Ashes of Creation Apocalypse

About

The standalone prequel to the upcoming epic MMORPG Ashes of Creation - both a testing ground for new systems and content, as well as a unique last-man-standing action game where magic, steel, and chaos reign supreme in a high fantasy, free-to-play experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

40%

Audience ScoreBased on 545 reviews

gameplay13 positive mentions

monetization20 negative mentions

The game has beautiful graphics and a visually appealing environment.
The combat mechanics are unique and offer a different experience compared to traditional battle royales.
The developers are actively working on improvements and updates based on player feedback.

Many players are experiencing login issues and cannot access the game.
The game feels unpolished, with clunky controls and a confusing user interface.
There is a heavy focus on microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience.

gameplay
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
73%
10%
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with many players noting a steep learning curve and complicated mechanics that can be frustrating for newcomers. While some appreciate the unique blend of high-mobility combat and the purposeful design of in-game mechanics, others criticize the lack of tutorials and optimization issues that hinder the overall experience. Despite these challenges, many players find the core gameplay enjoyable and see potential in its development as a testing ground for future MMO mechanics.
- “The in-game mechanics fit very nicely with the overall match, such as repairing armor and dodging in the air, which allows you to summon your griffon. Everything in the game has a purpose and isn't like other battle royale games that have too many things, with players only using a percentage of them.”
- “The gameplay is enjoyable; I like the amount of weapons, abilities, and riding the horses that the game has to offer.”
- “The combat is fast-paced, and the freedom of movement granted by the lunge jumps is an interesting mechanic.”
- “The gameplay took some getting used to - I never did quite get the hang of the wands!”
- “Gameplay lacks basic feedback.”
- “The gameplay is sluggish, while the sounds aren't very appealing.”
graphics
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning landscapes, character designs, and fluid animations that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted issues with controls and performance, the visual aesthetics are generally considered a strong point, showcasing a high level of artistry that bodes well for the game's future development. Overall, the graphics are described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are amazing and it's going to look like this in the actual MMO, so that's really nice.”
- “Gorgeous graphics and reactive combat make for a highly engaging experience.”
- “Graphics are fantastic, the art style is unique though it seems to be inspired by classic high-fantasy.”
- “It is very graphic heavy and that's not good when you need all the fps.”
- “While the game has decent graphics, it lacks in controls, movement and seems clunky.”
- “Absolutely terrible combat, graphics are lacking, no reason to release this.”
monetization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
28%
63%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a blatant cash grab due to the presence of numerous microtransactions and a battle pass system. Players express frustration over the perceived greed of the developers, feeling that the game prioritizes profit over quality and player experience, especially given its early access status. Overall, the monetization strategy has led to significant dissatisfaction, with many reviewers warning potential players to avoid the game if they dislike microtransactions.
- “So there is a bit of monetization at work here if folks wish to support the dev team, but beyond the initial legendary tier pass purchase (if you didn't kickstart/pre-order the game), you can simply play to earn the stuff instead of paying.”
- “It's a standalone game with monetization to fund itself that also aids in data for the MMO being made later on.”
- “I don’t understand how people think that Intrepid Studios could run their battle royale testing ground with zero monetization whatsoever.”
- “This is a cash grab, plain and simple.”
- “There is no excuse for this obvious and blatant cash grab for a game that is so early in development, both the battle royale and the MMO, especially when it has made so much money at the kickstarter(s).”
- “I already spent money on the MMO kickstarter, only to be delivered a bad ripoff battle royale plagued with microtransactions and a tone-deaf development team.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
41%
45%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues such as server lag, restricted movement, and poor performance on lower-end PCs. While some users noted improvements and smooth gameplay on higher-end systems, the overall consensus highlights that the game is still plagued by bugs and stability problems, making it unplayable for many. Despite its potential, the optimization remains a major concern that detracts from the overall experience.
- “Maps creation, skills balancing, shops, leaderboards, customization of matchmaking for both huge and short multiplayer sessions, optimization of the network architecture for heavily populated maps with a lot of player-player interaction, plus all the research and prototyping if you expect your battle royale to stand out in this overcrowded period.”
- “I feel the graphics, optimization, and variety of weapons are great.”
- “It looks pretty good, it runs smoothly, I had no issues with optimization and my 1080 Ti didn't burst into flames either.”
- “Optimization is awful, the servers lag often, especially when around other players.”
- “The biggest issue is by far the optimization.”
- “Game is horribly optimized for me at least and I have a pretty middle-of-the-line PC.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs and performance issues, including glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these problems, others criticize it for being poorly optimized and not representative of a finished product, especially given the presence of a cash shop in a testing client. Overall, the game is seen as a fun concept but plagued by stability issues that need to be addressed.
- “The systems seem to be very responsive and not too buggy.”
- “I am actually really enjoying the combat of this game. I think it runs great and smooth; others are saying differently, but I haven't had a single problem.”
- “The two main criticisms that I keep seeing are: 1) it's buggy and poorly optimized!”
- “It's a buggy mess; it is poorly optimized and it is having a ton of downtime.”
- “I really like this game, but it's almost not playable right now because of bad performance glitches.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story aspect of the game has seen significant improvement, with enhanced quest narratives and a richer backstory, reflecting the growth of Intrepid Studios. However, some players express concern over monetization practices, particularly the selling of quests in a test environment, which they find unusual for a free game. Overall, while the storytelling has advanced, it is overshadowed by issues related to combat mechanics and monetization strategies.
- “Intrepid Studios as a company has quintupled in size, and the quality of the combat, as well as the game's environments, costuming, story behind the quests, and the back-end programming regarding login and server load issues, have dramatically improved.”
- “The developers even show this off by taking the BR map and just switching on all of the MMORPG elements for a quick quest run.”
- “Selling cosmetics is okay in a free game, but paying for quests in a test game is not normal.”
- “Intrepid Studios as a company has quintupled in size and the quality of the combat as well as the game's environments, costuming, story behind the quests, and the back-end programming regarding login and server load issues have dramatically improved.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever dialogue and situational comedy, such as the amusing contrast between the game's "triple A" quality claims and a character's blunt remark to frustrated players. Additionally, the mechanics of strafing and aiming from a distance add a layer of comedic absurdity to the gameplay experience.
- “Strafing and aiming from a distance are possible and hilarious.”
- “It's funny when they mentioned 'triple A' quality of a game and one girl says, 'If you're mad, go somewhere else' in their latest stream.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The music in the game is characterized by epic, uplifting orchestral compositions that enhance the atmosphere, but some players feel it is overshadowed by a lack of engaging gameplay, as they find themselves waiting in the lobby while the music plays.
- “The epic, uplifting orchestral music creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
- “The high-definition character detail is complemented by a powerful soundtrack that elevates every moment of gameplay.”
- “The music in the game is a thunderous backdrop that adds intensity and excitement, even during quieter moments.”
- “The orchestral music feels overly dramatic and doesn't match the game's tone, making it distracting rather than immersive.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, which makes long play sessions feel tedious.”
- “The music often drowns out important sound effects, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While users find the use of ranged weapons, particularly bows, to be satisfying and rewarding, they do not feel that this aspect evokes any strong emotional connection or significance within the game.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the effective anti-cheat system that successfully prevents bot farming and spamming, enhancing the overall grinding experience.