Eternal Essence

About

Eternal Essence is a single player and multiplayer casual strategy game. It was developed by Blur Entertainment Inc. and was released on November 13, 2019. It received neutral reviews from players.

Eternal Essence is a turn-based collectible card game which pits two opponents against each other. Players construct decks of 40 cards and utilize their limited Rift Power (mana) to summon creatures, cast spells, and equip relics, with the goal of destroying the opponent's Rifter (hero).

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58%

Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

Eternal Essence features a deep and engaging gameplay experience with unique mechanics that allow for strategic depth and creativity in deck building.
The artwork and visuals are praised for their quality, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere and overall aesthetic appeal.
The developers are actively working on improvements and updates, showing commitment to enhancing the game based on player feedback.

The game suffers from a lack of meaningful single-player content and a very small player base, making it difficult to find matches and enjoy the intended multiplayer experience.
There are significant issues with bugs and optimization, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences such as freezing and crashes.
The presence of a mobile-style cash shop and microtransactions has been criticized, detracting from the overall value and experience of the game.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The gameplay of "Eternal Essence" is praised for its solid mechanics and depth, offering a unique experience in the card game genre that encourages strategic responses to opponents' actions. Players appreciate the well-designed tutorial that eases newcomers into the complexities of the game, while the balance and creativity in gameplay mechanics, such as chaining spells and utilizing the graveyard, enhance the overall experience. Despite some concerns about sluggishness, the game is noted for its rewarding and engaging mechanics, making it a standout in a crowded market.
- “Having sampled much of the competition, I can safely say that Eternal Essence has the deepest and most rewarding gameplay of any card game out there, which is really saying something seeing as how the card pool is rather small to date.”
- “Eternal Essence has so much going for it: the artwork is fantastic, the game mechanics are easy to understand while still containing depth and complexity, adding those extra layers that I personally enjoy.”
- “The ability to chain spells and respond to your opponent's attacks is definitely my favorite mechanic; I can’t wait to see how this game develops!”
- “Gameplay feels sluggish.”
- “Overall the game is visually beautiful with all the animations and card artwork, but the balance and consistency of the gameplay is what will keep players around for a long time.”
- “Tbh, card games aren't typically my thing as they quickly overwhelm me with their strangely complicated mechanics, but this one really eases you into it nicely with the tutorial that scales up as you progress.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the lackluster 2D visuals and calling for a shift to 3D graphics, while others praise the brilliant artwork and animations. Although the visuals may not match the smoothness of top-tier games like Hearthstone, the overall aesthetic and card artwork are considered visually appealing. As the game is still in development, there is hope for improvements in graphics and user experience.
- “The artwork is brilliant and the tactics and strategy required are exceptionally enjoyable.”
- “My eyebulbs are pleased with the aesthetic, and indeed the artwork is superb.”
- “Eternal Essence has so much going for it: the artwork is fantastic, the game mechanics are easy to understand while still containing depths and complexity, adding those extra layers that I personally enjoy.”
- “The game features really lackluster 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
- “Gamers don't spend thousands of dollars on gaming rigs and the latest 3D graphics cards to play 2D games.”
- “Even mobile phones and game consoles can do 3D graphics now.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy, leading to unintended moves that can significantly impact gameplay, especially during critical moments. Users have also noted confusion in deck creation due to these bugs, indicating that stability issues remain a concern.
- “I have made the wrong move many times because the game is buggy and unintentional moves are made, which is easily a deal breaker when you are in a close battle.”
- “The deck creation is confusing and buggy.”
- “Still a bit buggy last I played (which was a long while ago).”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's story aspect is minimal, relying on player interactions rather than a robust narrative, though it includes a fun tutorial that introduces character backstories. Players can engage in quests against AI or in multiplayer, allowing for some progression through grinding. The puzzle mode adds a unique challenge, enhancing the overall experience despite the lack of a deep storyline.
- “Including a fun tutorial with a little backstory on the characters, and my favorite being puzzle mode, which really pushes the mental fortitude of those who dare to attempt it.”
- “The developer gambled that other players would be an acceptable substitute for adding storytelling, level design, etc. to the software.”
- “No player base yet, but you can always play against an AI and complete quests in multiplayer, so you can grind some gold to buy packs and grow the collection.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model of the game is heavily criticized for being laden with mobile app store-style microtransactions, leading users to feel that it is not truly free to play.
- “As mentioned, this isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers emphasize the importance of smooth performance in the game, noting that it should compete effectively with other real-time interactive games that deliver a seamless experience.
- “This game runs smoothly, which is essential when competing with real-time interactive games.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even in complex scenarios.”
- “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it enhances the overall experience significantly.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the grinding aspect of the game is too slow, especially when compared to faster-paced card games like Gems of War, suggesting that a speed boost would enhance the overall experience.
- “I am used to ultra-fast card games like Gems of War, and this really needs a speed boost to keep the grinding time reasonable.”