PGC NEWS

Remember those carefree days of childhood, exploring your neighborhood with friends, hoping for something exciting to happen? Echo Generation, developed by Cococucumber, perfectly captures that nostalgic feeling, transporting players back to 1993 in a charming voxel-art adventure. This turn-based RPG, inspired by classics like Earthbound, offers a unique blend of retro aesthetics and modern gameplay.

Echo Generation's protagonist and their sister investigate a spaceship crash.

The story unfolds in the quaint town of Maple Town. You play as a young protagonist preparing to film a movie with friends when rumors of a crashed spaceship surface. Joined by your younger sister, you embark on an investigation that quickly spirals into a series of unexpected and thrilling events. Strange creatures begin appearing in Maple Town, preying on the residents. Local wildlife transforms into grotesque monsters, and giant robots wreak havoc on the outskirts. With the adults oblivious to the danger, it’s up to you and your sister to uncover the source of these monstrous occurrences and save your town.

A Visual and Auditory Feast

One of Echo Generation’s most striking features is its unique aesthetic. Utilizing voxel art, the game recreates the charm of 8-bit and 16-bit graphics within a 3D environment. This distinct visual style, coupled with a synth-heavy soundtrack reminiscent of the ’80s and early ’90s rock, authentically captures the atmosphere of 1993.

The game's voxel art style blends retro charm with modern lighting effects.

Beyond its retro charm, Echo Generation boasts impressive modern touches. The sharp voxel graphics are enhanced by sophisticated lighting effects, including dynamic shadows and reflections. This fusion of retro and modern creates a nostalgic experience while showcasing the advancements in game technology.

The game's lighting and shadow effects enhance the voxel art style.

Innovative Turn-Based Combat

Echo Generation features a traditional turn-based combat system with some unique twists. Similar to games like Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it incorporates quick-time events (QTEs) to enhance both offensive and defensive maneuvers. These QTEs add a layer of engagement and strategy to each battle, requiring players to stay alert and react quickly.

Players can collect comic books to learn new skills.

Character progression is tied to comic book collectibles scattered throughout the game world. Finding these comics unlocks new skills, encouraging exploration and rewarding thorough players. The absence of traditional level grinding forces strategic decision-making in character development, emphasizing the importance of each upgrade. The low encounter rate and limited experience points from battles further amplifies the challenge, requiring careful resource management and precise QTE execution.

Combat in Echo Generation involves quick-time events for both attack and defense.

A Retro Throwback with Some Archaic Design Choices

While Echo Generation effectively evokes nostalgia, some of its design choices feel dated. The lack of a quest log, map, or clear indicators for interactable objects can be frustrating for players accustomed to more modern game design. The absence of a fast travel system also makes traversing the town tedious, particularly when backtracking for healing or exploring for clues. Some puzzles lack clear hints, requiring players to resort to trial and error or accidental discovery.

The game lacks modern features like a map or quest log.

Another drawback is the limited experience point distribution. Only actively participating party members gain experience, potentially hindering the development of later-joining characters like Doggo, the second pet companion. This encourages sticking with the initial pet, Meowsy, throughout the game due to the difficulty in leveling up alternative companions.

The player's party consists of the protagonist, their sister, and a pet.

Conclusion

Echo Generation successfully delivers a nostalgic experience with its charming voxel art, engaging story, and unique combat system. However, the game’s outdated design choices can detract from the overall experience for players unfamiliar with classic RPG conventions. Despite these shortcomings, Echo Generation offers a delightful trip back to the ’90s, blending retro charm with modern gameplay elements. If you’re seeking a nostalgic adventure with a unique visual style, Echo Generation is worth exploring.