Echoes of the End is a game that originally released in August 2025. The reviews were mixed, with an equal number of negative and positive critiques, so the Myrkur Games studio decided to improve the game and release – the Enhanced Edition of the game. For that studio, this game was their debut, and what the 'polished', enhanced edition is like – find out below. We played the PlayStation version, and there are also Xbox and Steam versions available.
Myrkur Games is a studio from Iceland, based in Reykjavik, the capital of that island nation. They introduced themselves to the world with their debut Echoes of the End. Although only a few months have passed since the original release of the game, they decided to immediately listen to the negative feedback and correct some mechanics. Thus, the game Echoes of the End – Enhanced Edition was born. The result of the quick overhaul of the game is impressive.
The first thing we notice right after starting the game is the stunning graphics. The game uses Unreal Engine 5, and it seems they have maximized its graphical capabilities. Myrkur Games studio used the real world of Iceland as the environment in the game – thus the world in the game, called Aema, irresistibly resembles the Icelandic landscape. The atmosphere in the game is constantly visually impressive, and the magic of the world is palpable. Magic is actually one of the key parts of the story.
Although the main asset of the game is its visuals, the story is also worth mentioning. We play as Ryn, a warrior who is a 'vestige' - she was born connected to ancient magic. After the initial few easy parts of exploration and solving simple puzzles, a sort of tutorial, a scene follows where the villains kidnap Ryn's brother Cor. After that, we team up with Abram Finlay, an older scholar, and set off to rescue Cor. Through ten chapters, and countless puzzles, mountains, and tunnels, we learn about Ryn's and Abram's past.
The game mechanics are simple. We are in the third person, controlling the warrior Ryn through solving puzzles and combat. There is a noticeable difference in the initial difficulty selection of the game. On the easiest difficulty, the opponents we encounter hardly put up a fight, only boss battles provide some challenge. The boss battles are impressive, and the monsters and warriors, as well as the environment in the game, are top-notch. The combat in the initial version of the game was the main reason for negative reviews. However, this has been fixed in the Enhanced Edition. The combat system fluidly transitions us between melee and magic. The fights are easy, and the controls are easy to learn, yet through the progression system, we can upgrade skills. Ryn can manipulate the environment with her powers. This helps us a lot with the puzzles, of which there are quite a few in the game. Perhaps even a bit too many. The game contains a huge amount of broken bridges and massive rocks that we need to fix. Many puzzles are not easy to figure out right away, and the hint mechanics integrated into the game don't help much. Puzzle lovers will enjoy this aspect of the game, while some may find it quite annoying very quickly.
It should be noted that the Enhanced Edition is a free upgrade for everyone who has already purchased the original game, which is commendable. The animations are smoother compared to the original, and new combo attacks have been added in battles. The upgrade also includes 13 new outfits and relics, which not only represent cosmetic improvements but also enhance Ryn's stats and skills. A New Game+ mode has also been introduced, featuring stronger opponents and greater challenges, but with unlocked powers from previous playthroughs.
Echoes of the End: Enhanced Edition is proof that sometimes indie games from lesser-known developers can succeed in making their game look like true AAA titles. This game, set in a lavish Icelandic world, is an ambitious project from an independent studio, and we hope this is just one of many of their games in the series. The game is not as extensive as The Witcher or Elden Ring, but it offers a linear experience with a deep story. Additionally, the game is not too long (it takes about 15 hours for a complete playthrough, and around 9 for a quick run). In conclusion, the game is a fantastic blend of Icelandic mythology and top-notch graphics and gameplay. Echoes of the End: Enhanced edition is currently selling for €19.99 on the PlayStation Store, which is a great price for such an ambitious title.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the development studio Myrkur Games and publisher Deep Silver
