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 features a gear-grinding loop where players mount expeditions to open-ended areas to fight monsters and collect crafting materials.
- 2Players return to a base camp to craft new items using collected materials, with flexible recipe requirements allowing for substitutions.
- 3Exploration of the environment and map completion are encouraged, with story objectives also present.
- 4Giant monster fights are a highlight, described as similar to "crawl around a big bastard's armpits, knifing his sensitive areas" encounters, but more accessible than Shadow of the Colossus.
- 5These giant monsters must be killed once to learn a new spell, and then again in a specific way to upgrade that spell.
- 6The game is compared to a "Fisher-Price Monster Hunter" or a theme park version, offering a less time-intensive experience.
- 7The first half of the game emphasizes exploration and discovery, while the second half focuses on repetitive story quests in previously visited areas.
Tips
- Don't get bogged down by the generic fantasy art style and plot; focus on the gameplay mechanics.
- Experiment with crafting by substituting materials, as recipes are unspecific.
- Enjoy the giant monster fights as a core part of the experience, especially for learning and upgrading spells.
- Appreciate the game as a solid starting point from a new studio, similar to Picasso's early realistic works before his more experimental art.
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