Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
We can officially stop checking the rumor mill. After yesterday’s Viking survival surprise, Epic Games has officially revealed the third mystery game of the holiday season: Eternights.
If you were expecting another gritty medieval fighter or a standard shooter, this one is a bit of a curveball. It’s an indie title that blends high-octane action with, of all things, a dating simulator. It’s weird, it’s stylish, and it’s definitely a “hidden gem” pick for this year’s giveaway.
What exactly is Eternights?
Think Persona meets Devil May Cry. The world is ending, people are turning into monsters, and you’re stuck in a bunker (a train, actually) with a handful of survivors. Your goal? Save the world and maybe find a date before the clock runs out.
The gameplay is split into two distinct modes:
- Fast-Paced Combat: When you’re in the dungeons (called “The Wall”), the game is a pure hack-and-slash. You have a magical arm that transforms into weapons, and the combat relies heavily on perfect dodges. If you time a dodge right, everything slows down, letting you unleash huge combos.
- The Social Sim: This is the “weird” part. Between fights, you have a limited number of days to scavenge for supplies and hang out with your companions. Choosing who to spend time with isn’t just for fluff—leveling up your relationships actually unlocks new skills and elemental attacks for combat. You are literally fighting for the people you love.
Why You Should Grab It
It’s a polished game with full 2D animated cutscenes that look like they’re straight out of an anime. It normally retails for $29.99 and holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam. Even if you aren’t typically into “dating sims,” the combat is snappy enough to carry the experience, and the time-management pressure adds a layer of strategy that keeps it from feeling repetitive.
The Next 24 Hours
Eternights is free to claim until December 20 at 11:00 AM ET. Once you claim it, it’s yours to keep forever.
As for what’s coming tomorrow? Epic’s digital wrapping paper for the next gift is live, and the community is already dissecting the icons. With the “big leaks” out of the picture, it’s actually fun to guess again.
