When it comes to gritty realism in a fantasy setting, people typically think of the medieval governments and mystical artifacts found in low or high fantasy works. However, Ascendant Studios is aiming to change that with their upcoming EA Original, Immortals of Aveum. I had the opportunity to play one of the first open demos of this magical FPS during Summer Game Fest.
The game opens with players assuming the role of Jak, a low-ranking grunt thrown into the field of combat. His commanding officer barks generic orders and banter, similar to what you would hear in other FPS campaigns. Jak’s character, with his one-liners and typical action hero persona, feels out of place in the fantasy world. However, I am hopeful that Immortals of Aveum will elevate the narrative beyond the typical tropes of the genre.
What sets Immortals of Aveum apart from other shooter campaigns is the inclusion of spellcraft and the high fantasy setting. At the beginning of the game, players have access to three basic spell schools that function similarly to firearms. As the game progresses, Jak becomes a Triarch, gaining the ability to control all three elements. This unique powerset sets him apart and leaves room for growth and advancement in the storyline.
Gameplay involves constantly swapping between different magic crystals and engaging in short- and long-distance encounters. Rather than using ADS to zoom in on enemies, the game offers a Bulletstorm-adjacent lash ability to pull enemies closer. With platforming and exploration elements reminiscent of Metroid Prime, I anticipate the full game will feature even more creative uses for the lash ability.
When the action is fast-paced, Immortals of Aveum becomes a visually stunning and immersive experience. The game runs on Unreal Engine 5, resulting in impressive illumination and particle effects. Swapping between magic schools and utilizing the powerful Fury skills feels satisfying. However, there are slower moments that can hinder the flow of the game, particularly when players need to recover and face challenging minibosses.
As someone who enjoys challenging campaigns like those in Call of Duty, I found Immortals of Aveum to be relatively manageable until the final dragon boss. It took several attempts to defeat the boss, with deaths caused by shockwave attacks and well-telegraphed moves that I failed to dodge. Despite this challenge, I appreciate the run-and-gun style and the RPG mechanics that allow for skill tree progression and exploration.
Immortals of Aveum is set to be released on August 22nd for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. I am excited to see if the game can continue to distance itself from being a generic shooter campaign and offer a unique and engaging experience throughout its 25-plus hour campaign.
For more information about Immortals of Aveum, you can read our exclusive interview with Ascendant Studios Executive Producer Kevin Boyle.
Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
