Eternal Ring
Encyclopedia
is a first-person action role-playing game
released in 2000, a launch title
for the PlayStation 2
. It was developed by From Software
and published in the US by Agetec
.
A unique feature of the game is the use of magic rings, imbuing these magic rings with a combination of different gems creates rings that both allow the use of magic spells and also boost the player's attributes. Although the game also features knives and swords which can be acquired, the most powerful attacks come from magic rings which are the game's focus. A gauge indicates charge time for magic spells.
Found on the island are strangely powered gems each having one of six elements. Elements include Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, and Darkness. When creating rings, the powers instilled in the rings will differ according to the gem's element, among other factors. Each gem has a level, with the weakest being a level 1 gem (excluding Light and Dark gems, which are found starting at level 3) that cannot be modified. The highest level of each gem is level 5. Gems are found at increasing levels as the game progresses.
Attribution Rings are created seemingly at random based on the gems used. They cannot be made into other rings as is possible with Magic Rings and cannot be discarded.
Creating rings is an important part of Eternal Ring as it allows the acquisition of powers that ease the course of combat. Most early battles would be very difficult to survive without the aid of Magic Rings. Access to the ring creation system is granted as soon as you encounter a teleport pad, which will bring you to a magician who will "pass down the knowledge of the ancients."
Two ingredients are necessary to create Attack and Assist Rings (and summon rings): Magic Rings and Magic Gems both of which can be found scattered throughout the island. In the gem placement screen there is a left, blue background side and a right, green background side. Both of these sides have three places to set gems. During the creation of an Attack or Assist ring, the left determines the element of the ring and the right determines whether the ring is Attack or Assist. Summon Rings may be created by using six gems of the same element whose levels total 24-30.
When creating Attribution Rings, a Ring of Magic is unnecessary and the attributes are determined by the elemental properties of the gems. Only two elements can be used in an Attribution Ring thus it is a waste of material to place a third or more. There exist many combinations for creating rings that have magic spells. Each of the fire, water, earth, and wind elements can produce 4 different rings, each a different level of an Attack or Assist ring in addition to 2 different summon rings. Light and Dark may produce only 2 different Attack or Assist rings each and 2 levels of summon rings each.
The main character of Eternal Ring, Cain is the son of a retinue captain of Heingaria. By his father's request, Cain is sent to the "Island of No Return" with a letter from the king explaining his arrival.
A soldier in the Heingarian Security Force directly under the king, Cain is the adopted son of Gillian Morgan. He was found wandering in the battlefields and was picked up by Gillian during the war between Solcia and Aldine which lasted 20 years. Cain's purpose is to investigate the secret research team sent to the Island by the elders. The Island is where Solcia was destroyed and he will find his past on this mission.
Leader of the Heingarian Security Force and foster father to Cain. He hates the elders that ignore the king and therefore suggests to the king that the team dispatched by the elders be followed and observed.
The current king of Heingaria. Due to the abrupt death of his father, he assumed the throne at the age of 15. Many citizens love his peaceful and loving presence. However, he lacks the power to stand up against the elders. All major decisions are made by them. He has no say. He is peaceful and disapproves of bloodshed. He doesn't like the notion of invading other countries for territorial expansion, but is powerless to resist the elders. He sends Cain to the "Island of No Return" in order to learn the true intentions of the research team dispatched by the elders.
Once a small country located in the northern part of the continent, its recent aggressive military policy has given it the power to overtake neighboring countries. Two factions exist within the country. The elders have actual power in the kingdom and are bent on military aggression while the king and his royal faction are a group of people who are relatively peaceable. Unfortunately, the king is a mere figurehead.
Mainly a farming and agricultural country, Aldine was a nation that once existed on the mainland. Immediately after Matthew D. Ross III took over the throne, it quickly became a militant power, rapidly extending its borders, invading and taking over neighboring countries. The king mysteriously vanished after the invasion of Solcia and eventually Aldine ceased to exist.
The people who used to live in the central part of the continent said to able to use magic powers, but those powers have long been lost to history. Theirs was a peaceful country choosing to maintain neutrally among its neighbors. To avoid the invasion of the Aldine forces, they retreated to their sacred land, the "Island of No Return." However, continued pursuit by the king of Aldine resulted in the people of Solcia disappearing into history.
The name given to the four people who have the actual power over Heingaria. They are the ones who wrested power from the inexperienced young king and forced him to become a figurehead so they could control the kingdom. They are searching for a source of great power with which to conqquer the continent.
A civilization which once existed in Solcia, the Elisians also had magical powers. The magicians of Elisia wanted to create a perfect lifeform and their research led to the creation of Soulus. Soulus was immortal but emotionless. Without the ability to grasp concepts of pain and sorrow, Soulus demonstrated a destructive nature which categorizes him as a monster. The Elisians use their power to seal Soulus away. This results in nearly all of the Elisians vanishing.
A solitary island located north of the region of Nilvia, which lies in the northern part of the continent. It is an island held sacred by the people of Solcia. Nilvia is essentially a cold area, but the complicated oceanic currents in the region result in varied habitats and geography on the island. Mount Voldana, which is found in the eater portion of the island, is a small but active volcano. Several eruptions have been recorded in recent history. With the shifting of underground plates due to volcanic activitiy, the island undergoes constant change. This is assumed to be the caused of the island's complicated natural environment, which is unlike that found elsewhere.
A handful of sailors who had drifted into the vicinity of the island testify that they saw demon-like beasts flying overhead and some even say that they encountered "dragons" of the kind only seen in legends. The Island is believed abandoned. However, there are reports that some large-scale underground buildings—and signs of civilization—have been found on the island. It is not known who lived on this island and even history books are of no history of an unknown civilization hidden on the island.
(Excerpt from Heingaria Kingdom Records of Continental Exploration 4)
magazine gave Eternal Ring a 25 out of 40, noting its good graphics and innovative ring creation system, but states that the game has an overall rushed feel to it and that it could have spent more time in development.
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
released in 2000, a launch title
Launch title
A launch game, or launch title, is a video game released to consumers synchronously with the release of its respective video game console, meaning they are the only available games at the time of the console's launch. Several of these games are also packaged with the console...
for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. It was developed by From Software
From Software
is a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986 known primarily for being the developers of the Armored Core, Demon's Souls, King's Field, Otogi and Tenchu series.-Games:...
and published in the US by Agetec
Agetec
Agetec is a US based video game publishing company that is best known for bringing Japanese titles to the US, including their flagship series Armored Core, and the King's Field RPG series, as well as their "designer series" of RPG Maker and Fighter Maker...
.
Gameplay
The player controls Cain Morgan, a young magician who is sent to investigate the Island of No Return, where a legendary artifact called the Eternal Ring is presumed to be held. The island is home to a large number of mythical creatures, including dragons, lizard men, and gargoyles, and is the location of magical gems and rings, including the Eternal Ring. The game is played in a first person view.A unique feature of the game is the use of magic rings, imbuing these magic rings with a combination of different gems creates rings that both allow the use of magic spells and also boost the player's attributes. Although the game also features knives and swords which can be acquired, the most powerful attacks come from magic rings which are the game's focus. A gauge indicates charge time for magic spells.
Found on the island are strangely powered gems each having one of six elements. Elements include Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, and Darkness. When creating rings, the powers instilled in the rings will differ according to the gem's element, among other factors. Each gem has a level, with the weakest being a level 1 gem (excluding Light and Dark gems, which are found starting at level 3) that cannot be modified. The highest level of each gem is level 5. Gems are found at increasing levels as the game progresses.
Ring Creation System
There are four types of magic rings which can be found or created on the island. Attribution Rings affect statistics (including Cain's strength and his attributes for each element). Attack Magic Rings grant an offensive ability, for example they may create some sort of projectile or lay a trap on the ground. Summon Magic Rings are a subtype of offensive rings and are used for manifesting massive power. Auxiliary Rings cannot be created and have an assortment of generally passive effects, ranging from slowing time to increasing experience gain. Assist Magic Rings grant helpful abilities, such as protection or healing. "Magic Rings" can be found throughout the island in chests and scattered in random places. These rings are used in creating Attack, Summon, and Assist Magic Rings.Attribution Rings are created seemingly at random based on the gems used. They cannot be made into other rings as is possible with Magic Rings and cannot be discarded.
Creating rings is an important part of Eternal Ring as it allows the acquisition of powers that ease the course of combat. Most early battles would be very difficult to survive without the aid of Magic Rings. Access to the ring creation system is granted as soon as you encounter a teleport pad, which will bring you to a magician who will "pass down the knowledge of the ancients."
Two ingredients are necessary to create Attack and Assist Rings (and summon rings): Magic Rings and Magic Gems both of which can be found scattered throughout the island. In the gem placement screen there is a left, blue background side and a right, green background side. Both of these sides have three places to set gems. During the creation of an Attack or Assist ring, the left determines the element of the ring and the right determines whether the ring is Attack or Assist. Summon Rings may be created by using six gems of the same element whose levels total 24-30.
When creating Attribution Rings, a Ring of Magic is unnecessary and the attributes are determined by the elemental properties of the gems. Only two elements can be used in an Attribution Ring thus it is a waste of material to place a third or more. There exist many combinations for creating rings that have magic spells. Each of the fire, water, earth, and wind elements can produce 4 different rings, each a different level of an Attack or Assist ring in addition to 2 different summon rings. Light and Dark may produce only 2 different Attack or Assist rings each and 2 levels of summon rings each.
Main characters
- Cain Morgan age 25
The main character of Eternal Ring, Cain is the son of a retinue captain of Heingaria. By his father's request, Cain is sent to the "Island of No Return" with a letter from the king explaining his arrival.
A soldier in the Heingarian Security Force directly under the king, Cain is the adopted son of Gillian Morgan. He was found wandering in the battlefields and was picked up by Gillian during the war between Solcia and Aldine which lasted 20 years. Cain's purpose is to investigate the secret research team sent to the Island by the elders. The Island is where Solcia was destroyed and he will find his past on this mission.
- Gillian Morgan age 52
Leader of the Heingarian Security Force and foster father to Cain. He hates the elders that ignore the king and therefore suggests to the king that the team dispatched by the elders be followed and observed.
- Ian Martin age 18
The current king of Heingaria. Due to the abrupt death of his father, he assumed the throne at the age of 15. Many citizens love his peaceful and loving presence. However, he lacks the power to stand up against the elders. All major decisions are made by them. He has no say. He is peaceful and disapproves of bloodshed. He doesn't like the notion of invading other countries for territorial expansion, but is powerless to resist the elders. He sends Cain to the "Island of No Return" in order to learn the true intentions of the research team dispatched by the elders.
Other characters
- Evans
Acting captain at the research team's base camp at the time of Cain's arrival, he's concerned about his captain who is "always asleep." Evans accepts the letter given you by the king and sends you to equip a knife at the supply warehouse before venturing into the flooded shrine.
- Wallace
Wallace is in charge of the supply warehouse. Until you receive papers from Evans, you cannot access the supplies. There is an assortment of items available for purchase for the right price (numbers of gems disregarding level/element).
- Marie Fowler
Chief Medic of the camp. She is a kind woman who offers aid free of charge.
- Mercenary
A swordsman employed by the elders, his job is to watch the captain of the research team and kill him if he becomes greedy.
- Daryl
Knight Captain and leader of the research team, Daryl is mutated into a monster while residing on the island.
- Stranger
A man whose face is hidden behind cloth, the stranger gives you a ring and shows up at random to give you information. He is slowly turning into a monster also.
- Explorers
Two men who spin a tale of a small band torn apart by the vicious monsters and natural terrors of the island. One asks you to retrieve a memento in exchange for a Rapier. He will also accept gems in exchange for other common items. He claims to know Lyla.
- Nell Grey
A magician who once worked for the king of Aldine. He suggested the invasion of Solcia due to rivalry with his brother whom had scorned and exiled him for being born without magic powers. He was searching for a way to cure the king's condition.
- Lyla
The adopted daughter of the magical Elisians. She is the last remnant of the Solcians and her adopted mother was the last of the Elisians. She is one of Cains only surviving family members.
- Gil Grey
A magician of Aldine and Lyla's true father. His first child is Lyn Grey, a character pertinent to the story.
- Azabar Duhrin
Leader of the Solcians, he has transformed into a Water Dragon and is slowly losing his humanity. He fears Cain's fate and the fate of Lyla.
- Ancient Guardian
A being to whom you can teleport at nearly every save area, he accepts rings and gems to be used in construction of Magic Rings. He is also the last of the Ancient Guardians to retain his clarity of mind and warns Cain that Soulus cannot be taught humanity. He hopes, however, that in the Immortal's current state, he will be weak enough for you to defeat.
- Soulus the Immortal
The Ancient Guardians created the perfect human and worshipped him as a god. However, his destructive nature forced them to seal him into the Eternal Ring. A being resembling a newborn child in a floating sphere, he has no emotions and no understanding of pain, death, or sadness and harms and kills without care.
Setting
- Heingaria
Once a small country located in the northern part of the continent, its recent aggressive military policy has given it the power to overtake neighboring countries. Two factions exist within the country. The elders have actual power in the kingdom and are bent on military aggression while the king and his royal faction are a group of people who are relatively peaceable. Unfortunately, the king is a mere figurehead.
- Aldine
Mainly a farming and agricultural country, Aldine was a nation that once existed on the mainland. Immediately after Matthew D. Ross III took over the throne, it quickly became a militant power, rapidly extending its borders, invading and taking over neighboring countries. The king mysteriously vanished after the invasion of Solcia and eventually Aldine ceased to exist.
- Solcians
The people who used to live in the central part of the continent said to able to use magic powers, but those powers have long been lost to history. Theirs was a peaceful country choosing to maintain neutrally among its neighbors. To avoid the invasion of the Aldine forces, they retreated to their sacred land, the "Island of No Return." However, continued pursuit by the king of Aldine resulted in the people of Solcia disappearing into history.
- Elders
The name given to the four people who have the actual power over Heingaria. They are the ones who wrested power from the inexperienced young king and forced him to become a figurehead so they could control the kingdom. They are searching for a source of great power with which to conqquer the continent.
- Elisia
A civilization which once existed in Solcia, the Elisians also had magical powers. The magicians of Elisia wanted to create a perfect lifeform and their research led to the creation of Soulus. Soulus was immortal but emotionless. Without the ability to grasp concepts of pain and sorrow, Soulus demonstrated a destructive nature which categorizes him as a monster. The Elisians use their power to seal Soulus away. This results in nearly all of the Elisians vanishing.
- "Island of No Return"
A solitary island located north of the region of Nilvia, which lies in the northern part of the continent. It is an island held sacred by the people of Solcia. Nilvia is essentially a cold area, but the complicated oceanic currents in the region result in varied habitats and geography on the island. Mount Voldana, which is found in the eater portion of the island, is a small but active volcano. Several eruptions have been recorded in recent history. With the shifting of underground plates due to volcanic activitiy, the island undergoes constant change. This is assumed to be the caused of the island's complicated natural environment, which is unlike that found elsewhere.
A handful of sailors who had drifted into the vicinity of the island testify that they saw demon-like beasts flying overhead and some even say that they encountered "dragons" of the kind only seen in legends. The Island is believed abandoned. However, there are reports that some large-scale underground buildings—and signs of civilization—have been found on the island. It is not known who lived on this island and even history books are of no history of an unknown civilization hidden on the island.
(Excerpt from Heingaria Kingdom Records of Continental Exploration 4)
Reception
FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
magazine gave Eternal Ring a 25 out of 40, noting its good graphics and innovative ring creation system, but states that the game has an overall rushed feel to it and that it could have spent more time in development.