Echoes of the End: PS5 Review

Developed by Myrkur Games

Published by Deep Silver

Platform: PS5

It's always hard launching a new IP in a gaming world. 

Some studios spend years ploughing resources into them only to see them falter after release vanishing without a trace. Others are released to little fanfare despite a compelling mix of gameplay, idea and execution.

Echoes of The End is one of those games.

It follows Ryn, a powerful vestige born with volatile magical abilities, as she sets out to rescue her brother from a brutal empire on the brink of war. Alongside haunted scholar Abram Finlay, she must uncover a conspiracy that could reignite an ancient conflict and plunge the world of Aema into chaos.

It's a simple enough premise and a fairly familiar kind of tale.

But what Echoes of The End achieves is something of a miracle, unfolding over ten chapters that mixes cinematics with decisions that feel like they matter to the execution of the player's investment.

Meshing fast-paced combat with swordplay and platforming, and a large dose of magical prowess, the game sees you needing to face foes and epic boss battles that'll rely on you using strategy and skill to maximum effect.

From light and heavy attacks to the ability to move objects to achieve what you need as well as just simply hurl enemies away, Echoes of The End makes the experience an enjoyable one.

Yet it's not just combat, there are plenty of puzzles to be solved as well that will frustrate those looking for a more combat-based experience.

 Graphically the game's made good fist of its Icelandic development team, with molten lava fields and frozen ruins all coming into play. It may feel in parts like it inhabits the same Norse world as the updated God Of War, but that's no bad thing in this title to be honest.

For a first IP outing and a smaller team, Echoes of The End offers a superlatively different experience, one that challenges players and slightly mixes up a familiar formula.

What's most impressive is this is a game that can come from a smaller outfit, can match some of the bigger titles for look and feel and shows hope for an industry that can occasionally be caught up in the bloat of major projects.