AMID EVIL: A Modern Homage to the Classics
Blasting through the arcane realm with style
last updated Nov 30, 2023
AMID EVIL is a groundbreaking retro FPS that deserves a place in the annals of gaming history.
Weapons of Lore and Pixel
When it comes to weaponry, AMID EVIL pulls out all the magical stops. Your arsenal is a veritable amusement park of mystical destruction. Each tool of havoc feels essential, maintaining their usefulness from start to finish, much like finding your favorite toy from childhood and realizing it’s still just as awesome. The combat is a ballet of bloodshed, with foes falling before you in satisfyingly gory displays. And if you thought bosses were just large piñatas waiting to be popped, think again. The strategic layer added by intelligent boss encounters keeps you on your toes and your finger twitching over that quick save key. The weapons' alternate 'soul modes' provide a delightful twist during combat, making you weigh the satisfying carnage versus saving up for those pizza-slice-difficulty encounters.
A Symphony of Destruction
The audio package of AMID EVIL is like a concerto for the carnage connoisseur. The music is an atmospheric accompaniment to the pandemonium, crafting a soundscape that feels lifted straight out of the '90s nostalgia zone with modern grace. It twists and twines through the game, ebbing and flowing at just the right moments. The clangs, blasts, and arcane eruptions of your weapons resonate with the kind of aural satisfaction that makes you want to build a shrine to the sound designers. The audio loops in certain levels might trip up sometimes, but you’ll be too busy casting spells to even think about dropping the volume.
An Eye-candy Spellbook
Visually, AMID EVIL is like a fever dream forged by a fantasy fanatic with a PhD in pixels. It’s retro in all the right ways while looking fresh enough to have console command-line enthusiasts drooling. It’s not afraid to throw polygon counts to the wind in favor of artistic expression, conjuring some mind-blowingly trippy environments that’ll give your retinas a workout. Sure, there might be some performance dips when the action gets thicker than a fantasy novel, but it’s infrequent enough that you won’t be reaching for pitchforks or torches. RTX implementation creates enchanting shadows and reflections, elevating the arcane landscapes to visual nirvana.
Navigating the Labyrinth
The level design in AMID EVIL could be best described as a ‘choose your own adventure’ book set in an MC Escher painting. Each realm is so distinct it’s as if they’re vacation destinations for adrenaline junkies, ranging from gargantuan temples to interstellar oddities. Some areas might leave you scratching your head, wandering in what feels like endless circles, but the sense of exploration keeps the repetition at bay. It keeps things fresh, but it doesn’t cater to the directionally challenged or the faint of heart looking for a guided tour. And once you’ve reached the last episode, hang onto your butts, it’s a wild ride through abstraction that could be a game designer’s musing turned reality.
An Epic For the Ages
Delving into the gameplay of AMID EVIL provides a profound sense of '90s nostalgia, accelerated by modern sensibilities. The movement is buttery smooth, reminiscent of the golden days of shooters, refined for the gaming connoisseur of today. Despite the simplicity of 'run and gun,' the game introduces subtle complexities, demanding nimble fingers and an even nimbler mind. Fast-paced and relentless, the gameplay doesn’t let up – from firing planets from your fingertips to cleaving through hordes with your enchanted axe, you’re in for non-stop action. There’s no hand-holding here – you’re thrown into the deep end of arcane warfare with a grin on your avatar’s face and a spell in your heart.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Indefatigable
Publisher
New Blood Interactive
Release Date
June 20, 2019
Verdict
AMID EVIL is a love potion mixed from the finest retro ingredients and spiked with a dash of present-day panache. It’s a groundbreaking retro FPS that deserves a place in the annals of gaming history. With visuals that tickle your fantasy fancy, a soundtrack that reverberates through your bones, and gameplay that reminds you of the adrenaline-fueled joy of yesteryear's titles, it captures the heart of the boomer shooter. Despite some bewildering level design choices and occasional performance quirks, it delivers an exceptional fantasy FPS experience that will enchant both retro enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Grab your mystic gauntlets and prepare for a magically murderous romp through realms unknown – AMID EVIL awaits.
