Eternity's Child

Infobox VG
width=
title= Eternity's Child


caption=
developer= Luc Bernard
Silver Sphere Studios
publisher= Alten8 (Wii version only)
Silver Sphere Studios (PC/Mobile Version)
distributor =
designer=
series=
engine= PlaneD
version=
released= Steam
July 31 2008
Wii
TBA
genre= Platform game
modes= Single player, four player co-op [cite web| title = News: Eternity’s Child To Feature 4 Player Co-Op Mode| work = Wiiware-World | date = 2008-06-13 | url = http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/06/eternityrs_child_to_feature_4_player_co_op_mode| accessdate = 2008-06-18]
ratings=
platforms= Wii (WiiWare)
Steam
media=
requirements = 2.0 GHz processor
256MB RAM (512MB recommended)
OpenGL 2.0 (128MB video RAM recommended)
DirectX 9.0
input= Wii Remote and Nunchuk
Mouse and Keyboard
Gamepad

"Eternity's Child" (previously known as "Angel's Eternity") is a side-scrolling platform game based on a fairy tale created by Luc Bernard. The game is to be published by British retro games publisher Alten8, [cite web| title = Eternity's Child comes to Nintendo DS and Wii | work = Aussie-Nintendo.com | date = 2007-09-10 | url = http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/?v=news&p=17145| accessdate = 2007-09-10] for Wii via WiiWare sometime in 2008. It was released by Luc Bernard and Silver Sphere Studios on Steam July 31, 2008. The Wii version is yet to be released, as Alten8 are re-working the code for the Nintendo platform.

Gameplay

The gameplay involves the player controlling two characters simultaneously. In the Wii version, one will be controlled with the analogue stick of the Nunchuk and the other with the pointer function of the Wii Remote. [cite web| title = Luc Bernard Interview | work = radio-ninty.co.uk | date = 2008-03-18 | url = http://radio-ninty.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1205799483| accessdate = 2008-03-24]

Game modification

"Eternity's Child" comes with a level editor. This and the combination of editable source material means that the game can be remade and/or edited by anyone who owns the game.

Development

"Eternity's Child" was initially developed for Xbox Live Arcade, and was one of the first games to be made with the XNA toolset. On September 9, 2007, it was revealed that it was changed to a retail Nintendo DS title as well as a downloadable WiiWare title. [cite web| title = Eternity's Child comes to WiiWare | work = kotaku.com | date = 2008-02-02 | url = http://kotaku.com/351934/eternitys-child-coming-to-wiiware| accessdate = 2008-02-02] However, Bernard later confirmed that the Nintendo DS version has been canceled, [cite web| title = News: Rose Princess Confirmed For WiiWare | work = N-Europe | date = 2008-05-16 | url = http://www.n-europe.com/news.php?nid=11841| accessdate = 2008-05-17] while also announcing that the game will come to PCs via Steam. [cite web| title = Eternity's Child on Steam a reality | work = | date = 2008-05-20 | url = http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/lucbernard/eternity-s-child-on-steam-a-reality-86830.phtml| accessdate = 2008-05-25] Bernard is also considering releasing the game on the PlayStation 3 through the PlayStation Store, though he insists the WiiWare version will still be the best iteration of the game because of the platform specific controls. [cite web| title = News: Eternity's Child No Longer Wii Exclusive | work = N-Europe | date = 2008-04-14 | url = http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=11702| accessdate = 2008-05-17]

Because of the move to the Wii, the gameplay style of the XNA version has been changed in favor of one that takes advantage of the Wii Remote. Alten8 are porting the original code, and adapting the game to Nintendo's standards for the Wii version, and hope that previous errors can be resolved. [cite web| title = Eternity's Child gameplay explained | work = kotaku.com | date = 2008-03-05 | url = http://kotaku.com/364099/eternitys-child-gameplay-explained| accessdate = 2008-03-09]

Reception

Gametunnel gave "Eternity's Child" a score of 6.3/10. [cite web| date = 2008-08-01 | title = September Independent Video Game round-up | url = http://gametunnel.com/articles.php?id=711 | accessdate = 2008-09-27] Russ Carroll said "it certainly isn't the disaster it is made out to be", but "it feels like it is brushing up against greatness".

"Eternity's Child" was panned by gaming site Destructoid for "flawed design," "horrible animation," and "broken controls." [cite web| date = 2008-08-01 | title = Destructoid review: "Eternity's Child" | url = http://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-eternity-s-child-97583.phtml | accessdate = 2008-08-04] In reviewing the game, which he gave a 1/10, Anthony Burch went so far as to say that it was "the worst game I've played in several years."

Bernard responded to the review, calling it "highly unprofessional", and defended the title by stating that Destructoid did not play the patched version. Bernard has drawn criticism after he decided to remove the Destructoid robot from the game in response to the review. [cite web| date = 2008-08-06 | title = Mr. Destructoid to be removed from Eternity's Child: Sour grapes taste sour | url = http://www.destructoid.com/mr-destructoid-to-be-removed-from-eternity-s-child-sour-grapes-taste-sour-98492.phtml | accessdate = 2008-08-07]

The game was also panned by Mike Fahey of Kotaku for its "story, or lack thereof", two-character mechanic, poor AI, and somewhat chaotic level design. However, he also noted that its visual style and music are appealing, and that the included level editor was also an extra bonus, and stated that the game "does have a lot to offer for $5". He concluded that the game is "still very much a work in progress". [cite web| date = 2008-08-06 | title = Kotaku review of Eternity's Child | url = http://kotaku.com/5033848/eternitys-child-review-+-pretty-hate-machine | accessdate = 2008-08-07]

The game received a 3/5 by de-frag.com. They mention that "Eternity's Child" shows a lot of promise, but numerous small mistakes and some frustrating level design spoils what is otherwise an enjoyable game." The game was reviewed with the 1.02 patch and they mention that "Eternity's Child" is a difficult game to judge. But overall "If you enjoy 2D platformers and are willing to tolerate some extremely difficult levels and slightly loose controls, it's worth picking up." [cite web| date = 2008-08-11 | title = Eternity's Child Review| url = http://www.de-frag.com/node/93| accessdate = 2008-09-02]

Luc Bernard stated that he will not work on any game besides "Eternity's Child" [cite web| title = Luc Bernard: Won't be contuning ["sic"] | date = 2008-08-11 | url = http://lucbernard.blogspot.com/2008/08/wont-be-contuning.html| accessdate = 2008-08-14] [cite web| title = Eternity's Child dev quits games industry | work = eurogamer.net | date = 2008-12-08 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=212130| accessdate = 2008-08-12] due to stress from the game's negative reception and financial struggles. [cite web| title = Luc Bernard: My break is not just because of haters | date = 2008-08-12 | url = http://lucbernard.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-break-is-not-just-because-of-haters.html| accessdate = 2008-08-14]

equel

A sequel titled "Eternity's Child 2: Retro Child" has been announced. [cite web| title = Eternity's Child Delayed - Sequel Announced! | work = wiiware-world.com | date = 2008-31-07 | url = http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/09/eternitys_child_delayed_sequel_announced| accessdate = 2008-31-07]

Other versions

Eternity's Child: The Lost Chapter

A cancelled mobile version of "Eternity's" Child was released for free. [cite web| title = Play Eternity’s Child Prequel – For Free! | work = wiiware-world.com | date = 2008-31-07 | url = http://www.wiiware-world.com/news/2008/07/play_eternityrs_child_prequel_n_for_free| accessdate = 2008-31-07] The game contains five stages and three difficulty levels.

References

External links

* [http://www.eternityschild.com Official website]
* [http://lucbernard.blogspot.com/ Luc Bernards blog]
* [http://blog.silverspherestudios.com/ Developer's Blog]
* [http://games.gamejump.com/WhiteLabelWeb/details.htm?id=1639 EC : The Lost Chapter]
* [http://www.coldbluesun.com/ec Custom Level fan site]