Eternal Strands' Monster Hunter-Like Progression Explained

How Crafting, Loot, and Expedition-Based Gameplay Draw Inspiration from Monster Hunter

Eternal Strands: How Monster Hunter’s Influence Shaped the Game’s Progression and Combat

As Eternal Strands approaches its highly anticipated release, comparisons to legendary action-adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus have sparked much attention. While these titles certainly have their marks on Eternal Strands, fans may be surprised to learn that the game's core inspiration comes from a different source: Capcom’s Monster Hunter series. The influence of Monster Hunter is strong throughout Eternal Strands, and its presence is felt in the game’s progression, combat, and mechanics.

In a recent interview with Game Rant, Eternal Strands directors Mike Laidlaw and Frederic St-Laurent discussed how the game’s design draws from the Monster Hunter franchise. The game’s core loop centers around the feeling of an expedition, with character progression driven primarily by the spoils earned during these expeditions. This emphasis on loot and crafting over traditional RPG systems is a nod to Monster Hunter, and the game’s massive, dynamic creatures further enhance this connection.

Loot and Crafting: The Foundation of Progression

Unlike traditional RPGs where experience points and leveling up are central, Eternal Strands takes a different approach to character progression. The game does not feature an XP system. Instead, as St-Laurent explains, "It's all based on loot and gear that you craft. You don’t find weapons or armor in the game—everything is crafted by your crew at the base camp." This system means that progression is tied directly to the gear players craft, making every expedition valuable for upgrading their arsenal.

The addition of Brynn’s thermodynamic powers introduces another strategic layer to the game, allowing players to influence the loot pool by harvesting materials in a dynamic, ever-evolving manner. This gives players more control over the resources they gather, enhancing the crafting system's depth and importance.

Expeditions: A Key Gameplay Element

Much like Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma, Eternal Strands revolves around the concept of the "expedition." Laidlaw notes that Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma share a central theme of going on an expedition, returning home, and resting up before the next journey. This sense of cyclical exploration is a major part of Eternal Strands, where players venture into dangerous environments to harvest materials, face off against massive beasts, and return to camp to craft and upgrade their gear.

Despite drawing heavily from Monster Hunter and other action-RPGs, Eternal Strands introduces unique features that distinguish it from its inspirations. Laidlaw emphasizes, “We’re not trying to copy Monster Hunter, but the kinetic creatures and progression system will feel very familiar to Monster Hunter players.”

With its crafting-based progression, dynamic creatures, and expedition-focused gameplay, Eternal Strands is poised to appeal to Monster Hunter fans looking for a fresh take on their favorite gameplay elements. The game blends familiar mechanics with new twists, ensuring a unique experience for players while paying homage to the genre-defining series that inspired it.