Eternights

Lore & Background

Eternights is set in a world where an anti-aging drug called Eternights mutates people into monsters, triggering supernatural events. The protagonist, an 18-year-old boy named by the player, is attacked by a woman named Delia who cuts off his arm with her scythe. Another woman he met on a dating app replaces the lost arm with a magical, glowing limb that can transform into a sword, enabling him to fight the monsters. Alongside him are his best friend and the pop star idol he loves.

Gameplay features hack and slash combat with mechanics such as Perfect Dodges that slow down time, combos that allow stronger attacks or finishers, and an Elemental Gauge charged by attacking or dodging. Spending parts of the Gauge enables an Elemental Fist attack that breaks enemy barriers if a quick-time event is succeeded. SP is used for special abilities granted by other characters. Outside combat, dialogue choices increase the protagonist's Social Stats and relationship levels with other characters, with higher relationship levels unlocking new combat abilities. A calendar system governs time passage and activity availability.

Reader's Guide

Eternights is notable for blending dating sim elements with action role-playing gameplay, a combination that drew pre-release comparisons to the Persona series. Its release across multiple platforms—including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Nintendo Switch, and later Android and iOS via Crunchyroll Game Vault—reflects a broad distribution strategy. The game sold 150,000 units by April 2024, indicating a modest commercial performance. Critical reception was mixed: the PS5 version received 'mixed or average' reviews on Metacritic, while the PC version received 'generally favorable' scores. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a total score of 28 out of 40. Pre-release impressions highlighted the inclusion of a gay romance option as a positive, but noted superficial character writing and 'flimsy' combat with a lack of weight in attacks and movement. Post-release, the game's legacy lies in its attempt to merge social simulation and action combat, though it did not achieve widespread critical acclaim.

Did You Know?

• Eternights was released digitally for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows on 12 September 2023.
• The game was later released for Android and iOS on 20 November 2024 for Crunchyroll subscribers as part of the Crunchyroll Game Vault program.
• By April 2024, Eternights had sold 150,000 units worldwide.