The Eternal Cylinder
ROLL PLAYING
THE ETERNAL CYLINDER is a unique but limited vision of evolution and apocalypse
By Edwin Evans-Thirlwell
Acharacteristically vivid and ambitious fable from the creators of Zeno Clash, The Eternal Cylinder is one part genetic sandbox to one part getaway sequence. A distant descendant of EA’s Spore, it sees you guiding a troupe of rapidly evolving creatures called Trebhum through a world that is slowly being flattened by a vast, cosmic rolling pin. As videogame apocalypses go, it’s certainly distinctive. In practice, it isn’t quite as eccentric as it could be.
The titular Cylinder is a constant threat, but not relentless. Its approach is sometimes blocked by towers that dome their surroundings in shimmering energy, creating an oasis where you can forage for food and water, delve into ruins, add stray Trebhum to your horde, and most importantly guzzle down items to acquire useful mutations.