As a fan of developer Mike Laidlaw’s previous games, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with “Eternal Strands” necessarily, but I had to give it some attention. The premise was undeniably interesting, you’re a young Weaver named Brynn battling towering creatures and unearthing ancient mysteries, but I feel like the game’s initial moments didn’t quite stick the landing. The basics of combat felt lackluster, and I found myself questioning whether this ambitious title from Yellow Brick Games could live up to its potential. After continuing to press on, the game’s innovative mechanics and creative world-building began to reveal themselves, turning a shaky start into something a bit more memorable.
The story places you in the shoes of Brynn, a determined young hero on a quest to reclaim her people’s lost cultural home. It’s a classic fantasy setup, yet the narrative stumbles with its reliance on lengthy exposition dumps presented in a visual novel format. Instead of immersing me in the world through organic storytelling, I was frequently bogged down by long monologues and lore-heavy dialogue that struggled to hold my attention. That said, the lore itself is rich and intriguing, and I couldn’t help but admire the effort that went into crafting this world, even if the delivery left something to be desired. The “show, don’t tell” approach would have been strong advice to get me more invested in what this story is trying to introduce me to. Where “Eternal Strands” truly shines are in its gameplay systems, particularly its interaction between magic, the environment, and combat. The game’s really rad physics engine enables a level of creativity that’s cool to see in this genre. Imagine hurling a burning tree trunk at an enemy or using telekinetic powers to rip a boulder from the ground and send it hurtling through the air. Brynn’s arsenal of magical abilities and enchanted weapons adds even more depth to the experience. The Mantle, a magical cloak that channels raw elemental power, serves as the cornerstone of her abilities. Whether I was lashing out waves of flame, erecting walls of ice to block incoming attacks, or tossing enemies into the void with telekinetic force, each encounter felt like an opportunity to experiment with new combinations. Crafting enchanted weapons and armor from defeated enemies also allowed me to customize my playstyle, tailoring my loadout to suit the challenges ahead.
The boss battles are another highlight, drawing clear inspiration from titles like “Shadow of the Colossus” and “Dragon’s Dogma.” These encounters pit you against massive foes that demand both skill and strategy to overcome. Climbing onto a titan’s towering form to attack its weak points, shattering its armor with well-placed strikes, or pinning its limbs with icy blasts provided some of the most thrilling moments of the game. These battles leave lasting scars on the environment, reinforcing the sense of scale and impact that the game strives to achieve. Exploration in “Eternal Strands” is equally ambitious, with every surface being climbable and the world begging to be traversed. Magical abilities aren’t just for combat; they’re integral to exploration. I found myself creating bridges to cross chasms, burning through barriers to uncover hidden paths, and launching Brynn across vast distances with bursts of raw arcane energy. The wilds, the capital city of Dynevron, and the mysterious depths beneath all offer a variety of locales to uncover. While the world is expansive, it sometimes feels too sparse, with repetitive enemy encounters and filler content detracting from it all. I feel like the scope was much higher than the game’s actual budget because I often feel like they bit off more than they could chew.
As I just said, the game’s ambition occasionally outpaces its execution, resulting in an uneven experience. The open world, while beautiful, often feels empty, and the storytelling’s reliance on “tell, don’t show” undermines the emotional weight of the narrative. Certain mechanics and features feel undercooked, as if they’re waiting for post-launch patches to reach their full potential. I don’t know if that’s the case, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the developers keep spending time to improve this game in the coming months that these areas will get a lot more fine-tuned. Despite its flaws, “Eternal Strands” delivers moments of brilliance that make it worth considering for fans of action-adventure games. The interplay between magical abilities, environmental interaction, and combat offers a level of creativity that’s rare in the genre. While the storytelling and pacing leave room for improvement, the sheer ambition of Yellow Brick Games’ debut effort is commendable. If you’re willing to overlook its rough edges and give it time to find its footing, “Eternal Strands” has the potential to weave a memorable experience. 7/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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