Immortals of Aveum review: Magical mechanics grapple with weighty ambition
When the initial trailer for Immortals of Aveum dropped earlier in 2023, it immediately piqued my interest. With its promise of high-fantasy adventures, spectacular sights and an intricate magic system, it offered a great amount of potential for a new IP from a newly formed studio that spent most of its development under pandemic conditions.
Fortunately, that hard work paid off and has brought with it one of the most ambitious and visually spectacular titles of 2023. While at times this single-player FPS may bite off more than it can chew in presenting its concepts and story, its magical mechanics and intricate design largely outweigh its flaws.
- If you’re looking for more fantastical adventures, be sure to check out our review of Baldur’s Gate 3
GGRecon Verdict
Immortals of Aveum, in many ways, is a game about ambition. From its development as a new IP during the pandemic, to the overarching goals of the heroes and villains respectively. In its ambition, it has created a first-person magical shooter that looks and feels like everything it set out to achieve in forging its own identity.
However, in its attempt to create a bold new world, it also sometimes falters under the weight of that same ambition. This results in some convoluted concepts that don’t quite hit all the right notes and narrative pacing that tries to cram in too much all at once.
Nonetheless, the variety of tools and magic at your disposal introduces a level of player freedom that completely enthrals, and encourages players to do what matters most: experiment and have fun. With every Sigil proving a new way to play, Immortals of Aveum is an exciting new world and a game that shouldn’t be missed this year.
Once upon a time in Aveum
Click to enlargeImmortals of Avuem has you playing as Jak, your typical conduit of the hero’s journey. A street thief from humble beginnings, he is quickly thrust into a world he at first resents, owing to a desire for retribution as a result of an early-game tragedy.
Having seen a taste of his innate abilities that emerged after this singular catastrophic event, it is clear that he is more than he seems. With his rare ability to wield every type of magic in the world of Aveum, he will have to learn how to use them effectively if he is to put an end to the Everwar that has ravaged his world.
- If you’re looking for a spooky side-scroller, be sure to check out our review of Blasphemous 2
You don’t know Jak
Click to enlargeIn its creation of a brand-new world, we gradually get to know our hero, Jak. A likeable Luke Skywalker-type hero who starts his journey as a small fish in a big pond, but soon becomes the catalyst for change.
In a post-Forspoken gaming space, a quippy protagonist has become something of a cause for concern. Anachronistic dialogue and characteristics can alter the tone of a world that, up until they open their mouths, has been entirely immersive.
Jak very much treads a fine line on this matter. While at once he can be serious when the situation is needed, his various one-liners and dialogue can occasionally break that tone in favour of an unnecessary cockiness. He is someone whose life as we know it has been built on the trauma he witnesses early on in the game, which is why his dialogue can feel a little out of place at times.
However, in saying this, his performance by Darren Barnet, along with those of the ensemble cast, is a fantastic one. Through meticulous motion capture, Jak’s expressions effectively convey every complex emotion he feels as the story progresses. When he is being serious and taking charge, while also butting heads with his superiors, the character shines.
- If you’re looking for an alien adventure, be sure to check out our Aliens: Dark Descent review
The colour of magic
Click to enlargeWhen I spoke to Immortals of Aveum’s director, Bret Robbins, I asked him what the first thing a player should do is when they hop into the world for the first time. He said: “You should experiment. Play with the different spells, and find the ones that suit you.” So that’s exactly what I did.
As you progress through the game, players will quickly find various Sigils and Totems that alter the way Jak’s magic works. While you could easily upgrade your starting Sigils to take you through the whole time, you are going to have much more fun by finding a set-up that works for you.
The magic in Immortals of Aveum feels wonderful and something the team should be proud of. From the animations of the Sigil as you switch between red, blue and green variances, to the overall feel of it is spot-on.
As I charged my blue magic to become a javelin that could snipe enemies from long distances, I could feel its weight as it grew more powerful. As I lashed out my whip Totem to attach to an enemy and pull it toward me, I could then blast it back with my red magic, which I had upgraded to become a single, powerful burst.
Players who take their time to wander off the beaten path, and explore areas they have visited previously with new abilities that can help them solve various puzzles, will be rewarded for their exploration with new Sigils, Totems and experience to put toward the game’s intricate skill tree.
In tweaking, changing and upgrading your builds, you will find new and exciting ways to traverse the world. This is a game where you shouldn’t shy away from experimentation. The toys are there, it's how you play with them that will dictate how much fun you have.
- Be sure to check out our review of RIDE 5
Ambitions of Aveum
Click to enlargeIn its attempt to convey the high-fantasy concepts it wants the player to know, Immortals of Aveum’s story can feel a little overwhelming at times. While the game certainly does its best to give you ample time to find assorted lore scattered throughout the world, there is a lot to learn about Aveum and the war within.
Nonetheless, the characters you come to know and love (or loathe) are themselves complex, with their own premeditations influencing how Jak perceives them. Some offer comic relief, others make his life difficult, but in doing so, they remain interesting. This is especially true of Sandrakk and Kirkan, the villain and mentor respectively who force Jak to question his rationale for fighting in this war, to begin with, and the morality of the sides he is fighting for and against.
- If you need some wholesome vibes, be sure to check out our Pikmin 4 review
The Verdict
Click to enlargeImmortals of Aveum, in many ways, is a game about ambition. From its development as a new IP during the pandemic, to the overarching goals of the heroes and villains respectively. In its ambition, it has created a first-person magical shooter that looks and feels like everything it set out to achieve in forging its own identity.
However, in its attempt to create a bold new world, it also sometimes falters under the weight of that same ambition. This results in some convoluted concepts that don’t quite hit all the right notes and narrative pacing that tries to cram in too much all at once.
Nonetheless, the variety of tools and magic at your disposal introduces a level of player freedom that completely enthrals, and encourages players to do what matters most: experiment and have fun. With every Sigil proving a new way to play, Immortals of Aveum is an exciting new world and a game that shouldn’t be missed this year.
4/5
Reviewed on PlayStation 5. Code provided by the publisher.
