With "Eternal Strands" brings the newly founded studio Yellow Brick Games is making its eagerly awaited debut on the market. The game combines familiar gameplay elements and draws inspiration from absolute greats such as "Monster Hunter", "Zelda" and "Shadow of the Colossus". The mixture of action-packed battles, epic boss fights and an open world could have the potential to inspire a broad player base.
But can the ambitious project reach the high bar set by these role models? How well does the implementation of the ideas work in practice and will "Eternal Strands" captivate players in the long term? In our test, we take a close look at the game and find out whether it can keep up with its great role models or will go down in history as a failed copy.
A world full of magic and mystery
The plot of "Eternal Strands" takes you into a vibrant, magical world where the Weavers, masters of the purest magic, can create elemental powers. You take on the role of Brynn, a young, talented mage who, together with her group, explores the secrets of the Enclave - a mysterious place that has been inaccessible to anyone for 50 years. Your goal is not only to restore the reputation of the mages, but also to discover the cause of a devastating magical catastrophe that plunged the world into chaos.
The game world of "Eternal Strands" impresses right from the start with its depth and variety. Every step in this colorful world feels like a discovery. Exploration is a captivating adventure: hidden treasures, challenging puzzles and dynamic interactions with the environment ensure that every corner of the world reveals new secrets. Whether solving puzzles or discovering hidden areas, the game rewards your curiosity every step of the way.
The mixture of gripping narrative and a world full of discoveries creates an atmosphere that is both challenging and fascinating. With each new discovery, it becomes clear that "Eternal Strands" is not only an adventure, but also a profound experience that captivates players.
Magic system and gameplay: creativity required
Brynn has mastered an impressive form of magic with which she can actively influence her surroundings. Water turns to ice, plants catch fire and even massive objects can be moved telekinetically. This magic is not only of crucial importance in battle, but is also very useful when solving complex puzzles. It enables a creative approach that encourages the player to discover a wide variety of solutions.
During her journey, Brynn encounters many enemies, and defeating them leaves behind valuable materials. These resources can be used to improve her equipment, with rare materials offering higher values but also being more difficult to obtain. This mechanic requires constant decisions: How do you optimize your armor and equipment for the challenges ahead? The constant balancing of risks and rewards provides a deep level of strategy.
Another highlight are the spectacular boss battles, which are strongly reminiscent of "Shadow of the Colossus". Not only brute strength is required here, but also skill: to defeat the gigantic enemies, you have to climb up them and target their weak points. However, the battle is not only a test of skill, but also of timing, as the weather and time of day can influence the outcome. For example, a fight can be particularly dangerous in scorching heat, as the bosses' fire attacks are intensified, while Brynn's ice spell has little effect. These dynamic elements create even more tension and require flexible tactics.
Technology and small hurdles
Technically, "Eternal Strands" runs mostly stable, but there are some weaknesses that affect the flow of the game. The firebow weapon, one of the first in the game, initially causes short stutters when firing magic arrows. However, these disappear after repeated use, which indicates a temporary problem.
A far more serious problem is the unnatural physics. Especially when changing direction quickly, the character Brynn has an inertia that is reminiscent of gliding on ice. This makes precise control difficult and causes frustration. This phenomenon is particularly annoying in boss fights, when you climb up an enemy and are suddenly flung several meters away by inexplicable physics interactions. The battles themselves are also riddled with chaotic elements: Enemies that are on burning ground can surprisingly be catapulted meters into the air. Such unexpected, uncontrollable movements disrupt the flow of the game and appear unpolished.
These technical flaws tarnish the feel and immersion of the game without ruining the overall experience. Hopefully, the developers will make the appropriate adjustments before the official release to optimize the gaming experience and fix these problems.
Conclusion
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