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Eternal Strands is a fantasy action-adventure game developed by Yellow Brick Games, marking the studio's debut title. It combines elements of exploration, combat, crafting, and survival in a richly designed world. Below is an overview of the game's key features:
Core Gameplay
- Setting and Story: The game is set in the Enclave, a mysterious and dangerous realm. Players take on the role of Brynn, a member of a group known as Weavers, who explore long-lost lands covered by a magical barrier called the Veil. The narrative includes political intrigue, friendships, and visual novel-style dialogue sequences.
- Combat and Magic: Players wield magical abilities called "Weave Strands," which include Kinetic, Frost, and Flame powers. These abilities interact dynamically with the environment through a system called Thermophysics. For example:
- Fire can ignite grass or melt ice.
- Frost can chill objects or creatures.
- Kinetic powers allow players to manipulate objects or enemies from a distance.
- Enemies and Bosses: Players face grand bosses called Arks, which have unique mechanics like locus points that must be harvested for upgrades. Defeating these creatures rewards materials for crafting but requires strategic planning.
Crafting and Exploration
- Crafting System: The game features an intricate crafting system where players use resources categorized as Tanned, Forged, Carved, or Woven to create or upgrade weapons and armor. Materials affect item stats and appearance, encouraging resource collection and experimentation.
- Day/Night Cycle: The game tracks time with a day/night cycle that influences gameplay but does not significantly impact the story.
- Exploration: Players unlock teleportation hubs for easier navigation while gathering materials from flora, fauna, and defeated enemies. Elemental effects like burning or freezing influence the quality of materials obtained.
Strengths
- Dynamic Systems: The Thermophysics system allows for creative interactions with the environment and enemies.
- Customization: Players can tailor their playstyle through crafted equipment and magical abilities.
- Visuals: The game is praised for its beautiful level design and detailed environments.
Criticisms
- Repetitive Quests: Many missions revolve around fetch quests that can feel monotonous over time.
- Limited Enemy Variety: While combat is engaging, some reviewers noted a lack of diversity in enemy types.
Eternal Strands offers over 24 hours of gameplay with its mix of exploration, combat, and crafting. It has been compared to games like Zelda and Monster Hunter due to its blend of action-adventure mechanics and monster-hunting elements.