the right skills at the right time to manipulate this gauge is crucial to victory. Players can freely swap between their four active party members in battle, allowing for dynamic and tactical switching of roles and abilities. This, combined with the diverse skill sets of each character, encourages experimentation to find optimal party combinations. Ailments and debuffs play a significant role, as players can apply them to both enemies and their own party. Managing these effects is essential, as they can dramatically shift the tide of battle.
The game world is sprawling and interconnected, filled with optional content like side quests, hidden dungeons, and powerful "Unique Monsters" to challenge. Exploration is rewarded through the acquisition of materials, equipment, and skill points used to unlock new abilities. Character progression is not tied to traditional leveling, but rather "Grimoire Shards" earned by defeating bosses and completing activities. These shards are spent to unlock new skills and passive abilities, allowing for deep customization and build variety.
In addition to ground-based battles, the game features "Sky Armor" mech combat. These aerial encounters introduce a new layer of strategy, as players must manage the shifting gears of their mech to optimize offense and defense. Upgrading and customizing the Sky Armors is an integral part of progression.