I played Echoes of the End, and my time with it left me both impressed and frustrated. There’s ambition here that shines through in bursts, even if the whole package doesn’t always land. For a first big project by Myrkur Games, it’s a statement of intent rather than a polished masterpiece.
Setting and premise
You control Ryn, a Vestige with the rare ability to wield ancient magic. Her world, Aema, is built on the ruins of an empire and still defined by rival kingdoms, political tension, and mythic remnants. With Abram, a scholar who acts as both companion and foil, Ryn sets out to rescue her kidnapped brother and uncover a conspiracy that stretches across nations.
The Icelandic influence is clear in the art direction: snowy ridges, black volcanic plains, and stone ruins shrouded in mist. Even when the framerate dips, the world holds a certain quiet beauty. It’s not an open-world playground, but rather a guided adventure with a focus on detail.
The story is familiar in structure: family in danger, hidden powers, political betrayal. What makes it work is the relationship between Ryn and Abram. Their conversations add warmth to a world that might otherwise feel distant. At its best, the narrative hits emotional beats that carry weight, though some side characters come and go without leaving much impact.
The voice acting does its job well enough. Nothing is groundbreaking, but there’s sincerity in most performances that keeps the drama from feeling hollow. The pacing stumbles early on with heavy exposition, but by the midpoint the threads start weaving together in more satisfying ways.
Let’s talk gameplay
The puzzles and traversal are the high points. Ryn’s powers let her manipulate the environment in creative ways, whether that’s bending space, shifting illusions, or solving elaborate structures hidden in ruins. These moments often strike a balance between being challenging without tipping into frustration. They carry much of the game’s identity.
Combat is less successful. At first it feels basic, with predictable enemy behavior and limited moves. As you unlock more abilities, the variety improves, magic powers and environmental interactions give battles a bit more personality. Still, the camera and hit detection can betray you, and the action never feels as sharp as it should. Boss fights bring spectacle, but sometimes lean too heavily on repeating patterns you’ve already seen.
The linear design means exploration is guided rather than freeform. That isn’t inherently a problem, but anyone expecting sprawling maps or optional detours might feel constrained.
Performance
On console, performance issues are noticeable. Framerate dips occur in dense areas, and animations can look stiff during transitions. Cutscenes sometimes suffer from flat facial expressions, and visual pop-ins break immersion. It doesn’t ruin the game, but it does chip away at the sense of polish.
The art direction makes up for a lot. Lighting, weather, and architecture come together in striking ways. Even when the technical side falters, the environments have a presence that keeps pulling you back. The soundtrack supports the mood, though it rarely stands out once you step away from the screen.
Despite the flaws, I kept moving forward because the world and characters drew me in. There were puzzles that made me stop and think, and vistas that made me pause the game for a few extra seconds. I grew attached to the partnership between Ryn and Abram, and I wanted to see where the story carried them.
On the flip side, I did feel moments of fatigue. Repetitive combat encounters, performance hiccups, and puzzles that felt more like padding than genuine tests slowed the momentum. By the end, I was glad I saw it through, but I also knew I wouldn’t immediately replay it.
Conclusion:
Echoes of the End is a debut that shows real promise. It doesn’t live up to all of its ambition, but it delivers enough atmosphere, puzzle design, and story beats to make the trip worthwhile. The rough edges are too frequent to ignore, yet there’s a beating heart behind this game that made me care. For players who want polished action and flawless performance, this isn’t it. But for those who appreciate atmospheric journeys, creative puzzles, and mythic storytelling, there’s something here to enjoy.
