Immortals of Aveum Review – EA Takes A Big Risk

Single-player first-person shooters had their time in the 2000s and early 2010s, but now their golden age has faded into the annals of history. They have been largely replaced by multiplayer shooters with the sole purpose of chunking out as much money as possible, with a half-finished and uninspired single-player mode tacked on.

Immortals of Aveum, the brainchild of Ascendant Studios, tries to break this practice and brings its own unique spin on the now barren popular genre. It introduces us to a realm where sorcery meets firepower, ancient magic entwines with futuristic battle-scapes, and where users wield spells as deadly as bullets.

the developer’s ambitious fusion of fantasy and first-person shooting promises a unique adventure through a world both mystical and mechanized. With dazzling spells and fantastical landscapes, it beckons players to embrace the arcane and embark on a journey that might just be as enchanting as it is explosive.

But as we delve into the heart of this magical realm, the question looms. Does Immortals of Aveum’s spellbinding promise truly manifest, or is it a captivating illusion that fades upon closer inspection?

Story And Setting

Immortals of Aveum defies genre conventions by fusing traditional fantasy with modern FPS mechanics. Set in the captivating world of Aveum, the game masterfully intertwines magic and technology to create a visually stunning and conceptually intriguing setting.

Its real strength lies in its world-building, where the arcane-punk aesthetic forms an imaginative tapestry of magic-infused technology. Aveum’s unique blend of flying machines, mystical spells, and medieval societies is refreshing, offering players an environment that feels both enchanting and strangely futuristic.

Beneath this captivating façade lies a narrative that delves into themes of power, conflict, and the intricate consequences of wielding magic. However, it often struggles to fully leverage this captivating setting, occasionally prioritizing convoluted lore over character development. 

While the core premise may appear familiar, Immortals of Aveum brings its own twist to the table. The storytelling is a hit or miss most of the time.

The story follows Jak, an unassuming individual who discovers his extraordinary ability to harness three distinct forms of magic. This revelation thrusts him into the heart of the Everwar, a centuries-old conflict over magical supremacy.

While the core premise may appear familiar, Immortals of Aveum brings its own twist to the table. The storytelling is a hit or miss most of the time. It does succeed in blending world-building seamlessly into the narrative offering players glimpses into Aveum’s rich history and the motivations driving its factions.

But the pacing occasionally stumbles. It places a heavy emphasis on optional lore and branching dialogue, sometimes at the expense of propelling the main story forward. This can lead to disjointed storytelling, with lengthy exposition and conversations disrupting the flow of action, impacting the game’s overall rhythm.

Despite these narrative missteps, this title manages to inject some twists into its tale, attempting to keep players engaged and curious about the outcome. These plot developments, though not groundbreaking, succeed in breaking the mold of traditional good-versus-evil storytelling, introducing morally gray areas that mirror real-world complexities.

And while the plot may not reach the heights of innovation, it does succeed in creating a world that tantalizes the imagination. The setting’s potential for socio-political commentary and philosophical exploration occasionally surfaces, adding layers of depth to an otherwise traditional narrative.

However, the execution falls short, leaving these themes underexplored and characters who remain intriguing yet often lack the depth needed to make their arcs truly resonate. The character dialogues are also a mixed bag, attempting to strike a balance between modern language and archaic fantasy terms.

This stylistic choice, while aiming to make the story accessible, sometimes feels at odds with the game’s setting. The humor injected into the dialogue also proves divisive, with attempts at wit often falling flat, undercutting emotional moments and the immersion into the world. The excellent voice acting lends also authenticity to the characters, infusing their emotions with resonance and depth.

Gameplay

As players traverse this meticulously crafted world, the combination of traditional fantasy and modern mechanics becomes evident. The game offers a spellbinding experience that is as much about the immersive gameplay as it is about the world-building. It is an exhilarating fusion of spellcasting mechanics and traditional shooter elements, resulting in a captivating and dynamic adventure.

At its core, Immortals of Aveum presents a novel approach to combat by transforming the traditional arsenal of guns into a symphony of spells. Players possess the ability to harness three distinct forms of magic: Blue, Green, and Red. Each magic type functions like a staple weapon from classic FPS games, creating an immediate sense of familiarity.

Blue magic offers long-range energy bolts akin to semi-automatic rifles, while red magic unleashes powerful close-range spells reminiscent of shotguns and grenade launchers. Green magic rounds out the arsenal with rapid-fire projectiles reminiscent of an SMG or chaingun.

This magical arsenal isn’t the sole highlight of the combat system. Jak’s left hand conjures manipulative magic, adding an extra layer of strategy to battles. Abilities such as a time-slowing whip, a disruptive light beam to counter enemy spells, and a shockwave that disrupts shields elevate the gameplay’s complexity. The ingenious inclusion of these abilities enhances combat variety and ensures that every encounter feels unique.

Jak also has a number of defensive abilities at his disposal. His double-dash ability and a conjured shield provide strategic options for evading attacks and countering enemies. The game introduces new abilities at a steady pace that keeps the gameplay engaging and dynamic.

Magic-infused combat isn’t the only facet that Immortals of Aveum excels at. It seamlessly integrates light platforming and puzzle-solving segments into its gameplay, providing a well-rounded experience.

This prevents the combat from feeling repetitive and continuously challenges players to adapt their tactics. The smooth character movement and agility further amplify the intensity of combat, making every fight a visually exhilarating experience. 

Magic-infused combat isn’t the only facet that Immortals of Aveum excels at. It seamlessly integrates light platforming and puzzle-solving segments into its gameplay, providing a well-rounded experience. These puzzles, although not revolutionary, are satisfying and diverse enough to break the pace of intense combat sequences and serve as a refreshing change of pace, contributing to the game’s overall depth.

Despite its achievements, this title isn’t without its shortcomings. The control scheme, while functional, can be overwhelming during frenetic battles that demand quick ability switching. It occasionally suffers from a lack of fluidity during combat due to cooldowns on key movement abilities. The transition between magic spells could also be more streamlined, with a weapon wheel system potentially enhancing the gameplay’s flow.

Visuals And Performance

Immortals of Aveum emerges as a visual spectacle that showcases the power of Unreal Engine 5. Its stunning visuals, enriched by cutting-edge technology, create a captivating world that draws players into its vibrant and immersive landscapes. Aveum, the game’s fantasy realm, is a testament to the creative prowess of the developers.

The environments exhibit exceptional attention to detail. From sprawling lava pools to icy crystal caves, each location is meticulously designed and brought to life through intricate textures and lighting effects. The engine’s Nanite Technology allows for a level of detail that enhances the realism of the surroundings.

The exceptional use of lighting, in particular, stands out as a defining aspect of its visual appeal. The interplay of light and shadow contributes to the atmosphere, accentuating the game’s magical themes and adding depth to its world.

Furthermore, the combat visuals in Immortals of Aveum are nothing short of breathtaking. Battles unfold as a symphony of vibrant spells, sigils, and shockwaves, creating a mesmerizing display of magical prowess. The use of particle effects is masterfully executed, transforming the battlefield into a visually dynamic canvas. 

The character designs and animations also contribute to the game’s visual excellence. Jak, the protagonist, exudes a sense of agility and responsiveness that aligns perfectly with the gameplay mechanics. The fluidity of his movements adds to the immersion, allowing players to feel truly connected to the character’s actions.

This attention to detail extends to enemy designs as well, with each foe boasting unique traits and abilities that enhance the variety of combat encounters. However, the game’s visual prowess is not without its minor flaws. In some instances, the abundance of particle effects during combat can become overwhelming, occasionally obscuring the player’s view and making it challenging to track the action.

The character designs and animations contribute to the game’s visual excellence.

The intricate spell effects, while visually stunning, can at times contribute to moments of disorientation. Additionally, the framerate would suffer occasional dips during these intense sequences, affecting the otherwise seamless visual experience.

Although the game’s performance is fairly good on consoles, even having access to a 60 fps mode, the PC versions received the short end of the stick yet again. The visuals are excellent, but, they do not justify poor fps on cards like RTX 3060 despite having DLSS turned on. This all reeks of poor optimization.

Verdict

Immortals of Aveum is a title that strives to blend fantasy allure with modern shooter mechanics. Ascendant Studios’ inaugural venture introduces us to a world where magic surges and battles rage, but unfortunately, this promising backdrop often gets overshadowed by the game’s own hesitations.

Unreal Engine 5 lends its visual prowess to create captivating battle areas and the gameplay on offer tries its best to keep up, delivering a consistent and polished experience. It manages to conjure moments of excitement, but its sparks of brilliance are muddled by a narrative that occasionally stumbles on its way to weaving a compelling tapestry.

This has been our Immortals of Aveum Review. While you’re here, consider checking out some of our other articles. 

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