Eternal Strands Review
OUR RATING: 8/10
From the moment you boot up Eternal Strands, you’re transported into a world brimming with mystery and wonder. The game throws you into the shoes of Brynn, a skilled Weaver with the power to manipulate magical energy. As you join a band of fellow Weavers on their quest to uncover the secrets of the Enclave, you’ll find yourself immersed in a narrative that’s both familiar and refreshingly unique.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Another fantasy action-adventure game? Haven’t we seen it all before?” Trust me, I had the same thought. But Eternal Strands manages to carve out its own identity in this crowded genre. The game blends elements from beloved classics like The Legend of Zelda and Shadow of the Colossus, while infusing them with its own magical twist.
As I explored the vast, open zones of the Enclave, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my first time stepping into Hyrule Field in Breath of the Wild. There’s that same sense of possibility, of adventure waiting around every corner. But Eternal Strands takes it a step further with its dynamic magic system, which had me constantly experimenting with new ways to interact with the environment.
One of the standout features of Eternal Strands is its physics-based magic system. As Brynn, you have the power to manipulate fire, ice, and raw magical energy called miasma. This isn’t just window dressing – it’s a core part of both combat and exploration.
I found myself constantly discovering new ways to use these abilities. Need to cross a chasm? Why not create an ice bridge? Enemies giving you trouble? Set the ground ablaze and watch them dance! The possibilities felt endless, and I often caught myself grinning like a kid in a candy store as I experimented with different combinations.
What really impressed me was how the environment reacts to your magic. Set a forest on fire, and you’ll see trees burn and wildlife flee. Freeze a lake, and you can skate across its surface. This level of interactivity makes the world feel alive and responsive to your actions.
However, it’s worth noting that with great power comes great responsibility. More than once, I found myself accidentally setting myself on fire or slipping off an ice bridge of my own creation. It’s a system that rewards creativity but punishes carelessness – a balance that I found both challenging and satisfying.
Eternal Strands takes a unique approach to character progression. Rather than a traditional leveling system, you’ll find yourself crafting and upgrading gear using materials gathered from the environment and defeated enemies.
This system ties in beautifully with the game’s elemental mechanics. Burn an enemy, and you might get high-quality leather but no fur. Freeze them, and you’re more likely to get pristine pelts. It’s a clever way to encourage players to vary their approach to combat and exploration.
I particularly enjoyed how this system allowed me to tailor Brynn’s abilities to my playstyle. Want to focus on fire magic? Craft gear that boosts your heat resistance and fire damage. Prefer a more defensive approach? Upgrade your armor for better protection against elemental attacks.
The crafting system does have a bit of a learning curve, and at times I found myself wishing for a more streamlined interface. But once I got the hang of it, I appreciated the depth and flexibility it offered.
While exploring and crafting are enjoyable, the real stars of Eternal Strands are its boss battles. Each zone features a massive, awe-inspiring creature that serves as both a formidable foe and a source of new magical abilities.
These encounters are where the game truly shines. Scaling these colossal beasts, searching for weak points, and using the environment to your advantage – it all comes together in a thrilling dance of strategy and reflexes. I found myself holding my breath during these fights, my palms sweaty as I clung to the fur of a giant beast, desperately trying to find its weak spot.
After defeating each boss, you gain access to a new magical ability, which in turn opens up new areas to explore and puzzles to solve. This creates a satisfying loop of progression that kept me eager to push forward and discover what new powers awaited me.
Eternal Strands is a feast for the senses. The game’s art style strikes a balance between realism and fantasy, creating a world that feels both grounded and magical. From lush forests to desolate wastelands, each area has its own distinct visual identity that begs to be explored.
The attention to detail is impressive. Brynn’s animations are fluid and responsive, and the way her gear changes appearance based on your crafting choices is a nice touch. The magical effects are particularly stunning – watching a forest ignite in a blaze of your own creation is both beautiful and slightly terrifying.
Audio design deserves special mention. The soundtrack, composed by the talented Austin Wintory, perfectly captures the sense of wonder and adventure that permeates the game. From sweeping orchestral pieces during boss battles to more subdued, atmospheric tracks during exploration, the music enhances every moment of gameplay.
While Eternal Strands gets a lot right, it’s not without its flaws. The game’s pacing can feel uneven at times, with periods of intense action followed by lengthy stretches of exploration and resource gathering. Some players might find these quieter moments tedious, especially in the game’s later hours.
The story, while intriguing, sometimes struggles to maintain its momentum. There are moments where the narrative feels disjointed, with plot threads left dangling or resolved too quickly. The game’s reliance on static character portraits during dialogue scenes also feels at odds with its otherwise dynamic presentation.
Camera issues occasionally crop up during intense combat scenarios or while scaling larger enemies. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it can lead to some frustrating moments, especially during tighter platforming sections.
Despite these minor gripes, Eternal Strands is an impressive debut from Yellow Brick Games. It’s a game that dares to dream big, offering a vast world to explore, a unique magic system to master, and epic encounters that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
Is it perfect? No. But it’s a game that oozes passion and creativity, one that isn’t afraid to take risks and try new things. For every moment of frustration, there are dozens of moments of pure joy and wonder.
If you’re a fan of action-adventure games, or if you’ve ever dreamed of wielding elemental magic in a vast, open world, Eternal Strands is absolutely worth your time. It’s a game that reminds us why we fell in love with video games in the first place – the thrill of discovery, the joy of overcoming challenges, and the magic of losing ourselves in another world.
