Eternally Skies was one of many extra intriguing early entry survival tasks that sprawl throughout Steam like a forest of (choppable) bushes. The premise was mainly “What if Subnautica, however within the sky?” which given Subnautica is one in all, if not the greatest survival sport in existence, is a fairly thrilling idea. Plus, you get to construct and fly your individual airship, and who does not wish to do this?
All of it appeared to be going to plan too, no less than should you go by the sport’s ‘Very Optimistic’ total Steam ranking. Nevertheless it appears the launch model has gone down like, if not fairly a lead balloon, then definitely iron or yellow brass. Eternally Skies’ latest critiques at the moment sit at a ‘Combined’ ranking with gamers complaining about repetitive exploration, an absence of depth to the story, and simply not a lot to do as soon as you’ve got bought the essential survival loop mastered.
There is a sense that developer Far From Dwelling had opted to wrap the sport up rapidly and write it off. However now the studio has issued an replace to emphasize that isn’t the case. In a Steam publish titled “The Way forward for Eternally Skies and Patch“, it acknowledges that “a major a part of our participant base has been left disillusioned with the sport”, after which CEO Andrzej Blumenfeld addresses the scenario:
“It’s robust to see that the sport didn’t meet the expectations of so many gamers since we poured our hearts into it, and nonetheless it fell brief in ways in which matter,” Blumenfeld writes. “However good or unhealthy, our intention has by no means been to stroll away from Eternally Skies, so we’re for positive not going to name this ‘adequate’ and simply transfer on. We’re right here to do the work, make the sport higher, and present you that we’re listening.”
The assertion is adopted by a bar chart figuring out the important thing areas gamers complain about (which, truthful play, I have not seen in a Steam replace earlier than), which highlights technical and efficiency points alongside repetition and boring mechanics. Far From Dwelling says it would concentrate on enhancing these areas in upcoming updates, however that it additionally needs to “open up the dialogue” and listen to extra from gamers.
As for the patch, Far From Dwelling explains it focuses on points the studio was engaged on “earlier than we correctly recognized the 4 key areas of enchancment”. As such, the additions and adjustments are small and sporadic, similar to enhancements to sure animations, including intention help on controllers for the sport’s crossbow weapon, new loading screens and an alternate demise display, and a bunch of bug fixes.
I’ve performed the launch model of Eternally Skies, and I am inclined to agree with the damaging critiques right here. The airship itself is nice, enjoyable to pilot and with a superb constructing system hooked up. And there are a few neat moments within the story, like the primary time you descend out of your airship to Earth’s now-inhospitable floor. Nevertheless it undoubtedly struggles to make its airborne setting fascinating, with you principally flying between variations of ruined towers. I am happy Far From House is dedicated to enhancing it, however there’s a variety of work to be accomplished whether it is to grow to be the Subnautica of the sky.
