Eternal Strands
{{Infobox video game
| title = Eternal Strands
| image = File:Eternal Strands cover art.jpg
| developer = Yellow Brick Games
| publisher = Yellow Brick Games
| director = Mike Laidlaw
Frederic St-Laurent
| writer = Kate MacMullin
| artist = Sebastien Primeau
| composer = Austin Wintory
| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|PlayStation 5|Xbox Series X/S}}
| engine = Unreal Engine 5
| released = January 28, 2025
| genre = Action-adventure
| modes = Single-player
}}
Eternal Strands is a 2025 action-adventure game developed and published by Yellow Brick Games. The game was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on January 28, 2025. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
Eternal Strands is an action-adventure video game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of Brynn, a warrior who is on a quest to search for the secrets of a long-lost civilization known as the Enclave. The player has the ability to manipulate elements and temperature using a magical cloak. Freezing enemies can slow them down, while burning them cost them health.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2024/04/02/manipulate-the-elements-in-eternal-strands-yellow-brick-games-debut-action-adventure|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402182814/https://www.gameinformer.com/2024/04/02/manipulate-the-elements-in-eternal-strands-yellow-brick-games-debut-action-adventure|url-status=live|archive-date=April 2, 2024|title=Manipulate The Elements In Eternal Strands, Yellow Brick Games' Debut Action Adventure Title|first=Marcus|last=Stewart|magazine=Game Informer|date=April 2, 2024|access-date=June 9, 2024}} The player's manipulation of temperature will also alter the game's world. Frequent usage of fire abilities will cause an area to become arid, and may result in fires that can spread rapidly in the game's vegetation. Brynn also has access to telekinetic powers, allowing her to perform feats such as hurling objects at enemies.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/eternal-strands-magic-and-physics-offer-a-zelda-like-level-of-combat-freedom-ign-first|title=Eternal Strands' Magic and Physics Offer a Zelda-Like Level of Combat Freedom – IGN First|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=IGN|date=April 17, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}} These magical abilities can also be used for exploration. Brynn can construct bridges using ice, burn obstacles, or use telekinetic skills to launch herself across great distance.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/former-dragon-age-creative-director-mike-laidlaw-finally-reveals-his-next-game-a-physics-based-action-adventure-in-which-the-world-becomes-your-weapon/|title=Former Dragon Age creative director Mike Laidlaw finally reveals his next game: A physics-based action-adventure 'in which the world becomes your weapon'|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=PC Gamer|date=April 3, 2024|accessdate=June 7, 2024}} Brynn can also climb any surface found in the game's world.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/everyone-tries-to-crib-breath-of-the-wilds-vibes-and-open-world-to-no-avail-but-the-former-lead-of-dragon-age-is-finally-giving-me-what-i-really-want-zeldas-wild-physics-and-ability-to-climb-anywhere/|title=Everyone tries to crib Breath of the Wild's vibes and open world to no avail, but the former lead of Dragon Age is finally giving me what I really want: Zelda's wild physics and ability to climb anywhere|first=Ted|last=Litchfield|work=PC Gamer|date=June 8, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}}
As player progresses, they will encounter nine distinct bosses that roam in different parts of the game's world. Players are often required to fight these bosses while climbing on them in order to strike their weak points.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/eternal-strands-an-exclusive-first-look-at-an-shadow-of-the-colossus-like-epic-boss-battle-ign-first|title=Eternal Strands: An Exclusive First Look at an Shadow of the Colossus-Like Epic Boss Battle - IGN First|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=IGN|date=April 5, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}} Once a boss is defeated, players will be rewarded with a new magical ability that can be used for exploration or combat.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/eternal-strands-shadow-of-the-colossus-meets-tears-of-the-kingdom-in-this-promising-action-adventure-ign-first|title=Eternal Strands: Shadow of the Colossus Meets Tears of the Kingdom in this Promising Action-Adventure – IGN First|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=IGN|date=April 24, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}}
Development
Yellow Brick Games was founded in early 2020 by Mike Laidlaw and several other developers from Ubisoft, in particular its Quebec studio. Shadow of the Colossus, Dragon's Dogma, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were important inspirations for gameplay,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/from-bioware-to-ubisoft-the-developers-behind-eternal-strands-have-some-serious-aaa-chops-ign-first|title=From BioWare to Ubisoft, the Developers Behind Eternal Strands Have Some Serious AAA Chops - IGN First|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=IGN|date=April 12, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}} while European visual novels influenced the game's art style.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crafting-the-painterly-art-style-in-eternal-strands-ign-first|title=Crafting the Painterly Art Style in Eternal Strands - IGN First|first=Travis|last=Northup|work=IGN|date=April 19, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}} With its physic-based combat system, the studio aimed to make players feel like they are a "fantasy superhero" while playing the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/former-bioware-and-dragon-age-dev-mike-laidlaw-gives-us-a-closer-look-at-his-new-action-adventure-eternal-strands/|title=Former-BioWare and Dragon Age dev Mike Laidlaw gives us a closer look at his new action-adventure Eternal Strands|first=Sam|last=Loveridge|work=GamesRadar|date=June 8, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}} The game was created with Unreal Engine 5, and the team had about 68 people.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yellow-brick-games-has-revealed-new-action-adventure-title-eternal-strands/|title=Yellow Brick Games has announced action-adventure title Eternal Strands|first=Tom|last=Ivan|work=Video Games Chronicle|date=April 2, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}}
Release
Yellow Brick Games partnered with Private Division to publish the game in 2022, though it was revealed in March 2024 that the studio will self-publish the title.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/yellow-brick-games-leaves-publisher-to-self-publish-debut-title|title=Yellow Brick Games leaves publisher to self-publish debut title|first=Sophie|last=McEvoy|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=March 28, 2024|accessdate=June 9, 2024}} The game was officially announced in April 2024,{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/former-dragon-age-boss-new-action-rpg-is-eternal-strands-and-out-next-year|title=Former Dragon Age boss' new action-RPG Eternal Strands out next year|first=Matt|last=Wales|work=Eurogamer|date=April 2, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}} and was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on January 28, 2025. The first post-launch update for the game will introduce a new creature, armor and weapon set designed by Yusuke Mogi from Square Enix's Creative Studio III.{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/12/eternal-strands-launches-january-28-2025-post-launch-content-collaboration-with-square-enix-creative-studio-iii-announced|title=Eternal Strands launches January 28, 2025; post-launch content collaboration with Square Enix Creative Studio III announced|work=Gematsu|date=December 5, 2024|access-date=December 6, 2024}} It was made available at launch to PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers at no additional cost.{{Cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=2025-01-21 |title=Coming to Game Pass: Sniper Elite: Resistance, Eternal Strands, Citizen Sleeper 2, and More |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/01/21/xbox-game-pass-january-2025-wave-2/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}
Reception
Eternal Strands received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for the PC and Xbox Series X/S versions, while the PS5 version received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=Eternal Strands Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/eternal-strands/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}
PC Gamer enjoyed the freedom elemental abilities offered to the player, writing that it felt "natural and improvised".{{Cite web |author1=Brunskill |first=Kerry |date=2025-01-28 |title=Eternal Strands review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/eternal-strands-review/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=pcgamer |language=en}} Eurogamer praised the monster encounters in the title, comparing them favorably to Shadow of the Colossus and the Monster Hunter series.{{Cite web |last=Donlan |first=Christian |date=2025-01-27 |title=Eternal Strands review - a game of real pluck |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/eternal-strands-review |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}} IGN criticized the combat, calling it repetitive and noting that many of the small monster fights didn't "evolve in a substantial enough way" throughout Eternal Strands
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.eternalstrandsgame.com/}}
Category:Fiction about telekinesis
Category:Unreal Engine 5 games
Category:Video games developed in Canada
Category:Action-adventure games
Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games