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Love Eternal, published by Ysbryd Games and developed by brlka, is a compact but uncompromising platformer that trades conventional polish for a brooding, retro-tinged aesthetic. Presented in a strict 4:3 aspect ratio and driven by a single standout mechanic, the game follows Maya, a white-haired teenager, as she explores a lonely castle and the surreal, twisted memories within.
Gameplay
The core of Love Eternal is built around a gravity-flip mechanic. Maya can jump and perform a higher jump, but the principal tool is an ability to invert gravity, sending her feet-first towards the top of the screen. Early encounters introduce familiar platforming hazards — spikes, moving platforms and rudimentary puzzles — but every obstacle is designed around the inversion mechanic, which produces many clever single-screen challenges.
Inventive moments emerge when level geometry and enemy placement exploit the sense of disorientation that flipping introduces. Unfortunately, the same mechanic becomes a limiting factor. Challenges frequently return to near-identical traps and constructions, and difficulty is often manufactured through repeated uses of the flip in quick succession. Trial-and-error deaths are common, turning some sections into more of an endurance test than a platforming puzzle.
Visuals and Sound
Love Eternal’s presentation is its most persuasive strength. Pixel art is moodily executed, the palette favouring muted tones and stark contrasts that amplify the oppressive atmosphere. The 4:3 frame feels intentional rather than retro affectation, concentrating the player’s gaze on cramped corridors and claustrophobic rooms. Audio and ambient design bolster the unsettling tone, with sparse musical cues and haunting effects that linger between attempts.
Difficulty and Design
Difficulty sits at the higher end of the indie platforming spectrum. Checkpoints and the pacing of encounters can feel unkind, and the emphasis on exact timing with gravity flips leads to frustrating memorisation rather than satisfying mastery. The level design demonstrates flashes of brilliance, but the repetition of the same mechanical demands and the frequent need to retry sections undercuts momentum.
Verdict
Love Eternal is an intriguing exercise in mood and constraint. It succeeds as an atmospheric piece and in moments where its gravity mechanic is used inventively, but those moments are interleaved with stretches that feel repetitive and unduly punitive. The game will appeal to players who prize unsettling aesthetics and tough platforming, but those seeking variety or a gentler learning curve may find it wears thin.
Score: 6/10