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Eternal Strands marks the exciting first venture for Yellow Brick Games, a studio formed in 2020 by gaming industry heavyweights, including notable figures like Mike Laidlaw from Dragon Age and Thomas Giroux from The Crew. With a team rich in BioWare and Ubisoft expertise, expectations for this relatively new studio are high. Such a pedigree promises a focused vision driving Eternal Strands toward its anticipated release in early 2025, giving Yellow Brick Games nearly five years to perfect their craft.
In this debut title, players step into the shoes of Brynne, a Weaver on a quest to reclaim her people’s ancestral grounds. As a descendant of the Enclave—a civilization that isolated itself ages ago—Brynne’s journey unfolds in a world once brimming with magical marvels, now lying dormant. The storyline, rich with fantasy lore, promises an engaging backdrop while artfully merging with action-adventure gameplay elements. Visually, it evokes comparisons to Immortals Fenyx Rising, another Ubisoft creation, but it is the action-packed adventure play where Eternal Strands seems poised to shine.
### Eternal Strands Gameplay Features
In Eternal Strands, you’ll forge connections with your Weaver Band, a group equipped with unique skills to bolster your quest. An impressive array of features awaits you: customize your gear, scale almost any obstacle, and wield The Mantle—a source of Frost, Flame, and Kinetic Magic. All set within a dynamic physics-driven world that challenges you with a day/night cycle and extreme weather conditions. As an action-adventure game powered by Unreal Engine 5, it’s set to release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and will also be available as a day-one title on Xbox Game Pass.
### Weaver Combat in Eternal Strands
Playing as Brynn, combat hinges on utilizing wide-ranging magical skills and weapons, all of which are enhanced by The Mantle—a relic granting access to Frost, Flame, and Kinetic energies. These powers allow Brynn to dramatically affect her surroundings: torching foes, encasing them in ice, or flinging objects with kinetic force. The game invites players into a physics playground, turning the environment into a weapon. Imagine hurling a flaming tree at an enemy or constructing icy barriers to fend off attacks. Players can even send rivals plummeting off cliffs—a classic gaming move that never loses its thrill.
Brynn’s magical arsenal will be essential for facing the game’s colossal enemies, like the Arks—gigantic constructs climbable during battle in a style reminiscent of games like Dragon’s Dogma and Shadow of the Colossus. The gameplay also hints at aerial skirmishes, as seen in a trailer where Brynn stands atop a dragon. Environmental manipulation, vertical combat, and these magic-infused battles are central to Eternal Strands’ appeal. Select victories over Arks will reward players with Strands, vital for upgrading The Mantle’s magical abilities.
Players can further personalize their gameplay by tailoring Brynn’s armor and weaponry. This includes everything from headgear to boots, offering both aesthetic and tactical enhancements in battle. Expect a well-rounded combat ensemble complete with swords, shields, two-handed weapons, and ranged bows. Additionally, a consumable belt allows for quick access to healing items.
### Weaver Exploration in Eternal Strands
The game encourages exploration alongside its dynamic combat. Players have the freedom to traverse massive creatures from the Enclave as well as climb virtually every natural feature the world offers. With nods to inspirations such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, exploration feels boundless. Players can dissolve obstacles with heat, create icy pathways, and even project Brynn across distances using her kinetic powers—a recipe for thrilling, if sometimes perilous, adventures.
Eternal Strands includes an extreme weather system influencing Brynn’s powers, though specific mechanics remain under wraps. Potentially, fire abilities might amplify in scorching conditions, while ice abilities might dwindle amidst heat. Players eagerly await more details on how these climate dynamics will play out.
### Your Eternal Strands Companions
Brynne’s journey doesn’t unfold solo. She has the support of her Weaver Band, a group of fellow Weavers who maintain her camp. Although details about their individual roles in the story remain scant, they aren’t traditional field companions like those from Dragon Age: they hold fort at camp. The Band appears to include a variety of characters, including a bird named Oria, a green tusked humanoid wolf, two tiefling-like beings, and a couple of human-like figures, one of whom is possibly named Casmyn.
Returning to camp, whether prompted by the game’s day/night cycle or player choice, enables activities like crafting and upgrading weaponry while interacting with these companions.
In sum, Eternal Strands seems packed with features that promise to make exploring the mysteries of the Enclave as engaging as it is challenging.
