CompletedReviewOnce in a Lifetime
Windows, Mac, Linux, AndroidFree
Review · Visual Novel
Eternum Review
Eternum is a free, choice-based Ren'Py visual novel by Caribdis, the developer of Once in a Lifetime, set around a virtual-reality game with a mystery at its core. Public builds for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android are free on itch.io, Patreon and SubscribeStar supporters get versions early, and the current public release is 0.9.
In short
- What it is: a choice-based Ren'Py visual novel by Caribdis, mixing romance, comedy and a VR-game mystery.
- Who it's for: story-first players who don't want grinding or free roam.
- Price: free; every public build is on itch.io for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.
- Status: in development; the current public version is 0.9, with 0.10 in progress.
- Big pro / big con: a 4.9/5 itch.io rating and high production values, but public updates have arrived roughly once a year.
What is Eternum?
Eternum is a linear adult visual novel that blends romance, comedy and a sci-fi mystery. You move to a new city, discover a hugely popular virtual-reality game called Eternum, and slowly realize there is more going on in it than escapism. It is still in development, and every public version is free.
Who makes it
Eternum by Caribdis follows the developer's earlier game, Once in a Lifetime, which is finished. Both are covered on our Caribdis developer profile. On itch.io, Eternum holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 11,270 ratings as of September 30, 2026, a very strong score for a game with that many ratings.
For context on the format, see our overview of adult visual novels, where Eternum sits in the story-first, choice-based group.
Gameplay
There is no sandbox here and no free roam. You read, you pick dialogue and relationship choices, and the story moves forward. That makes Eternum quicker to get into than map-based games: no calendar to manage, no grinding, no hunting for the next trigger.
- Dialogue and relationship choices. They decide how things go with each love interest.
- Linear structure. The main plot runs in one direction, with choices shaping relationships along the way.
- Humor throughout. The writing leans on jokes and meta humor between the mystery beats.
- Heavy sound design. The itch page mentions hundreds of unique songs and sound effects.
The humor question
The humor is the part players argue about most. A common view in the community is that the constant jokes and meta references are the charm; another is that they undercut the serious moments. Try the first version before you commit if you are unsure which camp you are in.
Story
The setup
The protagonist moves to the city of Kredon to study and discovers Eternum, which the itch page describes as a virtual "hyper-reality MMORPG" that uses neural implants to recreate the five senses. The game operates beyond the reach of government regulation, and it is that gap that drives the plot.
Darker than it looks
The itch page is upfront that the story goes darker than the comedy suggests. It mentions black markets, torture, illegal content trafficking and questions about government oversight, alongside fantasy and sci-fi worlds inside the game.
What starts as a fun distraction for the protagonist turns into a mystery about the game world and the people drawn into it. All characters are adults, and the game includes adult sexual content.
Main features
| Feature | Details (itch.io page) |
|---|---|
| Renders | Over 11,000 |
| Animations | 350+ |
| Audio | Hundreds of unique songs and sound effects |
| Engine | Ren'Py |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Language | English; fan-made translations exist but are not official |
The itch page notes fan translations into Chinese, Russian, French, Korean, Polish and Japanese, and states clearly that they are "not officially provided". We don't link to them.
Visual style
Eternum uses 3D renders, with the VR setting giving the artists room to switch between a modern city and fantasy or sci-fi worlds inside the game. That variety is one of its standout qualities. The render and animation counts (11,000+ and 350+) are high for a free game that is not yet finished.
Platforms and how to get it
All four builds are free on the official Eternum itch.io page run by the developer:
| Platform | Build on itch.io |
|---|---|
| Windows | Yes, free |
| macOS | Yes, free |
| Linux | Yes, free |
| Android | Yes, free (compressed version, 3.4 GB) |
| Steam | Not available |
Eternum download tips
- Returning players. You do not need the full download: the itch page offers the Eternum update patch 0.8 to 0.9, at 2.1 GB.
- Steam lookalike. A Steam game called "Eternum EX" is an unrelated title, so don't buy it by mistake. The Eternum game by Caribdis is not sold on Steam.
- Mac players. The Eternum Mac download is a regular itch.io build. If you are new to itch downloads, check our macOS setup guide.
Because it is itch.io-only, it also appears in our list of the best adult games on itch.io.
Is Eternum free?
Yes. Every public release is free on itch.io, on all four platforms. Supporters on Patreon and SubscribeStar get new versions before the public release. You don't need to pay to play the current public build in full, which is why Eternum is on our free adult games list.
New to the idea of early access through Patreon? This guide explains how public and supporter releases usually differ.
Is Eternum safe to download?
We can't vouch for any specific file, and we don't claim any download is malware-free. The official sources are:
- itch.io. Caribdis's page hosts every public build.
- Patreon and SubscribeStar. The developer's posts carry the early supporter versions.
Download from those, not from re-upload sites or "APK" portals, and scan archives before unpacking. If you are unsure how to judge an itch.io page, our guide on itch.io download safety walks through what to check.
Eternum latest version and updates
| Item | Status on September 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Current public version | Eternum 0.9 (released January 21, 2026, per itch.io) |
| Next version | 0.10, in progress |
| Update patch | 0.8 to 0.9, 2.1 GB |
| Status | In development |
The pace of updates
The pace is the main drawback. Recent versions have arrived roughly once a year, and the game is still unfinished after several years of development. We could not confirm an exact start date for the project or a release date for 0.10.
If you prefer a complete story right now, Caribdis's finished Once in a Lifetime is the safer starting point.
Eternum screenshots
Pros
- Free on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
- Mystery plot built around a VR world, with real variety in settings
- 11,000+ renders and 350+ animations
- Linear structure: no grinding or free-roam hunting
- Update patch saves returning players a full download
Cons
- Still unfinished after several years
- Roughly yearly public updates lately
- Heavy humor and meta jokes don't suit everyone (community sentiment)
- English only; translations are unofficial fan projects
FAQ
Is Eternum free?
Yes. All public versions are free on Caribdis's itch.io page. Patreon and SubscribeStar supporters get new versions earlier.
Is Eternum available on Android?
Yes. The Eternum Android build is an official compressed version (3.4 GB) on the itch.io page, alongside Windows, macOS and Linux.
What is the latest version of Eternum?
Version 0.9, released publicly on January 21, 2026. Version 0.10 is in progress, with no confirmed date.
When is the Eternum 0.10 release?
Version 0.10 is in progress, but we could not confirm a release date as of September 30, 2026. Supporters on Patreon and SubscribeStar get it before the free public build.
Is Eternum on Steam?
No. It is distributed through itch.io, Patreon and SubscribeStar. "Eternum EX" on Steam is a different game.
Is Eternum finished?
No, it is still in development. The same developer's earlier game, Once in a Lifetime, is complete.
Waiting for the next public build? Our list of games like Eternum includes free and finished alternatives.
Final verdict
Eternum is the easiest recommendation in the free visual novel space: free on every platform that matters, well produced, and built around a plot hook that is more interesting than the usual campus or apartment setup. The wait between versions is the real cost, and the humor will not land for everyone. If you want a paid, longer-running alternative with a similar mix of comedy and drama, compare it with our Being a DIK review, or go back to the full games catalog.
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