On January 28, 2025, Eternal Strands launched from the newly formed studio Yellow Brick Games, showcasing the artistic talents of industry veterans known for their work on titles like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Watch Dogs. This action-adventure game has made waves with its vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay, drawing comparisons to beloved franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Shadow of the Colossus.
Set against the backdrop of a colorful fantasy universe, players take on the role of Brynn, a courageous young Weaver. The narrative begins as Brynn and her group of like-minded peers, known as the Weaverband, seek to enter the mysterious, ancient location known as the Enclave. After breaching its magical barrier, they discover more than they bargained for as they encounter titanic creatures and the remnants of their civilization.
The Enclave is pivotal to the game, as it serves as both the setting and the central plot point, inviting players to explore its secrets after the calamity known as the Surge. Players must navigate through various zones, confronting giant monsters and overcoming environmental challenges using Brynn's magic and unique abilities.
Despite its captivating premise, reviews of Eternal Strands have revealed some shortcomings. The game garners attention for its visual fidelity and creative combat mechanics, but criticism has focused on its pacing and narrative depth. Players have noted the story is less compelling than expected, often feeling like they are embarking on routine fetch quests rather than participating in an epic adventure.
The game’s combat system is particularly noteworthy. Utilizing both melee and magical capabilities, players can turn their environment against foes, launching objects like trees or magical projectiles. Brynn's abilities extend to telekinesis and elemental magic, allowing for innovative combat strategies.
Great Foe battles, inspired by the likes of Shadow of the Colossus, have captured players' imaginations. These massive creatures require players to strategize and utilize Brynn's powers to exploit weaknesses and bring them down. The thrill of physically climbing these giants adds another layer to the already engaging combat experience.
Despite the gameplay's excitement, critics have cited frustrations with the game's narrative progression. Reviewers have expressed disappointment with the story’s slow burn, noting substantial events do not transpire until the halfway point. While Brynn remains a likable character, her constant display of competence leads to predictability and can detract from the tension and drama expected from such narratives.
The game’s design also embraces exploration. Players can climb nearly any surface, finding items and resources to help progress their adventure. Notably, the collect-all-the-things mechanic seems reminiscent of classic RPGs, inviting exploration with minimal hand-holding. Some players find fault with this approach, desiring clearer navigation tools to facilitate their journeys through the vast, yet sometimes disorienting environments.
The vibrant aesthetic of Eternal Strands is particularly praised, crafted using Unreal Engine 5. Studio representatives shared insights on their decision to embrace stylized visuals rather than pursue hyper-realism, allowing them to push the boundaries of gameplay mechanics such as environment destructibility—a feature rare among modern games.
Playing on platforms such as Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, users have access to the game via the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, marking it as part of Microsoft’s subscription service since its day-one release. This accessibility can only aid the game’s reach among players eager to experience new titles.
Despite its critiques, Eternal Strands is not without its merits. The engaging combat and visually stunning landscapes entice players, providing ample opportunity for exploration and mastery of magical abilities. Critics agree it remains worth experiencing, especially for those fascinated by immersive gameplay and captivating environments.
On review aggregation site OpenCritic, Eternal Strands currently holds a rating of 74, reflecting its mixed reception among critics. While some praises its visual artistry and creativity, others lament the lacking narrative depth and slower sections of the gameplay. Nonetheless, the title showcases the fresh talent of Yellow Brick Games and sets the stage for future explorations within the lore-rich world it has created.
Overall, Eternal Strands marks an intriguing debut for Yellow Brick Games, and as players venture forth, they are bound to find excitement, beauty, and challenges amid the Enclave’s mysteries.