Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition [Review]

Myrkur Games has made a surprisingly strong debut with Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition. Despite some minor technical issues like occasional bugs and somewhat clunky animations, the game offers a refreshing mix of originality, charm, and moderately challenging puzzles.

The game is best described as a hybrid of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and The Witcher. Its engaging storyline follows Ryn, the protagonist, whose telekinetic-like powers are central to both creative combat and puzzle-solving. A notable highlight is the realistic, gradual development of Ryn's relationship with her companion, which skillfully uses both writing and gameplay to give authentic context to the bond formed between two strangers facing trauma. Ryn's personality, which is similar to Faye from Forspoken, is a bit abrasive, rude, and often selfish, is entirely justified within the context of her challenging life circumstances and is therefore a non-issue. While the puzzles are enjoyable, they sometimes feel like they are primarily there to artificially pad the game's length.

From a personal standpoint, the inclusion of a character of color in this fantasy/medieval setting was a welcome and refreshing change. Having moved from Norway to the United States at age 13, I am familiar with the historically inaccurate American perception that people of color were absent from Nordic countries like Norway or Iceland. The game handles the character's race excellently: it is simply a characteristic, not the focal point of their existence or the plot. This approach is reminiscent of Forspoken, treating the character as simply another individual in a magical world. I find it commendable that the general media preoccupation with making skin color, sexuality, or gender the central narrative is avoided here; a well-written character and story should always take precedence. The passion and dedication of this new development team are evident, and they are commendably responsive to player feedback. The general online perception suggests a bright future for Myrkur Games, and I eagerly anticipate their next project.