Among Ashes

About

Among Ashes is a first-person horror game about a haunted videogame and the disturbing story behind its creation. It’s a stormy night in the early 2000s and your friend has sent you a link to a horror game that he found online: Night Call. But as you play, strange things start happening in your apartment. Something is terribly wrong with this game.A GAME WITHIN A GAMEImmerse yourself in th…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 162 reviews

story35 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

Among Ashes delivers a unique and immersive horror experience, blending a game within a game concept that keeps players engaged and on edge.
The game features a captivating story with emotional depth, clever puzzles, and a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
Players appreciate the well-crafted atmosphere, impressive monster designs, and the effective use of sound and visuals that enhance the overall horror experience.

Some players encountered bugs and performance issues, including glitches that affected gameplay and combat mechanics, which detracted from the overall experience.
The combat can feel clunky and frustrating at times, with enemies being overly tanky and resource management being punishing, leading to moments of frustration.
Certain narrative elements and plot points may feel derivative or predictable, with some players wishing for more originality in the story's execution.

story
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, blending horror elements with genuine emotional depth and clever twists. While some players found the beginning disjointed, many appreciated how the plot unfolds, leading to impactful moments and a captivating experience overall. However, there are critiques regarding certain thematic elements and pacing, with some feeling that the story borrows too heavily from established horror tropes.
- “Its fun, the game mechanics were great but overall the story was genuine and gut-wrenching while also remaining scary and fun.”
- “The story is soooo good that by the end of it I had actual goosebumps.”
- “The game has a spectacular story that kept me captivated until the very last minute.”
- “We need more games where the user gets to fully understand the story without having to play a sequel, another chapter, or look it up online.”
- “The game's plot is too close to a subplot from Silent Hill 2, even down to the symbolism, choice of allegory, set pieces, and metaphor.”
- “However, the characterization of indigenous folks was deeply problematic, and because the second half are facsimiles of games I've already played, it was disappointing to see so much potential narrative and allegory become inconsequential, relegated to plot devices taken directly from the material of inspiration.”
gameplay
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics, nostalgic references to 90s survival horror, and innovative features like the dual-world interaction and puzzle-solving through a built-in web browser. While the overall experience is fun and immersive, some players noted issues with clunky controls and frustrating mechanics that can detract from the enjoyment. The combination of a compelling story, challenging puzzles, and a spooky atmosphere contributes to a unique and memorable gameplay experience.
- “The retro horror game that's played within this game is a full experience all on its own, which is only enhanced by the ways that the gameplay ties into the built-in web browser and messaging apps, which are used to solve puzzles and piece together the cryptic mystery surrounding the haunted game.”
- “This game had me hooked from beginning to end with a great story and truly engaging gameplay experience that never felt like it dragged at all.”
- “So many bone-chilling moments along with excellent gameplay, meta-mystery, (mostly) well thought out puzzles, and a really, really good survival-horror game at its core, Among Ashes is just heckin neat.”
- “By far the worst mechanic was the melee weapon, as attacking felt clunky due to the startup animation of getting your weapon, which made it very hard to time attacks and punish whiffs from enemies without getting hit.”
- “The pacing can be a total slog and some of the mechanics are frustrating to navigate around.”
- “It's not clear how to navigate around this mechanic which limits the skill ceiling, and far too often, many of the monsters could all revive at once and trap you, where you had no hope of winning.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
27%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and genuinely spooky qualities, effectively creating a sense of unease and tension throughout. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to maintain a creepy ambiance without relying on cheap jump scares, complemented by strong visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that enhances the horror experience and keeps players engaged.
- “The atmosphere, both in the main game and in-game, is tremendous, and it all comes together to really immerse you in the feeling of playing a spooky game alone at night, constantly looking over your shoulder uneasily.”
- “The game presents a fascinating concept with a fantastic atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- “Very atmospheric, great pacing, a lot of creepiness without relying on cheap jump scares.”
- “That's saying something for me because I usually get annoyed by predictable jumpscares and lack of atmosphere.”
- “Despite its flaws, the unsettling atmosphere and experimental narrative make 'Among Ashes' a fascinating experience for horror fans.”
- “Gameplay is a bit janky, and some sections are more fun than others, but the game maintains a 100% spooky atmosphere throughout.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, with well-stylized visuals that evoke classic survival horror titles. Players appreciate the blend of modern and retro graphics, particularly within the game's unique in-game computer feature, while the overall atmosphere and visual presentation contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience. However, some critiques suggest that the graphics and mechanics heavily reference older titles, making it feel more like a homage than an original work.
- “Amazing game! I love the Resident Evil style and PS1 graphics, so this game did everything perfectly.”
- “I absolutely love the atmosphere and visuals of the game.”
- “And it's all wrapped up in a cozy polygonal blanket of PS1 graphics.”
- “When you bundle all of this with the fact that the inventory system, save system, art style, several game mechanics/obstacles, and many of the puzzles come straight out of Silent Hill 2 and 3, it starts to feel more like a Silent Hill fan game, or a patchwork of 90s survival horror plots and mechanics, rather than something that stands on its own.”
- “The graphics were very well stylized, the sound was well mixed for the aesthetic, the combat worked as you'd expect a game from 2001 to work.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's music effectively adapts to each world, enhancing the atmosphere and emotional impact throughout the experience. However, some players noted a jarring shift to a style reminiscent of Akira Yamaoka at the end, which felt inconsistent compared to the earlier soundtrack.
- “Why does the music shift to something in the style of Akira Yamaoka at the end of the game when all of the music up to that point was different?”
- “The soundtrack adapts to each world, enhancing the atmosphere and emotional impact.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its rich narratives and well-developed characters that engage players throughout. The storytelling features numerous twists and heartfelt moments, exploring themes of identity and resilience, while the adaptive soundtrack further enhances the emotional atmosphere.
- “Both narratives are equally rich, with well-crafted characters and emotional depth that keep you hooked from start to finish.”
- “Narrative excellence: the storytelling is top-notch in both worlds, with plenty of twists, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking themes that explore identity, resilience, and the consequences of our choices.”
- “The soundtrack adapts to each world, enhancing the atmosphere and emotional impact.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Despite its perceived low replay value, the game is highly recommended for fans of the Silent Hill 2 remake who are seeking to recapture that unique experience.
- “Even with a seemingly low replay value, I can't recommend this game strongly enough to anyone who played the Silent Hill 2 remake and just wants a little more of that magic.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players found the grinding aspect to be well-balanced, as the transitions between the player bedroom, in-game activities, and chat were spaced effectively, preventing the experience from feeling tedious.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy is praised for its thoughtful design, catering to the desires of genre fans rather than appearing as a mere cash grab.
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should just to enjoy the game.”
- “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into every aspect of the game; it ruins the experience.”
- “The game is designed around its monetization strategy, making it feel more like a money-making scheme than a fun experience.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report experiencing several glitches during gameplay, indicating that stability may be an issue for some players.
- “During my playthrough, I encountered a few glitches.”
- “The game crashed multiple times, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I experienced frequent lag and instability, which ruined the overall experience.”

78%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

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Among Ashes
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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

3-3h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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