Fairly Addicting, but Short & Skinny Platform Game

The minute I saw Eternal Trial with its screenshot, I was intruiged to get in and play it through the whole thing. Although I felt like it wasn't the right hour to kill some time, I just couldn't resist. While there isn't really much that this game offers, it uses a lot of different ideas to keep me interested and in the game. Since this game doesn't have enough "meat" on it bones to be called a very complete game, I have to conclude that it feels more like a demo. Nevertheless, this game is definitely worth killing time if you manage to find some in your day.

Graphics: As clean as it looks, this game doesn't give much for the eyes. Here, you have the usual platforming blocks, typical hazards and a nice particle effect (all related to one theme). But, like some of the other components of the game, it doesn't give all that much variety. If there's even enough, that is. Playing each level, you'll soon realize that the template of the temple never radically changes to a different color or vibe. Let's hope that this game will get some nice updates (or even a kick*** sequel!). [4 stars out of 6] ****

Sound: Ok, I'll tell you the truth why I REALLY kept playing (if it isn't already obvious the first time you play). Yup, it's that somewhat-remixed Zelda: Ocarina of Time music. It's from one of the best regarded games of all time, so it isn't surprising that a game like this would need worthwhile music to back it up. Luckily, it will at least bring some people to balance whether the game is worth their time or not. Same as the variety of graphics, there aren't that many sounds. The thudding sounds heard from the statues aren't really all that noticeable with the loud music playing. Since there is only one type of music for all of the levels, you'll need to decide whether you like it or not if you haven't heard it before. This is the deciding factor that makes the sound element of the game receive [3 stars out of 6] ***

Gameplay: The gameplay, as I have said before, used a lot of ideas. You are forced to use your brain more in order to advance through some of the more complicated puzzles. The difficulty part of the gameplay was spot on, except where the invisible blocks come in to spoil the good time. Excluding the ones where you simply walk through walls, falling down a large pit only to have to backtrack my way up and guess the way to victory starts making the game more frustrating. It's a good thing that it won't happen too often when you get past that level (I'll let you discover when it happens). Nevertheless, the flow of gameplay in each level (the addictive gameplay that is), scarred a little by the lack of bonuses, makes it receive [5 stars out of 6] *****

Story: Because the story is in the description and not the game (if intentional), I will not be touching upon this subject -- nor will it cause me to detract points from the game's overall score. [N/A]

Interface: The interface was very nice and wasn't in the way -- especially the menu. It proved to be a different kind of game, while the game still played like it was a fun game to get into after a period of time away from YoYo Games. Since interface matters in a game, the way the gameplay sorts Eternal Trial out with its flow of ideas and the music that makes it addicting enough gives this game a score of [5 stars out of 6] *****

In conclusion, the game isn't all that fat content-wise. It really all depends on whether the music is catchy enough for the system of ideas to be interesting enough for the player to keep going. While it doesn't give all that it can to make itself a largely unique game, it's the experience as a whole that makes Eternal Trial stand out, and its the straightforward cleanliness of its interface that this game gets a well-deserved playthrough. So in other words, you really have to play through two or three levels until you come up with a justified decision.

The overall score that I proudly give this game is a total of [5 stars out of 6]! *****

Great game IMO ;)

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xCRILLZx, a gamer.