The Eternal Cylinder

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Oct 13, 2021
    90
    The Eternal Cylinder is quite sad yet somehow there is a delight in finding in the smaller moments: finding an egg and evolving are especially happy moments. It is complex yet simple, running from the big bad thing that constantly looms like the Sword of Damocles is easy enough, but exploring to find the way ahead isn't always completely straightforward. The opposite emotions make the game feel deeply fulfilling. It's not quite like anything else I've ever experienced, and I feel like it will haunt me (in the best way possible) for quite some time to come.
  2. Destructoid
    Sep 30, 2021
    90
    The Eternal Cylinder clocked in at around ten hours, and I was so absorbed in it — I was so curious about how my funky bunch of critters was going to get out of this seemingly insurmountable jam — that I finished the game in two sittings. It truly clicked with me. I’m equally excited to see how much it resonates with everyone else. Maybe it won’t! But I thoroughly enjoyed it, and this experience will stick with me for a long time.
  3. Digital Chumps
    Nov 4, 2021
    85
    Overall, The Eternal Cylinder is a fun romp through a weird and wonderful world and I would consider it to be a must-play indie game for 2021. While its survival mechanics are typical of the genre, the transformative abilities of the Trebhum allow the player to get creative with their choices on how to survive and outrun the colossal cylinder bearing down on them.
  5. PlayStation Country
    Oct 15, 2021
    80
    The Eternal Cylinder is a quirky yet ultimately charming survival game with a puzzle slant. It lapses into daftness occasionally, but the earnest narration gives it a gravitas it might be lacking otherwise. Get to it.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 10, 2021
    80
    One of the most enjoyably weird games of recent years and yet surprisingly easy to grasp, with an engaging mix of action and survival gameplay – and a good dose of surrealist imagery.
  7. Finger Guns
    Nov 4, 2021
    70
    Boasting an incredibly unique, creative and gorgeous aesthetic with an exceptionally intriguing, well-told narrative, The Eternal Cylinder manages to still be rewarding even when its gameplay and mechanics become tedious and uninteresting. You’ll certainly be tired outrunning this circular vortex of death, but the tale is worth seeing through for the sights along the way.
  8. PlayStation Universe
    Oct 11, 2021
    70
    A unique and highly original survival adventure inhabited by a host of outlandish creatures in which you constantly struggle to guide your hapless Trebhums to safety and away from The Cylinder. While the design and concept can't be faulted, the lack of direction and excessive busywork bog down the gameplay and detract from the experience to the point of patience testing. If you can handle a fiddly challenge which rewards a great deal of patience with some outstanding originality, it's recommended.
  9. Impulsegamer
    Oct 12, 2021
    66
    A wonderfully unique experience housed in an average game, The Eternal Cylinder tells a strong tale but executes it in a pedestrian way. Play it for the story, not the gameplay.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best PS4 Game of 2021
80
#80 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. spatiala
    Oct 5, 2021
    9
    This is such a unique game and so enjoyable. The narrative, game dynamics and progression are so different to any other game I’ve played andThis is such a unique game and so enjoyable. The narrative, game dynamics and progression are so different to any other game I’ve played and there were so many moments where game mechanics revealed themselves and I just thought “Wow that’s so cool!”. I’m so happy that games like this are being made. The art style and imagination involved are so quirky and visionary and I love all the environmental and elemental dynamics. This is a true gem of a game I hope it enjoys the success it deserves. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a far out story with beautiful worlds and extremely cute and bizarre characters with an incredibly fun and entertaining game loop and progression.… Full Review »
  2. BobsYourUncle
    Apr 15, 2023
    9
    The music is phenomenal. Just listen to Spelunking with Trebhum on Youtube to see what I mean. The gameplay was interesting and more addictingThe music is phenomenal. Just listen to Spelunking with Trebhum on Youtube to see what I mean. The gameplay was interesting and more addicting than I initially expected. Fun breakups in the tedium by the cylinder having different modes. The water/food bars drop too quick (especially when you have many Trebhums). Also the cylinder goes too fast sometimes where I had to reload 3+ times. You can tweak the difficulty if it’s too hard. Really annoying to lose adaptations from beam enemies. It became easier to just reload than have to find these adaptations again. Same goes for your guys dying. Didn’t like losing them because you never knew when you’d see those abilities again due to different environments (sand, snow, grass, water, corrupted land). The gameplay loop started to wear thin at the end. Some mutations were meh. Also permanently unlocking some were ridiculously tedious to obtain. Exciting boss fights and puzzle design. Fantastic narrator. The organic/inorganic alien design and environment design was incredible. Some interesting themes that are left up to interpretation. Rolling to avoid the cylinder chasing behind is exhilarating/terrifying and requires skill with carefully timed jumps and avoiding hazards. Felt Breath of the Wild-esque with using different powers and environments to your advantage; scaring away enemies or killing them, knocking down hard to reach items, finding secrets.… Full Review »
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