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Among Ashes is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Rat Cliff Games and was released on December 9, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

It's the year 2001 and your friend has sent you a link to a game that someone posted online, but as you play you quickly realise that something is terribly wrong. There's a dark presence in this game, and it wants to get out. As you fight nightmarish monsters and solve mind-bending puzzles, the lines between the game and the real world will fade away. Will you survive the night? Whatever you do……

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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 228 reviews
story46 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions

  • The game features a genuinely terrifying atmosphere with effective horror elements beyond just jump scares, creating a sense of dread throughout.
  • The unique 'game within a game' mechanic is well-executed, blending the real world with the in-game experience, enhancing immersion and engagement.
  • The story is captivating and well-crafted, with emotional depth and intriguing twists that keep players invested from start to finish.
  • The game suffers from bugs and glitches, particularly towards the end, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as combat and resource management, can feel unbalanced, making certain encounters overly challenging or tedious.
  • The pacing slows down significantly in the latter half of the game, with some players feeling that the story becomes convoluted and less engaging.
  • story
    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, effectively blending classic survival horror elements with unique twists and a haunting narrative. While many players appreciate the depth and creativity of the storytelling, some express concerns about its pacing and the clarity of the plot, particularly towards the end, where it can feel disjointed or overly complex. Overall, the narrative is seen as a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and resolution.

    • “The atmosphere, the story, the art style... I've fallen in love with this 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.”
    • “The story is haunting as it unfolds throughout your time in the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, any 'hauntings' are entirely scripted, occurring only during fixed moments in the story, moments during which the player is effectively forced to see them.”
    • “The story is the weakest part, with tiny bits given and then dumps the rest on you right before ending the game.”
    • “The final plot twists, in particular, feel strange and out of place.”
  • gameplay
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is a mix of engaging survival horror mechanics and innovative concepts, such as a game-within-a-game structure that enhances immersion and nostalgia. While many players appreciate the solid combat and puzzle design, some criticize the pacing and repetitiveness, particularly in the second half, as well as certain frustrating mechanics like clunky melee combat and save point issues. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun and challenging, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and storytelling, though it occasionally feels derivative of classic titles in the genre.

    • “Great scares, great story, great gameplay.”
    • “The game inside a game mechanic works great and the level of immersion this game manages to create is incredible.”
    • “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.”
    • “It kind of starts to drag in the second half -- I think there are a few too many gameplay switches after the point where things really break bad.”
    • “The pacing can be a total slog and some of the mechanics are frustrating to navigate around.”
    • “You can't reload in many instances without dying or restarting the outer game, and because of how saves line up across the meta-game, it's hard for the limited saves mechanic to contribute to the skill ceiling.”
  • atmosphere
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and spooky qualities, effectively combining retro aesthetics with modern design to create a captivating experience. Players report feeling genuine tension and fear, with many noting the game's ability to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a creepy ambiance without relying on cheap jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as exceptional, enhancing both the gameplay and emotional engagement throughout.

    • “The atmosphere, the story, the art style... I've fallen in love with this game!”
    • “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.”
    • “I absolutely love the atmosphere and visuals of the game.”
    • “I have never had to take a breather for a dark room before; that's right, a dark room caused me to switch tabs for a minute because I felt physically oppressed by the atmosphere. That's a first I don't feel like going through again, and that's how good the immersion is.”
    • “The atmosphere, both in the main game and in the in-game 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.”
    • “Gameplay is a bit janky, and some sections are more fun than others, but the game maintains a 100% spooky atmosphere throughout.”
  • graphics
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro art style reminiscent of early 2000s titles, effectively creating a nostalgic atmosphere that complements its horror elements. While not cutting-edge by modern standards, the stylized visuals and thoughtful design enhance the overall experience, making it appealing to fans of classic survival horror aesthetics. The combination of modern and retro graphics within the gameplay adds depth, allowing players to appreciate both the nostalgic and contemporary aspects of the visual presentation.

    • “Scary but interesting horror game with a lovely retro art style that will bring you back to the early 2000s.”
    • “The atmosphere, the story, the art style... I've fallen in love with this game!”
    • “I absolutely love the atmosphere and visuals of the game.”
    • “Level design and graphics are not amazing by modern standards, but in the chosen setting, they perform excellently.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is noted for its ability to adapt to different worlds, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and emotional experience. However, some players have expressed confusion over abrupt shifts in musical style, particularly towards the end, which contrasts with the earlier soundtrack. Additionally, technical issues with music-related interactions, such as the music box not functioning as intended, have been reported.

    • “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.”
    • “When you approach it, you should get an animation and receive a lighter, which is then sent to the 'videogame world.' In my case, the lighter never appeared and the music box despawned when I got close.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply engaging, with immersive storytelling and well-developed characters that evoke a range of feelings, from fear to empathy. The narratives are rich and thought-provoking, exploring themes of identity and resilience, while the adaptive soundtrack further enhances the emotional experience. Overall, the game successfully captivates players, making them eager to continue despite the scares.

    • “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.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been criticized for experiencing bugs and glitches, particularly towards the end of the playthrough. Additionally, players have reported issues with camera behavior that may contribute to motion sickness during gameplay.

    • “The game kind of lost me and got a bit buggy in the end.”
    • “Also, motion sickness warning: the game has you get up from your computer a few times, and the camera tends to be a bit buggy when it does.”
    • “During my playthrough, I encountered a few glitches.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is enhanced by clever references to various franchises, which can be appreciated even by casual fans, though a deeper knowledge of these references can elevate the comedic experience further.

    • “The game is filled with clever references that even casual fans can appreciate, adding an extra layer of humor for those in the know.”
    • “The humor is sharp and witty, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud at the quirky dialogue and unexpected situations throughout the game.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy is praised for its thoughtful design, catering to genre fans' desires rather than appearing as a mere cash grab.

    • “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “I feel like the game is designed to pressure players into making purchases, which ruins the experience.”
    • “The constant prompts to buy in-game currency are overwhelming and take away from the enjoyment of playing.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is highly regarded, with developers demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring smooth performance for all players.

    • “He is clearly very attentive and wants to make sure the game runs smoothly for everyone.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While some users note a seemingly low replay value, the game is highly recommended for fans of the Silent Hill 2 remake seeking to recapture its unique atmosphere and 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.”
    • “Even with a seemingly low replay value, I can't recommend this game strongly enough to anybody who played the Silent Hill 2 remake and just wants a little more of that magic.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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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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Frequently Asked Questions

Among Ashes is a action adventure game.

Among Ashes is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Among Ashes.

Among Ashes was released on December 9, 2024.

Among Ashes was developed by Rat Cliff Games.

Among Ashes has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its music.

Among Ashes is a single player game.

Similar games include Hollowbody, Lost in Vivo, The Medium, Cronos: The New Dawn, Crow Country and others.