Ashen

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,749 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Ashen Game Cover
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"Ashen is an open-world, single-player co-op action RPG with souls-like combat and stunning visuals. Passively encounter other players in a dynamic world filled with hostile enemies and indigenous creatures, where the environment and your location play a significant role in your gameplay experience. Every adventure in Ashen is unique."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,749 reviews
story133 positive mentions
grinding44 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Engaging exploration with hidden secrets and rewarding quests that contribute to character progression.
  • Unique co-op mechanics that allow for a different multiplayer experience compared to traditional souls-like games.
  • Combat feels clunky and lacks depth, with limited weapon variety and no parry or backstab mechanics.
  • AI companions are often unhelpful, getting stuck or dying easily, which can hinder solo play.
  • Long runbacks to bosses and sparse checkpoints can lead to frustration and a tedious gameplay experience.
  • story514 mentions

    The story in "Ashen" is often described as a blend of intriguing lore and standard fantasy tropes, with many players finding it both charming and vague. While some appreciate the character-driven narratives and the progression of the hub town through quests, others criticize the story for being forgettable and overly reliant on fetch quests. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a mix of engaging moments and cliches, with a focus on exploration and character interactions rather than a deeply compelling plot.

    • “The story is beautifully told with engaging cutscenes and NPCs that gradually tie into the narrative, making even the fetch side quests feel meaningful and rewarding.”
    • “As you progress through the main story and complete specific quests for characters, your main base slowly rebuilds, adding new facilities and enhancing the sense of accomplishment.”
    • “The world, atmosphere, music, characters, and plot are all unique and deeply immersive, showcasing the love and effort put into the game's design.”
    • “I know they put a lot of effort into the creative art and the story and characters, but there is just so much wrong with it that I cannot recommend it.”
    • “The story didn't interest me enough to keep following it, so I ended up skipping the majority of it.”
    • “The story is vague and confusing, and I didn't pay a ton of attention to each story beat, but got the gist of it.”
  • graphics420 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, which combines minimalist design with atmospheric environments that enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the charming visuals and the way they contribute to the game's haunting ambiance, although some note that the simplicity can lead to a repetitive feel in certain areas. Overall, while the graphics are considered a strong point, opinions vary on how they complement the gameplay and level design.

    • “The environment and the art style is just amazing, the map is well designed, the areas feel populated and seem natural and well integrated.”
    • “Its breathtakingly beautiful world, paired with a minimalist art style, perfectly complements the haunting atmosphere.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous - the use of a muted palette fits the game and the muted cel shading makes the game feel like you are playing an old Tim Burton stop motion movie.”
    • “The main problem with Ashen is that, aside from the art style, it feels... unfinished, I guess?”
    • “It's basically Dark Souls 'ripoff' with poor selection of monsters, poor selection of weapons, poor controls and even 'Borderlands'-like graphics are unimaginative.”
    • “Graphics are really bad even on ultra, controls just suck, not the least bit fun for me.”
  • gameplay404 mentions

    The gameplay of "Ashen" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric world and unique mechanics, such as the lantern system and climbing abilities. However, criticisms focus on the combat's simplicity, lack of depth, and frustrating mechanics, particularly regarding the co-op experience and the limitations imposed by the lantern on weapon choices. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable exploration and a visually appealing environment, its gameplay is often described as repetitive and lacking the complexity found in more established souls-like titles.

    • “The gameplay is fun, except for some really long dull runs back to boss doors.”
    • “The gameplay in 'Ashen' is both challenging and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and fluid, with a seamless blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.”
    • “Overall, the game has great graphics, and the story is somewhat unique and interesting, but the overall gameplay, especially the level design and the combat mechanics, are lacking tremendously, to the point that we could even question the presence of specialized people focusing on that part of the game during production.”
    • “The gameplay loop simply isn't complex or varied enough to maintain your interest for that long.”
    • “Unfortunately, wandering around a cute virtual Viking town isn't a strong enough motivation to slog through 20 hours of bare-bones, repetitive, and clunky gameplay.”
  • music183 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the overall experience. While some players find the soundtrack enchanting and well-integrated with the game's environments, others feel it lacks memorability and energy, particularly during combat. Overall, the music is often described as beautiful and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance, though opinions vary on its standout moments and effectiveness in high-stakes scenarios.

    • “The music is enchanting, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the combat is simply exhilarating.”
    • “The hand-painted environments, atmospheric lighting, and hauntingly melodic soundtrack create an enchanting and immersive experience that draws you deeper into the mysterious tale.”
    • “The music is perfect for establishing the feelings of loneliness and emptiness that plagues the world.”
    • “Droning noises don't count as music, so no score there.”
    • “The music is underwhelming... but aside from that?”
    • “There's no really iconic music in this game; I feel like I remember some cool moments enhanced by the score, but the fact that I'm not sure about it is probably quite telling.”
  • atmosphere140 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, haunting sound design, and immersive world, creating a captivating experience that encourages exploration. Many players appreciate the unique art style and calming music, which contribute to a sense of comfort and intrigue, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmosphere stands out as a significant highlight, drawing players into its beautifully crafted environments and emotional depth.

    • “Its breathtakingly beautiful world, paired with a minimalist art style, perfectly complements the haunting atmosphere.”
    • “The hand-painted environments, atmospheric lighting, and hauntingly melodic soundtrack create an enchanting and immersive experience that draws you deeper into the mysterious tale.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, the music is great, the sound effects are great, it looks great, and the open world area is just a really chill, low-stress experience.”
    • “The other big con of the game is that the atmosphere is lacking.”
    • “What a shame because the world and atmosphere is pretty and mysterious but I just can't go through one more minute of its boring and terrible gameplay design.”
    • “At times it feels like it has its own setting, atmosphere, art style and gameplay; and at other times it just feels like a bad copy of Dark Souls that 'added' a couple things trying to stand on its own feet, like open spaces and climbing.”
  • grinding49 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often detracting from the overall enjoyment. Players report that the need to farm for upgrades and items can feel like a chore, with many encounters and dungeons becoming monotonous over time. While some appreciate the potential for character progression through quests, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a frustrating and unfulfilling experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “No grinding is needed as stats and equipment are obtained mainly from quests and exploration.”
    • “Sadly, with 15 hours, it's a bit short, although I definitely didn't search around in all corners for all the scattered items. Since most of it is cheap consumables, I probably missed out on some cool items because it was too tedious to fetch them.”
    • “What starts off as an adventure of wonder quickly devolves into a tedious mess of gameplay that was probably never play tested.”
    • “The last couple of areas of this game fall off harder than I've ever seen before, totally killing the momentum and joy of exploring with unsatisfying rewards and making the exploration, the best part, tedious and unfun.”
  • stability31 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly with AI companions and mechanics like jumping and climbing. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without major issues, others faced frustrating freezes and unresponsive controls, especially on Linux. Overall, the game is described as excessively buggy, impacting the enjoyment and functionality, particularly in co-op play.

    • “The game runs great, and the graphics are good, providing a stable experience that enhances the overall enjoyment.”
    • “This game delivers a solid performance, ensuring a smooth and stable gameplay experience that keeps players engaged.”
    • “The stability of the game allows for seamless co-op play, making it a reliable choice for fans of the genre.”
    • “The game is excessively buggy.”
    • “I've given up on plenty of games due to boredom, but this is the first time I've uninstalled a game in disgust due to buggy AI and poor game design.”
    • “Never played such a buggy final release of any game and it doesn't really happen until you've played past the initial refund stage, so I guess the devs won't bother to fix it as it's been a long time.”
  • replayability25 mentions

    Overall, the game suffers from a significant lack of replayability due to limited build variety, a cumbersome inventory system, and a lack of engaging combat mechanics. Many players noted that the absence of a New Game Plus mode and the repetitive nature of gameplay contribute to a feeling of boredom after the initial playthrough. While some aspects may appeal to fans of the genre, the consensus is that the game does not offer enough incentive for repeated play.

    • “Already on my fourth save in DS3 though, would get that over this; good balancing, good replay value.”
    • “The souls games offer a lot of replay value by giving the player tons of different weapons, armor, spells, and leveling abilities to create unique builds and playstyles.”
    • “Those looking for a challenge will find more playtime in the unlockable hard mode, 'Children of Sissna', though the replay value is otherwise relatively low.”
    • “There is basically 0 build variety, which means for me 0 replayability.”
    • “Unfortunately, the combat isn't good enough for me to come back and the lack of build variety (or the ability to have different builds at all) significantly reduces any replay value.”
    • “I won't even be mentioning the 'hard mode' that you unlock mid-playthrough instead of as a sort of new game+ after completing your journey that, in the end, lasts for just 20 hours at most and has no replayability.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its themes of perseverance, friendship, and hope, which resonate deeply with players, creating a lasting impact. While some find the narrative and character development lacking, many appreciate the game's unique atmosphere, music, and heartfelt storytelling, making it a touching experience that stands out in the genre. Overall, it offers a blend of emotional depth and a refreshing change from more traditional grim titles.

    • “To the developers: I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for creating such an incredible experience.”
    • “The game's overarching themes of perseverance, friendship, and hope resonate deeply with players, leaving an emotional impact that lingers long after the credits roll.”
    • “The world, the atmosphere, the music, the characters and the plot - it's 100% unique and it just feels so incredibly deep and real, mind- and heart-warming... so much love was put into it, you can easily tell.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique faceless character designs and a rewarding progression system that enhances the sense of growth as players unlock features. While the overall character design is praised for its aesthetic appeal, some reviews note that the depth of lore and character development may not reach the heights of similar titles like Dark Souls. The combination of beautiful environments, solid voice acting, and a compelling narrative contributes to a satisfying character experience, despite some critiques on the depth of the story.

    • “A beautiful story, superb voice acting, rich character development, and well knit together as a whole to drive the story of vagrants looking to carve out a haven for themselves in the midst of light and darkness.”
    • “Also because you unlock every feature slowly one after the other, it feels much more rewarding and character development feels every time like a grand step forward.”
    • “The sound design, music, map and character design are all gorgeous and beautiful and fit within their own aesthetic.”
    • “The faceless characters were a unique feature, but the overall character design didn't stand out.”
    • “The lore isn't as deep as Dark Souls, and the sense of scale and character development doesn't really live up to Outward.”
    • “Character design, weapons, armors, and effects are well done and crisp.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its simplistic mechanics and the amusing interactions that arise from them, such as the ability to bind sprint and shield bash keys. Players find the comedic elements in the game's design choices and the contrast between its challenging gameplay and humorous moments, making it enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings. Overall, while some critiques focus on difficulty, many appreciate the lighthearted aspects that enhance the experience.

    • “That was funny, actually!”
    • “With a simple combat system, it's very funny to play (always with a friend) and fun to explore the open world.”
    • “It's funny; I love this game, like a mini Dark Souls or Sekiro.”
    • “Overall, it's a no for me. If a game isn't funny and only focuses on difficulty, it loses my interest.”
    • “The humor fell flat and felt forced, making the experience less enjoyable.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes were stale and didn't land at all.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The optimization of the game is a mixed bag; while some players praise its beautiful graphics and smooth performance, others report significant issues, particularly in multiplayer, where connectivity and bugs detract from the experience. Overall, there are notable performance problems and optimization inconsistencies that affect gameplay, especially after extended play sessions.

    • “Beautiful graphics, amazingly well optimized, a lot of fun!”
    • “The visual style, gameplay, and performance all outweigh the series it spawned from.”
    • “Performance is as it should be.”
    • “Multiplayer broken + poorly optimized, a PowerPoint presentation about this game would cycle through images at a higher framerate.”
    • “9/10, only docking a point for some strange performance issues and weird bugs after playing for a few hours.”
    • “Other bugs include some poor optimization, random window switching (e.g. alt-tabbing), an inability to select the output audio device (and it won't always pick your default audio device!).”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized for feeling like a cash grab, as it superficially incorporates souls-like elements into a walking simulator. Additionally, the presence of infinite ads during boss fights detracts from the gameplay experience, forcing players to navigate overwhelming distractions while battling.

    • “The souls-like elements seem like they were added onto a walking sim game as a cash grab; this is a walking sim with a paper sheet that says 'souls-like' on top of it to entice the souls playerbase into the game.”
    • “The boss also spawns infinite numbers of ads over time in the second phase, forcing you to either hope that they aggro on your companion so you can solo the boss, or get rushed down by infinitely spawning trash mobs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

9hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
5-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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