I was initially excited to review Springs, Eternal because, based on its Steam thumbnail and teaser trailer, it seemed like a low-poly horror experience in the same vein as the Chilla’s Art or Puppet Combo games. However, these expectations quickly changed when I realized the game was developed by Fullbright—makers of the critically acclaimed Gone Home. I knew then that the only scares that would be found in this game were the deep, existential ponderings that make a gamer question their very existence.
I’m mostly kidding, and for what it’s worth, there is kind of a weird horror element running underneath the game, but at its core, Springs, Eternal is an incredibly reflective and profoundly melancholic game about love, loss, and understanding. It asks the player to consider what it means to be a good person, what they truly want from life, and what it takes to get there. I’ve never been super into “walking simulators,” but this one really got its hooks in me and stayed with me long after I was done with it.
“That’s essentially as far as the gameplay goes in Springs, Eternal—you walk, you converse, you experience.”
I don’t want to say too much about the story for fear of spoiling it, but at its most basic, Springs, Eternal puts the player behind a character who is, to put it mildly, going through some stuff—seemingly stemming from the end of a romantic relationship. In an attempt to process, they take a trip to Stillwater Springs—a meditation retreat where the natural hot springs are said to help lost souls find their way. By exploring the grounds, the player is given brief glimpses into the past as well as opportunities to converse with other people who are on their own emotional journeys.
While it blends elements of fantasy and some bits of horror, it’s an incredibly grounded and bittersweet story—especially in relation to the elements of the past and your relationship with a woman named Twyla. It presents characters who are flawed, but not beyond redemption; all of whom are trying to find some semblance of meaning from not only their lives, but their pain. It puts the player in conversations that are both light and heavy, but always genuinely thought-provoking.
There were times I was reminded of actual conversations I had with a previous partner, and the only thing that bothered me about Springs, Eternal was the binary (or sometimes trinary) nature of the choices you can make—but that comes from the benefit of hindsight and personal growth. There are times when you, as the player, want to say the right thing, but aren’t given a good or bad option; and other times, the choice you make isn’t even reflected in the dialogue. It’s a complex reminder that these conversations or arguments aren’t always clean or clear-cut, and our pride or ego can get in the way of a rational response.
That’s essentially as far as the gameplay goes in Springs, Eternal—you walk, you converse, you experience. You can find little contextual objects like books or notes that might open more dialogue options with the other characters, but that’s pretty much it. But it’s a game that feels so genuinely grounded in personal pain that you’re consistently pushed forward to see if each new conversation can bring you (the player) closer to some sense of closure, or if you can help someone else find their own. I know at the end of the day, these are just pixels on a screen and lines of code reciting dialogue, but it’s so well delivered that you genuinely get invested.
“It’s a complex reminder that these conversations or arguments aren’t always clean or clear-cut, and our pride or ego can get in the way of a rational response.”
Visually, Springs, Eternal uses a low-poly aesthetic to great effect, creating an atmosphere that is both believable and somewhat off—like a dream you can’t quite recall or a vague memory you half-remember. Even with the low-poly style, all the characters have distinct looks and are all identifiable. The visuals are backed by a great use of audio that balances a serene sense of quiet with meditative ambiance, giving each moment a distinct vibe and drawing the player in deeper.
I didn’t really know what to expect with Springs, Eternal, but I’m glad I went in blind. Much like the game’s reflective springs, it requires players to experience it with an open mind and a willingness to reflect on their lives and the choices they may have made—good or bad. The nature of its gameplay might make it a bit dull for some players, but I would honestly recommend giving this a look.
