Eternights

The story of Eternights receives praise for its ambitious genre-blending approach and engaging character dynamics. Critics like App Trigger highlight its mix of anime, sci-fi, and humor, emphasizing the focus on relationships and demonic invasions, while COGconnected commends its slow-paced narrative for fleshing out the world and characters. GamesHub draws comparisons to anime like Chainsaw Man and Code Geass, noting themes of saving the world and identity exploration, and Gaming Age appreciates its unique identity formed by diverse influences. IGN France lauds the well-paced storytelling, which balances tension, sadness, and comedy through in-game cinematics and animated sequences, while Press Start Australia calls it "ambitious and mostly successful" with endearing, rich character work. Additionally, GamingTrend and RPG Fan praise the emotional depth of characters and the uplifting tone of the narrative, and TRG highlights the balance between combat and relationship-building elements, underscoring the game’s strengths in fostering bonds and delivering a fresh post-apocalyptic spin. However, several critics point to narrative shortcomings, including inconsistent pacing, unclear stakes, and underdeveloped lore. Shacknews dismisses the story as "simple and inconsequential" with "sloppy background lore," while Destructoid criticizes the "bland protagonist" and "archetypal and inconsistent" characters. GameGrin mentions pacing issues and "sexual innuendos and crude humor," and Siliconera calls the plot "forgettable and rushed," arguing the abrupt premise undermines believability. Noisy Pixel acknowledges plot holes and "cringy" writing, though they concede the character development is strong. Some reviewers, like Push Square, note the irreverent tone as a double-edged sword, while SpazioGames describes the initial fast-paced setup as confusing, though it later clarifies. Tech-Gaming also critiques the broader narrative for failing to meet its potential, opting for supernatural elements over societal critique, and RPGamer highlights the chaotic mix of dating, zombies, and dungeon crawling as occasionally jarring. Despite mixed reactions, the overall consensus leans toward Eternights being a distinctive, if uneven, experience. While many praise its character-driven moments, genre fusion, and emotional beats, others find the narrative structure and world-building lacking. The game’s charm lies in its ability to balance humor, romance, and apocalyptic stakes, as noted by Screen Rant and TechRadar Gaming, but its contradictions—such as the clash between lightheartedness and darker themes—require players to tolerate its tonal shifts. Critics like Press Start Australia and GamingTrend emphasize the value of its character interactions and heartfelt backstories, even as Shacknews and Destructoid question its depth. Ultimately, Eternights is seen as a bold experiment that succeeds in creating a memorable, if occasionally flawed, story through its eclectic mix of genres and focus on human connections in a chaotic world.

The gameplay of Eternights is generally praised for its engaging combat mechanics and variety of activities. Many critics highlight the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the action, with COGconnected noting the satisfying dodge system and extended combos, and Tech-Gaming commending the polished and entertaining combat. The Games Machine compares it to games like Bayonetta or Devil May Cry, emphasizing its momentum-based mechanics and RPG leveling elements. GamingTrend and TechRadar Gaming both appreciate the balance between exploration, combat, and social interaction, with the latter pointing out that precision is rewarded over button mashing. Additionally, Screen Rant and Press Start Australia note that the game offers a range of skills to unlock, and IGN France praises the introduction of new mechanics throughout the experience, keeping the gameplay dynamic and enjoyable. However, several critics point out significant flaws in the gameplay, particularly in the combat and dungeon design. App Trigger and But Why Tho? criticize the dodging mechanic as unreliable, leading to avoidable deaths, while Siliconera describes the combat as monotonous and lacking depth, with a slow pace and an inconvenient dodge button. Destructoid finds the combat weak, emphasizing that it boils down to button mashing and dodging, and SpazioGames mentions repetitive quick-time events and brief enemy cues for dodging. Siliconera also criticizes the linear exploration and inconsistent difficulty balance, with some bosses being unfairly challenging. These issues suggest that while the core combat is functional, it lacks the polish and depth some players might expect. Overall, the critics present a mixed but generally positive consensus on Eternights’ gameplay, with many acknowledging its charm and variety despite its flaws. While COGconnected, Tech-Gaming, and GamingTrend praise its combat and progression systems, others like Siliconera and Destructoid highlight its shortcomings. The game’s unique blend of dating sim and hack-and-slash elements is seen as a standout feature by several reviewers, including GamesHub and Gaming Age, who appreciate the genre fusion. However, the repetitive aspects, inconsistent difficulty, and unreliable mechanics are recurring concerns. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay is often described as fun, engaging, and worth experiencing, especially for fans of action RPGs and relationship-building simulations.

The graphics and visual design of Eternights receive largely positive feedback for their stylistic choices and immersive elements. Critics like App Trigger and COGconnected highlight the game’s anime cel-shaded aesthetic, noting its clean, neon-washed textures and distinct color palettes that blend electric and ethereal tones. INVEN and Press Start Australia praise the expressive character designs, sharp lighting, and 2D illustrations that enhance storytelling, while Screen Rant and GameGrin commend the hand-drawn cutscenes and nightmarish enemy designs, which contribute to the game’s atmospheric depth. GamingTrend and Tech-Gaming also appreciate the consistent use of vibrant colors (purple, red, black) and the "stunning" environments that evoke a post-apocalyptic vibe, with GameGrin specifically lauding the "lovely lighting and particle effects." These reviews collectively emphasize the game’s visual charm and its ability to create a cohesive, stylized world that prioritizes artistic flair over technical polish. However, several critics point to technical shortcomings and repetitive elements that detract from the experience. God is a Geek and RPGamer criticize the "dark and repetitive cityscapes" and "drab, outdated environments," respectively, while Destructoid and Everyeye.it note a lack of originality and "questionable animations" that make the visuals feel "bland and lifeless" or "dated." The Games Machine and SpazioGames describe the 3D modeling as uninspired or average for previous-generation hardware, though they acknowledge that lighting and animated inserts help mask these flaws. TechRadar Gaming and TRG mention sterile dungeon environments and navigation challenges, while Tech-Gaming and Checkpoint Gaming point to unimpressive UI elements, such as a "bland and ugly" interface. These critiques suggest that while the game’s art direction is strong, its technical execution and environmental variety fall short of expectations. Overall, the consensus leans toward a mixed but generally favorable assessment of Eternights’ visuals. The anime-inspired style and expressive cutscenes are widely celebrated as its standout features, with GameGrin and GamingTrend emphasizing their ability to elevate the game’s atmosphere despite technical limitations. However, many critics, including Destructoid and God is a Geek, feel that the visuals struggle to fully leverage modern hardware or maintain consistency, with repetitive environments and underwhelming 3D models. While Everyeye.it and SpazioGames argue that the charm of the art style compensates for these flaws, others like TechRadar Gaming and RPGamer suggest the presentation could benefit from more polish. The game’s visual identity is thus seen as a double-edged sword—its artistic vision is compelling, but its technical and environmental execution leaves room for improvement.

The sound design and music of Eternights receive generally positive feedback from multiple critics, with several highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing the game’s atmosphere and narrative. App Trigger praises the "well done" sound design, while COGconnected notes that the music and audio "fit neatly into the overall visual tapestry," suggesting a cohesive and immersive experience. GamesHub and Press Start Australia commend the "top-class voice acting" and "stellar" performances, respectively, which add depth and emotional resonance to the story. GameGrin and RPG Fan emphasize the "dark and brooding" themes and "tense atmosphere" conveyed through the music, aligning with the game’s tone. Additionally, GamingTrend and Noisy Pixel appreciate the "immersive" sound design and the "quality of the adventure" contributed by the audio elements. The availability of multiple language options, including English, Japanese, and Korean voice acting, is also noted as a strength, with The Games Machine and Everyeye.it acknowledging the involvement of "famous artists" and "commendable" localization, respectively. These reviews collectively underscore the sound design and music as integral to the game’s storytelling and emotional impact. However, some critics point to limitations in the music and sound design, particularly regarding originality and distinctiveness. The Games Machine criticizes the "lack of notable music ideas," while Everyeye.it describes the soundtrack as "not particularly original" but "adequate." COGconnected also notes that the music, though fitting, "is not as distinct as the visuals," implying a potential imbalance in the game’s audio-visual synergy. GameGrin’s mention of "practically non-existent" lip-synching in the English dub adds a minor critique about the voice acting’s technical execution, which could detract from immersion. While these points are less prominent than the positives, they suggest that the music and sound design, while functional, may not stand out as strongly as other aspects of the game. These observations highlight a gap between the game’s ambitious narrative and its audio elements, which some reviewers feel could have been more innovative or polished. Overall, the consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for Eternights’ sound design and music, particularly their role in supporting the game’s emotional and atmospheric depth. While not universally hailed as groundbreaking, the audio elements are seen as effective and complementary to the story, with strong voice acting being a consistent highlight. The Games Machine and Everyeye.it’s critiques about the music’s originality are balanced by the praise from GameGrin, RPG Fan, and others for its thematic appropriateness and ability to evoke tension. GamingTrend and Noisy Pixel further reinforce the value of the sound design in enriching the experience, even if it doesn’t overshadow the visuals. The mixed feedback on the music’s distinctiveness and the minor technical issues with lip-synching indicate that while Eternights succeeds in many areas, there is room for improvement in making its audio stand out as a unique and memorable component. Despite this, the majority of reviews suggest that the sound and music are solid, contributing meaningfully to the game’s overall quality.

The voice acting in Eternights is widely praised by multiple critics for its quality and impact on the game's storytelling. App Trigger highlights that the spoken dialog for characters Chani and Yuna is a bright spot, emphasizing how it enhances their presence. GamesHub commends the strong performances from actors such as Kira Buckland, Alejandro Saab, Brandon Winkler, and Aleks Le, noting that they add depth to the characters. IGN France appreciates the game's option to play with either English or Japanese voice acting, while also valuing the extensive dialogue. INVEN and Press Start Australia both praise the voice acting for adding vitality and immersion, with the latter noting that it grounds the characters in the game's emotionally resonant narrative. Screen Rant and TechRadar Gaming go further, calling the English voice acting excellent and highlighting how it brings poignancy and depth to the script, even when the characters themselves may have clichéd traits. Despite the overall positive reception, a few critics express more nuanced or slightly less enthusiastic views. Push Square mentions that the English voice work is less appealing compared to playing the game in Korean with English subtitles, though they do not elaborate further. This suggests that while the English voice acting is well-done, it may not resonate as strongly with all audiences, particularly those who prefer the original language or subtitled experience. However, this is a relatively minor point in an otherwise glowing assessment of the voice acting across multiple languages, and it does not detract from the general consensus that the vocal performances are a significant strength of the game. Overall, the critics are in strong agreement that the voice acting in Eternights is a notable and positive aspect of the game. The inclusion of multiple language options, including Korean, English, and Japanese, is seen as a valuable feature that caters to a broader audience. While some critics, like Push Square, note that English voice acting may not be the most compelling, the majority—such as GamesHub, INVEN, and TechRadar Gaming—highlight its excellence in bringing characters to life and enhancing the narrative. The presence of well-known voice actors and the seamless integration with character animations further reinforce the positive sentiment, making the voice acting a key element in the game's immersive and emotionally engaging experience.

The technical performance of Eternights across different platforms shows a mixed but generally positive outlook, especially on PC and PS5. App Trigger noted that while there are some animation issues on PC, such as enemies and bosses disappearing after defeat, the game still runs smoothly on lower-end hardware, as highlighted by Tech-Gaming, who praised its responsive combat even on the Steam Deck. The Games Machine also commended the game's simple polygonal graphics for not straining low-end systems, suggesting that performance is accessible and stable on PC. On the PS5, Everyeye.it reported a solid frame rate with only occasional drops, while GamingTrend praised the fast load times and overall smooth performance on the console. These positive aspects indicate that Eternights is technically capable on both PC and PS5, with a focus on accessibility and performance stability. However, the technical performance is not without its flaws. App Trigger raised concerns about save transfer issues between PC and Steam Deck, which could be a significant inconvenience for players switching devices. Everyeye.it pointed out unresponsive animations and questionable hitboxes on the PS5, while RPGamer noted a lack of technical polish, with combat mechanics and camera control feeling underdeveloped. GamingTrend also mentioned that the UI and HUD, while intuitive, can feel stiff and unresponsive, and there are minor issues with confirming settings changes. SpazioGames criticized the game as technically outdated, suggesting that it does not fully leverage the capabilities of modern hardware. These negatives highlight a range of technical shortcomings that detract from the overall experience, particularly on console platforms. Despite these issues, there is a general consensus among critics that Eternights is technically competent, especially on PC and PS5, with performance that meets expectations for its design. While some critics, like Tech-Gaming and The Games Machine, emphasize its accessibility and stability, others, such as Everyeye.it and RPGamer, point to areas where the game falls short in terms of polish and responsiveness. The overall sentiment suggests that while the game is functional and runs well on most platforms, it lacks the finesse and modern technical execution that could elevate it to a higher standard. The technical performance, therefore, is seen as a mixed bag, with more positives on PC and more criticisms on PS5, but not enough to overshadow its core gameplay and design.

The critics generally highlight several positive aspects of Eternights’ replay value, emphasizing its focus on relationship-building, branching narratives, and optional content. Multiple reviewers, including GamesHub and Checkpoint Gaming, praise the game’s customization options and romance mechanics, which encourage players to explore different character paths and relationships. IGN France and Siliconera note the inclusion of side activities like motorcycle chases, minigames, and a calendar system that adds depth to the experience. RPG Fan and RPGamer highlight the bond system and multiple endings, which incentivize replayability to uncover all storylines and outcomes. Additionally, Noisy Pixel and SpazioGames mention features like New Game+ and difficulty levels, further enhancing the game’s longevity. These elements collectively create a sense of variety and investment in character development, which many critics view as a strong foundation for replayability. However, several critics point out notable drawbacks that limit the game’s replay value. Destructoid and Gaming Age criticize the game’s short runtime, with Destructoid noting it can be completed in about a dozen hours, which feels insufficient compared to similar titles like Persona. Shacknews and GamingTrend mention the absence of a New Game+ feature and limited dialogue skipping, which could frustrate players seeking deeper exploration. Siliconera and Gaming Age also note that combat and exploration mechanics feel repetitive, despite the challenge of boss fights. TRG points out the necessity of prioritizing relationships, which may discourage players from fully experiencing all content in a single playthrough. These criticisms suggest that while the game offers engaging systems, its structural limitations and brevity may deter some from returning. Overall, the consensus among critics leans toward a moderate assessment of Eternights’ replay value, acknowledging its strengths in relationship-driven gameplay and multiple endings while recognizing its shortcomings in length and optional features. GamesHub, RPG Fan, and IGN France emphasize the game’s potential for replayability through its social and narrative systems, but Destructoid and Gaming Age caution that its short duration and repetitive combat may not justify multiple playthroughs for all players. Despite these critiques, Noisy Pixel and SpazioGames argue that the game’s accessibility (at $29.99) and New Game+ mode make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. While not without flaws, the game’s focus on character bonds and branching choices appears to provide enough incentive for many players to revisit its world.