Lina Hope
In the landscape of modern gaming, where sequels and safe, iterative mechanics often dominate the market, The Eternal Cylinder arrives as a jarring, surreal, and unforgettable anomaly. Developed by ACE Team—the visionaries behind the Rock of Ages series—and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment, this title challenges the traditional boundaries of the survival genre. It is a game that defies easy categorization, blending biological horror, surrealist art, and a persistent, existential dread that follows the player from the opening moments to the final credits.
Fact File: The Essentials
- Developer: ACE Team
- Publisher: Good Shepherd Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Price: £21.99
- Genre: Surrealist Survival / Adventure
- Review Version: PC
The Premise: A World Under Siege
The core narrative of The Eternal Cylinder introduces us to the "Trebhum," a species of small, trunk-nosed, bipedal creatures born into a world defined by a singular, catastrophic threat: a gargantuan, planet-crushing cylinder that stretches infinitely across the horizon. This is not a game about conquering a world or defeating a villain in a traditional sense; it is a game about outrunning the inevitable.
As the player, you control a lone Trebhum, but you quickly find that survival is a communal endeavor. The Trebhum are a fragile species, physically unremarkable and seemingly ill-equipped for a world populated by grotesque, hybrid monstrosities—creatures that appear to be part-animal, part-machine, and part-nightmare. The game’s brilliance lies in its ability to force the player into a state of constant, forward-moving momentum. Unlike other survival games that encourage base-building and long-term settlement, The Eternal Cylinder demands migration. If you stop moving, the cylinder—which grinds the terrain to dust, flattening forests, mountains, and structures alike—will consume you.
Chronology: The Evolution of a Species
The gameplay loop is structured around a series of "Towers," which serve as the only reliable sanctuaries in a hostile landscape. When a player reaches a tower, they trigger a blue-tinted forcefield that temporarily halts the progression of the cylinder.
Phase 1: Adaptation and Mutation
The early stages of the game focus on survival through biological adaptation. The Trebhum interact with their environment by inhaling various organic materials through their trunks. Consuming these objects doesn’t just replenish health or stamina; it triggers immediate, often bizarre mutations.
These mutations are the heart of the gameplay:
- Locomotion: Players can grow elongated legs for traversing difficult terrain or leaping over chasms.
- Climate Resistance: Fur or specialized hide can be developed to survive the harsh, freezing environments found in later zones.
- Utility: Some mutations serve niche purposes, such as the "cube" form, which provides a comical yet functional method for solving environmental puzzles.
Phase 2: The Family Unit
As the player progresses, they encounter other Trebhum. These encounters are pivotal. Some are found trapped in bubbles, others are waiting to be hatched from incubation flowers, and some require a "magic crystal" to be revived. Expanding your herd is not just a tactical choice—it is a necessity. Certain environmental puzzles require a minimum number of Trebhum to activate, and if your primary leader falls, you assume the consciousness of another member of your family. The emotional weight of losing a member of your herd, and the subsequent relief of finding them at a shrine, provides a surprising sense of stakes to an otherwise abstract experience.
Supporting Data: An Artistic Masterpiece
While the mechanics of The Eternal Cylinder are occasionally debated, its artistic merit is indisputable. The world design feels like a collaboration between Salvador Dalí and Hieronymus Bosch, rendered in high fidelity.
Visual and Environmental Design
The landscape is a surrealist masterpiece where the impossible feels grounded. Flying snot-monsters and predatory snails that bisect themselves are common sights. One particularly striking encounter involves an object that appears to be a pink rock, only to reveal rows of human teeth upon closer inspection. Despite this chaotic imagination, the art direction remains cohesive. The use of a consistent color palette and meticulous environmental landscaping ensures that the world never feels like a random collection of assets, but rather a living, breathing, and fundamentally broken ecosystem.
The Antagonist: The Cylinder
The titular cylinder is arguably one of the most effective antagonists in recent gaming history. When it begins to move, the entire horizon is bathed in an infernal orange glow. The sound design plays a crucial role here; as the cylinder nears, the distant rumble escalates into a deafening roar. The camera shake, combined with the visual of the environment being pulverized in real-time, creates a genuine sense of panic. It is a masterclass in environmental tension—a force of nature that cannot be fought, only escaped.
Official Responses and Critical Reception
Critics and players alike have lauded ACE Team for their ambition. While the game holds a unique place in the market, it has received nuanced feedback regarding its mechanical depth.
The primary criticism leveled against the title is that the "moment-to-moment" gameplay often fails to reach the heights of its conceptual design. The movement of the Trebhum, while charming, can feel clunky or unresponsive, which diminishes the joy of the mutation system. Furthermore, the "herd" mechanic—while essential for story progression—often feels underutilized in actual gameplay. Beyond being "extra lives" or keys to specific doors, the other Trebhum do not offer enough agency or utility to make the communal aspect feel as dynamic as the world they inhabit.
Despite this, the consensus remains that the game’s narrative and atmospheric successes far outweigh its mechanical shortcomings. The narration, which slowly reveals the tragic and resilient history of the Trebhum, provides a necessary emotional anchor that keeps the player invested even when the controls feel less than fluid.
Implications: The Legacy of "Weird" Games
The existence of The Eternal Cylinder carries significant implications for the industry. It proves that there is a viable, if niche, market for games that prioritize artistic vision over polished, standard-setting mechanics. By choosing to explore themes of ecological disaster and evolutionary resilience through such an abstract lens, ACE Team has created a work that is more than a game—it is a philosophical inquiry into survival.
Is It Worth the Price?
At a price point of £21.99, The Eternal Cylinder is a compelling proposition for those who value unique experiences over AAA perfection. It is a game that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. While it is not a "perfect" game in the technical sense, it is a "singular" one. It takes risks that most developers are afraid to take, and even in its weakest moments, it remains a captivating journey through a nightmare that you simply cannot look away from.
In conclusion, The Eternal Cylinder is a triumph of imagination. It serves as a reminder that the medium of video games is at its best when it pushes the boundaries of the surreal, the strange, and the terrifying. It is a flawed gem, but one that shines with an intensity that is rarely found in the current gaming landscape. Whether you are a fan of experimental indie titles or simply looking for something to challenge your perception of what a game can be, this is a title that deserves your time—if you can run fast enough to survive it.
Ali Ikhwan
Azzam Bilal Chamdy
