Eternity's Child
Encyclopedia
Eternity's Child is a side-scrolling
platform game
based on a fairy tale
created by Luc Bernard
. It was originally published on Steam. The game will next be published by British retro games
publisher Alten8
, for Wii
via WiiWare
. It was released by Luc Bernard and Silver Sphere Studios on Steam July 31, 2008. The Wii version is yet to be released, as Alten8 are reworking the code for the platform.
. Eternity's Childs level editor can be used with the game's editable source material to remake or edit the entire game.
, and was one of the first games to be made with the XNA toolset
. On September 9, 2007, it was revealed that it was changed to a retail Nintendo DS
game as well as a downloadable WiiWare
game. However, Bernard later confirmed that the Nintendo DS version has been canceled, while also announcing that the game will come to PCs via Steam. Bernard is also considering releasing the game on the PlayStation 3
through the PlayStation Store
, though he insists the WiiWare version will still be the best iteration of the game because of the platform specific controls.
Because of the move to the Wii, the gameplay style of the XNA version has been changed in favor of one that takes advantage of the Wii Remote. Alten8
are porting the original code, and adapting the game to Nintendo
's standards for the Wii version, and hope that previous errors can be resolved. However, Bernard stated on his blog in February 2009 that he was "not happy at all that it's still not out on Wiiware" and that Alten8
were "taking the whole team for idiots."
Eternity's Child was panned by gaming site Destructoid for "flawed design", "horrible animation" and "broken controls". In reviewing the game, which he gave a 1/10, Anthony Burch went so far as to say that it was "the worst game I've played in several years." Bernard responded to the review, calling it "highly unprofessional", and defended the title by stating that Destructoid did not play the patched version. Bernard has drawn further criticism after he decided to remove the Destructoid robot from the game in response to the review.
The game was also panned by Mike Fahey of Kotaku
for its "story, or lack thereof", two-character mechanic, poor AI, and somewhat chaotic level design. However, he also noted that its visual style and music are appealing, and that the included level editor was also an extra bonus, and stated that the game "does have a lot to offer for $5". He concluded that the game is "still very much a work in progress".
The game received a 3/5 by de-frag.com. They mention that "Eternity's Child shows a lot of promise, but numerous small mistakes and some frustrating level design spoils what is otherwise an enjoyable game." The game was reviewed with the 1.02 patch and they mention that Eternity's Child is a difficult game to judge. But overall "If you enjoy 2D platformers and are willing to tolerate some extremely difficult levels and slightly loose controls, it's worth picking up."
Eternity's Childs soundtrack was nominated on the GANG Awards for "Best Audio Other".
It plans to be a 16-bit remake of an old canceled GBA game.
s.
Side-scrolling video game
A side-scrolling game or side-scroller is a video game in which the gameplay action is viewed from a side-view camera angle, and the onscreen characters generally move from the left side of the screen to the right. These games make use of scrolling computer display technology...
platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
based on a fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
created by Luc Bernard
Luc Bernard
Luc Bernard is a British game designer and artist best known for creating the video games Eternity's Child, Imagination Is The Only Escape, Mecho Wars, Mecho Tales, Reaper and SteamPirates.-Games:...
. It was originally published on Steam. The game will next be published by British retro games
Retrogaming
Retrogaming, also known as old-school gaming, is the hobby of playing and collecting older computer, video, and arcade games. These games are played either on the original hardware, on modern hardware via emulation, or on modern hardware via ports or compilations...
publisher Alten8
Alten8
Alten8 Limited is a British video game developer and publisher, with offices in Luton. It produces both licensed retro games and current format video games...
, for Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
via WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
. It was released by Luc Bernard and Silver Sphere Studios on Steam July 31, 2008. The Wii version is yet to be released, as Alten8 are reworking the code for the platform.
Gameplay
The gameplay involves the player controlling two characters simultaneously. In the Wii version, one will be controlled with the analogue stick of the Nunchuk and the other with the pointer function of the Wii RemoteWii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
. Eternity's Childs level editor can be used with the game's editable source material to remake or edit the entire game.
Development
Eternity's Child was initially developed for Xbox Live ArcadeXbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
, and was one of the first games to be made with the XNA toolset
Microsoft XNA
Microsoft XNA is a set of tools with a managed runtime environment provided by Microsoft that facilitates video game development and management. XNA attempts to free game developers from writing "repetitive boilerplate code" and to bring different aspects of game production into a single system...
. On September 9, 2007, it was revealed that it was changed to a retail Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
game as well as a downloadable WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
game. However, Bernard later confirmed that the Nintendo DS version has been canceled, while also announcing that the game will come to PCs via Steam. Bernard is also considering releasing the game on the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
through the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
, though he insists the WiiWare version will still be the best iteration of the game because of the platform specific controls.
Because of the move to the Wii, the gameplay style of the XNA version has been changed in favor of one that takes advantage of the Wii Remote. Alten8
Alten8
Alten8 Limited is a British video game developer and publisher, with offices in Luton. It produces both licensed retro games and current format video games...
are porting the original code, and adapting the game to Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
's standards for the Wii version, and hope that previous errors can be resolved. However, Bernard stated on his blog in February 2009 that he was "not happy at all that it's still not out on Wiiware" and that Alten8
Alten8
Alten8 Limited is a British video game developer and publisher, with offices in Luton. It produces both licensed retro games and current format video games...
were "taking the whole team for idiots."
Reception
Gametunnel gave Eternity's Child a score of 6.3/10. Russ Carroll said "it certainly isn't the disaster it is made out to be", but "it feels like it is brushing up against greatness".Eternity's Child was panned by gaming site Destructoid for "flawed design", "horrible animation" and "broken controls". In reviewing the game, which he gave a 1/10, Anthony Burch went so far as to say that it was "the worst game I've played in several years." Bernard responded to the review, calling it "highly unprofessional", and defended the title by stating that Destructoid did not play the patched version. Bernard has drawn further criticism after he decided to remove the Destructoid robot from the game in response to the review.
The game was also panned by Mike Fahey of Kotaku
Kotaku
Kotaku is a video games-focused blog. It is part of Gawker Media's "Gawker" network of sites, which also includes Gizmodo, Deadspin, Lifehacker, io9 and Jezebel. Named to CNET News' Blog 100, Kotaku is consistently listed in the top 40 of Technorati's Top 100...
for its "story, or lack thereof", two-character mechanic, poor AI, and somewhat chaotic level design. However, he also noted that its visual style and music are appealing, and that the included level editor was also an extra bonus, and stated that the game "does have a lot to offer for $5". He concluded that the game is "still very much a work in progress".
The game received a 3/5 by de-frag.com. They mention that "Eternity's Child shows a lot of promise, but numerous small mistakes and some frustrating level design spoils what is otherwise an enjoyable game." The game was reviewed with the 1.02 patch and they mention that Eternity's Child is a difficult game to judge. But overall "If you enjoy 2D platformers and are willing to tolerate some extremely difficult levels and slightly loose controls, it's worth picking up."
Eternity's Childs soundtrack was nominated on the GANG Awards for "Best Audio Other".
Sequel
A sequel titled Eternity's Child 2: Retro Child has been announced.It plans to be a 16-bit remake of an old canceled GBA game.
Eternity's Child: The Lost Chapter
A canceled mobile version of Eternity's Child, Eternity's Child: The Lost Chapter, was released for free. The game contains five stages and three difficulty levelDifficulty level
In general usage, difficulty level refers to the relative difficulty of completing a task or objective.In computer and video games, the term specifically delineates the ease or difficulty with which an average user may complete a game or a part of a game. Arcade games as well as many early console...
s.