Chain Chronicle is a tower defenserole-playing game developed and published by Sega for iOS, Android, and PlayStation Vita. It was released in Japan on July 26, 2013 for iOS, August 1, 2013 for Android and on July 16, 2014 for the PlayStation Vita. The game is licensed in Asia by SNDA in China, MobiMon for both Taiwan and Macau, Actoz Soft for South Korea and gumi Asia for both Southeast Asia and North American release, however the game was closed down on February 29, 2016. The series spawned an original video animation series directed by Takeshi Mori, animated by Jūmonji. It was released on December 18, 2014. An anime film trilogy titled Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas premiered in Japanese Theaters between December 3, 2016 and February 11, 2017. An anime television series adaptation compiling the film trilogy was aired on January 8, 2017.
Gameplay
Chain Chronicle combines three gameplay elements: tower defense, traditional role-playing and card trading in the form of Arcanas. The role-playing game elements drive the entire story, allowing the player to make decisions, visit towns and participate in events. The map system shows the towns and areas that the player must visit by tapping on one town to another, however for the player to get to the next town, it must clear some enemies first. Battle in the game is similar to a traditional tower defense game, each player can command a team of four Arcanas, with two more as sub-party extras and a guest unit. Each Arcana is assigned to 5 classes, and each unit are weak to specific class. In the second versions of the game, updates introduced Fighters and Gunners, with the former being a type of Swordsman, and the latter being an archer-type. The goal of the game is to clear each stage without the enemy reaching the player's safe zone. Tapping one unit into the enemy allows it to attack and if the stage is cleared, the player can move to the next stage until it reaches the boss. If the one of the enemies reaches the safe zone, the game is over. However, each unit has its own skill that can counter against enemies and easily clear each stage. If all stages are cleared, the player is awarded with money, special arcana and Arcana Coins. Players can also summon allies by using either Prysma or Arcana Coins, which are earned during gameplay. Each unit has its own story, which can be completed to obtain more Prysma or to unlock its special skill. Events are also in the game, allowing players to get special items and Arcanas.
Story
The continent of Yggdra is a place where humans, ogres, giants, forest sprites, and many more mythical creatures live. Led by the Holy King, the continent was at peace until one day, a mysterious group called the Black Army appeared and started conquering the land. In response, the Holy King and its troops fought against it, but Holy Capital fell and the Holy King was killed by the mysterious Black King. As the continent was in the glimpse of destruction, hope glimmered as one man decided to fight back and formed the Volunteer Army to oppose the Black King and bring peace back to Yggdra.
The game was first released on iOS on July 26, 2013, following an Android release on August 1, 2013. A PlayStation Vita port titled "Chain Chronicle V" was released on July 16, 2014 on both Physical form and in the PlayStation Store. The global version of the game was released on December 8, 2014. The second version of the game, Chain Chronicle: Brave New Continent, was released on October 6, 2015. Following with a Climax Chapter in December 2015. A Sequel chapter, only titled Chain Chronicle 3 is released on November 24, 2016. The global version of the game was shut down on February 29, 2016.
Manga
A manga adaptation titled "Chain Chronicle Crimson" was written and illustrated by Junpei Okazaki, serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine from July 2014 to August 2015. 3 tankōbon volumes are released with the first volume containing a special code to obtain Caz in the game, who is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa.
Anime
An original video animation was produced by both Jūmonji and Sotsu and released on September 6, 2014 for theatrical screening and on December 18, 2014 on DVD. The opening song is titled "REASON" while the ending is titled "Arrive", both performed by The Sketchbook. A film trilogy titled Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas was released in Japan, with the first, second and third films premiering on December 3, 2016, January 14, 2017, and February 11, 2017 respectively. The anime television version begin airing in January 2017 after the release of the first anime film. The opening theme for the movie version is titled "Chain the World" by Nao Tōyama while the ending song is titled "PARAISO" by Nano. For the TV broadcast, the opening theme is titled "MY LIBERATION" by Nano while the ending theme is titled "True Destiny" by Nao Tōyama. Crunchyroll has licensed the series in North America.
Episode list
Reception
The game was met with positive reviews upon its first month of launch. Gamezebo praised its grid-based combat mechanics, number of characters, and extensive story, but criticized the serialized female character designs, saying "...the portrayal of women in Chain Chronicle is completely, and frustratingly, stuck in the past." Despite that, Gamezebo concluded "ven though it has a few blemishes, they don’t stop the gameplay from being fun and rewarding". 148Apps praised the game for its gameplay and fair free-to-play system, stated that "Chain Chronicle is an easy-to-learn role-playing game that successfully combines tower defense, strategy, and action".
