Eternal Strands (2025)

This is an amazing showing for brand new studio Yellow Brick. They came out with a debut game that is a great success and I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

The art style really shines here, particularly in environment and creature design. And, while the mixing of 3D and 2D art isn't for everyone, I quite enjoyed it. The 2D art for conversations was wonderful. And the few anime-style cut scenes were very well done and I think a smart move for a new studio as it was certainly a cheaper route than trying to do 3D action cut scenes. It also was a chance to show off more of said art.

There's a great gameplay loop of going out on an expedition to gather resources and advance missions, then coming back to the camp to talk to people, upgrade gear, and go back out to do it again. Honestly, I quite liked the crafting system, which I've only ever said about one other game. You get to pick the materials to use in order to completely customize how you want your gear to work for you. And, the best part is you won't lose materials if you decide to switch things up - all your materials will be returned to you.

The combat felt really great. There was a good variety of enemies with an added layer of shifting weather and time of day helping to mix up the zones. The only jank to it was the climbing of enemies wasn't always smooth. But the novelty of being able to climb giant creatures in video games, and do it relatively well, is enough to look past it. Each of the Great Foes has their own methods of beating them, and figuring out the tricks to it is all part of the fun.

What really shined for me was the story and the characters. The storyline is part adventure, part mystery, as you try to figure out what has happened. You also build relationships with your friends, and encounter really deep and meaningful stories therein.

I hope to see more from Yellow Brick, whether it's more of this universe or something completely new.

Some smart design choices in how it handles loot and crafting mean that every interaction feels useful. Those interactions involve smashing enemies and the environment in an impressively kinetic sandbox, slurping up the spoils, and clambering on colossal roaming creatures, so its moment-to-moment is also freewheeling, cathartic fun.

It's a bit twee, a bit generic-looking, at least at first glance, but very amiable, as are its story, world, and characters.

The game's limitations and inspirations are so clear, and it doesn't overcome or escape either, respectively, but it does create something compelling and unique in spite of them.