- November 20, 2020
- Tim Kashani
Ascent
Platforms
PC
Windows
Mac OS
Buy Now
About
"Ascent" is a single-player horror platformer game with simple controls, where you roll a snowball up a mountain with no jumping, checkpoints, or forgiveness. The game's difficulty lies in its forcing players to push their cognitive abilities to the limit, with the risk of falling back down if not careful. With only thought-provoking dialogue from your snowball companion, your belief in yourself is what separates the player from the master.
- Ascent offers a challenging and satisfying gameplay experience that rewards persistence and skill mastery.
- The physics-based mechanics and level design create unique obstacles that require strategic thinking and timing.
- The game features charming graphics and a catchy soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- The level design can feel imbalanced, with frustrating sections that disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- Achievements are overly grindy and poorly balanced, requiring excessive playthroughs that may deter players.
- The character controls can feel heavy and sluggish, leading to moments of frustration when navigating obstacles.
- gameplay30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The gameplay of "Ascent" is characterized by its challenging platforming mechanics that require players to master the physics of a snowball, emphasizing momentum and precision. While the controls are generally smooth, some players note inconsistencies in physics and a steep learning curve, which can test patience. Overall, the game offers a unique and enjoyable experience for those seeking difficult platforming challenges, though achievement balancing may deter long-term engagement.
“To achieve what one could call 'mastery' over the gameplay, the game requires that you experiment in the lowest 'starting' area by testing out the physics of the snowball through means of speeding up against the slopes of the mountain and leaning into other slopes as you fall down or roll back to gain higher speeds to get across areas that are impossible to navigate otherwise. Perfecting this 'art' of platforming will separate the amateur from the professional, alongside the usual familiarity with the numerous sections of the map over time as well as advanced knowledge of shortcuts where applicable.”
“It's why, starting in the second area and beyond, Ascent throws in the more 'unusual' obstacles that stray from being a typical mountain. The moving obstacles present platforming challenges in a new light that require practice, focus, and patience to overcome and eventually conquer once you become skilled enough.”
“Ascent knows exactly what it sets out to do for its gameplay, as the design encourages the mastery of the snowball's momentum, which is key to making progress.”
“The achievements for this game in relation to amounts won and how many times one has fallen down a deep pit are not balanced fairly and could prove off-putting for long-term gameplay.”
“Mechanics: the main gimmick of the game is based on the fact that you can only move left or right.”
“This game truly puts your patience to the test, though the mechanics might be a bit difficult to understand at the beginning.”
Buy Ascent
Videos
