Eternum EX was developed by Radin Games and published by Flynn's Arcade. This title is a retro-inspired arcade platformer that harkens back to the golden age of 80s coin-op games, blending elements of exploration, combat, and high-score chasing in a dungeon-crawling adventure. Players take on the role of an aging knight on a quest through perilous underground realms, facing off against monstrous foes while gathering riches and mystical items.
The updated PS5 version represents an enhanced port of the original PS4 release, with improvements like smoother frame rates, quicker load times, and support for higher resolutions that make the pixel art pop on modern displays.
The Story ...
At its core, the plot follows Sir Arthur, a once-mighty warrior now in his twilight years, who embarks on a desperate journey into the forbidden kingdom of Samarnath. Driven by a desire to reclaim his lost youth and vitality, he braves deadly traps and creatures in pursuit of five enchanted orbs said to grant eternal life. Along the way, he uncovers hidden treasures that tie into legends of forgotten evils, culminating in epic confrontations that test his resolve.
The Gameplay ...
The game primarily features a single-player Home mode, where you progress through 25 levels divided into five worlds, each ending with a boss battle. Leaving you with limited lives per run, and only 3 continues with progress saved per level completed. There's no multiplayer, but it includes an Arcade mode for honing skills on specific stages with unlimited continues. Gameplay, itself, revolves around precise platforming, where Arthur jumps between moving platforms, dodges hazards, and blasts or whacks enemies with a magical staff that fires projectiles when powered up.
Controls emphasize timing for double jumps and attacks, with a focus on pattern recognition to survive waves of ghosts, zombies, and other supernatural threats. Power-ups like temporary invincibility or enhanced firepower appear sporadically to aid in tough spots. For scoring, prioritize collecting or opening every treasure chest in a level to maximize points and unlock bonuses. Missing them can lock you out of perfect runs. Avoid taking damage to preserve lives and build multipliers, chain enemy kills quickly for combo bonuses, and hunt for hidden fairies or secret bricks that grant extra points or lives. Spelling E-X-T-R-A will also grant you an extra life. Speedrunning levels without deaths also boosts your overall tally, encouraging multiple attempts per stage.
The Presentation ...
Visually, Eternum EX embraces a vibrant pixel art style that mimics classic arcade cabinets, with detailed sprites for characters and environments that evoke a spooky, fantastical underworld. Colors are bold and contrasting, enhancing the retro charm without feeling dated. The soundtrack consists of chiptune tracks that ramp up tension during intense moments, featuring catchy melodies and sound effects straight out of the 80s era. For the PS5 upgrade, these elements benefit from crisper rendering at 4K, though the core aesthetics remain faithfully nostalgic without major overhauls.
The Verdict ...
Overall, Eternum EX delivers a solid package of bite-sized, challenging content that captures the essence of old-school arcade thrills, offering a satisfying experience for those who enjoy tough-but-fair difficulty. However, its brevity, clocking in at a few hours for a full playthrough, limits replay value to score chasing and achievement hunting, which may not appeal to everyone beyond a couple of sessions. It's best suited for fans of retro platformers, speedrunners, or anyone nostalgic for quarter-munching classics like Ghosts 'n Goblins, but newcomers seeking deeper narratives or modern polish might find it too punishing.
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