When a legend like Mike Laidlaw, the creative mind behind Dragon Age, takes the helm of a new RPG, gamers’ ears perk up. Enter Eternal Strands, a third-person action-adventure game that blends physics-driven gameplay with captivating fantasy storytelling. Developed by Yellow Brick Games, this debut fantasy action-adventure title from Yellow Brick Games promises to redefine creativity in exploration as much as combat, offering Xbox and PC players an unforgettable experience. With its release date set for 28 January 2025, the countdown to uncovering the secrets of the Enclave is well underway.
At the heart of Eternal Strands beats a revolutionary new system for gameplay interactions. Imagine a world where physics and magic converge—this is where the game thrives. Players wield the Mantle, a magical cloak that channels frost, flame, and telekinetic powers, transforming the environment into a battlefield. Whether you’re freezing a lake to create a bridge or hurling burning tree trunks at enemies with telekinetic powers, the possibilities are endless.
Combat is equally dynamic. Elements interact in surprising ways, encouraging experimentation. Picture this: a dragon’s fiery breath meets your ice shield, creating a steam cloud for a surprise attack. The ability to manipulate your surroundings ensures no two battles feel the same.
Yellow Brick Games’ commitment to player creativity shines through in their "physics playground," where real-time destruction and environmental reactivity take centre stage. From snapping tree branches to block incoming attacks to igniting wildfires, your strategic choices directly impact the game’s evolving world.
At the core of this grand adventure is Brynn, a young, audacious Weaver determined to recover her people’s cultural home. As a treasure hunter and adrenaline junkie, Brynn’s journey is one of bravery and curiosity. She’s equipped with an arsenal of powerful weapons and the Mantle, making her a formidable force against humanoid constructs and towering creatures alike.
Brynn’s personality and relationships also play a vital role in the story. Through dialogue choices, players shape how others perceive her, though the game doesn’t delve into sprawling moral quandaries like Mass Effect. Instead, it opts for meaningful interactions that deepen bonds with her Weaverband, a rich cast of characters who assist in unravelling the Enclave’s secrets.
If you’re a fan of Shadow of the Colossus or Monster Hunter, Eternal Strands will scratch that itch for epic battles against colossal foes. These titanic enemies, known as Arks and Epics, require precision, strategy, and sheer nerve. Battles against them aren’t merely about brute force but leveraging your environment and magic to expose their weaknesses.
Imagine scaling a 25-metre construct to shatter its protective armour, pinning a giant’s limb with ice, or redirecting projectiles back at their sender. Each encounter leaves lasting marks on the land, reinforcing the sense that every victory is hard-earned and impactful.
The Enclave, a land once thriving with magic, is now a mysterious ruin sealed itself away for decades. In Eternal Strands, players venture through interconnected biomes, including the capital city of Dynevron, its wild outskirts, and the secrets buried beneath.
Exploration is anything but linear. The game’s open-zone design encourages curiosity, rewarding players with knowledge fragments, hidden recipes, and loot. Every surface is climbable, and with Brynn’s magical abilities, players can create paths, burn barriers, or leap across vast distances. The interplay between extreme weather conditions and gameplay adds an extra layer of challenge, where heat spreads, cold chills, and flash freezes influence both combat and navigation.
Eternal Strands isn’t just another RPG; it’s a masterclass in physics-driven gameplay. Leveraging Unreal Engine 5, Yellow Brick Games has crafted a world that reacts realistically to player actions. Objects carry temperature states, allowing for unique chain reactions—like melting ice to create water for dousing fires or using heat to vaporise it into obscuring mist.
These mechanics extend to combat strategies, making every encounter feel fresh and engaging. Combine your magic with weapons to craft devastating effects, such as imbuing a massive two-handed blade with frost to slow enemies or channelling flames through arrows for explosive attacks. The game’s unstable climate to master ensures that abilities during a flash freeze or heatwave shift gameplay dynamics, opening up new paths and creating a world rich with secrets.
Between expeditions, players return to base camp, where they’ll forge new gear, upgrade powers, and bond with companions. Looting and crafting take centre stage, with materials gathered in the field transforming into powerful weapons and armour. Recipes, often hidden across the Enclave, unlock unique combinations that complement different playstyles.
The Mantle itself evolves as you harvest strands from defeated Epics, weaving new abilities into its fabric. This progression system ensures that every victory adds tangible value to Brynn’s arsenal, making the next challenge even more exhilarating. As the Enclave’s secrets unfold, players will find themselves keen to discover the mysteries of what happened to this lost bastion of power.
For lore enthusiasts, Eternal Strands offers a rich tapestry of history waiting to be pieced together. The game introduces a Codex system where players collect glowing "knowledge fragments" scattered across the world. These fragments, grouped under thematic headings, gradually unveil the story of the Enclave and its fall.
Once complete, these entries can be deciphered by Laen, the band’s Lorekeeper, unlocking detailed lore that ties into gameplay. These discoveries also assist in predicting weather patterns and locating massive creatures, rewarding exploration and curiosity.
Yellow Brick Games isn’t stopping at launch. Post-launch content includes collaborations with Square Enix’s Creative Studio III, bringing new Epic creatures, weapons, and armour designed by renowned artist Yusuke Mogi. These updates, the first of which will be free, promise to keep players engaged long after release.
Additionally, Eternal Strands will feature a public demo launching on 21 January 2025. It’s a chance for players to experience the game’s "cast and combine" mechanics before diving into the full adventure.
Eternal Strands is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most innovative RPGs. With its physics-driven gameplay, vibrant world, and compelling protagonist, Yellow Brick Games has set the stage for a magical journey that redefines creativity in exploration as much as combat. Whether you’re scaling giants, uncovering ancient secrets, or crafting the ultimate weapon, Eternal Strands invites you to wield the world as your weapon. Mark your calendars for 28 January 2025 and prepare to step into the Enclave. It’s a realm of mystery, opportunity, danger, and wonder—a perfect setting for a new system for gameplay interactions.
