Amid Evil
Amid Evil is a retro-style first-person shooter video game developed by Indefatigable and published by New Blood Interactive.[1] Released in full on June 20, 2019, following an early access period that began in March 2018, the game draws inspiration from 1990s fantasy shooters like Heretic and Hexen, featuring fast-paced combat in a dark fantasy world where players wield overchargeable magical weapons powered by the souls of defeated enemies.[1][2] The game's narrative casts the player as a once-branded heretic reborn as a champion to reclaim sacred weapons and ancient lands from evil forces, unfolding across seven distinct episodes with varied settings ranging from ethereal realms to labyrinthine dungeons, each introducing unique enemies and culminating in epic boss battles.[1][3] Gameplay emphasizes skillful movement, precise aiming, and strategic weapon use, including ludicrous armaments like a soul-harvesting staff and explosive orbs, all set to an immersive soundtrack composed by Andrew Hulshult.[1][2] Amid Evil launched on Microsoft Windows via platforms such as Steam and GOG.com, with subsequent releases including a VR version for Meta Quest on April 20, 2023, and a "Next Gen Update" for VR in February 2025 adding reworked mechanics and graphics improvements.[1][4] It also features a prequel expansion titled The Black Labyrinth released on August 17, 2023, adding nine new levels, two new weapons, new enemies, and enhanced mechanics.[5][6] It has received widespread critical acclaim for reviving the "boomer shooter" genre, earning a "Very Positive" rating on Steam from over 7,000 user reviews as of 2025 and praise for its atmospheric design and challenging combat.[1][2]Story and Setting
Plot
In Amid Evil, an ancient Evil Force has long corrupted the Sacred Lands, plunging them into darkness and chaos thousands of years prior to the game's events.[7] The protagonist, known as the Champion, is selected by the ancient deities—the Ancients—to rise as their mortal emissary and reclaim these forsaken realms from the encroaching malevolence.[7] Guided by divine mandate, the Champion must confront the pervasive corruption that threatens all existence, embarking on a perilous quest to restore balance.[7] The journey begins with the Champion overcoming the harrowing trials of the Black Labyrinth, a formidable challenge that grants access to the holy battle axe and solidifies their role as the chosen warrior.[8] This trial, explored in greater depth in the prequel DLC The Black Labyrinth, marks the Champion's initiation without revealing the specifics of the ordeal.[8] From there, the narrative unfolds across seven distinct episodes: Astral Equinox, Domain of the Sentinels, The Sacred Path, Solar Solstice, The Forges, Arcane Expanse, and The Void.[7] Each episode propels the Champion through increasingly treacherous domains, battling manifestations of the Evil Force while uncovering fragments of the overarching threat. The story builds to a climactic confrontation in the higher planes, where the Champion reclaims the ancient lands and directly challenges the source of the corruption, ultimately aiming to eradicate the Evil Force and safeguard the cosmos.[7] Through this odyssey, the Champion's path weaves ties to the prequel elements, emphasizing their evolution from an untested figure to a legendary defender ordained by the Ancients.[8]Lore and World
The universe of Amid Evil is a dark fantasy realm centered on the Sacred Lands, ancient territories once presided over by divine figures known as the Ancients, who maintained order and piety among their followers until an insidious Evil Force from the void invaded and corrupted everything it touched.[7] This cosmic corruption twisted holy sites into nightmarish domains, infusing them with hatred, chaos, and void-born entities, while the Ancients, as the primary movers of the world's mythology, forged a path for redemption by creating the Black Labyrinth—a trial ground designed to identify a worthy Champion to wield sacred weapons against the encroaching darkness.[9] The lore draws from dark fantasy traditions, evoking themes of heresy against ancient gods, where once-devout sects devolve into zealous corruptors, mirroring mythological tales of fallen divinities and primordial evils that challenge the cosmic balance.[1] The Ancients serve as the foundational deities of this mythology, each ruling a distinct aspect of the Sacred Lands and guiding the Champion through visions and trials to reclaim their corrupted realms.[9] Key figures include the Moon Guardian, who oversaw lunar acolytes in ethereal astral domains; the Leader of the Sentinels, enforcer of rigid order in fortified sentinel territories; the Pilgrim, guardian of the sacred pilgrimage paths; the Solar Saint, patron of sun-worshipping warriors; the Forgemaster, architect of mechanical wonders; and the Archmage of Chaos, summoner of arcane forces in fragmented mage-lands.[9] These beings, once benevolent rulers who constructed temples and monuments to honor their divine legacies, now manifest as corrupted echoes in the narrative, symbolizing the perversion of authority and the need for a mortal hero to restore equilibrium.[9] Their collective role underscores a mythology of divine intervention, where the Ancients' creation of ancient weaponry, such as the Axe of the Black Labyrinth, empowers the Champion as an instrument of cosmic retribution.[7] The game's world unfolds across seven corrupted realms, each a sacred land desecrated by the Evil Force and grouped thematically into astral planes, sentinel domains, and far fields, reflecting the diverse mythologies of the Ancients.[10] In the astral planes, realms like the Astral Equinox (dark lunar side of Astronomica) and Solar Solstice (sunlit counterpart) were once havens for moon and sun god worshippers, their temples now breeding grounds for hatred-fueled abominations after the corruption ignited sectarian wars.[10] Sentinel domains, such as the Domain of the Sentinels and The Forges, represent ordered societies of xenophobic guardians and technocratic smiths, whose pristine fortresses and factories have decayed into parasitic hives and trap-laden infernos under the Evil's influence.[10] Far fields encompass pilgrimage routes like The Sacred Path, tainted by wandering heretics, and the Arcane Expanse, a shattered world of floating arcane remnants where chaotic summons from the void have unleashed eldritch horrors; the final realm, The Void, embodies the Evil Force's origin as a rule-less abyss of ultimate perversion.[10] These lands highlight the lore's emphasis on corrupted sanctity, where unique themes of celestial duality, martial discipline, and mystical hubris illustrate the breadth of the Ancients' fallen empire.[10] The lore connects deeply to the prequel expansion The Black Labyrinth, which details the origins of the titular trial as a mythic forge of heroism, where aspirants endure battles to earn the Ancients' favor and claim weapons like the Axe, setting the stage for the Champion's greater quest against cosmic corruption.[7] Thematically, Amid Evil explores redemption through the reclamation of ancient armaments—divine tools forged in piety but now essential to purge heresy—while cosmic corruption serves as a metaphor for insidious decay, transforming reverent worlds into domains of eternal strife and emphasizing the fragility of mythological order against void-born chaos.[9] This narrative weaves dark fantasy elements of divine betrayal and heroic ascension, prioritizing the Champion's role as a redeemer in a universe where ancient evils threaten to unravel the fabric of creation.[1]Gameplay
Core Mechanics
Amid Evil employs a first-person shooter perspective, immersing players in a retro-inspired control scheme reminiscent of classic 1990s titles. Movement is handled via the WASD keys for forward, backward, and strafing, with autorun enabled by default and the option to hold Shift for precise walking, particularly useful in platforming sections. Jumping, bound to the spacebar by default, allows for horizontal distance rather than height, and there is no fall damage to encourage exploration. Basic interactions, such as activating switches or collecting items, occur by simply walking into them, with blue switches triggering on proximity and red ones requiring a shot.[11] The health system revolves around collecting orbs that restore hit points, starting at a base of 100 HP, which can be exceeded up to 200 HP with small (3 HP), medium (10 HP), or large (25 HP) orbs scattered throughout levels. Soul mode serves as a temporary power boost mechanism, activated when the soul meter—filled by absorbing souls dropped from defeated enemies—is full, enhancing weapon performance for 16-17 seconds by increasing damage output and fire rate, though it does not grant invincibility. Soul collection varies by enemy type, with points ranging from 3 SP (tiny souls) to 30 SP (giant souls), and meter capacity adjusts by difficulty level, from 75 SP on Easy to 250 SP on Evil.[12][13] Weapon usage relies on a mana-based resource system, excluding the starting Axe, with four color-coded types—blue, green, yellow, and purple—each corresponding to specific armaments and replenished exclusively through environmental pickups of varying sizes: small (5/2/1/1 MP), medium (20/10/3/2 MP), or large (40/20/10/5 MP). Mana depletion requires strategic management during encounters, as weapons powered by mana form the core of offensive capabilities.[12][14] Exploration is a key element, featuring sprawling, non-linear levels with hidden areas and secrets that reward thorough searching, often accessible via advanced techniques like "planet jumping" using the Celestial Claw to bounce between surfaces. Levels encourage backtracking and alternative paths, promoting a sense of discovery amid ancient lore and environmental puzzles, without rigid linear progression.[11][1] Temporary power-ups enhance mobility and survival, activated by walking over them and providing short-duration effects such as flight, which grants aerial navigation similar to swimming controls for 27 seconds, or invulnerability for 40 seconds to avoid all damage. Other examples include invisibility for 40 seconds, allowing evasion from most enemies, and the Torch for 45 seconds to illuminate dark secrets, all designed to facilitate access to otherwise challenging areas.[12]Weapons and Combat
Amid Evil features a diverse arsenal of seven primary weapons, each infused with ancient, mystical themes drawn from the game's cosmic lore, requiring specific types of mana as ammunition except for the melee option. These weapons emphasize fantasy elements such as elemental forces, celestial energies, and ethereal projectiles, encouraging players to adapt to different combat ranges and enemy compositions. Combat revolves around precise aiming in a first-person perspective, with primary firing modes for standard engagements and enhanced modes—often activated via alternate inputs or soul power—for upgrades like increased fire rates or area effects.[7][14] The weapons are as follows:| Weapon | Description and Fantasy Theme | Primary Firing Mode | Upgrade/Alt-Fire | Mana Type and Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axe of the Black Labyrinth | A double-edged battle axe symbolizing trials of the void, with a soul-collecting gem; serves as the starting melee weapon for close-quarters brutality. | Swings to deal 15 damage at ~0.70s rate, pulling and stunning foes. | Soul mode spins rapidly (~0.10s rate) for dismembering effects. | None required.[15] |
| Staff of the Azure Orb | A wooden staff clutching a homing blue orb, evoking aquatic and ethereal mysticism for mid-range control. | Fires dual homing water orbs (4 total damage) at ~0.28s rate. | Soul mode unleashes five rapid projectiles (30 total damage) that dissolve enemies. | Blue; 1 per shot (normal), 2 (soul). Capacity: 250.[16] |
| Whisper's Edge | A golden sabre with a green crystal, themed around whispering winds and slicing energies for versatile slashing. | Horizontal energy slash (10 damage) that pierces side-hit enemies. | Soul mode widens the slash (32 damage) with bouncing projectiles. | Green; 1 per shot. Capacity: 100.[17] |
| Voltride | A blue trident channeling lightning storms, representing electric fury for rapid suppression. | Hitscan lightning pulses (2 damage) that stun and chain on overkill. | Soul mode sustains a continuous beam for high DPS. | Blue; 1 per shot (normal), 2 per second (soul). Capacity: 250.[18] |
| Celestial Claw | Twisted bone-like claw firing shrunken planets, embodying explosive cosmic destruction in the heavy arsenal. | Launches explosive projectiles (26 damage with splash). | Alt-fire creates a direct explosion; soul mode fires supernovas (76 damage, wider shockwave). | Yellow; 1 per shot. Capacity: 50.[19] |
| Star of Torment | A mace-like star with white crystal shards, drawing from icy torment for short-to-medium shredding. | Spread of nailing shards (27 damage). | Soul mode accelerates rate for seeking clusters (75 damage). | Green; 2 per shot (normal), 4 (soul). Capacity: 100.[20] |
| Aeturnum | An abstract lattice of purple energy ribbons, manifesting otherworldly voids for ultimate crowd clearance. | Magic circle projectile releasing lightning beams (100 damage per beam). | Soul mode summons a black hole (170 initial damage + 10 DPS) that sucks in foes. | Purple; 1 per shot (normal), 2 (soul). Capacity: 20.[21] |