Eternal Strands Review: Magic, Weaving, and Adventure

Eternal Strands Review: Magic, Weaving, and Adventure

A Captivating World, a Mixed Narrative

Eternal Strands, released January 28, 2025, for PC, immediately draws players into its unique fantasy world where magic is interwoven with the art of weaving. The worldbuilding is exceptional, with stunning environments and a fascinating magic system. However, the main storyline relies on familiar fantasy tropes, such as a catastrophic magical event and an unbeatable corrupting force.

Despite this, the game’s rich history breathes life into the world, creating memorable NPCs and a somber atmosphere. Lore notes and collectibles further enhance this immersive experience. The unique approach to magic, recontextualized as fashion choices, is a refreshing take on action-adventure games.

Compelling Combat, Limited Exploration

The game’s highlight is its physics-based magic system. Brynn, the protagonist, wields gravity, ice, and fire magic strategically, both in combat and exploration. Battles against colossal enemies are particularly rewarding, demanding careful planning and improvisation. However, combat against smaller enemies is less engaging, easily overcome with basic attacks once stronger equipment is crafted.

While the environments are visually stunning, exploration feels limited. The linear level design funnels the player through each area, despite Brynn’s role as a scout. The game’s agency in combat is unfortunately offset by the structured nature of exploration.

A Mixed Bag

Eternal Strands offers a satisfying magic system and memorable characters, but the main storyline and limited exploration hold it back. The strategic combat against large enemies is a highlight, contrasted by the simpler encounters with smaller foes. The game’s strengths are undeniable, but are undermined by its shortcomings.