Eternal Return

About

Eternal Return is a multiplayer survival strategy game. It was developed by Nimble Neuron and was released on July 19, 2023. It received positive reviews from players.

Fend for yourself and defeat other survivors in unique and exciting top-down Survival Battle Royale gameplay. Become your favorite character and outlast your opponents by combining your wits and strategy with searching and item crafting to become the ultimate survivor.

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 12,691 reviews

gameplay512 positive mentions

grinding114 negative mentions

Eternal Return offers a unique blend of MOBA, battle royale, and survival mechanics, providing a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.
The game features stunning anime-inspired graphics and well-designed characters, contributing to an immersive atmosphere and visual appeal.
Players appreciate the game's replayability and depth, with a diverse roster of characters and a variety of modes that encourage repeated play.

The steep learning curve and poor tutorial system can overwhelm new players, making it difficult for them to grasp the game's complex mechanics.
Many players report significant performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, which detract from the overall gameplay experience.
The monetization model has been criticized for being heavily reliant on microtransactions, which some players feel is predatory, particularly for free-to-play users.

gameplay
1,348 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay of "Eternal Return" is a unique blend of MOBA, battle royale, and survival mechanics, offering a fresh experience that can be both engaging and overwhelming for new players. While the game features a diverse roster of characters and intricate crafting systems, it has a steep learning curve that may deter beginners, especially due to its complex mechanics and the need for strategic planning. Overall, players appreciate the depth and creativity in gameplay, but many express concerns about balance issues, server performance, and the need for better tutorials to ease the onboarding process.
- “The combination of battle royale and MOBA elements makes the gameplay feel fresh and unique compared to other games in the genre.”
- “Gameplay is personally where I think this game does best; it took some time to learn how to play the game, and some help from external sources like YouTube videos, but once you understand how to play, it can be a pretty fun little MOBA.”
- “Eternal Return offers a fresh take on the battle royale genre by combining elements of MOBA gameplay with survival mechanics.”
- “The new player experience is bad and getting worse; the knowledge gap that you're required to overcome could take you well into 300+ hours to figure out, and every season new mechanics are released that aren't properly explained in any form of communication.”
- “The game has a very bad tutorial, and leaves many new players confused or uninformed about many of the game's mechanics and the general flow of the game.”
- “The gameplay is solid, but it would be a lot more solid if they'd implement an anti-teaming and or anti-third party mechanic if it wants to be focused on fighting instead of ratting.”
graphics
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning anime-inspired art style, which many players find visually appealing and charming. While some users noted performance issues and a lack of optimization, the overall aesthetic and character designs are considered top-notch, contributing to an engaging gameplay experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the game's accessibility and UI, the vibrant visuals and smooth animations have made a positive impression on the community.
- “Anime aesthetics + top-down action = eye candy.”
- “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “The blend of anime visuals with MOBA-style strategic depth creates a unique experience that's both a visual treat and a mental workout.”
- “While I couldn't find this on the app stores, for all intents and purposes this is a mobile app... it has all the same qualities, from the mobile app tier graphics to the shallow gameplay you expect from mobile app cash harvesters.”
- “The controls are wonky, the graphics are mediocre at best, and the sound design is forgettable.”
- “It's super unoptimized and barely runs at 100fps on a 4070 with high graphics.”
character development
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
34%
4%
Character development in the game is highlighted by a strong emphasis on unique and appealing character designs, often inspired by anime aesthetics. While many players appreciate the creativity and detail in the character visuals, some express concerns about the balance and depth of character abilities, suggesting that while the designs are visually striking, they may not always translate into engaging gameplay. Overall, the character designs are frequently cited as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and character balance.
- “The character designs are detailed, and the environments are well-crafted, providing an immersive experience.”
- “The character design is amazing, and the skins are equally as good!”
- “The character designs are well made and are of the 'anime aesthetic'; there are also varying difficulties in the different playable characters which adds depth to the game.”
- “The game looks a bit crappy at first; the UI reminds me of a mobile game, gacha mechanics and multiple currencies for skins, especially the older character designs are very generic and the lore bits sound like they're written by a 14-year-old in their edgy phase.”
- “It's hard to explain the character soul thing but the team feels like they have put time and effort into each new character design and from what I have read, they are putting in a lot of work to adapt characters from their first game over to this game format while retaining their original feel and backstory from a completely different game style.”
- “Generic character design meets the tedious gameplay in this uninspired snoozefest.”
grinding
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
5%
93%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the shift from traditional MOBA farming to a crafting and looting system, others feel that the extensive grinding required for character unlocks and seasonal content can become monotonous and frustrating. Overall, players express a desire for a more balanced approach to grinding that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “While the game offers a battle pass and seasonal content, some players have found the progression system to be grindy, requiring significant time investment to unlock all content.”
- “Over time, it gets annoying and becomes tedious to do the same thing over and over again.”
- “It's basically a farming simulator for credits and XP as the AI (including those on your team) don't fight.”
optimization
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
65%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, crashes, and stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some improvements have been noted since the 1.0 launch, the consensus is that the game still requires substantial work to achieve stable performance and better graphical settings. Many users express frustration over the lack of optimization, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
- “They have improved game performance and have also been listening to community feedback on what to change in the game, including quality of life changes.”
- “Optimization has also dramatically improved; I have a pretty high mid-end PC and I've gone from getting 30-50 fps in squad teamfights to 70-90 fps now, and 110-144 fps when not in combat.”
- “The game is constantly being improved upon, whether that's game balance, optimization, new player acquisition, etc. Nimble Neuron, surprise, wants the game to succeed and is trying their best to make it happen.”
- “Game is good, the optimization is so bad, keep crashing on my new rig 9070xt.”
- “This game is shit and it would be better if there weren't so many bots and they optimized it better.”
- “The game's poor server performance and network connectivity only compound these problems, leading to a frustrating overall experience for players.”
monetization
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
37%
55%
The monetization in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it for being heavily reliant on microtransactions that feel predatory, particularly for free-to-play users. While some appreciate the fair pricing and the ability to earn characters through gameplay, others argue that the monetization model resembles that of mobile games, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, a lack of advertising has contributed to a dwindling player base, further complicating the game's monetization success.
- “Eternal Return is free-to-play, with monetization primarily through cosmetic items and character unlocks.”
- “The monetization is fair and the learning curve, while higher than most games, is still a lot more friendly than most MOBAs.”
- “You can easily earn every character in the game within a week or two and the monetization is anything but predatory.”
- “The game has so much potential in gameplay, it's a new breeze for MOBA games, but the devs decided to ruin it with heavy microtransactions and less reward for F2P players. I love this game, but everything I see is just money for greedy devs.”
- “This game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions. The monetization makes mobile games look tame in comparison.”
- “The characters are not balanced at all, the crafting is complete RNG, and the monetization makes mobile games look tame in comparison.”
story
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
72%
11%
The game's story aspect receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique backstories of over 60 characters, while others criticize the lack of a cohesive narrative and the awkward integration of story elements into tutorials. Many find the character designs and lore intriguing, but express a desire for a more developed storyline and clearer explanations rather than fragmented storytelling. Overall, while the game has potential with its character depth, it falls short in delivering a compelling overarching narrative.
- “The game seamlessly combines stunning visuals with an immersive storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
- “Every single character, well over 60 of them, is so unique and has their own personality and story that leaks out in gameplay.”
- “I really like the effort made in the characters' backstory; it gives more life to the game.”
- “If you came looking for a story or something to complete, this ain't it, chief.”
- “Even the story and voice acting is painfully dull.”
- “The story also got annihilated and flushed down the toilet in favor of these terribly designed characters and bad gameplay elements that literally nobody likes.”
stability
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The game's stability has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and freezes that hinder gameplay. While some players have experienced smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that technical issues are prevalent, particularly during matchmaking and in-game interactions. Despite the developers' efforts to address these problems with regular updates, the game's stability remains inconsistent, leading to frustration for many players.
- “I play on a cheap laptop and the game runs great.”
- “There are a few bugs and glitches, but overall the stability is impressive.”
- “The game runs smoothly with minimal issues.”
- “I've never had this many bugs, freezes, and issues consistently in any game I've ever played, making it pretty much impossible to even finish the tutorials.”
- “Horrible buggy, crashy mess.”
- “Buggy unplayable mess, it freezes in lobbies, almost crashes randomly.”
music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as enjoyable and well-produced, featuring a variety of themes that resonate with the game's characters and settings. However, some users noted a desire for more variety in the menu music, especially during long wait times, while others mentioned that they often prefer to listen to their own playlists while playing.
- “The menu music is sexy and I can listen to it looping for hours.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is well produced through the use of music and sound effects as well as visual styles.”
- “A fantastic game with beautiful graphics, amazing music, and well-designed characters and map along with their respective abilities.”
- “The menu music is repetitive, and there's nothing to do to offset long wait times except listen to the same menu music over and over.”
- “I love the art style and it has a decent soundtrack, but if you play alone, I seriously cannot recommend even trying it out.”
- “Little to no music, which is also mediocre at best.”
humor
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted by players, who find enjoyment in its quirky character designs, amusing gameplay situations, and funny voice lines. Many reviews mention the game's comedic elements, such as generic character names and humorous community interactions, although some players feel that the humor sometimes overshadows gameplay balance and mechanics. Overall, the game is described as entertaining and funny, making it appealing to those who appreciate a lighthearted gaming experience.
- “It's like they don't want people to get into the game, kind of like 'only niche gamers allowed here.' It's hilarious to see a game like this.”
- “Character designs are great, community is fantastic, helpful, fun, encouraging, and funny. I'm honestly just very happy to be a part of this community and slowly learning my way through the game.”
- “The stellar graphics and hilarious voice lines?”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
Overall, players find the game to have exceptional replayability, often rating it highly due to its unique characters, challenging gameplay, and variety in modes. Many appreciate the lack of character unlocks, which enhances accessibility, while others note that the game's complexity and customization options contribute to its lasting appeal. Despite some concerns about balance and queue times, the consensus is that the game offers a rewarding experience that encourages repeated play.
- “One of the most rewarding games to improve at, and one of the most replayable games on the planet.”
- “Overall it's just a great game that is so unique and has a ton of replayability.”
- “I have always been a laid-back fan of MOBAs, but with this one I really got roped into the unique gameplay, and it overall seems like a very replayable game that mixes elements of survival and MOBA action and turns it into a very fun battle royale.”
- “I predict this game will fail and at the very least I will no longer seriously play this game and will be dropping it, especially since Cobalt Protocol - which I consider more playable than the default team mode now - still does not have a ranked mode.”
- “Despite being very early on in its life, this game offers up a lot of replayability in its current state.”
- “I personally feel like the percent value for life steal given on items is a tad bit too high, but it still doesn't greatly affect the quality of gameplay and replayability of this game.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the wholesome and supportive community, others warn of potential addiction and emotional distress, particularly when facing skilled opponents. The game's design allows for satisfaction beyond winning, but issues like long queue times and technical problems can lead to frustration and emotional strain. Overall, players recommend caution, especially for those prone to addiction or seeking a less stressful gaming experience.
- “Honestly, the community in this game has to be some of the most wholesome ones I've ever seen.”
- “The community is super wholesome and welcoming.”
- “The true core of battle royale games is that a player's satisfaction does not need to come from winning, since winning is actually rare. My own satisfaction comes primarily from engaging with other players, and the low emotional and time cost of a battle royale game greatly reduces frustration.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its beautiful and calming visuals, complemented by well-produced music and sound effects, creating a diverse and engaging environment. While some players appreciate the lack of tension and toxicity compared to other battle arena games, others note that the atmosphere lacks depth, particularly in sound design. Overall, the game offers a friendly and casual atmosphere, making it enjoyable for players seeking a less intense experience.
- “The game is beautiful, calming atmospherically, and extremely diverse in terms of items, strategies, and characters.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is well produced through the use of music and sound effects as well as visual styles.”
- “Scrounging for gear, hunting down other players, it makes for a tense but exciting atmosphere.”
- “As a player who heavily leans toward sound design as atmosphere, there was little depth with no audio enhancements. I had thought maybe that is how most people play the battle arena style games with sound off.”
- “- The atmosphere is not dense and does not give a sense of imminent danger, so it does not take a huge emotional or mental toll on the player, regardless of the result.”
- “Love the characters and the atmosphere of the game; lore and backstories would be great like from the original too.”