‘Echo Generation: Midnight Edition’ Reviewed: A Dark, Comical, And Fun Experience
by Gary Catig
Echo Generation is a turn-based RPG adventure first released on Xbox consoles a few years ago. It was well received and even earned Best Indie Game at the 2022 Canadian Game Awards. Developer, Cococucumber, is bringing the title to even a wider audience when Echo Generation: Midnight Edition releases to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
The story takes place in the fictional Canadian suburb of Maple Town. When a strange aircraft crashes on the outskirts of the city, a teenage boy and his younger sister investigate and become embroiled in a science fiction paranormal adventure involving shady corporations and time travel.
Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is well written — creating a compelling narrative that, despite all the spooky and thriller elements, is about family. It manages to blend humor, mystery, coming of age, and horror in a single enjoyable experience. The jokes lighten the mood after genuinely spine-tingling moments. It has a big Stranger Things vibe in a good way.
The combat system is a stand out part of the gameplay mechanics. It spices up your typical and mundane turn-based fights by incorporating more interactive aspects with the special attacks. Each one involves timing, button combinations, or control pad input to successfully execute. Some are more difficult than others, and may seem more luck than skill, so you find yourself performing the ones that you can consistently pull off.
The graphics are pixelated, capturing a playful retro feel. However, don’t let the cute aesthetics fool you. Echo Generation: Midnight Edition doesn’t shy away from the darker components with twisted, epic boss battles and eerie settings. The soundtrack complements the various scenes’ tones whether it requires levity or needs to build the suspense.
One gripe: the game could have been longer. It can be easily completed playing casually over a weekend, and if you are really committed, maybe even in a day. This can be most felt with the pets you collect throughout to add to your party. There doesn’t seem adequate time to level up and really utilize each character during the natural progression that you tend to stick with the very first pet you collect. Other than that, it will leave you wanting for more not because it’s incomplete, but because it is so entertaining.
That sensation underscores the way the game delivers a dark but comical experience with interactive combat mechanics and an engaging narrative.
Echo Generation: Midnight Edition is now available on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.