Eternal Strands presents a fascinating blend of action-adventure and physics-based combat, a tapestry woven with ancient magic and formidable, truly colossal titans. It promises a world where mastery over elemental forces dictates survival, and where the very environment is a weapon to be wielded. Can a game truly balance intricate physics with accessible combat, or will one strand inevitably break? Read our Eternal Strands review to find out!

The Dance of Blades and Elements

Eternal Strands places players in the role of Brynn, a skilful climber and sorcerer on a quest to reclaim her homeland from the encroaching threat of colossal Arks. Gameplay revolves around navigating perilous environments, scaling towering structures, and engaging in dynamic combat against these formidable foes. The entire map is navigable and it is difficult to not be drawn away from the main objective due to the sheer beauty and interactivity of everything. Whilst not a “truly” open world, it certainly has a feel of near-total freedom (there are areas that “reset” Brynn to an earlier position from moments before). The narrative is intertwined with the exploration of ancient ruins, unlocking lore fragments that deepen the understanding of the world’s past. There are also plenty of hidden items and chests to find as Brynn explores, so traversal of each environment is clearly encouraged.

Players will encounter a variety of Arks, each with unique attack patterns and weaknesses, demanding strategic use of Brynn’s abilities. Each Ark must be scaled (as in Brynn must literally climb them) in order to hit weak points in their respective armours and expose their vulnerable “flesh” beneath. Once done, Brynn then targets the weak points where massive amounts of damage can be done, bringing the hulking foes to a stop once and for all.

The Architectonics of Power

At the core of Eternal Strands lies its physics-driven combat and traversal system. Brynn wields magical abilities that manipulate the environment and her enemies. Abilities include the option that allows players to freeze and manipulate objects, create platforms, projectiles, or even use the environment to hinder enemy movement.

You can use telekinesis to lift objects and hurl them at your enemies, or even lift entire enemies and hurl them off into the distance to meet their demise.

Combat is clearly the star of the show in Eternal Strands, as it is fast-paced yet fun. As mentioned earlier, combat is predominantly focused on exploiting enemy weaknesses, as well as utilising elemental interactions, and mastering the physics of the environment. Strategic positioning and timing is also key, requiring players to adapt to the dynamic battlefield. There is a wide variety of elemental attacks, and players must learn how to combine attacks to achieve maximum effect.

A Visceral Overture

Eternal Strands boasts impressive visuals, with detailed environments, realistic character models, and stunning special effects. The environments are rich and atmospheric, showcasing the remnants of a once-great civilisation. The Arks are meticulously designed, each possessing a distinct visual identity and conveying a sense of immense power. There is one area, however, where I felt that the visuals fall below par: fire. Despite the initial burst of flame, fire subsequently appears as bright orange light which spreads across areas, rather than wild, lashing flames. Given how incredible Eternal Strands’s environments are, I can’t help but feel that the fire visuals let it down and even becomes slightly immersion-breaking.

The audio design is incredible, and enhances the sense of (literal) scale and intensity vastly. The soundtrack is a blend of orchestral and ambient music, creating a fitting atmosphere for the game’s epic scope.

The Threads of Continued Play

Eternal Strands offers decent replay value through its challenging combat encounters and the exploration of its vast, beautiful world. Players can revisit areas to uncover hidden secrets, collect lore fragments, and master the brilliant combat system.

There is a progression system that allows players to upgrade Brynn’s abilities, encouraging experimentation with different playstyles. There are also multiple difficulty settings, which allows players to tailor the challenge to their preferences. The story is relatively linear, however, the combat provides a high degree of variation, which keeps things interesting.

Conclusion

Eternal Strands delivers a unique and engaging action-adventure experience. Its physics-driven combat and traversal systems offer a refreshing take on the genre, while its compelling story and atmospheric world create a captivating experience. The challenging combat and exploration elements provide a sense of accomplishment, and its visually stunning presentation further enhances the immersion. Unfortunately, fire looks bad in-game and even though it spreads, it isn’t believable. Despite that, Eternal Strands is exciting and immersive, thus making the overall experience rich and rewarding and one that I recommend!

Grade: 8/10