Ashes of the Night
- August 1, 2019
- Wolfs Moon Studios
- 50h median play time
Get on Steam"Ashes of the Night" is a fantasy adventure game with minimal farming, focusing on character development and interaction. Players can choose from various classes and customize their characters with an array of gear. The goal is to stop an ego-maniac known as "The Master" and restore peace to a disaster-stricken world. Be prepared for a rough start and hilariously ugly graphics.
Reviews
- The game offers a wide variety of characters with unique skills, allowing for diverse party compositions and strategies.
- Engaging combat and balanced difficulty make for a fun and rewarding experience, with plenty of loot and exploration.
- The humor and quirky dialogue add charm to the game, making it entertaining and enjoyable for fans of old-school RPGs.
- The maps are often poorly designed and visually unappealing, leading to a lack of immersion in the game world.
- The story can feel disjointed and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more context and direction.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as character leveling and NPC interactions, are frustratingly limited or poorly executed.
- story27 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the engaging characters and quirky hidden cut scenes that enhance the narrative experience. While many found the plot interesting and well-integrated with gameplay, others criticized it for being disjointed or lacking depth, with some feeling it was too generic or minimal. Overall, the characters and their interactions are highlighted as a strong point, contributing to a fun and humorous storyline, despite some players desiring more substantial narrative development.
“Hidden cut scenes give a quirky feel to the game, and I love the ending whereby it flashes back to each character - I did not expect the Errow and Christian love story, and Robert and his dad's story.”
“The biggest plus by far is the story, and the amount of characters there are.”
“Very interesting story, pleasant gameplay, charismatic characters.”
“The story is a bit disjointed and I could have used a bit more explanation as to what was going on.”
“The maps are empty, there is hardly a story 40 minutes into the game and the worst part is that the developer doesn't know how to design a building in RPG Maker; absolutely dreadful visually.”
“Storywise... nada, it is just one small dungeon after the other.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ashes of the Night" is characterized by its old-school JRPG mechanics, offering a blend of exploration, looting, and grinding that appeals to fans of the genre. While it may not match the developer's later titles in complexity, it features balanced mechanics and unique character contributions that enhance the experience. Overall, players appreciate the engaging story and charismatic characters, though some find the initial gameplay experience less compelling.
“Each character brings their own unique gameplay to the game.”
“I strongly recommend this game to anyone who enjoys this sort of classic, old-school RPG genre games, as it minimizes the negative side of those games while enhancing all the strong points of the genre, which will amount to a very enjoyable 24+ hours of gameplay.”
“As the first game (out of 9 at this point), Ashes of the Night can't compare to this developer's later titles, especially when it comes to the implemented mechanics and such, but it still serves as an early showcase of the characteristics the games of this developer tend to embody.”
“After the first few minutes, I frankly wondered what the fuss was about -- the writing was goofy, the gameplay seemed stilted and I was questioning my purchase.”
“With lots of places to explore and so many equipment pieces to loot, there's rarely a dull moment gameplay-wise - provided that you like grindy old-school JRPGs, because this game is exactly this.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by its quirky and creative writing, with a variety of engaging characters that deliver funny dialogue and interactions. While some players appreciate the absurdity and charm of the humor, others find it hit-or-miss, with opinions divided on its effectiveness. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted tone to the experience, enhancing the enjoyment for those who resonate with its style.
“I recommend the game because it has a lot of character variety, and it's quite funny.”
“So, if you are looking for some strange, creative, and funny writing, this game is for you.”
“The storyline is fun, and the dialogue is very humorous at times.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the games is praised for its whimsy and freshness, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the scenes effectively. Reviewers appreciate the variety and balance in the soundtracks, noting that the creators have put significant effort into crafting engaging musical encounters throughout the gameplay.
“There was really good music the entire way to keep it feeling fresh.”
“Music is great in several encounters and as you play you will notice that time and effort from the creator is present in a lot of encounters.”
“The music works really well with the scenes, and isn't the same old stuff you're used to hearing, which is refreshing.”
“I like 'Journey to Lunato' for its whimsical music, art, and easy play (near bedtime!). I like 'Ashes of the Night' even better for the same reasons - and it's a bit better in a lot of ways.”
“Variety in music.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it feels rewarding and engaging due to the variety of unique areas to explore and loot. While the game leans into old-school JRPG mechanics, many find the grinding enjoyable and not overly tedious, as character progression aligns well with the main story's demands. Overall, the grinding enhances the gameplay experience rather than detracts from it.
“With lots of places to explore and so many equipment pieces to loot, there's rarely a dull moment gameplay-wise - provided that you like grindy old-school JRPGs, because this game is exactly that.”
“I played for 50 hours, a couple of hours grinding but not redundant because of the unique areas to grind at.”
“Characters level up as much as needed during the course of the main story in order for you to require as little grinding as possible.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game appeal to fans of old-school RPGs, featuring retro visuals and classic fight styles. However, some players feel that the graphics may not resonate with everyone, even within the target demographic.
“Would recommend for anyone who likes old school RPGs, old school graphics, and fight styles.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making the game visually unappealing.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers emphasize that while visual aesthetics may not be crucial, the atmosphere and storytelling are vital components of an RPG, significantly enhancing the overall gaming experience.
“A game could look ugly but still be fun to play; for an RPG, the atmosphere and story are important.”
“The immersive atmosphere completely draws you in, making every moment feel significant.”
“The haunting soundtrack and detailed environments create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, noting that the frequent character interactions and unexpected touching moments contribute to a heartfelt experience.
“The characters talk to each other often, and there are even a few touching moments that took me by pleasant surprise.”
“The story unfolds in a way that truly resonates with the player's emotions, making every decision feel significant.”
“I found myself deeply invested in the characters' journeys, feeling their joys and sorrows as if they were my own.”
