Review of “Eternal Strands” on PlayStation 5

Eternal Strands from Yellow Brick Games is set to enchant PS5 players with its thrilling magical action adventure. In this review, let’s catch a glimpse of what makes this game a must-play!

Embark on an adventure as Brynn, a young Weaver determined to reclaim what her people have lost. Navigate treacherous paths as you search for the lost Enclave, all while avoiding a menacing mist that threatens to engulf everything in its path. Though Yellow Brick Games is a newcomer on the scene, it’s helmed by Mike Laidlaw of Dragon Age fame, alongside talented former Ubisoft developers. They’ve drawn inspiration from classics like Shadow of the Colossus, Dragon’s Dogma, and the two most recent entries in The Legend of Zelda franchise, creating a game that’s both fresh and nostalgic.

Your journey kicks off with an engaging animated cutscene, where you briefly chat with Oria before diving into your mission. Equipped with an earpiece, Oria guides you from the Scry table, a magical tool that can yank you out of danger when things get dicey.

Now let’s talk gameplay difficulty: Easy, Normal, and Hard are on offer. Easy mode buffs Brynn’s health and refuels her Vitality Tonics if she falls. Normal strikes a balance, ideal for those who want a fair challenge. But if you’re feeling particularly brave, Hard mode is there to test your mettle, reducing health and making healing more challenging. So, steel yourself for a true test of skill!

Navigating as Brynn is seamless. The left analog stick controls movement, with the right letting you scan the environment. Speed boost with a sprint, jump with X, and dodge with Circle. Triangle lets you interact, while Square allows attacking, which can be charged for more power. R1 is crucial for blocking and parrying incoming attacks; timing a parry can turn the tide in battle. Once you’re armed with your trusty bow, it’s R1 to draw and shoot, with a cheeky kick courtesy of Square. You can lock onto foes with the right stick, and when the going gets tough, sink a Vitality Tonic with a press down on the D-Pad. Always keep an eye on that stamina bar as you sprint, swing, or scale your surroundings, and use your summoned wisp with up on the D-Pad to find your way.

The magic doesn’t stop there! L2 readies you to weave strands of magic, cast with R2. Use Weaver’s Grasp to grab and hurl glowing objects—a satisfying trick. Tap into different spells at the Magic Wheel with L1, adapting your tactics with each new power you earn from vanquished bosses.

Master the art of combat and environment interaction—conjure an Ice Wall or ignite the terrain with fire arrows, setting traps and reaping rewards from the debris. Masterful use of heat and cold can influence battles and turbocharge loot drops. Keep crafting on your radar! Resources gathered on your travels break down into handy types—woven, tanned, forged, and more. Craft new gear at the smithy with Sola’s help. Your chosen materials will affect your creations’ stats, color, and properties. You’ll even tackle specific crafting quests and can upgrade items with Sevastyan’s help. And let’s not forget those strategic Locus Points in boss battles, merging your magic with theirs for spectacular power boosts.

Now, for the trophy hunters out there, there’s a treat in store. Eternal Strands features a full trophy set, topped off with a coveted Platinum trophy. Trophies are up for grabs as you advance through chapters, defeat bosses, craft special armor, max out a base station, and more. Oh, and taking down a mighty creature sans weapons? Well, that’s just another day in the world of Eternal Strands!

To summarize, Eternal Strands is an enchanting action-adventure filled with spells and fantastical challenges. With its captivating storyline and dynamic gameplay, it offers something fresh for players on PS5. Team up with Brynn, conquer the mysterious Enclave, fend off the advancing mist, and immerse yourself in this mystical journey that arrives on PlayStation 5 tomorrow.

Disclaimer: This Eternal Strands review was based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Yellow Brick Games.