Etrom 20th Anniversary Edition
to Etrom – The Astral Essence’s 20th Anniversary Edition, an immersive point and click action RPG set in a dark future where societies are not only divided by walls, but also laws, secrets, and the treacherous Void Lands.
In a dark futuristic Middle Ages, between arcane rituals, endless wars and bloody fights with techno-mystical blades, you will play the role of Etrom, a former HWD (Human World Defense) attacker who has suffered the mysterious call of the Astral Essence.
As an elite soldier turned fugitive, you must navigate through hostile cities, ancient civilizations, and otherworldly realms to uncover the truth about the enigmatic Astral Essence and your own existence. With a multitude of locations and settings, each brimming with rituals, secret-service plots, and dark spells, Etrom offers a rich and captivating world to explore.
Please Note: The game features a proprietary style of controls, so players should be prepared to familiarize themselves with a gameplay experience which was both revolutionary and controversial for its time, a truly unique way of experiencing RPG, point and click gameplay that divided the masses, and left critics reviewing the game from 2/10 to 9/10!
Engage in intense battles against hordes of enemies, from humans to monsters and extradimensional beings, fighting will be gruelling, bloody, and constant! Use a variety of spectacular Astral Powers, such as Meteor and Lightning Storm. Depending on the choices you make in game, you’ll be able to unleash incredible transformations, becoming a fearsome Demon, Draconian Guardian, or an Abyssal Knight. You can also learn to pilot powerful war mechs and experience the thrill of strategic combat against formidable adversaries.
The voice of the Gods resonates in the astral worlds and you can now hear their Call. Will you have the courage to answer it and discover the secrets that lie beyond the gates of a dark reality, to follow your path of Truth and Justice?
Key Features:
- 20th Anniversary Edition of Etrom – The Astral Essence, first announced in 2003
- Unique Proprietary Controls – Experience an alternate way of playing point and click RPGs
- Includes the first episode of the novel written by Fabio Belsanti and CyberScrivens!
- Seven possible endings, shaping the fate of the parallel dimension
- Over 70 huge environments with a total of approximately 50 hours of gameplay
- Pilot powerful war mechs and engage in strategic battles
- Discover secrets and unravel the mysteries of ancient civilizations
- Encounter demons, secret divinities, dragons, and intelligent entities
- Over 500 types of weapons, armor, rings, magic amulets, and more
- First-person sniper mode for precise targeting and deadly accuracy
Developer’s Technical Note
We regret to share that bugs and system crashes, both during game launch and during gameplay, can happen frequently on some hardware and software configurations.
In our last internal playtests in 2023, 20 years after the game’s launch, we have found at least one incidence of major bugs and/or crashes on approximately 30% of PCs running windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
Etrom was first developed by a group of young dreamers from southern Italy who, mad as they were, decided to begin by creating a proprietary engine, which they then used to develop the game. The game, made by AgeofGames (known at the time as PMStudios Italia) should therefore be considered an Artifact, a piece of the Independent Videogame Archeology from the beginning of the millennium. The proprietary engine, developed by a single programmer, was imperfect back then, and likewise right now, as hardware configurations have swiftly evolved.
Players should also note that the game cannot be saved until the first level is completed. The first level takes between 15 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on skill and the amount of each player’s interaction with the enemies in the map.
Some antivirus systems may also block the game altogether. Not being able to update the code in the engine in any way, we will not be able to solve the problems that will be reported to us.
We remind you that you can easily request a refund here on steam. If you are one of the 30% of folks who will not be able to run the game, please request a refund within 2 hours of gameplay, as unfortunately the game may continue to crash.
One thing we did manage to fix was the English dialogue (only dialogue not Etrom’s journal unfortunately), which has been overhauled by the award winning science fiction writers of the CyberScrivens collective.
We have decided to republish Etrom at a symbolic price despite all these problems because we believe that the setting and the overall narrative structures of the project are still very valid and fascinating today and we hope, also thanks to the addition of a free extract of the novel, that new and old players can immerse themselves for a few hours in this parallel universe that we want to be able to expand in the future with modern technology and development programs.
Steam User 47
A jump into the past. With a group of friends, many years ago, we became very passionate about this game which remained quite unknown. We made some level maps at the time, but I lost them. Getting used to handling the camera isn't easy, but after the first few fights I was able to control everything quite easily. An unusual, very challenging action-rpg, not for everyone. It would be nice if the developers did it with new engines and made it a little easier. At this price however, if it doesn't crash too many as they say, it's a great ride.
Steam User 18
Bizarre game with dark colours. Very Orwellian, but with typical dark fantasy elements. Very difficult game controls to manage and a very punishing save system. Despite this, many fights, especially when you have higher levels you have access to weapons such as the sniper rifle and the missile launcher, and you can cast spells of a certain power, are compelling (if you understand the logic of the "nature" of the attacks, otherwise you will die badly). Interesting dialogues, very detailed setting in the diary but not perfectly represented. The whole narrative has great potential that is not fully expressed. In my opinion it deserves to be played because it manages to captivate you and has an acceptable cost despite the declared technical problems. My rating is certainly positive, but if I had to give it a precise rating I think it would be a 7/10 because it seems like a partially incomplete game that could have been a really great game if made bigger and with some tweaks.
Steam User 18
Finding this game again after so long was a surprise.
I remember wasting many many hours on it, it was difficult but exciting.
I hardly remember anything anymore but I play it again with pleasure, moving on to the dated graphics (which after a few minutes I don't even notice anymore)
I noticed the quicksave which is a hand from heaven, I don't remember it being there at the time.
Back to playing with tears and blood!
Steam User 10
A great adventure in a truly dark world where science and mysticism are governed by diabolical forces. A game that despite the years and some technical problems tries to say something "true" about the abyss. This Etrom journey is at times disturbing, but a journey that I recommend taking.
Steam User 20
Old game for old players, or really brave new ones.
Steam User 20
Tl;dr: If you are considering buying this game, there is a great chance that you are already looking for an adventure in the good old days. Look no further, go for it!
Etrom has a great atmosphere and plot, not to mention the great mix of medieval, godly weapons with sci-fi machinery! It is not common to find the mix between medieval times and sci-fi in a game, and Etrom is pretty good at it.
It would be not appropriate to compare the mechanics and systems of Etrom to games that are released today, but Etrom has a great variety of weapons that suit different occasions. I must say that I was satisfied with the playstyle options I've got.
The difficulty might be a problem for many players. Although the game itself, I believe, is not too difficult. The controls make the game much harder than it normally is, and the saving system makes everything even worse. Be sure to play this game slowly because the game is doing its best to ambush and kill you in an instant.
Finally, keep in mind that the game might not run well on your PC. I unfortunately was unlucky considering that and got lots of FPS drops. I hope Etrom will run great on your PC so that you can enjoy the game!
Steam User 36
"Etrom: The Astral Essence" on Steam is a peculiar gem that undoubtedly stands out amidst the sea of mainstream titles. From the moment you embark on its journey, it's clear that you're in for an experience unlike any other. The game's strange and unique story and setting may initially catch players off guard, but it's precisely this eccentricity that makes Etrom such a compelling adventure.
As you delve into the world of Etrom, you'll encounter moments that can only be described as downright bizarre. Yet, it's within this strangeness that the game's true brilliance lies. Its unapologetically odd narrative, coupled with a dark and poetic atmosphere, creates an immersive experience that's as captivating as it is haunting.
However, it's essential to note that Etrom isn't without its flaws. Technical issues such as crashes and other technical hiccups may rear their ugly heads from time to time, disrupting the flow of gameplay. Despite these setbacks, the game's sheer uniqueness and depth more than make up for any inconveniences.
Moreover, considering its age and the challenges inherent in bringing older titles to modern platforms, it's remarkable to see Etrom still available for purchase on Steam. At its discounted price, which feels more like a token of appreciation to the developers than a standard transaction, it's an opportunity that shouldn't be missed by fans of unconventional storytelling and atmospheric RPGs.
One of the most captivating aspects of Etrom is its exploration of dark gods and cosmic forces beyond human comprehension. This fascination with the supernatural infuses the game with an air of mystery and intrigue, drawing players deeper into its enigmatic world with each passing moment.
In summary, Etrom may be a strange and occasionally flawed experience, but it's also a hidden gem from the past that truly deserves to be played. Its dark and poetic atmosphere, coupled with its unique storytelling and setting, make it a journey well worth undertaking for those seeking something different from their gaming experience.