In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, the crew dives into the indie title Eternal Strands, an ambitious action-adventure that blends inspirations from Zelda, Monster Hunter, and Shadow of the Colossus. The verdict? It’s a beautiful, if bumpy, ride. With sweeping exploration, chaotic boss battles, and a world rich in lore, Eternal Strands offers a taste of greatness—yet struggles with uneven execution, forgettable storylines, and unpolished combat mechanics.
“This game was a roller coaster.”
A Generic Story in a Gorgeous World
Let’s get it out of the way: the story in Eternal Strands is the weakest link. While the game boasts deep lore and world-building elements, the narrative itself lacks emotional depth and originality. The hosts agree the storytelling is riddled with plot holes and underdeveloped characters.
“The story is awful. It’s the lowest part.”
Despite this, the game manages to keep players engaged with its open-world exploration, environmental interactivity, and a unique visual design that sometimes feels more ambitious than refined.
Exploration, Crafting, and… Confusion
One of Eternal Strands’ strongest features is exploration. The world feels alive, packed with collectibles and destructible environments that make each discovery fun and rewarding. Traversal mechanics—like climbing, gliding, and magical movement—echo the best parts of Zelda, allowing for creativity and freedom.
“Collecting the materials—ton of fun.”
Crafting, on the other hand, adds depth but lacks clarity. Schematics and recipes can be overly complex or poorly explained, leaving players confused rather than empowered.
The day-night cycle, a promising system, doesn’t meaningfully change gameplay. It’s there, but it’s mostly cosmetic.
Combat: Brilliant Bosses, Frustrating Fights
When it comes to boss battles, Eternal Strands shines. Each encounter requires strategy, preparation, and experimentation with elemental powers. These fights bring tension and satisfaction to the gameplay loop.
“The boss battles were a lot of fun.”
But outside of those set pieces, combat often feels clunky. Enemy encounters are chaotic and poorly balanced, with frustrating controls, limited feedback, and no real incentive to improve. Magic, while fun to use, lacks variety and risk/reward complexity.
“The combat in this game sucks.”
A Mix of Charm and Missed Opportunities
Though Eternal Strands is flawed, it’s undeniably charming. Voice acting adds emotional weight to the otherwise flat narrative, and while the graphics swing between generic and striking, they show real artistic potential.
“This is their first game.”
There’s also a notable lack of RPG progression, which leaves the stamina system and character uniqueness feeling shallow. Everyone can wield every power—cool, but at the cost of meaningful class or role dynamics.
Achievements feel tacked-on, too. They’re hard to find, often unrewarding, and don’t mesh well with the natural flow of gameplay.
Final Verdict: A Promising First Attempt
Eternal Strands may not be a perfect game, but it’s the kind of indie effort that sparks hope for the future. The foundation is here—rich lore, exciting boss battles, and solid exploration. With more polish and a stronger narrative, a sequel could be something truly special.
“I can’t wait for a sequel.”
For now, though, Eternal Strands remains a fun but flawed experience that’s worth checking out—especially if you’re a fan of indie games that dare to aim high.
Keywords:
Eternal Strands, Game Pass, indie games, action adventure, exploration, crafting, boss battles, game lore, game mechanics, storytelling, RPG elements, voice acting, graphics, combat, game review, gaming podcast
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