Eternium

Eternium is a fantasy action RPG set in the world of Alaria, where players embark on a quest to defeat the dark lord Ragadam. The game features a rich narrative across four acts, each with 15 stages, and offers multiple difficulty levels including normal, heroic, and legendary. Beyond the story mode, players can tackle procedurally generated trials, battling waves of monsters to unlock stronger challenges and better rewards. With a focus on fast-paced combat and strategic progression, Eternium provides both a deep storyline and efficient gameplay loops for players seeking adventure and challenge.

Eternium: Review

Introduction

In the crowded landscape of mobile gaming, where predatory monetization often overshadows artistic vision, Eternium emerges as a beacon of old-school RPG purity. Developed by Dream Primer and published by Making Fun, Inc., this action RPG defies the disposable stigma of its platform, offering a meticulously crafted journey that feels like a love letter to Diablo and Torchlight reimagined for touchscreens. Its legacy lies not in revolutionary innovation, but in its unwavering commitment to accessible, player-friendly design and atmospheric storytelling. This review deconstructs Eternium as both a technical achievement and a cultural artifact, examining how it navigates the constraints of mobile gaming while elevating the action RPG genre.

Development History & Context

H3: The Dream Primer Philosophy
Founded by veteran developers with a passion for classic RPGs, Dream Primer (later DreamPrimer SRL) conceived Eternium as a labor of love. The studio’s vision was unapologetically nostalgic: to recreate the loot-driven satisfaction of 90s action RPGs without the encumbrance of complex controls or exploitative monetization. As noted in the Steam store description, the team aimed to craft “the game they always wanted to play” — a manifesto that would define Eternium’s identity.

H3: Technological Constraints & Adaptation
Released in Early Access on Android in August 2014 (Eternium’s true genesis), the game faced the inherent limitations of mid-2010s mobile hardware. To ensure broad compatibility, Dream Primer utilized the Marmalade middleware engine, enabling cross-platform deployment. The “diagonal-down” perspective and 2D scrolling visuals were deliberate choices, optimizing performance while evoking the isometric grandeur of Diablo II. The control scheme — tap-to-move and swipe-to-cast abilities — ingeniously adapted dual-stick mechanics for touchscreens, a solution so effective it remains the game’s signature.

H3: The Gaming Landscape of 2018
By its official launch on February 15, 2018, Eternium navigated a market dominated by “pay-to-win” titans. The mobile ARPG genre was rife with aggressive microtransactions, but Eternium countered with a revolutionary promise: a “no paywalls, never pay to win” philosophy. This stance, coupled with its polished PC port in 2021, positioned it as an antidote to exploitative trends. As player reviews on Steam repeatedly emphasize, Eternium’s legacy is its proof that depth and accessibility could coexist.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

H3: A Cosmic Vengeance Epic
Eternium’s narrative unfolds across four acts, each set on a distinct world, culminating in a multi-planar war against the cosmic tyrant Ragadam. Act I, “The Broken Dragon,” establishes the stakes on Elderath: Ragadam’s corruption has enslaved humanity, and the player’s hero (aided by companions like Marcus and Robin) must hunt the antagonist across realms. The quest’s emotional core is vengeance, punctuated by moments of camaraderie — notably the liberation of Ragadam’s tortured dragon, who becomes a key ally.

H3: Elban the Demiurge: A Study in Corrupted Genius
The narrative’s thematic richness lies in its antagonists. Elban, Ragadam’s disciple, embodies the seductive danger of unchecked ambition. His journals reveal a tragic figure: a brilliant “Lifecrafter” coerced into transforming Levania into “Desparia,” a world of perpetual anguish to feed his master. As Gorgana’s origin story details, Elban’s cruelty — torturing the sorceress for her secrets — underscores the game’s critique of power. His rivalry with the player transcends evil vs. good, becoming a clash of philosophies: life as a tool (Ragadam/Elban) versus life as a sanctuary (the hero).

H3: Lore as Environmental Storytelling
Beyond quests, Eternium’s world-building excels through environmental narrative. On Nirgal’s pyramids, players find Elban’s logs detailing his “Firecrafting” of Aztrak warriors; in Demeter’s shattered realms, texts like Codex Maledictum reveal Ragadam’s apocalyptic plans. Even minor locations — Misty Island’s poisoned grove or Murkvale’s corrupted village — deepen the lore. This tapestry of texts transforms traversal into archaeological discovery, with each tome a shard of a larger, haunting mythos.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

H3: The Trinity of Combat
Eternium’s combat is a masterclass in mobile adaptation. Each class (Mage, Warrior, Bounty Hunter) offers distinct playstyles: mages draw runes for spells like “Immolate,” warriors whirlwind through crowds, and bounty hunters snipe from afar. The “swipe-to-cast” system is revolutionary — intuitive yet tactical, rewarding skill without sacrificing accessibility. As player reviews note, this design makes combat feel “visceral” and “responsive,” even on touchscreens.

H3: Progression Without Pain
Character progression avoids the grindy pitfalls of mobile RPGs. Leveling unlocks abilities and attributes, while a robust crafting system (merging gear, socketing gems) allows for customization. Critically, gear drops and crafting materials are abundant, ensuring players never feel pressured to pay. The “Trials of Valor” mode — endless, randomized dungeons — offers post-story replayability, with efficiency-focused players favoring low-level trials for rapid rewards.

H3: The Gem Economy: A Model for Fair Monetization
Eternium’s gem-based economy is its most systemic innovation. Gems (premium currency) are earned through gameplay or optional ads, never required for progression. Crafting and ability slots can be unlocked with gems, but alternative methods (e.g., salvaging gear) exist. As a Steam review states: “You can easily get a ton of gems without paying a cent.” This design positions Eternium as a benchmark for ethical monetization, proving profitability and player dignity need not conflict.

World-Building, Art & Sound

H3: A Painterly Pantheon of Realms
Eternium’s worlds are a testament to environmental artistry. Elderath’s forests and graveyards evoke gothic fantasy, while Levania’s craters and alien canyons blend biomechanical horror with cosmic dread. Nirgal’s pyramids and jungles recall Indiana Jones adventures, and Demeter’s floating islands suggest a shattered paradise. Each location’s palette and architecture reinforce its narrative: Levania’s twisted gardens mirror Elban’s corrupted Lifecrafting, while Demeter’s aether crystals symbolize fragmented hope.

H3: Sound as Emotional Anchor
The audio design subtly elevates immersion. Sound effects — the clang of steel, the hiss of fireballs — provide tactile feedback, while composer David Fenn’s soundtrack oscillates between melancholic piano (for Eileen’s captivity) and bombastic orchestral (for dragon battles). Player reviews praise its “atmospheric” quality, noting how music transforms routine battles into moments of drama.

H3: Visual Cohesion and Mobile Optimization
Despite 2D sprites, Eternium’s art feels cohesive. Character designs (e.g., Ragadam’s skeletal minions) use silhouette and color coding for clarity, while environments layer parallax scrolling for depth. The “diagonal-down” perspective ensures no area feels cramped, and the PC port’s resolution scaling preserves this balance. Even critics of its “generic” art style concede its effectiveness in service of gameplay.

Reception & Legacy

H3: Critical Acclaim
Eternium’s reception was overwhelmingly positive. On Android, it boasts a 4.8/5-star average from over 2.6 million reviews; on Steam, it holds a “Very Positive” rating (82/100) from 4,195 reviews. Critics lauded its “player-friendly” design (IGN Mobile), “addictive” combat (Gamezebo), and “honest” monetization (PC Gamer). The few criticisms centered on repetition (common in the genre) and PC port issues (e.g., crashes).

H3: Influence on the ARPG Genre
Eternium’s legacy lies in its demonstration of mobile ARPG potential. By proving that deep mechanics and fair monetization could drive commercial success, it influenced titles like Path of Exile Mobile and Genshin Impact. Its “swipe-to-cast” system became a template for mobile action games, while its trial-inspired dungeons prefigured roguelike-lite trends. Most significantly, it redefined expectations for free-to-play RPGs, setting a standard of quality over cash grabs.

H3: Enduring Player Devotion
The community’s passion manifests in extensive lore compilations and fan theories. Forums like Making Fun’s and the Eternium Wiki (now archived) buzz with analysis of in-game texts, while Reddit threads debate Ragadam’s cosmic origins. This engagement underscores Eternium’s strength: its world invites speculation, fostering a player culture that transcends mere consumption.

Conclusion

Eternium is more than a mobile RPG; it is a manifesto. Dream Primer’s creation triumphs by honoring its influences while innovating within constraints. Its narrative weaves cosmic horror with intimate character studies, its gameplay balances depth with accessibility, and its artistry transforms pixels into myth. Though not without flaws — occasional repetition and a PC port marred by performance issues — these shortcomings fade against its achievements.

In the pantheon of action RPGs, Eternium occupies a unique niche: it is a bridge between eras, a mobile masterpiece that proves the genre’s soul is portable. Its legacy as a beacon of ethical, player-centric design ensures it will be remembered not just for what it is, but for what it represents. For historians, it documents a turning point in mobile gaming; for players, it remains a timeless adventure. Final Verdict: Essential.