Yahtzee Croshaw reviews Eternal Strands, a gear grinder with extraction elements and giant monster fights, comparing it to Monster Hunter and Shadow of the Colossus.
Walkthrough
- 1The game is a gear grinder with extraction elements. Players mount expeditions from a base camp to open-ended areas to fight monsters, gather crafting materials, and complete story objectives.
- 2Combat is standard action-RPG fare, with elemental damage systems (freeze and fire) that can trivialize some encounters. Enemy variety is limited.
- 3Crafting recipes are unspecific, allowing for material substitutions, which reduces the pressure to grind for exact components.
- 4Giant monster fights are a highlight, described as similar to Shadow of the Colossus but on a smaller, more manageable scale. These fights are crucial for learning and upgrading new spells.
- 5The game is compared to a Fisher-Price Monster Hunter, offering a more streamlined experience.
- 6The second half of the game features repetitive story quests that involve revisiting areas.
- 7The developers are praised for understanding core game design principles, akin to Picasso's early realistic work, with anticipation for more unique future projects.
Tips
- Focus on exploring and collecting materials, as crafting recipes are flexible.
- Engage with the giant monster fights, as they are a key mechanic for progression and a highlight of the gameplay.
- Appreciate the game as a strong first effort, with potential for the developers to evolve into more experimental designs.
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