GamesRPGEternal StrandsEveryone tries to crib Breath of the Wild’s vibes and open world to no avail, but the former lead of Dragon Age is finally giving me what I really want: Zelda’s wild physics and ability to climb anywhereWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGEternal StrandsEveryone tries to crib Breath of the Wild’s vibes and open world to no avail, but the former lead of Dragon Age is finally giving me what I really want: Zelda’s wild physics and ability to climb anywhereWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
Eternal Strands, the first game from former Dragon Age lead Mike Laidlaw’s studio Yellow Brick Games, has unveiled a new gameplay trailer at the Future Games Show today. Seeing more of it in action, I’m getting hopeful that somebody is finally cribbing the right answers off Breath of the Wild’s test, mashing up immersive sim systems with action RPG combat like god intended.
Everybody’s always trying to do the glider from Breath of the Wild, or otherwise their own version of a soft, painterly open world that isn’t quite so “videogamey,” but you’re not going to beat Nintendo at their own game on that front. There’s been far less imitation of what makes Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo’smost PC-like games: those rich simulated physics that allow for everything from realistic fire propagation to building an elevator out of two minecarts.
Eternal Strands Gameplay Trailer - Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2024 - YouTubeWatch On
Eternal Strands Gameplay Trailer - Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2024 - YouTube
Eternal Strands Gameplay Trailer - Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2024 - YouTube
Magic abilities and spells having these tangible effects on the world is a secret sauce I wish more RPGs would use. There’s something so primal and satisfying to creating an icy surface in Dark Messiah or Divinity: Original Sin and watching enemies slip all over it—doesn’t that feel so much more like being a masterful, clever wizard than just doing 30-60 frost damage and inflicting a “slow” debuff? If Eternal Strands can deliver on that promise of physics-powered spellcasting, I’ll be all-in on it.
Story-wise, well, there are certainly a lot of fantasy proper nouns in the trailer: “Enclave,” “Weavers,” “the Veil’s Shadow.” It’s all the sort of stuff that I guesscouldbe part of an engrossing new fictional world, but could just as well wash over me and recede like the tide. Visually I’m pretty neutral as well: Eternal Strands has that kind of Blizzard/Riot, slightly cartoony, SoCal game development house look. That’s not entirely my cup of tea, but I also can’t deny that the sheer scale of these ruined vistas did stir a little something in my shriveled heart.
The fact that Eternal Strands has been all gameplay, no pre-rendered nonsense in its trailers is much appreciated as well. To me, that implies that we won’t have too long a wait for the finished product, but Eternal Strands does not yet have a release window. To keep up with the project and support developer Yellow Brick Games, you can wishlist Eternal Strands onSteam.
Image1of4(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
Image1of4(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
Image1of4
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
(Image credit: Yellow Brick Games)
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
More about rpg
Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot
Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot
LatestThe Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in AprilSee more latest►
Latest
The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April
The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April
The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April
See more latest►
Most PopularMarvel Rivals' latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod sceneSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford
Most PopularMarvel Rivals' latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod sceneSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford
Most PopularMarvel Rivals' latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod sceneSorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our faultTeam Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40KIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anythingIf you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 offAMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fabI tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bayFinal Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their altsTikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ itMSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford
Most Popular
Marvel Rivals' latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene
Sorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our fault
Team Fortress 2 just had the single biggest trade in its history, with ‘the absolute best hat you can get’ going for around $40K
Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.
Elden Ring: Nightreign is getting a closed network test, and I’m totally not fuming because PC players aren’t invited to the party, or anything
If you’re a content creator and gamer looking for a CPU upgrade, this Ryzen 9 9900X deal will get you $90 off
AMD is now reportedly making all-American Ryzen 9000 CPU dies at TSMC’s Arizona fab
I tried a sim racing rig that generates ‘wind’ at CES 2025 and it’s claimed to help keep VR nausea at bay
Final Fantasy 14 communities panic as it turns out change to blacklisting, meant to help reduce stalking, also lets players use mods to track their alts
TikTok’s time in the US may be ticking to a close as it makes a last stand in the Supreme Court, though Trump now says he ‘opposes banning’ it
MSI intros cheaper ‘back connect’ Project Zero Intel motherboards for super-clean PC builds you might actually be able to afford
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
