Unleash the Power of Dragons in Immortals of Aveum

Players can immerse themselves in the world of Immortals of Aveum, a new IP developed by Ascendant Studios under the EA Originals label. Despite its initial reveal at The Game Awards 2022 and subsequent silence, it resurfaced in April with a July release date. Due to the short marketing period, it's understandable that many may have missed it, but this presents an opportunity for a big impact when it does launch.

The game follows the story of Jak, a Battlemage, as he becomes embroiled in the Everwar. This conflict over the control of Magic and leylines in a world once consisting of five nations now sees three nations fallen and the antagonist army growing in strength. Jak and his allies must save the world from impending doom. Immortals of Aveum merges elements of high fantasy, magic, military strategy and more, creating a unique and exciting experience. Magic-based FPS games are not prevalent in the current market, but Immortals of Aveum seeks to change that. Game Rant had the opportunity to play the game for around three hours, including a tutorial and two levels.

The promotional images for Immortals of Aveum have left fans curious about the game's overall tone and style. With a blend of high fantasy and military elements, it's unclear how well these two genres will mesh together. Additionally, the images hint at a focus on magic and FPS gameplay, but it remains to be seen if these mechanics will be executed effectively. Fans are also wondering if the characters and story will offer anything new or if they will fall into tired cliches. While opinions may vary, it's clear that Immortals of Aveum has the potential to be a unique and exciting gaming experience.

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We played through the early game tutorial to get acquainted with how the magic in Immortals of Aveum works. It can hardly be said that a tutorial is "fun," but the interactions between Jak and

Commander Kirkan, portrayed by Gina Torres of the popular series Destiny, proved to be an exhilarating character to witness. While the game's mechanics may seem straightforward, mastering them proved to be a satisfying challenge. The three colors of magic available in the game - red, blue, and green - each offer a unique playstyle, with red magic acting as a close-range explosive, blue magic as a long-range sniper rifle, and green magic as a mid-range assault rifle. The gunplay in Immortals of Aveum is truly second to none, with each spell feeling as impactful as a weapon from popular FPS games like Call of Duty or Destiny.

In addition to the spellcasting, players are also introduced to the lash ability in the tutorial. This ability allows players to latch onto enemies and drag them closer, leading to some satisfyingly brutal takedowns. Using a combination of the lash ability and spells, players can wreak havoc on the battlefield and truly feel like a god among men. The game encourages players to switch between spells, adding even more variety to the gameplay. The sparse cover on the battlefield adds to the power fantasy, with players spending most of their time running and gunning. The layout of the map is just as important in Immortals of Aveum as it is in any FPS game, and players will need to use strategy and quick reflexes to dominate the battlefield.

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During one of the later levels, we encountered a dragon-like creature, and despite the fact that lashing at bigger enemies caused us to fly towards them, we still had a blast blasting the dragon with blue magic. The game offers a variety of magic options, including green magic for unloading on enemies and Limpits for slowing them down. Additionally, players can use shields to reflect shots and stun enemies with another spell, leading to some impressive gameplay combinations. These abilities also come in handy during puzzles. As players progress, they eventually gain a triple-jump ability that allows them to hover in battle, fully embracing the Battlemage power fantasy.

In Immortals of Aveum, the small details can make all the difference in creating a truly immersive gameplay experience. Each spell equipped in the green, red, or blue slots not only functions differently, but also produces unique runes when cast. The Sigils (gauntlets) that players equip also take on different appearances based on the spell set-up, allowing for a personalized approach to gearing up Jak. In addition to spell equipment, players can customize their totems, bracers, rings, and other gear. While some may criticize the implementation of looter shooter elements, the developers have promised that equipment choices can have a significant impact on a player's build in Immortals of Aveum.

The depth of customization options extends to the Talent trees, which correspond to the three magic colors. With approximately 27 abilities to choose from in each tree, players can tailor their builds to their preferences. Talents can even fundamentally change how abilities work, such as upgrading the lash ability to decrease cooldown times and add an extra lash before recharging. With countless options available, the Talent system adds a new level of complexity to gameplay.

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The final boss battle in Immortals of Aveum was a true test of our abilities, requiring the use of all three forms of magic and strategic thinking on the battlefield. However, the game doesn't punish players for their mistakes, but rather rewards them for learning and applying the versatile gameplay mechanics. The story is also a major highlight, hooking us in from the start without revealing any spoilers. Immortals of Aveum brings together elements from various gaming genres and creates a cohesive and impressive experience. Although we only played a small part of the game, it feels like the campaign could rival the best of what Call of Duty has to offer, with a rich world-building and fantasy elements similar to Lord of the Rings and Destiny 2. The game offers so much in just three hours that few games can match in an entire playthrough. Immortals of Aveum is a strong contender for Game of the Year if the rest of the game matches the quality, fun, and power fantasy we experienced in our preview session.

Immortals of Aveum releases July 20 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.