We’ve Got a Deeper Look at Eternal Strands, the Physics-Based Fantasy RPG

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During the Future Game Show Summer Showcase, Mike Laidlaw and Fred St-Laurent of Yellow Brick Games presented an in-depth look at their upcoming physics-based fantasy RPG Eternal Strands. The highlight of their preview was a boss fight, showcasing the game’s innovative mechanics and gameplay direction.

Eternal Strands is a third-person action-adventure game set in a rich fantasy world. Players take on the role of Bryn, a young woman from a magical tribe known as the Weavers. This group was reportedly marginalized after a catastrophic event known as the Surge, which left them without a homeland. As Bryn, players combine traditional weapons: bows, swords, dual blades, and shields with evolving magical abilities to fight massive creatures in a dynamic sandbox environment.

Laidlaw, the project’s creative director, emphasized in the trailer that the goal was to design a game where players face colossal creatures, blending physics with action elements. St-Laurent, the game director, added that they aimed to push the boundaries of physics-driven gameplay in this genre, making every power and ability physical and tangible rather than just a visual effect.

The design philosophy behind Eternal Strands revolves around creating abilities that interact with the environment in unique ways. For example, if a Drake breathes fire onto a pot of water, it creates a massive wall of steam that can be used as a tactical advantage to hide from the creature. According to Laidlaw and St-Laurent, this interaction between elements creates a dynamic and unpredictable combat experience.

The showcased fight was against a large dragon. Instead of a typical enclosed boss arena, these creatures roam the levels and behave differently each time depending on where they encounter you. This approach heavily emphasizes unpredictability and variety in an attempt to expand the game’s replayability. Combat skills and environmental awareness will be key in fighting the Drake, as you must adapt your strategies to its behavior and the surrounding conditions.

Eternal Strands will be available in 2025 for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.