Ashen Empires

About

Ashen Empires is a multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Iron Will Games, LLC and was released on September 2, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Ashen Empires is a classic MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Dransik. Dransik has been besieged by the sinister forces of Talazar, preying on mortals. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, defeat powerful bosses, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market. Play YOUR way!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+17

Skip User Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 359 reviews

story9 positive mentions

grinding33 negative mentions

Offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic MMORPGs like Ultima Online and RuneScape.
Engaging community with helpful players and a variety of activities including crafting, trading, and PvP.
The game has a vast world to explore with numerous quests and character customization options.

Heavily reliant on microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
The player base is small and can be toxic, leading to a less enjoyable environment for newcomers.
Outdated graphics and user interface that may be off-putting for modern gamers.

graphics
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated and reminiscent of classic isometric styles, which may deter players seeking modern visuals. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and retro aesthetic, many reviews highlight that the graphical quality falls short compared to contemporary standards, impacting the overall experience for new players. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay and content are often praised, suggesting that those willing to overlook the graphics may still find enjoyment in the game.
- “Good game nostalgic experience, quality graphics overhaul nicely done, well played questline and crafting; player housing was a must.”
- “Oldschool isometric graphics, very classic MMORPG feel with a small tight community, extensive crafting system, PvP and PvE servers.”
- “I recommend this to anyone who likes isometric old school fantasy games with high quality pixel-y graphics!”
- “The game's visuals and user interface may feel dated compared to modern standards, which can be a deterrent for new players looking for more polished aesthetics.”
- “I don't recommend the game; the graphics are decades outdated, gameplay is outdated, literally everything is outdated.”
- “Graphically, the game is very dated, for sure, but in terms of classic MMO content, this game is better than it's ever been.”
story
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The story in "Ashen Empires" is characterized by a rich lore and a plethora of quests, offering players a sense of freedom and exploration reminiscent of classic MMORPGs like RuneScape. However, it lacks a cohesive main storyline, leading to mixed reviews regarding its depth and engagement, with some players appreciating the variety of quests while others find the quest chains poorly presented and unengaging. Overall, while the game provides extensive gameplay opportunities, its storytelling elements are seen as underdeveloped compared to its immersive mechanics and vibrant world.
- “Rich lore and an immersive storyline.”
- “Beginner island sets the mood and tells you a story of a larger land that, when you're ready, you will go to.”
- “Be prepared to be amazed at the size of the game, the amount of storytelling/quests, and the gigantic amount of gear for your character, just to list a few.”
- “There is no main storyline.”
- “The NPCs often refer you to seek other NPCs in very unengaging quest chains that are poorly presented.”
- “You do get to hear about stories through quests, but it doesn't really progress your own character story.”
gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
70%
11%
The gameplay of Ashen Empires is characterized by its nostalgic, old-school mechanics and slower pace compared to modern MMORPGs, which may appeal to fans of classic titles but frustrate those seeking contemporary experiences. While the game offers a rich atmosphere and extensive content, it suffers from technical issues, pay-to-win elements, and outdated graphics, leading to mixed reviews on its overall enjoyment and engagement. Players appreciate the depth of gameplay and community aspects, but many express a desire for modern updates to enhance the experience.
- “Classic MMO with nostalgic gameplay and music.”
- “Fun addictive gameplay and good community.”
- “Gameplay and combat is very old school but very enjoyable.”
- “I thought I was lagging, but that is just the regular game's performance; pathetic gameplay.”
- “The game's heavy reliance on pay-to-win mechanics further exacerbates the problem, putting casual or non-paying players at a significant disadvantage.”
- “Also, the stamina and combat mechanics were a tedious irritation; it wasn't fun, and after level 25+, it's boring what you have to do to get your stamina back.”
grinding
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is a polarizing feature, with many players enjoying the extensive opportunities for farming, crafting, and leveling up, often finding it rewarding and engaging. However, some users express frustration with the tediousness and time commitment required, particularly in later stages of the game. Overall, those who appreciate grind-heavy MMORPGs are likely to find a lot to love, especially with the supportive community and diverse activities available.
- “Very grindy and the devs are corrupt and liars.”
- “If you follow a tedious online guide, I hear you can hit max level after about 3 weeks of 40-hour weeks.”
- “Also, the stamina and combat mechanics were a tedious irritation; it wasn't fun, and after level 25+, it's boring what you have to do to get your stamina back.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
35%
18%
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with some players appreciating its nostalgic and ambient qualities, while others criticize its repetitiveness and low-quality MIDI sound. Many find the soundtrack charming and fitting for the retro aesthetic, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, though some note that it can become monotonous due to limited variety and looping. Overall, the music is seen as a significant part of the game's appeal, despite its flaws.
- “Classic MMO with nostalgic gameplay and music.”
- “The music in this game is something I always go back to even at times while I wasn't actively playing.”
- “The music has been updated a bit, but I find it to be enjoyable and helps with the experience of the gameplay.”
- “You are also bombarded by the most awful MIDI-quality music.”
- “There is barely any sound, except the music which everyone turns off because it plays regardless of the game being the active window or not, and is very repetitive.”
- “But there's a lot of similarities, particularly the music, and the name of the starting kingdom.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players find it manageable even on low-end systems, many report frequent technical glitches and performance issues that detract from the gameplay experience. There is a clear demand for further optimization and bug fixes to enhance stability, especially given concerns about the game's pay-to-win mechanics and unreliable server performance.
- “Optimization is good, and I'm sure that even low-end computers can handle it.”
- “Technical issues and performance optimizations are needed.”
- “I thought I was lagging, but that is just the regular game's performance; pathetic gameplay.”
- “The need for optimization and bug fixes is noticeable.”
- “The issue is that they have a pay-to-win system with servers that are not trusted for performance, which causes losses in in-game trades and investments due to server resets, shutdowns, etc.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while players cherish the deep connections and shared experiences formed over years, there are significant concerns about the emotional instability of the game’s management, which leads to inconsistent treatment of players and a lack of trust within the community. This volatility can create feelings of vulnerability among players, contrasting with the excitement derived from personal achievements and growth within the game.
- “My then partner and later my wife got lost in that world for a decade. We made friends, fought battles with minor foes and arch rivals... man, we had fun. Never did max my level, lol. Shout out to H (are we still H? Hero's Sanct?) to MPU, my comrades in arms, to SDM for mothering so many, to IX for allowing me amongst their ranks, and a grudging respect emoji to my old and eternal foes DL. A heartfelt thank you to F3AR for teaching me the meaning of hate. :p lol ig not irl gg ;)”
- “That made me feel weak and vulnerable, but it also made me excited because the farming goblin became a clear and understandable measure of my strength and a sense of scaling many games just lack.”
- “All of a sudden, a change after being emotional.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The monetization model of the game is heavily criticized for being pay-to-win (P2W) and filled with microtransactions, creating an unfair playing environment. While the game is free to play and lacks intrusive ads or loot boxes, it is perceived as a cash grab, with concerns about arbitrary bans on players. Overall, the monetization strategy detracts from the nostalgic experience it offers.
- “On the positive side, the game has nostalgic elements, is completely free, and I saw no ads, no loot boxes, no season pass, no NFTs, and not even an offer to subscribe.”
- “The game is heavily pay-to-win and is full of microtransactions.”
- “Meanwhile, they shamelessly push microtransactions, all while creating an unfair environment where your money is worthless unless you're one of their chosen few.”
- “The game is like Ultima Online but a bit better; however, it's a very cash-grabbing type of game where you can pay-to-win, and the devs and mods ban random people for no reason.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent black screen freezes and significant resizing issues, rendering it nearly unplayable for many. While some players experience decent performance on certain systems, the overall consensus highlights persistent technical glitches and a lack of polish, leading to frustration and disappointment.
- “Runs great on my laptop!”
- “The game has a solid performance with minimal crashes.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is, even during intense moments.”
- “Over 30 attempts just to get the game to resize to something that was not microscopic. It just black screens and freezes every time. This 32-bit nonsense game is completely unplayable unless you have a 15-year-old build or a magnifying glass taped to your monitor.”
- “However, if you want to play something that feels like a buggy alpha of a dead game, with an actual price tag (expansions) of 20+ USD, look no further.”
- “And furthermore, why does Steam allow such a buggy and mismanaged game to be on their platform anyway?”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of Ashen Empires is noted for its immersive quality and detailed mechanics, setting it apart from similar games in the genre. However, it is criticized for lacking in graphical quality and engaging storytelling, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “In comparison to games in the same genre, Ashen Empires delivers an immersive atmosphere and detailed mechanics.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game more appealing and replayable compared to Dransik, citing improved controls, a more engaging world, and enhanced MMORPG features that contribute to a richer gameplay experience.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the inclusion of amusing elements like "clown awards," which users find particularly funny. Overall, the comedic aspects contribute positively to the gaming experience.
- “Clown awards, that's hilarious.”