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Eternal Threads

Eternal Threads Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
87% User Score Based on 522 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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Eternal Threads Game Cover

About

Eternal Threads is a single player survival action adventure game. It was developed by Cosmonaut Studios and was released on May 19, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Eternal Threads is a first-person puzzle game centered around time manipulation and choice. As an operative, you're tasked with preventing a fatal house fire in 2015 by altering the choices made by the housemates in the week leading up to it. With the ability to explore and change events in any order, your decisions will shape the course of events and outcomes.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
Eternal Threads screenshot
+7
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87%
Audience ScoreBased on 522 reviews
story171 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay elements that allow players to manipulate time and change character decisions, leading to different outcomes.
  • Great voice acting and well-written characters that make the story and their struggles relatable and compelling.
  • Unique mechanics that intertwine narrative and gameplay, allowing for a satisfying exploration of cause and effect.
  • The pacing can be slow, leading to moments of tedium as players navigate the same house and watch lengthy cutscenes.
  • Some choices feel arbitrary and do not have a significant impact on the overall narrative, making the gameplay feel more like trial and error.
  • The ending leaves many plot threads unresolved, which can be frustrating for players hoping for a more conclusive resolution.
  • story
    467 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Eternal Threads" is a deeply engaging narrative that revolves around the lives of six characters, exploring themes of choice, consequence, and the emotional complexities of their relationships. Players manipulate timelines to influence outcomes, piecing together a mosaic of interconnected stories that reflect real-life struggles and traumas. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and character development, some reviewers noted pacing issues and a lack of high-stakes drama, leading to mixed feelings about the overall impact of the narrative.

    • “The result is a story about rerouted destinies, unseen consequences, and the emotional complexity of giving people second chances.”
    • “You aren’t simply watching story fragments—you’re piecing together a mosaic of relationships, misunderstandings, secrets, and vulnerabilities that define the household.”
    • “The attention to detail is amazing, the flowchart system works super well, the writing is perfect and so is the acting; this game deals with a lot of very deep issues, trauma, abuse, loss of loved ones, relationship issues, societal issues, etc. in very realistic ways.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story is mundane, so there is no big thrill to discover the lives of average people in a building that will be on fire.”
    • “The big issue I have with this title is that for a game that starts with someone stating something as grandiose as 'we broke the world', the actual story you're going to be dealing with is pretty mundane.”
    • “The story itself is not a particularly complicated one.”
  • gameplay
    141 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Eternal Threads" is primarily narrative-driven, focusing on time manipulation mechanics that allow players to influence events and outcomes through a series of interconnected choices. While many players appreciate the unique concept and the depth of the story, some find the gameplay repetitive and simplistic, often likening it to a walking simulator with minimal interaction. Overall, the game excels in its storytelling and character development, but its gameplay may not satisfy those seeking more complex mechanics or action-oriented experiences.

    • “Eternal Threads stands out because its mechanics are intimately built around time, consequence, and player agency.”
    • “Every action you take can ripple forward, and the game tracks causality in a way that makes your choices mechanically meaningful.”
    • “The gameplay elements are so well designed that the gameplay doesn't get in the way of the story.”
    • “For players hoping for puzzles, action, or mechanical complexity, the gameplay may feel too narrow or repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay could have been better - persistent flashing lightning in persistently dark rooms, the walking speed is too slow after a few hours (also you can't sprint up stairs), etc. - though that's not the focus of the game, so I'm not too bothered.”
    • “There is practically no gameplay or interaction, with the majority of playtime being walking from one room to another and watching minute-long clips.”
  • graphics
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising their immersive quality and atmospheric design, particularly in depicting the haunted house and holographic events. However, some players criticize the visuals as dated or lacking detail, suggesting that while the graphics are generally solid, they do not stand out in a modern context. Overall, the game's graphics are described as decent and well-optimized, contributing positively to the storytelling experience despite some inconsistencies in clarity and detail.

    • “Graphics-wise, the game is great; it looks pretty good, runs well, and is very stable.”
    • “With great graphics around the house and a well-designed interface when viewing the timeline, the game does a fantastic job at portraying the series of events and their relationships and importance to the overall mission.”
    • “The graphics are really good, and the sound design and voice acting are solid.”
    • “I would have been willing to put up with the game if the graphics were clearer and cleaner, but it's a complete eyesore.”
    • “A decent story-centered time-themed puzzle game that suffers most from somewhat disappointing graphics, mediocre to sub-par acting, and often bland writing.”
    • “To sum up, here we have extremely poor looking graphics, three and a half polygon objects, disgusting game optimization, false game description, and a common gameplay concept borrowed from 'point and click visual novels.'”
  • atmosphere
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is a blend of eerie and immersive elements, effectively drawing players into its world through strong sound design and visual detail. While many appreciate the spooky and engaging ambiance, some feel it can be overly tense or unnecessary for the game's narrative, with a desire for brighter moments and more dynamic environmental changes. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for enhancing character investment and gameplay, though opinions vary on its appropriateness and execution.

    • “Visually, the game is an absolute treat; the sound design is super atmospheric, and the story is incredibly intriguing.”
    • “On top of all this, the atmosphere they manage to pull out of a single indoor location - how it manages to be alternatingly eerie, horrifying, beautiful, tragic, joyful - all with tiny little changes.”
    • “The investigation/exploration aspects are atmospheric and engaging.”
    • “A horror-like atmosphere which feels unnecessary for this kind of game.”
    • “There's no clear reason for this atmosphere, except that it was originally intended to have horror-like elements that were cut.”
    • “It does feel very low stakes throughout; the character's problems are at a low-grade soap opera level, anything that's done can be undone, and your POV character isn't taking things very seriously, all of which contribute to an atmosphere in which things don't matter much.”
  • grinding
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often involving excessive backtracking and trial-and-error mechanics to unlock events and achieve optimal outcomes. While some appreciate the core concept and character development, many feel that the pacing and the need to navigate through similar scenes detract from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel longer and more laborious than necessary.

    • “However, after a while it became really tedious for me.”
    • “The idea is cool, but the game itself is boring, tedious, and the dialogues are so corny it's like they were written by AI.”
    • “It feels tedious when most of what you do is walk from room to room, push a button, wait and see if there's a decision to make, say A or B, and then repeat the process.”
  • emotional
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game "Eternal Threads" is highlighted by its intricate storytelling and character development, which fosters genuine investment in the characters' journeys and their emotional complexities. Players appreciate the contemplative nature of the narrative, with many finding the emotional payoff rewarding, despite some criticism regarding pacing and engagement. While the game effectively evokes feelings of attachment and empathy, some players felt disconnected, suggesting that emotional resonance may vary based on individual player experiences.

    • “The result is a story about rerouted destinies, unseen consequences, and the emotional complexity of giving people second chances.”
    • “Eternal Threads succeeds as a contemplative, emotionally rich experience that quietly lingers after the credits.”
    • “The story is very touching and you really feel for the characters and want to help them get the best outcome.”
  • music
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is described as minimal yet effective, with a standout track, "Dreamers" by Ali Horn, particularly praised for its atmospheric contribution. While the overall soundtrack is sparse, it features catchy tunes that enhance immersion, complemented by strong ambient sound design. The main menu music and sound effects also receive positive mentions, contributing to the game's overall ambiance.

    • “Loved the menu screen, both the environmental design and the song that played.”
    • “The soundtrack is sparing but effective, with several catchy songs I wouldn't mind hearing as a collected soundtrack someday.”
    • “The voices, music, setting, and storyline are all amazing and help you become immersed.”
    • “Come to think of it, I don't believe there was any music in-game.”
    • “There's not much music to speak of and the game is mostly quiet, but the ambient sound design works wonders in keeping you fairly tense.”
    • “Soundtrack is okay.”
  • optimization
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some praising the technical aspects like atmosphere and sound, while others criticize poor performance, including crashes and flat character animations due to a lack of performance capture. Vocal performances vary widely, from excellent to mediocre, impacting overall enjoyment, especially given the game's reliance on character interactions. Overall, while the writing and voice acting can be compelling, the optimization issues detract significantly from the experience.

    • “Nice game, from the technical standpoint it's amazing, the atmosphere, the graphics, the sound, the voice acting..., and it is well optimized.”
    • “Fantastic voice acting performances that are so convincing and emotional, like a well-made movie.”
    • “The performances are decent, the writing is solid, and the characters are compelling.”
    • “Terrible game optimization, nothing more.”
    • “Also, the game's optimized like crap, it actually crashed on me once when trying to lower the graphics settings and the title screen/intro sequence definitely has it the worst, though it's not a particularly appealing game to look at even after that.”
    • “Unfortunately, the developers didn't do any performance capture for faces, so characters always have flat expressions and usually no mouth movements.”
  • replayability
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, as it primarily revolves around a single story that can be completed in about 10-18 hours. While some players note the ability to revisit scenes or achieve perfect endings, the consensus is that once the story is finished, there is little incentive to replay. Puzzle elements further diminish replay value, making it less appealing for those seeking long-term engagement.

    • “Replayability: the game can be played through its entirety within 10 hours and probably around 18 hours for full achievements.”
    • “So replayability is definitely strong if you want to see all the different scenes and combinations.”
    • “Like Obra Dinn, I think there's eventual replay value here, but I'd have to wait at least a year so that I can forget enough of the plot for it to pose a challenge again.”
    • “The only downside I find is that it's a single story, so I don't see the replay value as being very high.”
    • “It doesn't look like it's going to have much replayability because once you've done the story, you've done it.”
    • “The game has no replayability value; I feel that your end goal is always to get a perfect ending for all of the characters.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of situational comedy and clever titles for scenes, which can elicit genuine laughter, particularly in lighthearted moments. However, some players find the characters themselves to be less engaging, leading to a disparity between the intended humor and the overall experience. The game balances comedic elements with more serious themes, creating a unique but sometimes uneven tone.

    • “My girlfriend was laughing to herself about me walking around exclaiming, 'Well, if she tells him about the baby, then they don't have sex and he dies!' Great game, working on that 100%.”
    • “You have two metalevels, one being 'college drama' which should be funny and not serious, and the other 'I need to save everyone while a Soviet dialect man spurs me to work,' which should have a more dramatic thread.”
    • “When they view a scene/choice, they type in a title for those scenes/choices, and some of those titles are funny.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, user reviews on stability present a mixed picture: while some players report a smooth and bug-free experience, others express frustration with design inconsistencies and tedious navigation issues that detract from gameplay.

    • “It feels like they had planned on having something else but scrapped it mid-way, leaving only traces. The constant back and forth as you go up and down buggy stairs or rush into a room only to have to go back to the room you were just in became tedious, leading me to only really stick it out because I was invested in the characters by then.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is enhanced by exploration and making varied choices, which can lead to different story outcomes and perspectives on the characters. However, some users feel that the character designs could be improved. Overall, the game encourages players to engage with its narrative by avoiding walkthroughs to fully experience the depth of character growth.

    • “I would suggest not to use a walkthrough for this game, as it rewards exploration and trying out sub-optimal branches, which will give you a different take on the story and character developments (you can always change back to the optimal choices later).”
    • “Character designs could be better.”
    • “I would suggest not to use a walkthrough for this game, as it rewards exploration and trying out sub-optimal branches, which will give you a different take on the story and character development (you can always change back to the optimal choices later).”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Eternal Threads is a survival action adventure game.

Eternal Threads is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Eternal Threads.

Eternal Threads was released on May 19, 2022.

Eternal Threads was developed by Cosmonaut Studios.

Eternal Threads has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Eternal Threads is a single player game.

Similar games include Tacoma, This Bed We Made, Nobody Wants to Die, Lacuna, Paradise Killer and others.