Chrono Trigger Meets Final Fantasy In New JRPG You Can Play Free Now

It is clear that, long after the early days of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy, the JRPG genre has evolved exponentially. They are a dime a dozen these days, with numerous developers attempting to recreate those aforementioned legendary titles in the hopes of recapturing their magic. Occasionally, it works, thanks in large part to novel new mechanics or the perfection of classic concepts. However, more often than not, it doesn't, which has made locating a good JRPG, let alone an affordable one, a little tricky, especially on platforms like Steam.

This is why it is so important to distinguish the bad from the good, as only then can we find titles as good as some of the greatest JRPGs of all time. Fortunately, while not necessarily reaching the same heights as the likes of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy, a new contender has arrived, vying for JRPG fans' attentions. This new title has one benefit, at least for now, and it is that it's free to play. That isn't to say that it is some gacha game with microtransactions, but rather just a retro-styled JRPG that is free.

The game in question is the indie JRPG Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds by debut studio Mana Relic Games. It aims to bring all the nostalgia-twinged brilliance of 90s JRPGs to a modern audience, something that is greatly needed right now as fans all await news of the rumored Chrono Trigger remake.

It is clear to see the influences on Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds, as it very much feels like the culmination of everything classics like Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, and many others delivered over 30 years ago. There's an in-game card game called Lane Battle Legends, an assortment of minigames, turn-based combat, a gorgeous 8-bit soundtrack, and stunning pixel-art visuals.

Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds isn't the first retro-inspired JRPG, and it certainly won't be the last. The likes of Chained Echoes and Sea of Stars have come before it and succeeded immensely, and Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds is clearly following in their footsteps. However, it is doing enough to distinguish itself from its contemporaries and, indeed, its influences, that fans will be able to find enough fresh ideas to sustain an entire playthrough.

The best part is that, as prefaced at the start, Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds is free right now. It currently has a demo available on Steam that is free to download and play. This is a pre-alpha demo that includes over two hours of content that covers the first two chapters of the story. This includes two dungeons and a town, four bosses to beat, an assortment of minigames to interact with, and the ability to camp. It is a pretty meaty offering, especially considering many other free Steam JRPGs don't include quite as much content.

Mana Relic Games is treating the demo as a form of Early Access (something it jokingly calls Frearly Access) to gauge fan feedback. It is possible that the demo will change over time to reflect any new additions and could even have more content added to it. Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds doesn't have an official release date yet, so this demo is currently everything available and will be for some time. Regardless, for those eager for more games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy, Llewl and the Lyre of Two Worlds may just be the perfect pick.