Eternights delivers a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends action, romance, and supernatural elements. The story centers around a young protagonist caught in a mysterious apocalyptic event that transforms everyday life into a struggle for survival. As the world crumbles, the protagonist teams up with a diverse group of characters, each with their own backstory and motivations. The plot is layered with twists, emotional depth, and a satisfying progression that keeps players engaged from start to finish. One standout aspect is the romance plots with the different characters which are exceptionally well-written, providing a heartfelt and authentic relationship arc that adds significant emotional weight to the overall story. The game offers romances with both genders but unfortunately leaves out a romance with the âbest broâ character, which I wasnât really a fan of.
Whilst storytelling is a favourable aspect of the game, its gameplay is somewhat of a mixed bag. As an action RPG, it incorporates real-time combat mechanics that, while initially engaging, tend to become repetitive over time. The combat system lacks the depth and variety seen in other titles within the genre, leading to a sense of monotony during extended play sessions. The action sequences are straightforward, with limited enemy types and attack patterns, which can make battles feel more like a chore than an exhilarating challenge.
The soundtrack of Eternights stands out as a strong point, enhancing the game's emotional and atmospheric impact. The music is well-composed, with tracks that perfectly match the game's various moodsâbe it tense combat scenes, tender romantic moments, or sombre narrative beats. The sound design complements the overall aesthetic, making the game more immersive and emotionally resonant.
Eternights incorporates various gameplay elements, including exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource management, in addition to its core combat mechanics. The game also features a robust dating sim aspect, allowing players to build relationships with different characters through dialogue choices, side quests, and interactive events. This aspect of the game is well-executed, providing a break from the repetitive combat and adding layers of depth to character interactions.
During my playthrough I completed a romance with party member; Sia the science nerd of the group. This romance path offered an engaging and heartfelt narrative thread. Sia's character is well-developed, and her relationship with the protagonist feels natural and deeply affecting. The interactions between Sia and the protagonist are filled with meaningful dialogue, choices that impact their relationship, and memorable moments that contribute significantly to the game's emotional depth. This subplot is expertly interwoven with the main narrative, ensuring that it enhances rather than detracts from the overall experience.
Compared to other action RPGs, Eternight falls somewhere in the middle; its strong narrative and character-driven gameplay being positives however, its combat system falls short when measured against more refined titles in the genre, which offer more dynamic and varied combat experiences. The dating sim elements whilst enjoyable also fall short compared to games that focus wholly on the dating experience or where social interactions and character development play a crucial role in the overall gameplay experience.
Eternights is a game of contrasts. It excels in storytelling, character development, and emotional depth, particularly through its romance plot with Sia and the engaging dating sim mechanics. However, its gameplay, particularly the combat, is middling and repetitive, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, it is a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven action RPGs.
