Eternights

For that reason, however, it kind of bothers me. Part of my interest in independent titles involves viewing the art form without the overwhelming gloss. Eternights has that gloss, which is an accomplishment in its own right, but when you peel that away, you just find something that seems a bit bland and lifeless. Certainly, not a night you’ll remember. You’d probably be better off just keeping your hand.

Ultimately, those final moments are the ones I leave Eternights thinking about. Where often the game feels like it’s struggling to execute its own ideas, it’s clear that it at least has ideas. It gets in its own way with what feel like expected genre pressures to undermine itself, but it knows the emotions it wants the player to feel, and they aren’t as superfluous as the gags at characters’ expense it throws out along the way. It makes me hopeful about what this studio might make in the future, because while Eternights may be imperfect, it’s clearly made by a team that wants to create moments like this game’s finale, ideally supported by games that are fully deserving of them. It just needs to work on ironing out all the wrinkles that held this game back.

Eternights' great success is that it manages to be more than the sum of its parts. The witty writing papers over the shakier aspects of the storytelling, the slight combat is used sparingly enough that its flaws rarely frustrate, and above all, it's got an undeniable charm despite its rough edges. We're swiping right on this one.

Eternights is a surprisingly compelling and thoughtful horror action RPG with relationship bonding elements.

It’s amazing how talented Studio Sai is, and how much it got right with Eternights. I had a great time despite some rough patches in the early hours, and I’d love to see what these folks can do with more time and resources. And a better joke-writer. Don’t go into Eternights expecting an alternative to Persona; that’s not what this game is. Instead, put your action shoes on and keep an open mind about playing a more “true” dating sim, and I’ll be shocked if you don’t walk away with a smile on your face. And make sure you have a QR reader handy. You’ll see.

If you are able to tolerate its mediocre main story, but still enjoy its fun combat and simple but effective puzzles, as well as the great relationships between the characters, then Eternights could be the perfect game for you. But if you're tired of the usual overused tropes, you're better off playing something else.

For those who love indies filled with good ideas, Eternights brings established formulas from various notable titles to tell a story about the end of the world with teenagers that only wanted to live their lives. There's definitely room for various improvements but this action RPG is one of the best picks for those who want a well established plot and an almost exclusive focus on character development.

The game shows a great ability to leverage the charisma of its characters, combining it with a satisfying story and adrenaline-pumping combat. The relationship-building aspect is captivating and immersive, and although there are some awkward dialogues at times, it’s still enjoyable. The excellent price and the Brazilian Portuguese localization make this game a great recommendation for anyone looking to discover a title that deserves more attention.

A very weird mish-mash of intense fighting action, RPG elements, and dating sim vibes that makes for an unexpected ride

Eternights features well-drawn characters, a variety of bawdy humor, an interesting story, and an emotional delivery with nice graphics. And only the combat gameplay spoils the overall impression.