Chaotic and Fun Mix of Genres

The Creative Promise and Perils of Eternal Strands

In the ever-expanding universe of indie games, creativity often reigns supreme. Developers, unshackled by corporate restraints, are free to blend genres in novel ways. Yellow Brick Games exemplifies this with Eternal Strands, a fresh brew of third-person action, survival, and more. It promises a tantalizing mix, yet the repetitive quest structure and forgettable story stretch it thin. What begins as a vibrant venture loses its shine after a drawn-out 25-hour playthrough.

A Chaotic Symphony of Gameplay

The true gem of Eternal Strands lies in its gameplay. It’s chaotic, yet charming, with magic turning the world into a blaze or battles against colossal bosses. This dizzying mix of third-person action, crafting, and survival creates a unique experience. You’re set to journey through various hub worlds, battling foes and gathering materials. Brynn, your protagonist, wields a variety of weapons, though it’s her magic where the real excitement brews.

You’ll blend fire, ice, and kinetic energy to decimate opponents. It takes a moment to master, but once you do, it transforms the game. Combining different powers yields explosive results, like using kinetic energy to create traps, only to ignite them with fire for a fiery spectacle. This dazzling dance is Eternal Strands at its finest, though bloated quests eventually dull this shine.

A Dangerous Dance with Giants

Amidst ordinary foes, behemoth magical constructs stalk each level. Brynn must conquer these giants, scaling and clinging to them amid their relentless attacks. Each foe holds a secret locus, brimming with magic strands to enhance Brynn’s abilities. Defeating these titans is a thrilling endeavor, with battles like a fiery clash against a giant robot wielding a flaming hammer, fervently urging you back for more.

Brynn is a weaver, a magic user leading a group of nomadic weavers. Together, they delve into the Enclave, a mystifying magical haven. Though the lore has its moments, the story generally fails to captivate. The quest structure, repetitive and tiresome, doesn’t aid this. Players are often left aimlessly seeking mystical collectibles across expansive, yet familiar, worlds.

Rinse and Repeat Adventures

As quests grow, frustrations mount. Endless searches through previously explored lands, reliving battles in an inescapable loop, sap enthusiasm. Even the diverse hub worlds lose allure when revisited ad nauseam. For newcomers, focus strictly on quests to avoid tedium. My own 25-hour playthrough suffered as each revisit dulled once vibrant locales.

While the main narrative falters, companion quests offer a glimmer of hope. The camaraderie among Brynn’s fellow weavers offers pockets of engagement. However, interaction is limited to visual novel-style dialogues. As someone who avoids visual novels, this format stifled my connection.

The Long Goodbye

Ultimately, Eternal Strands felt overindulgent. At $39.99, there’s potential value, but trimming redundant quests and story beats could refine it. The allure of exploration and combat ingenuity fades with repetition, making the last half feel like a journey extended beyond necessity. Initially poised as a standout, it became a tale awaiting its end.

In the end, Eternal Strands carves a unique niche but scatters its potential amidst an overstuffed narrative. It’s a testament to indie ambition, even if it stumbles along its stretched path.