Eternal Threads is an intriguing puzzle game where you travel back in time to 2015 and attempt to save six individuals from perishing in a private house fire. The key characters are a diverse group: Tom, the landlord who rents out rooms to other tenants; Ben and Jenny, a young couple where Ben works as a doctor and Jenny is a student; Raquel, Jenny’s friend who suffered a traumatic event in her childhood; Neil, a fiery young man prone to picking fights he doesn’t always win, and Linda, Neil’s sister who recently left her husband.
The gameplay revolves around meticulously exploring various events on a timeline and installing specific devices throughout the house to alter the outcome of these events. As you proceed, each character’s icon on the timeline will change from a “skull” to a “grey heart” to a “green heart”, indicating their progression from certain death to survival and finally to achieving the best possible outcome.
While the sequence of decisions needed to ensure the best outcome for each character can be complex, it all adds depth to the storyline. However, what stands out is the cliffhanger ending, which leaves some players confused and longing for a sequel or an expansion of the game.
The game’s conclusion seems to hang on a precipice. After painstakingly making decisions to save each character and unravel their individual storylines, we’re left with a sense of unease. The characters are seen coughing outside the house, escaping the fire, but their futures remain uncertain. It feels like a missed opportunity for a more satisfying conclusion.
However, there’s more to this ending than meets the eye. Some may argue that the cliffhanger ending adds depth and intrigue, leaving players curious about what comes next. It’s suggested that there’s a bigger issue at hand, symbolized by the cryptic Agent 1. The players’ efforts to save these six individuals from a house fire are somewhat dwarfed by the larger problems the game alludes to.
But there’s also an argument to be made about the emotional impact of the ending. If the game had ended differently, without a cliffhanger, we’d likely be left with a fantastic puzzle simulator. But the fact that there’s a story behind it all, that there’s an ongoing narrative that could be explored further in potential sequels or DLCs, brings the game to another level.
Moreover, the cliffhanger ending speaks volumes about the game developers’ intention to bring their idea to life, despite the uncertainties of the market. They focused on delivering an immersive experience, adding layers of depth and mystery, even if it meant leaving players yearning for more.
Despite its abrupt ending, Eternal Threads delivers an enjoyable experience filled with intriguing puzzles and a compelling narrative. Whether or not we get to see a sequel or DLC in the future, the game’s cliffhanger ending adds a sense of mystery and intrigue that stays with the players long after they’ve finished the game.
How to save all characters in Eternal Threads?
In Eternal Threads, saving all six characters – Tom, Ben, Jenny, Raquel, Neil, and Linda – requires carefully navigating the game’s intricate narrative and making the right choices at key moments. Here’s a potential set of decisions to ensure the survival of all characters:
- To Vet or not to Vet: Tom should book a vet appointment for his budgie.
- Not in Kansas Anymore: Linda should be fine with the extra junk in her room.
- Any Post? Neil should not find anything for Ben in the pile of letters and junk mail.
- Bathroom Stranger: Linda should meet Raquel, and everyone should meet Zack.
- Saved by the Bell: Neil should become evasive when Linda asks how their parents are doing.
- A Little Fixer Upper: Linda should learn about Jenny and Raquel’s histories.
- Tears before Bedtime: If Neil hears Linda crying, he should go to check on her.
- A Bottle of Merlot: Neil should try to console Linda as she drowns her sorrows.
- Texting The Ex: Tom should listen to Ben and decide not to send a text message to his ex.
- Morning Sick Blues: Raquel should threaten Neil to keep him quiet about Jenny throwing up.
- You’ve Got a Big Mouth: Tom should tell Ben that he wants to be able to make his own mistakes.
- Thanks for the Clothes: After thanking Raquel, Linda should ask her about the old doll.
- Licensed to Drink: Ian should convince Neil to stay home and play video games instead of going out.
- Got you a Present: Raquel should give Jenny a pregnancy test kit, but Jenny should refuse to believe she’s pregnant.
- Drink for Two: Linda should decide to relax, have a drink, and party.
- Miranda: Tom should turn Miranda down, causing her to storm out of the house.
- Friday Night Fallout: Neil should admit that he might have a problem with anger management.
- Night Shipping: Linda should proposition Tom, and they should go to his room.
- Who is it?: Linda should listen as Raquel tells Kieran the doll’s name is Megan.
- Late Night Smoke: Raquel should follow Linda when she heads into the basement.
- Mammoth Hunting: While making breakfast, Ben should ask Tom for advice about a job offer.
- Breakfast in Bed: Ben and Jenny should enjoy breakfast in bed together.
- Are You Going Out?: As Linda and Kieran leave, Neil should decide to go out for a ride on his new bike.
- Disappearing Act: Tom should deny Raquel’s suspicions about the basement.
- Got a Weasel Problem: Tom should tell Raquel that he is being blackmailed.
- Husband at the Door: Linda’s husband should arrive for Kieran and ask to talk, to which Linda should agree.
- For Better or Worse: Raquel should suggest another solution to Linda’s problems.
- You Got Two Grand?: Raquel should tell Ben that Tom is being blackmailed.
- Something to Tell You: Distracted, Jenny should ask Ben what happened next in his story.
- Secrets and Lies: Reluctantly, after Requel insists, Linda should confess to sleeping with Tom.
- Chamomile Tea for Two?: Linda should find Jenny making tea in the kitchen and tell her about Raquel’s doll.
- Washing Dirty Laundry: After Linda confesses to sleeping with Tom, Neil should storm off to be alone.
- Alas Poor Megan: Raquel should decide to finally let go of Megan.
- Shall we go see your mom?: Tom should decide they could go visit his mother that night as well.
- Because of Us?: Linda should tell Tom that she is going to go home and fix her life.
- Final Confession: Jenny should celebrate with Ben after she tells him she is pregnant.
Remember that the game’s narrative is complex, and seemingly minor decisions can have significant consequences later. So, it’s important to carefully consider each choice you make as you navigate through the game.
How to save Neil?
Saving Neil in Eternal Threads can be a complex task because his survival is dependent on a chain of decisions that influence his actions and the subsequent events. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to ensure Neil’s survival:
- Any Post? In a pile of letters and junk mail, Neil shouldn’t find anything for Ben.
- Saved by the Bell. When Linda asks about their parents, Neil should become evasive.
- Tears before Bedtime. If Neil hears Linda crying, he should go to check on her.
- A bottle of Merlot. When Linda is drowning her sorrows, Neil should try to console her.
- Licensed to Drink. Ian should convince Neil to stay at home and play video games instead of going out.
- Friday Night Fallout. Neil should admit that he might have a problem with anger management.
- Are you Going Out? As Linda and Kieran leave, Neil should decide to go out for a ride on his new bike.
- Washing dirty Laundry. After Linda confesses to sleeping with Tom, Neil should storm off to be alone.
By following this series of decisions, you’ll steer Neil toward survival. It’s important to note that Eternal Threads is a complex puzzle game, where small changes in decisions can significantly impact the outcome for each character, so be sure to make these choices carefully.