With the release of Eternal Strands on the horizon, many have noted its similarities to classic action-adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus. While these influences are certainly evident in the gameplay, players may be surprised to discover that one of the main inspirations for Eternal Strands actually comes from Capcom’s Monster Hunter series. In fact, a significant amount of the Monster Hunter essence that shaped Eternal Strands can still be found in the final version.
In a recent chat with Game Rant, the directors of Eternal Strands, Mike Laidlaw and Frederic St-Laurent, shared insights about the game’s combat and progression, which will resonate with fans of Monster Hunter. The gameplay loop is designed to evoke the thrill of an expedition, with character development driven by the rewards gathered during these adventures. This means players will focus more on crafting loot rather than following conventional RPG systems. Coupled with the enormous, dynamic creatures that inhabit the world of Eternal Strands, the mechanics and progression should feel very familiar to Monster Hunter enthusiasts.
Eternal Strands’ Gear is the Cornerstone of Character Progression
Eternal Strands may draw some clear inspiration from its gameplay, but its approach to character progression and power dynamics sets it apart from what players might anticipate, especially when compared to titles like Breath of the Wild and Shadow of the Colossus. Laidlaw and St-Laurent emphasized that the combat flow and character development in Eternal Strands are actually more akin to Monster Hunter. As St-Laurent explains, “We don’t utilize an XP system; leveling up isn’t about completing quests for experience points. Instead, it revolves around the loot and gear you craft. You won’t find weapons or armor scattered throughout the game; everything is created by your team at the base camp.”
With Brynn’s thermodynamic abilities, players gain a strategic edge in shaping the crucial loot pool. St-Laurent goes on to explain the ever-changing process of gathering materials in Eternal Strands.
..if you burn, let’s say, a hound or something, then all the fur-type loot is going to be destroyed in the process…If you go for enemies that are made of metal, you use ice and you brittle them, and they break, then you’re going to shatter all the metal components you could forge or carve…If you’re looking for certain things, you’re going to go for certain monsters, and you’re going to defeat them in certain ways.
Like Monster Hunter, Eternal Strands’ Gameplay is Built Around the Idea of the ‘Expedition’
In addition to its focus on gear progression and the collection of materials for crafting, Eternal Strands incorporates the concept of “expedition,” which plays a significant role in both Monster Hunter and Dragon’s Dogma. Laidlaw highlights that the feeling of embarking on an expedition and then returning home to recuperate is a fundamental aspect of both games that is also very much alive in the gameplay of Eternal Strands.
Eternal Strands incorporates unique features that distinguish it from the two Capcom franchises it takes inspiration from, yet it may still appeal to fans of those games. As Laidlaw explains, “…we’re not exactly Monster Hunter, but the dynamic nature of the creatures is a significant aspect of Eternal Strands. I believe that Monster Hunter players will find our approach to progression quite familiar.”