Eternal Strands immerses players in a fascinating fantasy world where magic and intricate lore intertwine. At its essence, the game explores a universe filled with the concept of magic represented as threads, setting the stage for a captivating adventure. However, while the game excels in world-building and engaging environments that highlight its physics-based magic system, its narrative falls short.
The storyline leverages familiar fantasy elements, such as a catastrophic magical event and an overpowering corrupting force. Despite this, the game brings life to its world through memorable non-playable characters (NPCs), enriching the lore with detailed notes and collectibles that deepen the backstory.
The history of the world is creatively presented through weaving, invigorating spells with a unique twist. Yet, the present-day narrative lacks the same depth, often overshadowed by the more engaging past events. Players step into the shoes of Brynn, a newly appointed scout, tasked with exploring dangerous territories and uncovering the origins of a calamity. Player choices in dialogue shape Brynn’s personality, allowing for different interactions, including forging romantic connections with other characters.
Eternal Strands shines with its magic system, enabling Brynn to manipulate gravity, ice, and fire to creatively engage in combat and exploration. This system introduces a strategic layer to battles, particularly against colossal enemies that require thoughtful approaches to defeat. The satisfaction of outsmarting a powerful foe or exploiting its weaknesses is one of the game’s highlights.
Conversely, combat encounters with regular enemies tend to be lackluster. Brynn can wield various weapons alongside her magic, but encounters with smaller threats often devolve into mundane button-mashing, making these segments feel trivial once more potent abilities are acquired.
Visually, each environment is beautifully crafted, from bustling jungles to desolate cities, providing opportunities for vertical exploration. However, the game’s linear design sometimes limits the sense of exploration, as players often find themselves following predefined paths rather than freely navigating the world.
In summary, while Eternal Strands offers a compelling magic system and a richly crafted historical universe, the main plotline and regular encounters do not match this promise. The game possesses notable highs in its engaging lore and character interactions but is ultimately slightly let down by its less captivating story arc.
