… a lowkey solid game with a lot of charm.
Tell you what, it’s nice to see Electronic Arts embracing original single player games. We’re talking titles that aren’t based on pre-existing properties, or sequels or prequels to other gear, but rather, brand spanking new IP. There was a time when it seemed like EA had abandoned those games forever, so it’s heartening to see that’s not the case. Which brings us to Immortals of Aveum, a frothy little fantasy adventure that combines First Person Shooter combat with magic and a light but engaging narrative.
Immortals of Aveum tells the story of scrappy street kid, Jak, one of the largely ignored underclass in Aveum, who is deeply dubious of authority and the Everwar that looms large in the minds of many. However, Jak’s life is turned upside down when an invading force ends the lives of his makeshift family and accidentally reveals that he has magical powers. Soon, Jak trains to be a battlemage in the very war he swore to ignore.
If that all sounds like the plot to an agreeable if not particularly original YA series then, yeah, you’ve understood the vibe of Immortals of Aveum. It’s your classic ‘young kid didn’t know they had powers’ yarn with all the attendant pulpy nonsense you’d expect. However, despite this lack of inspiration, it’s not a bad little story. It certainly helps that the graphics are slick and the voice acting features none other than Gina Torres (Firefly, Angel) in a major role.
Gameplay wise, Immortals is also pretty tidy, combining FPS combat with magic spells. It’s perhaps a little fiddly switching between three colours of magic, various secondary spells and an ultimate skill (not to mention shields and the ability to levitate), but once you wrap your head around it, there’s plenty of fun to be had here.
Immortals of Aveum’s biggest problem is one of timing. It’s coming out in a release window that’s stacked with absolute bangers like Armoured Core 6, Baldur’s Gate 3 and freaking Starfield. It’s hard to imagine gamers taking on an unknown IP like this en masse, which is a pity because this is a lowkey solid game with a lot of charm.
Immortals of Aveum is a polished, engaging and colourful shooter that offers a mostly fresh experience. The story is occasionally eye-rolling, but it’s also fast-paced and propulsive and there’s enough meat on this bone to make it an enjoyable meal. It likely won’t be at the top of anyone’s must-buy list due to the poorly timed release window, but if you’re in the mood for a pulpy fantasy adventure with standout moments, you’d do well to spend a spell with Immortals of Aveum.
