What's Different In Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant?

Ashes of Elrant, Chained Echoes, DLC, indie, JRPG

Chained Echoes released to amazing reception on December 8, 2022 by German developer Matthias Linda.

Touted as a masterpiece, winning indie JRPG citing huge inspirations from classics like XenoGEARS, Chrono Trigger, Breath of Fire, Suikoden 2, and Final Fantasy VI, FFX (battle system), he later founds Umami Tiger and gives up a much awaited DLC, Ashes of Elrant.

Initially announced on December 9, 2024 and the release date announcement on June 26th, 2025, today we finally get to play it, available on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

What's New In Ashes of Elrant?

10-15 hours of fresh content, including side quests and hidden secrets of stand alone content. It's a new chapter within the Chained Echoes universe including a new playable character!

Not only that, it'll also include a fully fleshed out fishing min game, 40 new monsters, and 15 new tracks (available on Spotify and other major streaming services)

You can use your CLEARED save file or one they give you

As mentioned, Ashes of Elrant is indeed a stand alone DLC. As long as you own the main game as well as the DLC, you can start Ashes of Elrant at any time even if you no longer have a save for the main game!

If you want to use your own save, this is what you need:

• A CLEARED save file

That's it!

However, they do suggest some preparations in order for you to survive your new adventures:

• Find/Buy accessories
• Find Class Emblems
• Learn/Upgrade character skills and/or Class Emblem Skills
• Find/Buy Sky Armour and equipment

And if you happen to be missing some optional playable characters or didn't find the Legendary Sky Armour, they will provide that for you even if you use your own CLEARED save file.

However, if you no longer have access to your CLEARED save file or decided to continue your adventure on a different platform, they will provide you with an OP save. This is what you'll get:

• all 11 playable characters
• All skills learned at level 2
• 999 SP to spend
• 15,000 gold
• rank 10 Weapons and Armour upgraded x
• Best Sky Armour (including the Legendary Sky Armor Balthasar) with Max proficiencies for all weapon types
• No Crystals

As a frame of reference, I have a good save (almost a platinum, missing 1 enemy drop), with the skills I prefer at max, best weapons (not the best armour), and best Sky Armours. And I got my butt handed to me in the first fight!

Honestly, if you decided not to play past the main game and into NEW GAME + and took the time to get the best armour (which is what I'm missing), then it's in your best interest to use the save file they provide you.

Luckily, Chained Echoes has always been great with modern quality of life like fully healing you after every battle so you can go all out as well as allowing you to retry a battle after failure and taking you the party screen allowing you to switch things up if you're just trying to re-familiarize yourself with the game if you're like me and haven't played the game since original release!

Looking forward to seeing my friends again!

I'm looking forward to getting lost in this world once again, look forward to my review for Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant! Are you picking up Ashes or Elrant and what were your thoughts on Chained Echoes?