DaRmaZat In Somber Echoes, you play as Adrestia, a resurrected warrior with a troubled past, tasked with preventing your twin sister from unraveling the fabric of the universe. As you navigate the ruined halls of Atromitos, you will encounter scattered survivors, their fate hanging in the balance. To reinforce the sense of desperation and the high stakes of your mission, you must inspire them to escape with you using the few remaining functional pods.
A Journey Through Shadows and Echoes
Adrestia’s journey takes place aboard the Greco-Roman inspired space vessel Atromitos, where remnants of an ancient civilization collide with futuristic technology. The narrative is steeped in lore, with gods like Nyx and Aether influencing the fate of the world. Your arch rivals are the Cindered, fanatics of their leader, the Phoenix, and spread terror, fire, and destruction wherever they go. As the story unfolds through scattered orbs that provide more context, the female narrator’s broken English adds a polarizing yet unique touch to the storytelling.
Atromitos is a haunting, desolate world filled with secrets and challenges. The level design consists of smaller horizontal rooms packed with verticality, requiring you to stamp or attack upwards to forge new paths. As a handy tool, the map guides you by highlighting breakable walls that lead to hidden areas. Many routes are initially blocked by blue glows or fire, forcing you to explore and find ways to overcome these barriers.
A Metroidvania with Depth
At its core, Somber Echoes is a classic Metroidvania, offering a mix of exploration, backtracking, and environmental puzzle-solving. You are equipped with your sword, Gladius, for melee combat, a Zap Skill reminiscent of Ori’s Bash power, and a Nyx Shield that serves as a parry mechanic. As you progress, you can permanently upgrade Adrestia’s armor using Nyx fragments and enhance your abilities through Shrines, which also serve as rest points for healing, enhancements via crystals, and, last but not least, fast travel, as well. First locally, later across districts once the required C.I.R.C.E.-chambers are reactivated.
Movement abilities, such as a teleporting dash that lets you pass through Aether-lit gaps, play a crucial role in traversal. Aether energy is also used to charge objects and unlock doors, adding a light puzzle-solving element. As the game progresses, you obtain the Hover ability, which grants power propulsion to your boots, further expanding your movement options.
Intense, punishing, and rewarding,
Combat in Somber Echoes is intense, punishing, and rewarding, requiring precise timing and enemy pattern recognition. With no option to lower the difficulty, it often leans towards a Soulslike challenge, where each encounter feels meaningful. Some enemies are relentless, including kamikaze self-exploding foes and indestructible turrets, while others demand strategic thinking, like impaling them with the Legionary Spear, which sticks into surfaces and must be recollected after each throw. Dying respawns you nearby, but if you run out of lives, you must restart from the beginning of a room—or in some cases, a room further back. Resting also causes all enemies to respawn, introducing an additional layer of strategy that forces you to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of restoring your health versus facing freshly revived foes.
A Haunting Wasteland
The game’s art direction perfectly captures feelings of loneliness, desolation, and destruction. From the cyberpunk-infused ruins to the eerie glow of broken technology, the world of Somber Echoes feels oppressive yet compelling. Fires rage, walls crumble, and corridors are lined with the remnants of a forgotten civilization, emphasizing the game’s grim atmosphere.
A thrilling fusion of mythology and cyberpunk.
Another highlight is the soundtrack, featuring a mix of haunting and epic compositions that elevate the tension and mystery. Whether navigating abandoned chambers or engaging in fierce combat, the music enhances every moment, making the experience all the more immersive.
Conclusion
Somber Echoes is a thrilling fusion of mythology and cyberpunk, drawing players into a haunting world filled with mystery and danger. It’s a gripping, well-crafted Metroidvania that delivers an engaging mix of exploration, challenging combat, and atmospheric storytelling. While the difficulty may feel too punishing and the broken English narration could be divisive, the game’s intriguing setting, smooth performance, and rewarding mechanics make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re up for a challenge and appreciate rich world-building, this is a journey worth taking.
Additional Information
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Rock Pocket Games, Lav Games
Publisher: Bonus Stage Publishing
Official Website: https://rockpocket.games/somberechoes
Relevant links: Somber Echoes on STEAM
