Eternal Strands - Review : TechGoggles

Eternal Strands, the debut title from Yellow Brick Games, is a captivating action-adventure RPG that blends elements of classic fantasy with innovative gameplay mechanics. While it stumbles in a few areas, its unique blend of combat, exploration, and environmental interaction creates a memorable and often exhilarating experience.

A World of Wonder:

The game’s greatest strength lies in its world-building. The vibrant and diverse environments, from lush forests to snowy peaks, are beautifully rendered and brimming with detail. The physics-based combat system, where environmental manipulation is key, encourages creativity and experimentation. Players can use ice magic to create bridges, set fire to flammable objects, and even manipulate the environment to their advantage in combat. This system, while initially daunting, becomes incredibly rewarding as players master its intricacies.

Combat: A Mixed Bag:

Combat, while engaging, presents a mixed bag. The core combat loop, utilizing a combination of melee attacks, ranged abilities, and environmental manipulation, is satisfying. However, the melee combat itself can feel somewhat clunky at times, lacking the fluidity of some other action RPGs. Boss encounters, while visually impressive, can occasionally feel overly reliant on scripted events and environmental hazards.

Story and Narrative:

The story, while not groundbreaking, is well-presented and features a likable cast of characters. The voice acting is solid, and the narrative effectively sets the stage for the player’s adventures. However, the story occasionally feels a bit generic, lacking the depth and emotional resonance of some other narrative-driven games.

Technical Considerations:

While visually impressive, Eternal Strands suffers from some technical hiccups. Occasional frame rate drops and minor glitches can detract from the overall experience. The game also suffers from some minor performance issues on certain platforms.

Overall:

Despite its minor shortcomings, Eternal Strands is a promising debut from Yellow Brick Games. Its innovative combat system, stunning visuals, and engaging world-building create a memorable and often exhilarating experience. While the melee combat and story could benefit from further refinement, the game’s unique strengths make it a worthwhile adventure for action RPG fans.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Key Strengths:

Innovative Combat System: Utilizing environmental manipulation adds a layer of depth and creativity to combat.
Stunning Visuals: The world is beautifully rendered, with vibrant environments and impressive attention to detail.
Engaging Exploration: The game encourages exploration and experimentation, rewarding players for their curiosity.

Key Weaknesses:

Clunky Melee Combat: The melee combat can feel stiff and unresponsive at times.
Generic Story: The story, while well-presented, lacks the depth and emotional resonance of some other narrative-driven games.
Technical Issues: Occasional frame rate drops and minor glitches can detract from the experience.