Eternal Strands Review: A Magical Adventure Worth Your Time?
Yellow Brick Games, an indie studio formed by industry veterans including Dragon Age's Mike Laidlaw, has finally unveiled Eternal Strands, an ambitious action-adventure RPG that blends elemental magic, open-world exploration, and physics-based combat. But does it deliver on its promises, or is it just another fantasy title lost in the ever-growing sea of RPGs? Let’s break it all down.
Story and Setting
The world of Eternal Strands is built on mystery and magic. You step into the shoes of Brynn, a young Weaver on a mission to uncover the secrets of the Enclave, a once-thriving realm that sealed itself off from the rest of the world. Armed with the Mantle, a magical cloak that lets you manipulate the elements, you’ll traverse a beautifully crafted world filled with ancient ruins, lost civilizations, and creatures that don’t take kindly to your presence.
While the main narrative is engaging, the conversations between characters have a cartoony aesthetic reminiscent of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Some may love this style, while others might find it a bit jarring. Regardless, the world-building is top-notch, and the lore is deep enough to keep you invested.
Gameplay Mechanics
Elemental Magic & Physics-Based Combat
One of Eternal Strands’ standout features is its robust elemental magic system. Brynn can control fire, ice, and telekinetic forces, and the world reacts dynamically to these powers. Want to burn down an enemy’s wooden shield? Go for it. Freeze a lake to cross a treacherous path? Absolutely. The ability to interact with the environment in meaningful ways makes every encounter feel unique.
Combat is a mix of melee and magic, but let’s be honest—magic steals the show. There’s something incredibly satisfying about telekinetically hurling boulders at enemies. I found myself using this ability more than anything else because, well, who wouldn’t want to be a rock-throwing wizard?
That said, melee combat feels a bit clunky. Attacks don’t always connect as smoothly as they should, making fights with certain enemies frustrating. If you rely too much on close-quarters combat, you might find yourself struggling against tougher foes.
Exploration & Loot
The world of the Enclave is vast, interconnected, and filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. Brynn’s ability to climb almost any surface means that exploration feels organic—no more frustrating invisible walls!
However, the loot system is overwhelming. At first, finding new gear and items is exciting, but the sheer amount of loot scattered across the world becomes excessive. Even worse, crates need to be manually destroyed to access their contents, which leads to an awkward experience where boxes fly all over the place, and you’re forced to chase down your scattered loot. It’s a minor gripe, but after a while, you may find yourself ignoring loot altogether.
Traversal & Controls
Movement in Eternal Strands takes some getting used to. Brynn doesn’t handle sharp turns particularly well, which can be frustrating during intense platforming sections. However, once you get accustomed to the controls, movement feels fluid enough to make exploration enjoyable.
Graphics and Sound
Visually, Eternal Strands is stunning. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the world is painted in rich, vibrant colors, and the lighting effects add a level of realism that immerses you in the Enclave’s mysteries.
The soundtrack, composed by Austin Wintory, is equally mesmerizing. From serene exploration themes to adrenaline-pumping battle music, the soundtrack does a phenomenal job of complementing the game’s atmosphere. Voice acting is also solid, with Brynn’s emotional performance bringing depth to the character.
Performance and Technical Issues
On high-end PCs, Eternal Strands runs like a dream, delivering smooth framerates and crisp visuals. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, you get a choice between 4K at 30 FPS or a performance mode targeting 60 FPS.
However, the game isn’t without its technical hiccups. Texture pop-ins, occasional NPC pathing issues, and clipping glitches can break immersion. Fortunately, Yellow Brick Games has already committed to rolling out patches, so most of these problems should be ironed out post-launch.
Final Verdict
So, is Eternal Strands worth playing? Absolutely. It’s a bold, creative RPG with a fantastic magic system, an engaging world, and plenty of exploration opportunities. While the clunky melee combat and overwhelming loot system hold it back slightly, the overall experience is still one of the best RPGs we’ve seen in recent years.
Final Score: 9/10
Pros: ✅ Stunning open world with dynamic environments
✅ Unique elemental magic system
✅ Engaging story and deep lore
✅ Breathtaking soundtrack and strong voice acting
✅ Epic boss encounters with creative mechanics
Cons: ❌ Clunky melee combat
❌ Overwhelming amount of loot
❌ Character movement feels stiff at times
Should You Buy It?
If you love action RPGs with deep exploration, physics-based combat, and engaging storytelling, Eternal Strands is a must-play. Just be prepared for a few minor frustrations along the way.
🎮 Have you played Eternal Strands? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
