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Eternal Return

81%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, optimization
81% User Score Based on 12,213 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWinWindowsCloCloudNGNNVIDIA GeForce NOW

About

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.

Eternal Return screenshot
Eternal Return screenshot
Eternal Return screenshot
Eternal Return screenshot
Eternal Return screenshot
Eternal Return screenshot

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,213 reviews
gameplay480 positive mentions
grinding109 negative mentions

  • Eternal Return offers a unique blend of battle royale and MOBA mechanics, providing a fast-paced and strategic gameplay experience that rewards skill and adaptability.
  • The game features stunning anime-inspired graphics and a diverse roster of characters, each with unique designs and backstories, contributing to an engaging aesthetic experience.
  • The community is described as wholesome and supportive, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game despite its challenges.
  • The game presents a steep learning curve for newcomers, often overwhelming them with its complexity and lack of comprehensive tutorials, leading to frustration and toxicity from other players.
  • Many players report significant performance issues, including stuttering and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • The monetization model, while generally viewed as fair, has raised concerns about aggressive microtransactions and a lack of visibility in western markets, potentially hindering the game's growth.
  • gameplay
    1,240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Eternal Return" is a unique blend of battle royale and MOBA mechanics, offering a fast-paced, strategic experience that rewards skill and adaptability. While the game features solid mechanics and a diverse roster of characters, it presents a steep learning curve for newcomers, often overwhelming them with its complexity and lack of comprehensive tutorials. Despite some criticisms regarding balance and accessibility, many players find the gameplay engaging and addictive, especially when played with friends.

    • “Eternal Return combines MOBA-style combat, survival mechanics, and battle royale intensity into a fast-paced, anime-inspired multiplayer experience.”
    • “With a growing roster of unique characters, strategic gameplay, and deep item crafting, it’s a game that rewards skill and adaptability.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the game loop is nice, it has strategy, and it is even better to play with friends.”
    • “But this game is hard for new players because they need to learn the gameplay, items, etc. because there's no solo mode; they will get toxic from other players because they are noobs for their first time playing.”
    • “Just didn't get any sense of excitement or urgency from the gameplay despite it being advertised as a 'battle royale' game.”
    • “The gameplay itself is clunky and uninspired.”
  • graphics
    304 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning anime-inspired art style, which many players find visually appealing and well-executed. The character designs are noted for their uniqueness and diversity, contributing to an engaging aesthetic experience. However, some users have expressed concerns about optimization issues and the lack of customizable graphic settings, which can affect performance on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The blend of anime visuals with MOBA-style strategic depth creates a unique experience that's both a visual treat and a mental workout.”
    • “The anime-inspired visuals and smooth animations give the game a polished feel.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the controls are smooth, the gameplay loop is engaging.”
    • “The controls are wonky, the graphics are mediocre at best, and the sound design is forgettable.”
    • “Badly optimized, graphics settings are just presets.”
    • “Also, the fact that there aren't many graphic options shows that there isn't enough focus on optimization.”
  • character development
    135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and appealing character designs, which are often described as anime-inspired and visually striking. While many players appreciate the diversity and creativity in character aesthetics and abilities, some express concerns about balance and gameplay mechanics, suggesting that character roles can feel unrefined. Overall, the character designs are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some criticisms regarding gameplay depth and community engagement.

    • “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, not to mention that each character has its own lore which ties to the game itself.”
    • “Masterful character design: each of the playable characters feels unique and powerful.”
    • “I love the character designs and the constant updates with either new characters or new items.”
    • “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.”
    • “Queue times are a bloody hassle and the character design feels repetitive.”
    • “Generic character design meets the tedious gameplay in this uninspired snoozefest.”
  • grinding
    117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience. While some appreciate the shift from traditional MOBA farming to a more crafting-focused system, others criticize the unbalanced nature of fights and the overwhelming mechanics that can lead to frustration. Overall, players note that the game requires significant time investment for grinding, particularly for character unlocks and seasonal passes, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy.”
    • “Grinding a seasonal pass can become pretty monotonous and after a bit can start feeling more like a task rather than an enjoyable thing.”
    • “Most of the time you'll just end up farming all match and have a couple quick fights closer to the end, and it's just not worth the build-up you have to do for that.”
    • “It's a for fun game, but not fun at the same time unless you like mindlessly farming items for 10 minutes just to not feel any sort of power spike at all and get dicked by anyone luckier than you.”
  • optimization
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users noted improvements in optimization since the 1.0 launch, others still find it poorly optimized, especially regarding UI and server performance. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has potential, it requires substantial work on optimization to enhance the player experience.

    • “Additionally, its minimalistic graphics and smooth performance keep me relaxed without overwhelming my senses, making it easier to return to studying with a clearer mind.”
    • “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 wants the game to succeed and is trying their best to make it happen.”
    • “Game is really poorly optimized, especially the lobby part of the game.”
    • “This game is shit and it would be better if there weren't so many bots and they optimized it better.”
    • “Game runs pretty unoptimized on my 960 (for having similar graphics to League of Legends), runs worse in comparison to when I play Valorant, Apex, or literally anything that should run better than this game.”
  • monetization
    87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is primarily based on cosmetic microtransactions and character unlocks, which many players find fair and non-intrusive, allowing for a rewarding free-to-play experience. However, there are significant concerns regarding the aggressive push for microtransactions, misleading advertising, and a lack of visibility in western markets, which could hinder the game's growth and player base. Overall, while the monetization is generally viewed as generous, the game's success is heavily dependent on improved marketing efforts to attract a larger audience.

    • “The monetization in the game feels rewarding and fair. You have a 100-level battle pass which is pretty hard to complete/grind with just the free tier, but if you purchase it, you can easily complete it in two weeks because of all the 2x money/experience/battle pass points boosts you get and all the extra battle pass missions (whose progress is counted from before you purchased the battle pass, so you might have a lot of completed missions when you do).”
    • “You can easily earn every character in the game within a week or two, and the monetization is anything but predatory.”
    • “The monetization scheme is actually pretty generous, and characters are easy to grind out in-game currency to buy.”
    • “Microtransactions are heavily overpriced and the game feels like a cash grab at this point.”
    • “The characters are not balanced at all, the crafting is complete RNG, and the monetization makes mobile games look tame in comparison.”
    • “Unfortunately, the lack of advertising causes this game's community in NA to be very small.”
  • story
    81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the unique backstories and character designs, while others criticize the overall lack of a cohesive narrative or engaging plot. Many highlight that while individual characters have interesting lore, the game lacks a substantial story mode or meaningful PvE content, leaving players wanting more depth and context. Overall, the character-driven narratives are seen as a positive, but the absence of a central storyline detracts from the experience for many.

    • “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.”
    • “The characters are fleshed out and quite compelling, which adds to the feeling that I am participating in what could be an epic story.”
    • “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.”
    • “But there isn't much more to say; there's no story aside from each character's bio as far as I am aware, no real PvE mode or such, it's just simply pure PvP.”
  • stability
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players describe the experience as inconsistent, with some sessions being relatively smooth while others are plagued by technical issues. Despite occasional updates from developers, the overall sentiment is that the game remains a "buggy mess," making it difficult for players to fully enjoy or complete the game.

    • “I play on a cheap laptop and the game runs great.”
    • “There are a few bugs and glitches, but overall the game is stable.”
    • “The game runs smoothly with minimal issues.”
    • “Horrible buggy, crashy mess.”
    • “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.”
    • “Buggy unplayable mess, it freezes in lobbies, almost crashes randomly.”
  • humor
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is frequently highlighted by players, with many finding the character designs, emotes, and gameplay situations to be genuinely funny. Users appreciate the comedic elements, such as generic character names and humorous voice lines, which contribute to an enjoyable experience despite some gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game is described as entertaining and filled with lighthearted moments, making it a fun choice for players looking for a humorous gaming experience.

    • “But it's still a good and funny game, so I recommend this to other Steam users.”
    • “It was funny to me how 'generic' the character names are, lol, like 'who do you main?' 'I main William.'”
    • “The stellar graphics and hilarious voice lines?”
    • “Can you add a solo mode? The trio mode is cringe and makes the game unfunny. (1.0 is a mistake?)”
  • music
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising the soundtrack as beautiful and well-produced, enhancing the overall atmosphere. While some users noted the need for more variety in the menu music during long wait times, the sound effects and character-specific themes were appreciated for their quality. Overall, the combination of engaging music and sound design contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for many players.

    • “The art and music are beautiful, and the game feels good and responsive to play.”
    • “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.”
    • “Nothing to do to offset long wait times except listen to the same menu music over and over.”
    • “Same song, different tune.”
    • “Little to no music, which is also mediocre at best.”
  • replayability
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game is highly praised for its replayability, with many users rating it around 8/10 to 5/5. Players appreciate the variety of characters, unique gameplay mechanics, and the challenge it presents, which keeps them engaged. Despite some concerns about balance and queue times, the game's complexity and customization options contribute to its strong replay value.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Despite being very early on in its life, this game offers up a lot of replayability in its current state.”
  • emotional
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, highlighting both the potential for addiction and emotional distress, particularly when faced with long play sessions and challenging opponents. However, many also praise the game's wholesome community, which fosters a supportive environment despite the frustrations of gameplay. Overall, while the game can lead to significant emotional investment and stress, it also offers moments of connection and camaraderie among players.

    • “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 in these games. My own satisfaction comes primarily from engaging and killing other players, and the low emotional and time cost of a battle royale game greatly reduces the frustration in games where you can't get a kill.”
  • atmosphere
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its beauty and calming qualities, enhanced by well-crafted music, sound effects, and diverse visual styles. Players appreciate the friendly and casual environment, which contrasts with more competitive MOBAs, allowing for enjoyable gameplay without the stress of toxicity. While the atmosphere is generally light and non-threatening, it also offers moments of tension during gameplay, creating a balanced experience.

    • “The atmosphere of the game is well produced through the use of music and sound effects as well as visual styles.”
    • “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.”
    • “The original managed to have a high skill ceiling but a much more friendly casual atmosphere.”
    • “Scrounging for gear, hunting down other players, it makes for a tense but exciting atmosphere.”

Buy Eternal Return

22h Median play time
137h Average play time
8-60h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 61 analyzed playthroughs

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