First Hour - Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising (Switch)

In this new format I’m trying out, I’m going to play exactly one hour (timed, of course) of games I’m starting. The purpose of this format is to give the first impression of said game. Later on, once I’ve finished a game, I’ll be able to see how that impression has changed from the first hour to however long it takes to finish it.

The first game I’m trying this format for is Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising. This game sort of flew under my radar up until I saw it on the new releases section of the Nintendo eShop. Seeing as the game looked good and only cost me $14.99, I picked it up right away. Now I’ve played the first hour.

The game, a so-called 2,5D action RPG, has you playing as CJ, a young adventurer looking for treasure. During her travels, CJ manages to rescue a lizard-man that takes her into his hometown, New Neveah. She isn’t the only adventurer going into the city to search for valuables, as there’s an entire encampment full of people like her set up in town.

The thing people look for in this town is the mine, which is supposedly filled with treasure. However, to be able to venture into the mine, CJ has to get an adventuring license. Upon meeting the town’s teenage mayor, she proposes that CJ either pay an ungodly amount of money or (and I’m being serious) collect stamps from townspeople. It sounds silly, but the concept works. Helping townspeople with whatever they need, whether that be finding a lost cat or gathering wood, earns CJ a stamp. Collect enough stamps, and you earn the adventuring license.

In my first hour of playing the game, I managed to collect five of these stamps. I don’t want to spoil the exact details, but the tasks range from minor things as mentioned before to boss fights. So there’s definitely some variety.

As in most side-scrolling adventure games, the combat is quite simple, but of course, it’s possible that’ll change in the future. I’m going into the game fully blind, so I’m expecting more mechanics and maybe even more party members. Despite the simple combat, it’s quite fun. CJ has a dash ability that lets her get behind enemies and strike them without getting hit. Felling enemies and finishing tasks nets you experience points to level up your main character as well.

There’s also some gathering you can do on the side. The items can be used for things like cooking (and crafting later, I’m sure), as well as being sold for money in case you’re running short. All-in-all, I think the game is pretty promising so far, and I’m sure that I’ll have plenty of fun with it. Look out for my review when I eventually finish Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising to see if my opinion has changed by then.