EVERING is a turn-based RPG that feels like a love letter to the golden age of RPGs, drawing inspiration from classics like Chrono Trigger, Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It blends timeless mechanics with fresh ideas, creating a compelling mix of nostalgia.
The story, gameplay, sound, and graphics all come together perfectly, creating an experience that will truly connect with fans of turn-based RPGs. Everything feels just right, making it a game that turn-based lovers will enjoy deeply.
Story
In EVERING, you follow Eldar, the Prince of Onnya, whose relentless pursuit of a mysterious legend overshadows his royal duties. His obsession pulls him into a journey that becomes far more significant than he ever imagined. As Eldar delves deeper into the legend’s origins, he discovers that everything around him, his past, present, and future, is intricately connected.
Along his journey, he will meet vital characters who will help him. Lue, a powerful yet overprotective witch, is Eldar’s steadfast ally, always guarding him with her magical abilities. Jövla, a dagger-wielding wanderer, brings mystery and sharp wit to the group, while Laric, a young alchemist full of potential but lacking self-esteem, adds a layer of innocence and growth to the party.
Then there’s Qibayn, an eccentric artist constantly seeking inspiration who injects creativity and unpredictability into the team. Personal growth, friendship, and the realization that the answers Eldar seeks are closer than he thinks. This epic tale is as much about unity and self-discovery as it is about legends and adventure.
The story pulls you in from the start, balancing light-hearted moments with deep emotional beats. It’s more than a quest for ancient secrets. It’s a journey of self-discovery and companionship. As Eldar’s companions grow with him, the game showcases some heartwarming character development that makes the journey feel meaningful and layered.
Gameplay: A Blend of Classic and Modern
If you’re a fan of turn-based combat, EVERING hits all the right notes. The combat system is a standout feature, Remind of Chrono Trigger, with its energy charge bars that fill during combat, allowing characters to perform special moves once the bar is full. This mechanic brings a layer of strategy, keeping players engaged in every encounter. Timing, resource management, and skill usage are crucial for surviving the game’s more challenging battles.
Combat transitions are smooth, featuring a brief yet catchy melody that signals danger, which evokes memories of older titles like Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. The 2D view is a clear throwback to classic games. It gives you that nostalgic feeling, but the modern combat keeps things fresh and exciting.
One of the most enjoyable aspects is that you can see enemies in the overworld before engaging them, meaning you can choose to avoid battles. This avoids the frustration of random encounters that often plague RPGs. However, some battles can still surprise you with enemies who chase you down, ensuring a balance between exploration and combat.
One thing that makes it stand out is its escape system. You can run away from almost any battle, even some boss fights, which is pretty rare in turn-based RPGs. This can be a nice break if you don’t want to grind, but it can feel a bit strange during important story battles. Some players might find it a relief, while others might think it takes away from the challenge. It all depends on how you like to play.
One of the downsides of EVERING is the lack of enemy visibility during battles. You can’t see how much health the enemy has or how much damage your attacks are doing, so you’re often left guessing during combat. As a fan of turn-based games, this can be frustrating because it makes planning your strategy harder. Without this feedback, it’s tough to know if you’re close to winning or if you need to change your approach, leading to some moments that feel more confusing than fun.
Side Quests
Side quests offer variety but leave something to be desired. You’ll be given a mission booklet at the start of the game, which tracks quests you’ve activated, completed, or missed. The missions are typically short, straightforward, and rewarding, often not requiring much deviation from your current location. In a way, this keeps the pacing of the main story intact, but it also makes side content feel a little too easy and shallow.
While some side quests feature interesting characters, they don’t dive deep into the game’s lore or world-building. This feels like a missed opportunity, as richer side quests could have added more immersion and depth to the game’s already compelling world.
There are only a few small side quests, which is a bit of a letdown for those who enjoy extra adventures. Since there aren’t many of them, the game doesn’t include a tracking system for side quests, similar to the older, classic RPGs. While this gives off a retro vibe, it can make it harder to keep track of what you need to do. For fans of classic RPGs, it might feel nostalgic, but for modern players, a bit more structure would have made the side quests feel more rewarding and easier to follow.
Visuals: Nostalgia and Charm
EVERING is filled with the magic of classic games, especially if you’re a fan of retro-style visuals. The 2D graphics are stunning and immediately bring to mind A Link to the Past, with its hand-drawn feel that makes every place you explore come to life. Whether you’re in a busy city or a dark, mysterious dungeon, the world feels rich and vibrant.
The way it uses color is amazing too. Each area has its unique look, bright, adventurous forests, or creepy, shadowy caves. The game’s atmosphere pulls you in and keeps you engaged, making every step of your journey feel exciting.
That said, there were some issues before a big update where bugs could stop the game or make parts of it not work right. Luckily, most of those problems have been fixed, but they did take away from the experience early on. Even with these hiccups, the retro-inspired visuals really shine, giving the charm and spirit of the old classics we love.
Sound: Harmonies of Exploration
The sound in EVERING is well done, especially for Pokémon fans. When you enter a battle, a quick melody makes you feel like something big is about to happen, just like in the older Pokémon games when you face a wild Pokémon. This little tune pulls you into the fight, making each battle feel exciting and important.
The rest of the music fits perfectly with the game’s mood. In peaceful towns, you’ll hear calm and relaxing tunes, while in dangerous areas like dungeons, the music gets more intense, building up the tension. It’s the kind of soundtrack that sticks with you even after you stop playing.
The sound effects are just as good. Every action, whether it’s swinging a sword or casting a spell, has its own unique sound. Everything feels just right, from the slice of a dagger to the zap of a magical attack.
User Interface (UI)
The UI is clean and intuitive, offering quick access to menus, inventories, and skills. However, the game’s lack of an auto-save feature is a significant drawback. If you forget to save and die during a battle, you’ll be forced to replay everything from your last manual save point, which can be a frustrating setback, especially in longer dungeons.
As for language, EVERING is available in Spanish, English, and Simplified Chinese. The characters don’t have voices; all dialogue is done through text, which gives it a more classic RPG feel.
As a fan of turn-based games, not having a map or minimap makes exploring really tough. Without something to show where you are or where you need to go, it’s easy to get lost, especially in big areas or dungeons. You often end up wandering around, unsure if you’re going the right way. For a game that’s all about planning, this can get frustrating and take away from the fun of exploring. A map would make things a lot easier and help you enjoy the adventure without getting stuck.
Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Taking
EVERING is a true tribute to the classic turn-based RPGs that many of us grew up loving. It masterfully blends retro visuals, strategic combat, and a rich story with modern updates that keep it fresh and exciting. The world is vibrant and nostalgic, while the deep turn-based combat system, inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger and Pokémon, keeps the gameplay engaging and challenging.
However, the game does have its shortcomings. The lack of enemy health bars and damage numbers can make battles feel uncertain, and the absence of a map or minimap makes exploration harder than it needs to be. Additionally, the lack of an auto-save feature can lead to frustrating setbacks if you forget to save manually.
Despite these issues, EVERING is a game filled with heart. Its story, characters, and atmosphere will resonate deeply with fans of classic RPGs, while its modern mechanics bring a fresh twist to the familiar formula. With its memorable soundtrack, charming world, and nostalgic vibes, it is a solid choice for fans of turn-based RPGs, offering a fun and unique adventure for anyone ready to explore its retro-inspired world.
