‘Immortals of Aveum’ first look: A little more magic and this might be wonderful

First look at ‘Immortals of Aveum’: A touch more magic and it could be a magnificent experience

When I stumbled upon the announcement trailer for Immortals of Aveum in the winter of 2022, I was taken aback by my unexpected interest in the game. Immortals emerged from Ascendant Studios, a relatively new studio founded by Bret Robbins, a highly regarded creative director with a notable portfolio that includes acclaimed titles like Modern Warfare 3, Advanced Warfare, and WWII from the Call of Duty franchise. Partnering with EA for their debut game, Ascendant Studios aimed to create a first-person shooter set in a militaristic fantasy world. At first glance, it didn’t seem like the kind of game that would captivate me.

However, Immortals of Aveum managed to catch my attention. Its stunning cinematics and the trailer’s depiction of intense combat fueled by vibrant magical abilities, all narrated by renowned actors Gina Torres (Firefly) and Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever), unveiled an epic tale of rebellion, political intrigue, and dragons. The protagonist’s swift and precise hand movements in the first-person perspective hinted at the gratifying buildup to devastating attacks.

Now, with a few months of reflection, my interest in Immortals of Aveum remains steadfast, and I believe I’ve discerned why. There aren’t many first-person action games that rely on mechanics beyond firearms. While games like Dishonored, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and Hexen come to mind, they represent a relatively small niche. This uniqueness sets Immortals of Aveum apart and infuses it with a refreshing appeal. Additionally, it’s refreshing to see a new AAA-level game that emphasizes single-player, narrative-driven gameplay with a contained campaign rather than a sprawling open world brimming with live-service features. Learning more about Ascendant Studios further piqued my curiosity. With Bret Robbins, the creative director of the original Dead Space, at the helm and a team consisting of former Telltale Games members, the prospects of a dense, compelling storyline in Immortals of Aveum appear promising.

I had the opportunity to play a demo of Immortals of Aveum during the Summer Game Fest 2023, and it was a visual marvel. The cinematics, in particular, left a profound impression. The motion capture was flawlessly executed, and the character models were meticulously detailed, boasting intricate eye markings and layers of finely crafted gear. The clarity of the cutscenes facilitated complete immersion in the dialogue and the war-torn fantasy realm of Aveum, even during the brief play session.

In terms of gameplay, I had access to the blue magic type, which bestowed upon me two abilities: a whip capable of pulling enemies towards me and a rapid-fire burst of concentrated energy activated by pressing R2. Furthermore, I utilized the Animate ability to manipulate a colossal stone hand, employing a telekinetic-like power to control its fingers and bridge a gap between two cliffside platforms. Playing with a gamepad on PC, I initially found the controls to be exceptionally fluid, occasionally causing my reticle to overshoot intended targets. However, with further time invested in the game, this minor hurdle would likely be overcome. Despite the silky smooth controls, I appreciated the absence of an overt aim assist.

I didn’t encounter the multitude of enemies showcased in Ascendant’s trailers for Immortals of Aveum; my battles peaked at approximately eight adversaries. Nevertheless, by the end of my playtime, I began to grasp the combat’s rhythm, and I could envision it escalating into a frenzied, yet thrilling experience with the addition of new magical abilities and, of course, a higher number of enemies.

Ironically, the most jarring aspect of the demo revolved around traversing the terrain. While the craggy mountainsides and rock walls appeared readily scalable by modern action-adventure standards, my character was inexplicably limited in this regard. Perhaps dedicating more time to mastering the intricacies of gap-jumping and ledge-grabbing would have yielded better results, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that my character’s agility fell slightly short of expectations. However, these movement restrictions seemed intentional, and the game never felt sluggish. Immortals of Aveum resembled more of a puzzle game than a climbing-focused adventure, incorporating locked stone doors and intricately patterned multicolored gems that served as targets for magical abilities.

During the demo, I encountered a single glitch that prevented a stone door from opening, requiring the intervention of a developer to rectify the issue and get me back on track. Assurances were made that the game would be fully functional upon its release in approximately six weeks.

Although Ascendant Studios operates as an independent entity, it projects the image of a AAA team with its workforce consisting of around 100 employees. Immortals of Aveum undeniably boasts the appearance of a high-budget game, constructed with Unreal Engine 5 and slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on July 20th. My intrigue remains intact, and I eagerly anticipate acquiring additional magical powers and exploring the captivating realm of high-fantasy politics that Immortals of Aveum promises to deliver.

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