Eternal Return
Eternal Return: Black Survival, often shortened to Eternal Return, is a 3D isometric, anime-styled online battler that blends battle royale pressure with MOBA-like character kits and a heavy emphasis on survival crafting. Each match is a race to loot efficiently, build the right weapon and armor path, and outplay opponents as the safe zones collapse around Lumia Island.
no images were found |
Publisher: Nimble Neuron Playerbase: High Type: 3D Battle Royale Release Date: October 14, 2020 Pros: +Quick, high-energy matches with meaningful decisions. +Strong anime-inspired art direction. +Solid voice work that adds personality to the cast. +User-friendly interface and readable menus. Cons: -Not many modes compared to other competitive titles. -Fixed isometric camera can feel restrictive. -Visuals can look a bit older in spots. |
Eternal Return Overview
Eternal Return: Black Survival stands out by treating crafting and routing as core combat skills, not side activities. You pick a character with a defined kit and playstyle, then drop into Lumia Island alongside 17 other players. From the opening minute, you are making choices that feel closer to a MOBA build order than typical battle royale looting, because the items you collect are mainly ingredients for the gear you will craft.
Matches revolve around moving through the island’s distinct zones, gathering specific materials, and assembling weapons, armor, and consumables that suit your plan. While you are searching, you are also gaining experience to upgrade your skills by doing the practical work of survival: looting containers, crafting items, setting traps, and fighting both creatures and other players. As the playable area narrows over time, efficient crafting paths and smart rotations become just as important as mechanical fighting.
Although it is easy to describe Eternal Return as “battle royale meets MOBA,” the survival layer matters too. Food and other consumables can swing skirmishes, teleport stations add mobility options for faster rotations, and high-risk objectives can become match-defining if you can secure them without getting collapsed on. Whether you play solo, duo, or in a squad, the end goal is the same: outlast everyone else through better preparation, sharper fights, and cleaner decision-making.
Eternal Return Key Features:
- Fast-Paced Strategic Gameplay – a competitive mix of battle royale tension, MOBA-style abilities, and survival crafting that rewards planning and execution.
- Multiple Game Modes – queue up solo, team with one partner, or run as a squad of three where coordination and timing matter.
- Craft, Fight, & Survive – loot is largely about materials, and learning which zones provide what you need is a major part of improving.
- Advanced Gameplay Elements – leverage teleport stations, prepare food for recovery and buffs, contest the boss, and chase legendary gear through the Tree of Life.
- Custom Games – set up private lobbies for friends, practice sessions, or community-run events and tournaments.
Eternal Return Screenshots
no images were found
Eternal Return Featured Video
Eternal Return Review
Eternal Return: Black Survival is at its best when you treat every minute like a puzzle you are solving under pressure. The combat is approachable on the surface, abilities are clearly communicated and the UI does a good job of keeping you oriented, but the real depth comes from routing, crafting efficiency, and knowing when to fight versus when to finish your build. It is a battle royale where preparation is not optional, it is the win condition.
A battle royale built around crafting routes
Most battle royale games ask you to scavenge for upgrades and hope the right weapon drops. Eternal Return flips that dynamic. You are usually chasing a recipe rather than a random drop, which makes the early game feel more purposeful. The downside is that new players can feel overwhelmed by the number of materials and the need to learn which zones contain them, but once it clicks, the match flow becomes satisfying and repeatable in a skill-based way.
Characters feel like MOBA picks, not just skins
The roster (18 playable heroes) is one of the game’s biggest strengths. Each character comes with a distinct skill kit and combat identity, so matchups and playstyle preferences matter. Some picks excel at quick burst trades, others lean toward sustained fights or kiting, and some feel better when they can control space with traps and zoning. This creates a draft-like mindset even in matchmaking: you are not only picking a character, you are picking a plan.
Combat, readability, and the fixed camera
Fights are snappy and often decided by positioning, cooldown management, and whether you crafted on schedule. The locked isometric perspective keeps things readable during chaotic moments, but it can also feel limiting if you prefer a fully controllable camera. That camera choice is a big part of Eternal Return’s identity, yet it will be a deal-breaker for some players who want a more traditional third-person battle royale view.
Progression inside the match feels earned
Leveling skills by engaging with the match objectives, looting, crafting, and fighting gives a steady sense of momentum. It also creates meaningful trade-offs: do you take time to craft and stabilize, or do you hunt aggressively and risk falling behind on item power? The best players tend to do both efficiently, which is why knowledge and execution scale so well over time.
Modes and long-term variety
Solo, duo, and squad play each change how the island feels. Solos emphasize clean routing and taking fights on your terms, while squads lean heavily on communication and coordinated collapses. Even so, the overall selection of modes is not huge, so if you are looking for constant playlist variety, Eternal Return can feel narrower than some competitors. The upside is that the core formula has enough depth to sustain improvement for players who enjoy mastery-focused competitive games.
Presentation: style-forward with a few rough edges
The anime-inspired visuals give the game a clear personality, and character voice work helps the cast stand out. The UI is also a strong point, especially for a crafting-heavy game, because it keeps the information you need close at hand. Graphically, some elements can look slightly dated, but the art direction generally carries it.
Who is it for? Eternal Return is an excellent fit for players who like competitive games with a learning curve, especially those who enjoy MOBAs and want a battle royale where planning and itemization matter as much as aim. If you want a wide range of casual modes or dislike fixed-camera combat, it may be harder to recommend.
Eternal Return Links
Eternal Return: Black Survival Official Site
Eternal Return: Black Survival Steam Page
Eternal Return: Black Survival Facebook Page
Eternal Return: Black Survival Twitter Page
Eternal Return: Black Survival Wiki
Eternal Return: Black Survival Subreddit
Eternal Return System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-bit)
CPU: Intel Core i3-3225, AMD FX-4350
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640, ATI Radeon HD 7700
RAM: 4 GB RAM
Direct X: Version 11
Hard Disk Space: 3 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K , AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB, AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB
RAM: 8 GB RAM
Direct X: Version 11
Hard Disk Space: 5 GB available space
Eternal Return Music & Soundtrack
The soundtrack section is not available yet, check back later for music highlights and notable themes.
Eternal Return Additional Information
Developer: Nimble Neuron
Publisher: Nimble Neuron
Platforms: PC
Engine: Unity
Closed Beta: June 24, 2020
Open Beta: July 24, 2020
Early Access Release Date: October 14, 2020
Development History / Background:
Eternal Return: Black Survival is a free-to-play, 3D isometric battle royale title developed and published by Nimble Neuron, a South Korean studio. It shares its setting with Black Survival, the developer’s earlier real-time survival game for 10 players that originally launched in February 2016.
The project was revealed publicly in October 2019 and was tested through multiple closed alpha periods leading into Spring 2020. Closed beta began on June 24, 2020, with open beta following on July 24, 2020. Eternal Return entered Steam Early Access on October 14, 2020.