Eternal Strands: A Fresh Take on the Classic Action-RPG Formula

Magic isn’t the only element undergoing experimentation in Yellow Brick. The game cleverly divides its setting into several distinct zones, each resembling a small open world. These areas are peppered with blueprints for new gear, dynamic weather patterns, and different scenarios depending on whether you visit during the day or night. There are also significant and minor objectives to complete, and hidden secrets to discover. Inspired by the recent Zelda titles, these zones are expansively designed both horizontally and vertically, allowing the protagonist, Bryn, to climb nearly any surface. So, keeping an eye on what’s above is just as vital as scanning the horizon.

The centerpiece of each area is the Great Foes lurking within. Ranging from flying drakes to colossal automatons, these formidable bosses present the ultimate combat test. However, they also serve as the key to enhancing your magical prowess. Each boss is linked to a specific spell, meaning you’ll need to defeat each Great Foe multiple times to unlock and fully upgrade these abilities.

What sets the Great Foes apart is their design, which makes them more than just formidable opponents with hefty health bars. Each functions as a complex puzzle. Consider one automaton boss: you must traverse its massive frame, detaching armor pieces before targeting certain body parts. Likewise, a drake might swoop out of reach, attacking from the safety of the skies, but you can freeze its wings to bring it down, though it won’t be long before it breathes fire again.

After conquering a Great Foe for the first time, you receive a codex entry. This entry not only delves into its backstory but also provides tips for defeating it through strategy rather than sheer force. You might discover ways to dismantle the magical essence sustaining the foe—essentially a one-hit victory, adding an additional puzzle layer. For the drake, its core magic is accessible only when it’s airborne and dehorned. Yet, it remains capable of tossing you off when fully mobile. Your task is to shatter the horns and strategically injure one wing, hampering its complex aerial maneuvers, to secure your hard-earned reward.