Immortal: Unchained, an unusual cross between the third-person-shooter and action-rpg genres, launches today for both console and PC spaces. In this sci-fi epic players strap-into the armor of an unnamed immortal fighting to save a universe that would rather see them imprisoned for all eternity. Indeed, in this game player characters aren’t heroes, they’re just the lesser of two evils.
Based on what’s been shown so far, combat in Immortal: Unchained appears to be a mixed of guns and swordplay, with new weapons and gear coming as the result of defeating powerful bosses located in each world’s darkest corners. As their nameless former prisoner, players will use this gear to fight their way across these worlds and advance their quest to combat the forces of evil. With any luck, they’ll also uncover what exactly has sent the universe spiraling out of so terribly out of control.
The game’s setting looks like a mash-up of typical dark sci-fi, but closer inspection reveals that there’s a bit more going on here. The ancient aesthetic, vaguely tribal hair styles, warrior attitudes, and the nordic imagery all call to mind norse mythology. It’s just that Immortal: Unchained’s version is heavily couched in space and high-technology. This is worth noting because there’s actually another game that tried something similar; that game being 2007’s Too Human.
To be perfectly fair though, Too Human was very overt about it’s inspirations, whereas Immortal: Unchained is much more reserved. Still, the resemblance is there. Both games deal with a realm on the brink of oblivion, both follow a dubious protagonist, and both combine third-person shooting with melee combat and RPG elements.
When put together, these elements should make for a great game any fan of science fantasy and nordic myth could love. Too Human failed miserably in its attempt, but perhaps Immortal: Unchained will finally be able to deliver on the promise of such interesting component parts.
Immortal: Unchained is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
