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Echoes of the End reviews

Early critics praise visuals and puzzles but flag performance issues as the Xbox launch nears.

August 12, 2025 at 06:30 PM
blur Roundup: Here's What The Reviews Are Saying About Echoes Of The End

Early critics weigh visuals and story against performance issues as Echoes of the End launches on Xbox

Echoes of the End reviews mix ambition and flaws

Early reviews for Echoes of the End are in ahead of its Xbox launch. Critics praise its visuals, lore, traversal, and puzzle design, even as they flag jank and uneven pacing. The game comes from a small team, Myrkur Games, and reviewers say this first major effort shows bold ambition that sometimes outpaces polish. Puzzles are a strong point, with some noting the challenge lands just right for fans who prefer brain-teasers to brute force.

The reception remains mixed as launch day approaches. Metacritic lists 71 and OpenCritic 66 as the game debuts on Xbox today. Some reviewers say the title excels when the focus stays on exploration and narrative depth, while others warn that stuttering performance and uneven combat drag down the experience. A few impressions suggest waiting for updates to fix bugs and refine the balance before a full commitment.

Key Takeaways

✔️
Visually striking world complements strong puzzle design
✔️
Puzzles carry momentum while action sometimes stumbles
✔️
Small studio effort shows ambition despite rough edges
✔️
Narrative depth adds value but not enough to fully offset flaws
✔️
Wait-and-improve approach could unlock the game’s potential
✔️
Launch scores are mixed, signaling a wait for updates
✔️
Audience should balance curiosity with patience for patches

"Echoes of the End may be one of 2025’s best surprises."

A reviewer praising the game's potential amid flaws.

"Echoes of the End is an action game that aims high, but struggles to achieve its most ambitious goals due to stuttering gameplay."

Critical observation about performance impacting ambition.

"This is a fantastic pick if you prefer brain-teasers over fisticuffs."

Positive note on puzzle emphasis.

"The onus is then left on the narrative to make this endeavor worthwhile, and while there is impressive character depth, the core narrative is a paint-by-numbers fantasy tale that does little to set itself apart from the pack."

Narrative critique highlighting lack of originality.

The reviews reveal a common tension in bold indie projects: big ideas paired with imperfect execution. Echoes of the End aims for a cinematic, puzzle-driven adventure, but technical hiccups and design rough edges threaten to overshadow its strengths. That dynamic highlights a larger question for small studios: can post-launch support turn initial curiosity into a lasting franchise, or does polish become the gatekeeper to wider success?

If Myrkur Games can steady the frame rate and tighten combat without sacrificing the puzzle brain-teasers and atmospheric worldbuilding, the game could gain momentum. For now, the hopeful readers should treat Echoes of the End as a promising starting point that needs time and ongoing updates to realize its potential.

Highlights

  • Bold ideas deserve time to grow and polish
  • A world this beautiful should run as well as it looks
  • A debut that asks for patience more than applause
  • Dreams of a franchise start with brave beginnings

Time will tell if Echoes of the End grows into a lasting franchise.

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