As much as I enjoy a blockbuster AAA title, I do miss the days of AA games. You know the ones, released with little fanfare but offering a solid story and engaging gameplay across eight to ten hours. Games like GreedFall, Evil West, and Vampyr, to name a few. That AA standard seems to have faded, replaced by a market where every release must be a billion-pound hit or risk the studio being shut down the following Monday. Thankfully, Icelandic studio Myrkur Games hasn’t forgotten that era. Their latest title, Echoes of the End, fully embraces the spirit of classic AA games.
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Echoes of the End is a cinematic third-person action-adventure set in a high fantasy world. One moment you’re casting spells, the next you’re clashing swords to save the land.
Home Fixture
The game draws heavily from Iceland, not just in its setting but also in its lore. You play as Ryn, on a quest with her brother to check the magical wards protecting the lands of Aema. Unsurprisingly, you soon encounter an invading force.
After a battle, things go wrong, your brother is kidnapped and you’re left for dead. Fortunately, you’re found by Abram Finlay, a scholar and old friend of your father. Together, you set out to rescue your brother and uncover a conspiracy that threatens to reignite an ancient conflict and plunge Aema into chaos.
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The story does a solid job, blending the personal mission with the wider world arc. Themes of trust, redemption and sacrifice are woven throughout. Ryn’s character development is well pace. She starts off cold and reserved but gradually opens up. The writing across the cast is strong, with more depth than many titles in the genre.
Soulslore
Gameplay leans towards a Soulslike feel, but with smoother edges. You mix swordplay and magic, and Abram plays a key role in combat by stunning and holding enemies, adding tactical variety.
Both Ryn and Abram have skill trees that unlock new powers and attacks, keeping encounters fresh. Ryn’s magic lets you pull and throw enemies, buying time to strike. Later on, it becomes a useful tool for crowd control, especially when facing multiple foes.
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Blade combat focuses on timing, blocking and parrying. Upgrades introduce defensive moves like a timed parry followed by a magic blast, or a powerful ground pound. The downside is the limited enemy variety.
The game tends to recycle the same units rather than introducing new types, which can make tactics feel repetitive over time.
Outside of combat, you’ll explore for collectibles to upgrade your skills and solve puzzles. These aren’t overly difficult but make good use of your magic abilities, with each puzzle building on the last.
Platforming and exploration are well integrated, breaking up combat and allowing the story to breathe. Ryn and Abram often chat as you explore, adding warmth and character.
Setting Inspiration
Visually, the game is stunning. Iceland’s influence is clear in the breathtaking vistas, though the beauty is often contrasted by a darker, grimmer art style.
Sound design is excellent. The soundtrack sets the tone without overpowering, and the voice acting is strong, essential for a story-driven experience like this.
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Echoes of the End is a sleeper hit. There’s not much buzz around it, but if you’re after a solid fantasy tale with engaging combat and puzzles, it’s ideal for a weekend session.
It’s also a reminder that not every game needs to be a AAA spectacle. There’s still room for AA titles, and this one proves they’re worth celebrating.
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