Etrom 20th Anniversary Edition

Etrom: The Astral Essence – 20th Anniversary Edition è una vera perla riscoperta. Dopo vent’anni, questo action RPG torna con un restyling che riesce a mantenere intatta l’anima visionaria dell’originale, rendendola però più accessibile al pubblico moderno. Il mondo di gioco è un mix sorprendente di fantascienza, esoterismo e fantasy oscuro, con una trama densa e affascinante che si svela lentamente, spingendo il giocatore ad approfondire ogni dettaglio. Nonostante le sue origini, il gameplay è ancora coinvolgente, con un sistema di magie e abilità che lascia spazio alla sperimentazione e alla strategia. L’atmosfera è intensa, quasi ipnotica, e la direzione artistica — pur restando fedele al design originale — conserva un’identità forte e riconoscibile. Giocare a Etrom oggi è come aprire un portale verso un’epoca di videogiochi in cui l’ambizione contava più del marketing. È un’esperienza particolare, fuori dagli schemi, che lascia il segno. Se amate gli RPG profondi, strani e carichi di personalità, questa è un’occasione imperdibile.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HORRIBLE!!! Whether I put in safe mode or use DGVooDoo, it STILL doesn't work properly enough for me to understand why this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ port has very positive reviews! DO NOT BUY! You are wasting your money until either AGeOfGames patches all of its problems or some one one else dedicated enough creates one you can find searching on your web browser.

Sad, No

Ok to use if you also install DgVoodoo2 but all the menus -- inventory etc are massively bugged and all the text - names - values etc are massively oversized and not easy to manage... The game gets stuck everytime i reach hagan gun shops.. i cannot progress....

Etrom 20th Anniversary Edition is a re-release of an ambitious action RPG originally created by AgeOfGames, bringing a forgotten cult classic back to modern platforms two decades after its debut. Set within a bleak science-fantasy universe where advanced technology coexists with supernatural forces, the game tells the story of a warrior named Etrom whose destiny becomes intertwined with a mysterious power known as the Astral Essence. While many remastered releases attempt to modernize every aspect of an older title, this anniversary edition instead focuses on preserving the original experience, allowing players to revisit or discover a game that was notable for its creativity and scope long before indie RPGs became commonplace. The game's greatest strength is undoubtedly its setting. The world of Etrom is an unusual mixture of cyberpunk aesthetics, dark fantasy themes, religious symbolism, and cosmic mythology. Massive cityscapes stand beside ancient ruins, while futuristic technology exists alongside magical powers and supernatural creatures. The narrative explores political conflicts, secret organizations, extradimensional threats, and philosophical questions about power and destiny. This combination of genres creates an atmosphere that feels distinct from most traditional fantasy or science-fiction RPGs. Even years after its original release, the setting remains one of the most memorable aspects of the experience. Storytelling plays a significant role throughout the adventure. Players follow Etrom through a lengthy campaign filled with conspiracies, betrayals, mysterious revelations, and world-altering events. The narrative is ambitious in scope and attempts to build an intricate mythology around the Astral Essence and the forces competing to control it. While the storytelling occasionally reflects the limitations of its era, the sheer amount of lore and world-building demonstrates an impressive level of ambition. The game clearly aims to deliver an epic journey rather than a simple action-focused experience, and fans of expansive fictional universes will likely appreciate the effort invested in creating its mythology. Gameplay combines action-oriented combat with role-playing progression systems. Players engage in battles against a wide variety of enemies using swords, ranged weapons, magical abilities, and powerful special attacks. Combat can initially feel unusual due to the game's point-and-click style control scheme, which differs significantly from modern action RPG standards. However, once players become familiar with the mechanics, the system reveals a surprising degree of depth. Success depends on managing abilities, positioning carefully, and understanding how different powers interact during encounters. Character progression forms a major part of the experience. Throughout the adventure, players gain access to new abilities, equipment upgrades, and transformation mechanics that dramatically alter combat effectiveness. The transformation system is particularly noteworthy, allowing Etrom to assume different forms that provide unique advantages and visual changes. These transformations add variety to combat and contribute to a satisfying sense of growth over the course of the campaign. As players become more powerful, they gain access to increasingly impressive abilities capable of dealing with larger groups of enemies and tougher opponents. The equipment system is equally extensive. A wide range of weapons, armor sets, artifacts, and magical items can be collected throughout the game. These items influence both combat effectiveness and character customization, encouraging experimentation with different playstyles. The constant pursuit of better equipment helps maintain player motivation and reinforces the traditional RPG progression loop. Combined with the lengthy campaign, this system provides plenty of opportunities for character development and optimization. Another aspect that deserves recognition is the game's variety. Beyond standard combat encounters, players encounter unique mechanics including specialized combat sequences, alternate gameplay perspectives, and numerous exploration opportunities. The world contains a large number of environments ranging from futuristic settlements to dangerous wastelands and supernatural realms. This diversity helps maintain a sense of discovery and ensures that the journey rarely feels repetitive despite its considerable length. Replay value is enhanced by the inclusion of branching decisions and multiple endings. The choices made throughout the story can influence the outcome of key events and ultimately determine which conclusion players receive. This structure encourages multiple playthroughs for those interested in exploring alternative narrative paths and uncovering every aspect of the game's mythology. While the branching system may not be as complex as those found in modern RPGs, it adds meaningful variety and reinforces the game's focus on player agency. Of course, Etrom's age is impossible to ignore. Many aspects of the experience reflect design philosophies and technical standards from the mid-2000s. Animations can feel stiff, controls may seem awkward compared to contemporary action RPGs, and technical limitations occasionally become apparent. The anniversary edition improves accessibility for modern systems, but it does not completely reinvent the original game. Players expecting a fully modernized remake may find certain elements dated. However, those willing to approach the game as a preserved classic will likely find its rough edges easier to appreciate within their historical context. What makes Etrom 20th Anniversary Edition compelling is not flawless execution but its remarkable ambition. The game constantly introduces new ideas, explores unusual concepts, and attempts to build a world far larger than many independent projects of its era. Even when some mechanics show their age, the creativity behind the design remains evident. It feels like a product of developers determined to create an epic role-playing adventure regardless of technical limitations. Etrom 20th Anniversary Edition ultimately serves as both an entertaining action RPG and an interesting piece of gaming history. Its expansive universe, ambitious narrative, extensive progression systems, and distinctive blend of science fiction and fantasy create an experience that remains surprisingly unique. While modern players may need patience to adapt to its older design choices, those willing to do so will discover a memorable adventure filled with imagination, lore, and a level of creative ambition that continues to stand out years after its original release. Rating: 6/10

Il gioco più bello assai che io abbia mai giocato, FIERO