Immortals of Aveum: A Spellbinding Snack in a Sea of Colossal Games
Gamers are currently spoiled for choice. Between Baldur’s Gate III, a sprawling masterpiece of role-playing, and Starfield, a spacefaring saga promising endless exploration, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, in the middle of these behemoths sits Immortals of Aveum, a first-person spell-shooter that doesn’t aspire to be anything more than a fun, bite-sized experience. While it may not compete in the grand narratives or epic gameplay of its peers, Immortals offers a refreshing simplicity, delivering a solid, enjoyable campaign that’s surprisingly delightful in its own right.
A World of Spells and Superheroes
Immortals of Aveum, the debut title from Ascendant Studios and published under the EA Originals banner, takes you to the world of Aveum, where magic reigns supreme. You take on the role of Jak, an unassuming thief who discovers he possesses a rare and powerful form of magic, becoming swept up in the millennia-long Everwar that pits the five kingdoms of Aveum against each other.
The story, while familiar in its superhero elements, boasts an earnestness that surprisingly works. Jak’s journey, marked by tragedy and self-discovery, is not groundbreaking, but the game’s charming humor and well-developed characters make it an enjoyable ride. Despite feeling like a second-tier DC movie in its plot beats, the dialogue, fueled by solid voice acting, brings the characters to life.
More Than Just Pretty Spells
Where Immortals truly shines is in its mechanics. This is a game built by industry veterans, with Bret Robbins (known for his work on the original Dead Space and various Call of Duty campaigns) leading the charge. You’ll wield Sigils, magical weapons corresponding to three magic colors: Red for shotgun-like blasts, Blue for precision shots, and Green for rapid-fire attacks. Each magic color also has a Totem that grants control spells for traversing the environment and manipulating enemies during combat.
The combat is a blend of action and strategy, demanding a skillful balancing act of spell selection and tactical maneuvering. While not as complex as an RPG, the system is satisfyingly fluid, making it easy to jump in and feel powerful. The game rewards exploration with gear and gold, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience.
A Visual Treat with Tradeoffs
Immortals of Aveum is one of the first major games to utilize Unreal Engine 5, showcasing Nanite geometry and ray-traced Lumen lighting. The results are visually impressive, with stunning environments and evocative characters. However, this ambition comes at a price for PS5 players. While the game aims for 60fps in upscaled 4K resolution, performance can fluctuate, with noticeable frame drops in intense combat and areas with lots of detail. While the third update is said to have addressed some performance issues, the visual experience remains a bit uneven.
A Delicious Snack, Not a Feast
Immortals of Aveum is not a revolution. It’s not trying to push the boundaries of storytelling or gameplay. Instead, it seeks to deliver a simple, fun experience that’s perfect for those looking for a shorter, more accessible campaign. The spell-shooting combat is engaging, the level design is well-crafted, and the characters, though predictable, are genuinely likable.
Ultimately, Immortals of Aveum stands as a reminder that not every game needs to be a gargantuan masterpiece. In a world obsessed with expansive, all-encompassing experiences, it offers a refreshing return to straightforward, enjoyable gameplay. It’s a fun snack in a sea of elaborate feasts, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Pros:
- Fun spell-shooting combat
- Tight single-player campaign
- Well-executed exploration & platforming
- Likeable characters
- No microtransactions, no major bugs
- Impressive visuals
Cons:
- Generic villain and story
- Excessive and overwhelming lore
- Derivative art style
- Performance issues on PS5
Rating (out of 10): 7
