Why Eternal Strands is a Game You SHOULD Be Playing

Do you like travelling around colourful environments, using unique abilities to open pathways and solve puzzles, all while fighting giant creatures in challenging yet ingenious ways? Of course you do, because it’s the hallmark of some of the most iconic action-adventure games around, and Eternal Strands is an amazing entry into this genre, bringing something familiar but also entirely new to the experience.

Eternal Strands is like the love-child of some of my favourite games in recent years. Take Darksiders III‘s snappy combat and colourful comic-book style, merge it with Shadow of the Colossus‘ climb-‘n-kill boss fights, and smoosh it together with a Price of Persia-esque storyline, and you’ve got all the elements to make something memorable.

Another twist on the usual tried-and-tested formula is the integration of magical elemental powers. Eternal Strands’ heroine Brynn has the ability to harness and utilise fire, ice, telekinesis, and other powers you acquire as you defeat each of the nine bosses. These become more and more important when solving puzzles and taking on the next gargantuan enemy in between fighting smaller creatures. Each boss has a weakness to one or another magical power, which is expected, but what’s interesting is that you can defeat enemies in a number of different ways if you use your noggin’ and some lateral thinking.

Forced to take on a lumbering giant? You could use telekinesis to throw a boulder and send it crashing down, or perhaps freeze its legs and cause it to get stuck in place. Eternal Strands does a great job of showcasing that there are a few ways to skin a cat, and leaves the actual problem-solving up to you.

And these fights are arguably the best parts of the game, forcing you to use the gear you’ve accumulated, the magic you’ve learnt on your adventure so far, and some well-timed platforming to reach the vulnerable areas and deliver damage. The combat moments are not without some janky animations and frustrating falls, but when your plans to take down a big enemy come together, it looks and feels glorious.

Story-wise, Eternal Strands has a really interesting and unique world, with some cool fantastical concepts incorporating magic, creatures, and deep lore. It does get sidetracked with some other narrative detours, but the voice-acting and colourful presentation should have you hooked and focused on your next objective throughout its 16-20 hour runtime.

Even with some minor hiccups and frustrating bits, Eternal Strands is a solid action-adventure that shouldn’t be overlooked by anyone who loves the genre.

Eternal Strands is available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It’s on GamePass too, which is a huge bonus for Xbox gamers.