Eternal Strands, developed and published by Yellow Brick Games, is an action-adventure title that invites players into a richly crafted world filled with exploration, combat, and environmental interaction. Released on January 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has garnered attention for its unique blend of mechanics and storytelling.
Developer: Yellow Brick Games
Publisher: Yellow Brick Games
Release Date:Â 28 January 2025
CPU:Â Intel Core i5 / AMD Equivalent
GPU:Â Geforce GTX 1060 / AMD Equivalent
RAM:Â 16 GB
HDD: 24 GB
Review code provided.
Gameplay and Mechanics
In Eternal Strands, players assume the role of Brynn, a warrior on a quest to uncover the secrets of the ancient Enclave civilization. The game is played from a third-person perspective, offering a dynamic combat system that emphasizes elemental manipulation and environmental interaction. Brynn wields a magical cloak that allows her to control elements and temperature, enabling her to freeze enemies to slow them down or ignite them to inflict damage. This elemental control extends to the environment; for instance, frequent use of fire abilities can desiccate areas, leading to rapidly spreading wildfires, while ice can create bridges or barriers, facilitating exploration and strategic combat approaches.
The game features nine distinct bosses, each roaming different regions of the world. These encounters often require players to climb onto the colossal creatures to target their weak points, reminiscent of mechanics seen in titles like Shadow of the Colossus. Defeating these bosses rewards players with new magical abilities, further enhancing both combat and exploration.
Visuals and World-Building
Eternal Strands presents a visually cohesive world that balances aesthetic appeal with performance. The game’s art style, influenced by European visual novels, creates a painterly effect that enhances the fantasy setting. The environments are designed with significant verticality, encouraging players to climb structures and natural formations to gain strategic advantages or discover hidden secrets. This design choice not only enriches exploration but also integrates seamlessly with the game’s physics-based mechanics.
Sound and Music
The auditory experience in Eternal Strands is noteworthy, featuring a soundtrack composed by Austin Wintory. The music dynamically complements the gameplay, shifting from serene melodies during exploration to intense compositions during combat, thereby enhancing the overall immersion. The English voice cast delivers commendable performances, bringing depth to the characters and narrative.
Narrative and Characters
The narrative follows Brynn’s journey as she delves into the mysteries of the Enclave. While the overarching plot provides a compelling backdrop, some reviewers have noted that certain storylines feel rushed, potentially leaving players desiring more depth and development. Despite this, the character interactions and lore contribute to a rich storytelling experience.
Performance and Technical Aspects
From a technical standpoint, Eternal Strands performs admirably. The game handles complex physics calculations—such as environmental changes due to elemental manipulation—without significant performance issues. However, some players have reported minor technical hiccups, including controller compatibility issues on the PC version and occasional crashes on the Xbox Series X. These issues are relatively rare and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
Critiques and Areas for Improvement
While Eternal Strands excels in many areas, it is not without its critiques. Some players have found the melee combat to be somewhat clunky, which can disrupt the otherwise fluid combat experience. Additionally, the game’s pacing in the latter stages includes fetch quests that may feel repetitive, potentially extending the game length unnecessarily. Addressing these areas could enhance the overall gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
Eternal Strands stands as a remarkable debut from Yellow Brick Games, offering a fresh take on the action-adventure genre through its innovative mechanics, engaging world, and dynamic combat system. Despite minor shortcomings in narrative depth and melee combat fluidity, the game provides a captivating experience that is well worth the journey for fans of the genre.