Eternal Strands' Monster Hunter-Like Progression Explained
Unraveling the Growth System and Challenges in Eternal Strands: A Deep Dive into Monster Hunter-Inspired Mechanics
As anticipation builds for the release of Eternal Strands, Yellow Brick Games' debut title, many have drawn comparisons to iconic action-adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus. While these influences are certainly felt throughout the game, Eternal Strands’ core inspiration may surprise some players: Capcom’s Monster Hunter series. Much of Monster Hunter’s DNA is evident in Eternal Strands, particularly in its progression system and gameplay mechanics, making it an exciting prospect for fans of the beloved franchise.
In a recent interview with Game Rant, Eternal Strands directors Mike Laidlaw and Frederic St-Laurent elaborated on the game's combat and progression system, highlighting its similarities to Monster Hunter. Central to the game’s core loop is the feeling of embarking on an expedition, where character progression is directly tied to the loot collected from these adventures. Unlike traditional RPGs, where experience points (XP) dictate growth, Eternal Strands relies heavily on crafting gear from the materials harvested during these expeditions. This loot-based progression, combined with the game’s immense and dynamic creatures, creates an experience that should feel familiar and appealing to fans of Monster Hunter.
Eternal Strands' Gear-Based Progression System
One of the standout features of Eternal Strands is its unique approach to character progression, which diverges from the norm set by other games in the action-adventure genre. While it may resemble Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus in terms of its world-building and exploration, the game’s handling of power growth is much closer to Monster Hunter.
As St-Laurent explains, “We don’t have an XP system, so you don’t level up by completing quests and earning XP. Everything is based on loot and the gear that you craft. You won’t find weapons or armor in the game. Everything is crafted by your crew at the base camp.” This loot-driven progression emphasizes player agency and strategy, as each piece of gear and equipment is crafted from the spoils of each expedition.
The dynamic nature of material harvesting adds another layer of strategy to the game. Thanks to Brynn’s thermodynamic powers, players can influence which resources they gather from monsters, tailoring their approach to suit specific needs. As St-Laurent elaborates, “If you burn a hound, for instance, all the fur-type loot will be destroyed in the process. But if you target enemies made of metal and use ice to brittle them, you can shatter the metal components, giving you a chance to harvest those materials.” The game encourages careful planning and experimentation with different monsters and elemental abilities to maximize the loot pool.
The Expedition Concept: Core to the Experience
Similar to Monster Hunter, Eternal Strands revolves around the concept of the "expedition." This idea is not only central to the game’s progression system but also influences its overall design. Laidlaw notes, “A sense of expedition, going out into the world and coming back to rest, is a big part of what we’ve taken from Monster Hunter and Dragon’s Dogma. The rhythm of preparing, exploring, and returning home is core to the experience.”
While Eternal Strands retains several elements that will resonate with Monster Hunter fans, such as the importance of gear crafting and tactical combat, it also introduces original twists that set it apart from Capcom’s games. Laidlaw adds, “We’re not trying to copy Monster Hunter, but the kinetic nature of the creatures and the approach to progression should feel familiar to those who love that series.”
In conclusion, Eternal Strands blends the best elements of its inspirations, delivering an action-adventure game that feels both fresh and familiar. Its expedition-based gameplay and gear-focused progression system promise an experience that will captivate both Monster Hunter fans and newcomers alike, offering a world of massive creatures, strategic combat, and rewarding loot crafting.