Chained Echoes deserves all the love in the world. It's absurd to think it was mainly made by one person. Such a great game, far from perfect but so well done.
Chained Echoes is the Best jrpg i have played in such a long time !!!! Still to this day i think and compare all these new jrpgs with it and nothing really comes close.....🤩
Some more indie RPG's on PC worth checking out: Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs, Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom, Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children, Dark Deity Banner of the Maid, Rise of the Third Power, Cassette Beasts, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Indivisible, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, Tale of Wuxia.
Touhou Artificial Dream in Arcadia was my favorite indie of 2023! It modernized classic SMT with challenging combat as well as great pixel art and music
YES!! As a fellow FFT lover, I can vounch for Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark! It's not perfect but a darn good game in the FFT style. All of these are great recommendations, Thanks David!
Cosmic Star Heroine is so good! For essentials, I'd add... + Creepy Castle (the Dopterra one) - RPG elements are on the lighter side, but it does have turn-based battles, interesting puzzles, a killer soundtrack, and a story that really surprised me. + Haven - RPG elements are a little lighter here, too, but your characters are one fo the best couples I've ever seen in a game, and you can chose BOTH of their genders. + OFF - A really weird one that gets more challenging not in combat, but in figuring out what's going on, since it's so abstract; looks a bit like those old European cartoons from the '70s. + Weird and Unfortunate Things are Happening - More than a little Earthbound, but like Cosmic Star Heroine, it does its own thing, and has some excellent characters and a cool elemental system that doesn't keep you guessing about what's weak against what. Other goodies include... + Barkley: Shut-up and Jam Gaiden - It's a JRPG parody that does a lot better than, "WACKY HAIR AND ANIME TROPES AMIRITE LOLOLOL!!!" and is solid in its own right. + Space Funeral - This one's really weird, and has two sequels made by completely different people, but that were also declared canon by the original's creator, because it's just that kinda show. + Tangledeep - Plays like the Fushigi na Dungeon games (or Castle of the Winds, if you've played a bunch of old Shareware), but also has a very interesting class system, and a soundtrack that reminds me of early-SNES-era Jun Ishikawa (Arcana) with just a splash of Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger).
Completely agree about Fell Seal! Even better with the dlc. Another FFT-style I can recommend for PC is Fae Tactics. Not quite as good as Fell Seal, but very close and more than worth your time.
Totally agree with number 1 . But any on that list seems great . I understand sea of stars kinda fell off in public opinion but I really did like it a lot too . Would put as top 3 , if I made the list of course
Astlibra revision number 1. You have to try it. Its like they modernized nes zelda 2 and expanded the story to the size of a mainline ff game, with more twists. Then they added combat that exploits your brain in the same way vampire surviors does. Its like nothing you have ever seen and again mainly done by a solo dev
One game that I really enjoyed recently that I haven't seen covered that much is Small Saga. It's got a really fun and interesting pixel art style that kind of reminds me of all animal story book art. It's fairly short but has a great story and characters.
Thanks for featuring Crystal Project! And I'm sorry about anything that happened on the discord server. I hope that whoever treated you poorly is no longer around. I try my best to encourage a friendly community.
i don't have alot of time to fit indie's into my backlog of games because there just isn't room, but Crystal Projects i just had to make room for and it was well worth it! it was right up there with chained echoes and sea of stars. thanks for giving it it's recognition David!
Considering I’ve been on a huge RPG kick recently, finding this channel is both a blessing and a curse lmao. More games to buy, not enough time to play them all. Curse you adulting!
You're doing the lords work picking the grains of sand from the beach. Not to dismiss all the hard work of developers, but highlights are helpful, as it is difficult to purchase every game out there. Thank you for the recommendations.
Damn!!!, awesome list man, Chained echoes is the GOAT!!! I recently stumbled upon Knights of Frontier Valley, I supported the game on Patreon and was given access to the game's Alpha 2 version, the game seemed decent, and the lead dev rejected a publisher just so he could have full control of his IP. Thank you for mentioning Sea of stars another great gem, seems kinda pricey but might as well give our money to devs that actually give a fuck about their games.
Another PC indy rpg franchise that few people seems to be talking about within the rpg channels is Epic Battle Fantasy. These games used to be very popular in the newgrounds/kongregate days and are available on steam.
Hi, David :) I just want to thank you for yet another great video!! I'm a very big fan of you, and I love how you're presenting these different kind of games. Thumbs up!
crosscode is such an amazing game, it simulates being an MMO and I cant belive how alive the world feels, waaaaaay alive than the sword art online games tbh
Secret of Varonis has been an amazing game for me. Like you, I loved the FFL series. I honestly still have them and their boxes. It reminds me of the days I spent on my gameboy during winter break.
Fell Seal is absolutely amazing. I played it and finished it severl times, once when it was first released, and later with the DLC (which is worth it). I had a hard time at first getting used to the art style, but once I got over that it was a bliss. If you are a FFT or TO:LOCT fan, you own it to yourself to play this one! Master class game!
Wonderful list, and while I have a lot of indie rpg's that didn't make the list that I like, the only one I'd put up against the rest on this list is Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga. The game has been getting a lot of attention again recently specifically because of people finishing Unicorn Overlord looking for something similar.
Like everyone is saying chained echoes is a gem for sure. I was so excited for sea of stars but dropped it a few hours in, such a shame man because its a BEAUTIFUL looking game.
And again thanks for the collection of presented games. I've played most of them but somehow missed on the Alterium Shift. I will definetely play it now.
I nearly picked up Bug Fable's for the switch back when they had it physically at Best Buy but I ended up passing because I was on the fence. Now I kick myself whenever it comes up. It sounds like the perfect game for me. I just need to give into the digital monster one day and get it. 😅
Thanks for sharing your knowlage. I´m always looking for something to enjoy over the weekend. I remember Chou Mahou Tairiku Wozz from the translation patch. Gonne try number 4.
Haha, I own mist of these. 🎉 I would add Small Saga, Jack Move, Wandering Sword, Forever Home and the rest of the Zeboyd RPGs (the guys that did Cosmic Star Heroine) to the list.
Don’t kill me but I haven’t started “Secrets if Grindea” yet! Two other Steam games have my attention: “Wandering Sword” & “Lies of P”. But I promise I’ll start soon! (You should check put “Wandering Sword”. It’s like an HD-2D JRPG that’s story is basically like you stepped into the world of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”)
Cross code is pretty good but i think they went a little overboard with the puzzles, there’s a puzzle quite literally around every corner in dungeons, can get a bit exhausting
Hey David, have you seen Terra Memoria? I haven't played it yet, but other reviewers gave it a good review. The game kinda reminds me of Breath Of Fire, for the art style, and the 1st Grandia, for art style and gameplay.
I had such high hopes for Sea of Stars. The Messenger was excellent. The combat in Sea of Stars was some of the worst I've in experienced in quite some time. Chained Echoes was great.
Cosmic Star Heroine has an AMAZING soundtrack. A lot of these games seem to have the same influences, but where's the retro PS1-inspired RPG??? (I guess waiting for me to make it! 😛)
Hi, recent subscriber, love the content and your refreshing views! Love it when you let the pride flag fly 😏 I’m VERY curious as to the story of how you were “very rudely treated” on a discord? Did you ever talk about it in a video? Sounds like a story that needs to be told! Also thx for shouting out Chained Echoes, I feel it got buried in the hype for the admittedly better looking (but not better playing) Sea of Stars.
Holy shit you're right. I played Fellseal years ago and that character is "The Exiled" and I just didn't realize at the time he's 100% a Cloud surrogate from FFT in that they just imported him from a different game. Black Sigil is the game they made before Fellseal.
Chained Echoes was my favorite new RPG next to Xenoblade. The amount of fun twists from what I expected was going to happen in the first few hours of the game alone. I was constantly thinking they were going this way only to be shocked when they suddenly change direction. It hooked me. I am confused with Sea of Stars though. I thought the combat system was fun but was let down by the simplistic story and honestly kinda bland main two characters.
@@ShonnDayleeagreed. I'm 43, and there were some seriously good story beats. I don't want to spoil anything, but the Sova village part was pretty nuts.
Currently playing thru Knuckle Sandwhich music is awesome battle system is wario ware game isn’t a cake walk I like how using items to heal status ailments etc matter and u can’t just mash A
Damn Sea of Stars? It kinda disappointed me after all the hype it got last year and winning best indie title. Like it's beautiful and sounds amazing, but I couldn't give two shits about these characters or the story.
I'll never understand the complaints of simplistic battle systems in Sea of Stars. It was perfectly balanced and engaging, and the short list of skills just meant that there weren't a bunch of extraneous skills that never get used. That game had probably the best turn-based battle system I've experienced in a game since FFX or the Grandia series. Also, Crystal Project has a surprisingly good battle system. I was a bit taken aback, as I wasn't expecting it to be that deep.
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Check Out Anomaly Collapse on Steam:
store.steampowered.com/app/2082410/Anomaly_Collapse/?Davidvinc&
Chained Echoes deserves all the love in the world. It's absurd to think it was mainly made by one person. Such a great game, far from perfect but so well done.
Equally absurd that still find a person who love RPG didnt even knew that Chained Echoes exist.
Chained Echoes is the Best jrpg i have played in such a long time !!!!
Still to this day i think and compare all these new jrpgs with it and nothing really comes close.....🤩
Chained Echoes for all purposes is a throwback masterpiece in its own right and I can't wait to see what is next.
iirc the dev said that he will continue to work with that IP, so we're gonna see more about the lore of that universe, cant wait!!
Chained Echoes just ruled. Unlike Sea of Stars, it understands what people loved about Chrinotrigger and made it its own
Indeed.
I do prefer it to Sea of Stars, but Sea of Stars was also a great game.
Sea of Stars is more like Chrono Trigger imo. CE is basically ff6
@@thehater6189 I wish Sea of Stars was like Chrono Trigger. It's a pale imitation at best.
@@airdrighmor1439 it's obviously not as good but it's a great game nevertheless. Same gameplay largely
From here I found out that Secrets of Grindea is finally out. After 12 years of early access...
Some more indie RPG's on PC worth checking out:
Regalia: Of Men and Monarchs, Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom, Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children, Dark Deity
Banner of the Maid, Rise of the Third Power, Cassette Beasts, Battle Chasers: Nightwar, Indivisible, Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia, Tale of Wuxia.
Chained Echoes is my number 1 indie jrpg however that could change with Eiyuden Chronicles, we'll see
Did it change your mind?
Touhou Artificial Dream in Arcadia was my favorite indie of 2023! It modernized classic SMT with challenging combat as well as great pixel art and music
YES!! As a fellow FFT lover, I can vounch for Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark! It's not perfect but a darn good game in the FFT style. All of these are great recommendations, Thanks David!
Cosmic Star Heroine is so good! For essentials, I'd add...
+ Creepy Castle (the Dopterra one) - RPG elements are on the lighter side, but it does have turn-based battles, interesting puzzles, a killer soundtrack, and a story that really surprised me.
+ Haven - RPG elements are a little lighter here, too, but your characters are one fo the best couples I've ever seen in a game, and you can chose BOTH of their genders.
+ OFF - A really weird one that gets more challenging not in combat, but in figuring out what's going on, since it's so abstract; looks a bit like those old European cartoons from the '70s.
+ Weird and Unfortunate Things are Happening - More than a little Earthbound, but like Cosmic Star Heroine, it does its own thing, and has some excellent characters and a cool elemental system that doesn't keep you guessing about what's weak against what.
Other goodies include...
+ Barkley: Shut-up and Jam Gaiden - It's a JRPG parody that does a lot better than, "WACKY HAIR AND ANIME TROPES AMIRITE LOLOLOL!!!" and is solid in its own right.
+ Space Funeral - This one's really weird, and has two sequels made by completely different people, but that were also declared canon by the original's creator, because it's just that kinda show.
+ Tangledeep - Plays like the Fushigi na Dungeon games (or Castle of the Winds, if you've played a bunch of old Shareware), but also has a very interesting class system, and a soundtrack that reminds me of early-SNES-era Jun Ishikawa (Arcana) with just a splash of Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger).
Barkley was soooo good! Nice throwback haha
chained echoes was the bigged hidden gem that i have founded in the last 10 years .
Chained Echoes is a classic! I have over 70 hours in and I never got bored! It's a must play for any turn based RPG fan.
Thanks for this! JRPGs especially are tricky, you could play something for dozens of hours before realizing “oh…this isn’t going to get good, is it”
I've been meaning to play Chained Echoes for SO long, Anomaly Collapse looks really good too!
Completely agree about Fell Seal! Even better with the dlc. Another FFT-style I can recommend for PC is Fae Tactics. Not quite as good as Fell Seal, but very close and more than worth your time.
Totally agree with number 1 . But any on that list seems great . I understand sea of stars kinda fell off in public opinion but I really did like it a lot too . Would put as top 3 , if I made the list of course
"Far be it from me to hold a grudge!" 😂
Astlibra revision number 1. You have to try it. Its like they modernized nes zelda 2 and expanded the story to the size of a mainline ff game, with more twists. Then they added combat that exploits your brain in the same way vampire surviors does. Its like nothing you have ever seen and again mainly done by a solo dev
One game that I really enjoyed recently that I haven't seen covered that much is Small Saga. It's got a really fun and interesting pixel art style that kind of reminds me of all animal story book art. It's fairly short but has a great story and characters.
Thanks for featuring Crystal Project! And I'm sorry about anything that happened on the discord server. I hope that whoever treated you poorly is no longer around. I try my best to encourage a friendly community.
Thanks so much for the kind comment!
Such a great list. I was hoping #1 was #1 and it was :D No surprise since that game rocks and SE needs to take notes.
i don't have alot of time to fit indie's into my backlog of games because there just isn't room, but Crystal Projects i just had to make room for and it was well worth it! it was right up there with chained echoes and sea of stars. thanks for giving it it's recognition David!
these indies deserves physical releases
Considering I’ve been on a huge RPG kick recently, finding this channel is both a blessing and a curse lmao. More games to buy, not enough time to play them all. Curse you adulting!
You're doing the lords work picking the grains of sand from the beach. Not to dismiss all the hard work of developers, but highlights are helpful, as it is difficult to purchase every game out there. Thank you for the recommendations.
Thanks for that!
Damn!!!, awesome list man, Chained echoes is the GOAT!!! I recently stumbled upon Knights of Frontier Valley, I supported the game on Patreon and was given access to the game's Alpha 2 version, the game seemed decent, and the lead dev rejected a publisher just so he could have full control of his IP. Thank you for mentioning Sea of stars another great gem, seems kinda pricey but might as well give our money to devs that actually give a fuck about their games.
Chained Echoes thumbnail
Another PC indy rpg franchise that few people seems to be talking about within the rpg channels is Epic Battle Fantasy.
These games used to be very popular in the newgrounds/kongregate days and are available on steam.
I thought I was the only EBF fan since no one ever talks about it, the series is so charming and fun to play
Hi, David :) I just want to thank you for yet another great video!! I'm a very big fan of you, and I love how you're presenting these different kind of games. Thumbs up!
Glad you like them!
Of course, did I actually did I forgot to tell you that you're one hot guy? :)
Some of my favorite recent ganes have been indies, I really need to get around to the games I haven't played on this list
crosscode is such an amazing game, it simulates being an MMO and I cant belive how alive the world feels, waaaaaay alive than the sword art online games tbh
David being the bigger person - what else is new
I got #7 based on an earlier recommendation from you. I enjoyed it, thanks
Secret of Varonis has been an amazing game for me. Like you, I loved the FFL series. I honestly still have them and their boxes. It reminds me of the days I spent on my gameboy during winter break.
Fell Seal is absolutely amazing. I played it and finished it severl times, once when it was first released, and later with the DLC (which is worth it).
I had a hard time at first getting used to the art style, but once I got over that it was a bliss. If you are a FFT or TO:LOCT fan, you own it to yourself to play this one! Master class game!
Couldn't agree more!
Completely agree with the top 2. Best turn based games I’ve played in probably the past decade
What, no Rise of the Third Power? Gripping story, excellent characters, solid gameplay, and superb world-building.
Never heard of the game. I’ll check it out!
Wonderful list, and while I have a lot of indie rpg's that didn't make the list that I like, the only one I'd put up against the rest on this list is Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga. The game has been getting a lot of attention again recently specifically because of people finishing Unicorn Overlord looking for something similar.
Like everyone is saying chained echoes is a gem for sure. I was so excited for sea of stars but dropped it a few hours in, such a shame man because its a BEAUTIFUL looking game.
And again thanks for the collection of presented games. I've played most of them but somehow missed on the Alterium Shift. I will definetely play it now.
I nearly picked up Bug Fable's for the switch back when they had it physically at Best Buy but I ended up passing because I was on the fence. Now I kick myself whenever it comes up. It sounds like the perfect game for me. I just need to give into the digital monster one day and get it. 😅
I really like bug fables specially because it was made from people of my country and I even shared classroom with some of them at the university xD
Thanks for sharing your knowlage. I´m always looking for something to enjoy over the weekend. I remember Chou Mahou Tairiku Wozz from the translation patch. Gonne try number 4.
Haha, I own mist of these. 🎉 I would add Small Saga, Jack Move, Wandering Sword, Forever Home and the rest of the Zeboyd RPGs (the guys that did Cosmic Star Heroine) to the list.
Chained Echoes at #1 is legit, such a great game
Thank you for sharing Anomaly Collapse David!! :)
Don’t kill me but I haven’t started “Secrets if Grindea” yet! Two other Steam games have my attention: “Wandering Sword” & “Lies of P”. But I promise I’ll start soon! (You should check put “Wandering Sword”. It’s like an HD-2D JRPG that’s story is basically like you stepped into the world of “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”)
Cross code is pretty good but i think they went a little overboard with the puzzles, there’s a puzzle quite literally around every corner in dungeons, can get a bit exhausting
I bought Sea of Stars without knowing it was a pre-order, I feel really dumb but at least I have an excuse to finish Persona 5
Cosmicstar Heroine looks cool, I'm gonna check that one out.
Awesome list! Lots on here I should probably check out!
Hey David, have you seen Terra Memoria? I haven't played it yet, but other reviewers gave it a good review. The game kinda reminds me of Breath Of Fire, for the art style, and the 1st Grandia, for art style and gameplay.
I missed Fae Tactics in the list, it's a good tactical RPG with a lot of personality and one of the best female protagonists in gender.
Gave ya a like Dave! Good vid as always 👍
2 I've already played, 1 I own but haven't started yet, and 2 on my wishlist. guess I'm doing ok for myself
So excited for this list
I had such high hopes for Sea of Stars. The Messenger was excellent. The combat in Sea of Stars was some of the worst I've in experienced in quite some time.
Chained Echoes was great.
Cosmic Star Heroine has an AMAZING soundtrack. A lot of these games seem to have the same influences, but where's the retro PS1-inspired RPG??? (I guess waiting for me to make it! 😛)
CrossCode is amazing. One of my favourite games ever.
I love your love for FFT and FFV
Hi, recent subscriber, love the content and your refreshing views! Love it when you let the pride flag fly 😏 I’m VERY curious as to the story of how you were “very rudely treated” on a discord? Did you ever talk about it in a video? Sounds like a story that needs to be told! Also thx for shouting out Chained Echoes, I feel it got buried in the hype for the admittedly better looking (but not better playing) Sea of Stars.
David have you ever considered doing one of those steam groups that recommends rpgs and other video games
I've been playing Small Saga which I think it's really good. Id recommend it
About to beat the final boss in Chained Echoes... Amazing game, tbh
Bug Tales is SO GOOOOOOOD
I almost never play them in fact the Kemco based ones nearly ALL of those are barely 10 to 15 HOURS long to beat their entire games.
Im loving the Chained Echoes love in the comments!
5:56 wait that character is from black sigil blade of the exiled?
Holy shit you're right. I played Fellseal years ago and that character is "The Exiled" and I just didn't realize at the time he's 100% a Cloud surrogate from FFT in that they just imported him from a different game. Black Sigil is the game they made before Fellseal.
Great video for reference! I dont have all of these yet.
My brother got me into fellseal arbiters mark and it is so dang good.
Chained Echoes was my favorite new RPG next to Xenoblade. The amount of fun twists from what I expected was going to happen in the first few hours of the game alone. I was constantly thinking they were going this way only to be shocked when they suddenly change direction. It hooked me.
I am confused with Sea of Stars though. I thought the combat system was fun but was let down by the simplistic story and honestly kinda bland main two characters.
Chained Echoes top 1 or riot
Hard agree.
@@ShonnDayleeagreed. I'm 43, and there were some seriously good story beats.
I don't want to spoil anything, but the Sova village part was pretty nuts.
Currently playing thru Knuckle Sandwhich music is awesome battle system is wario ware game isn’t a cake walk I like how using items to heal status ailments etc matter and u can’t just mash A
Chained Echoes was soooooo good.
If you liked tactics, check out Disgaea series. 1-5. Then they started doing shitty polygons instead of pixel art.
I like chained echoes but man does it need a glossary and better question signposting
I need to see your take on an RPG made in RPG Maker...
Fell Seal reminds me of Sacred Seasons..
People are still doing Sea of Stars vs Chained Echoes videos
Came for those guns. (woof) Stayed for the anon like smashing. Also the rpg stuff is great. xo
Going to buy all these games right now all but sea of stars I hate the combat ty for the list
Damn Sea of Stars? It kinda disappointed me after all the hype it got last year and winning best indie title. Like it's beautiful and sounds amazing, but I couldn't give two shits about these characters or the story.
Fell seal is definitely a great game 😁
Chained Echoes FTW
If you want a good challenge, Darkest Dungeon.
Hey! A shout-out for Crosscode!
It’s hard to beat Sea of Stars
@@ShonnDaylee that’s good to hear. They are selling preorders for physical copies on First Press.
I played Sea of Stars a couple months after Chained Echoes. Chained Echoes is better in almost every way, except visuals.
PC RPG time
How did they disrespect you on the discord?
I'd boycott the game then and there if I was you ;). I hold grudges like it's my job.
Ill try Alterium Shift, thanks.
I'll never understand the complaints of simplistic battle systems in Sea of Stars. It was perfectly balanced and engaging, and the short list of skills just meant that there weren't a bunch of extraneous skills that never get used.
That game had probably the best turn-based battle system I've experienced in a game since FFX or the Grandia series.
Also, Crystal Project has a surprisingly good battle system. I was a bit taken aback, as I wasn't expecting it to be that deep.
@@airdrighmor1439 yeah, again, just repeating the same thing that I just said I don't get as a gripe doesn't make it any more sensible.
I World love see Rise of the third power in the top. But awesome top
Sea of stars was a fun gamr but awful story. It just felt "and then this happens" and i dunno didnt feel built up at all
>its all jrpgs
❤ luv ya!
Why could A Shift be on switch?! 😢
Hey handsome how it going
Chained echoes is a bit woke
really wish you people would stop calling everything woke
Crystal Project is terrible