Aska

ASKA has a pretty decent foundation. The mechanics are all there, it has a good system with the villagers and a built-in co-op as well. With a little bit more fine tuning over the next few months, I think that ASKA can hold its own against some of the more established survival games out there currently.

79%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

grinding, stability

80% User Score Based on 4,907 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

Aska is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Sand Sailor Studio and was released on June 20, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Lay claim to unspoiled lands and pave the way for a fierce Viking tribe. Craft the ultimate settlement solo or together with up to x3 friends. Trust in the Gods and the power of the Eye of Odin and summon intelligent NPC villagers to provide camaraderie and relief from the toils of survival. In ASKA, strive to build a self-sustaining Viking tribe, working, crafting, hunting and fighting together.…

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,907 reviews

gameplay203 positive mentions

grinding527 negative mentions

Engaging village management mechanics that allow players to assign tasks to villagers and watch the settlement grow.
Beautiful graphics and immersive atmosphere, with dynamic weather and seasonal changes enhancing the gameplay experience.
Challenging gameplay that requires strategic planning and resource management, making each decision feel meaningful.

Villager AI can be frustratingly inefficient, often leading to micromanagement and causing players to do most of the work themselves.
Combat mechanics feel clunky and unresponsive, with issues like hit registration and enemy behavior detracting from the experience.
The game can be overly grindy, with resource requirements for building and crafting feeling excessive and leading to tedious gameplay.

gameplay
711 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
64%
7%
The gameplay of "Aska" is characterized by a blend of survival mechanics and colony management, reminiscent of titles like "Valheim" and "Medieval Dynasty." Players engage in resource gathering, building, and managing NPC villagers, which adds depth but can also lead to frustration due to clunky mechanics and a steep learning curve. While the game offers an immersive experience with unique mechanics, it suffers from tedious gameplay loops and a lack of intuitive guidance, making it best suited for those who enjoy complex management systems and cooperative play.
- “The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
- “Aska has an insanely addicting gameplay loop that has me constantly telling myself, 'just one more task before I take a break.'”
- “The core gameplay loop is fun, the mechanics are well thought out, and the aesthetic and atmosphere do a great job of immersing you in its harsh, mystic world.”
- “The gameplay loop has egregious amounts of tedious mechanics built into it.”
- “The game is ok for fun, but there are many tedious and some outright stupid mechanics at play.”
- “The core gameplay loop is honestly just bad.”
grinding
537 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the early stages. While some appreciate the depth of micromanagement and the ability to delegate tasks to villagers, others feel that the constant resource gathering and building processes detract from the overall enjoyment, making it feel more like a chore than a game. Overall, the game is described as grindy, with a significant emphasis on managing villagers and resources, which can lead to frustration if not balanced properly.
- “The inventory and villager logic is done really well, managing your settlement is not very tedious and the villagers always know what to do without a lot of player intervention, while still leaving a lot of room for players to be creative and try various setups.”
- “It is grindy but not too grindy, because you can get villagers doing most things for you and focus on things you want to do.”
- “Once you learn how to manage your village, the game is not grindy at all in my opinion.”
- “The game is a grinding hell, you will spend a lot of time just grinding.”
- “It's just tedious from start to finish.”
- “The gameplay is heavily focused on grinding, getting materials and building your village.”
graphics
379 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and artistic style, particularly in comparison to Valheim. However, some users criticize the optimization issues, lack of graphical options, and inconsistencies in visual quality, leading to a frustrating experience for some. Overall, while the game boasts beautiful environments and engaging aesthetics, it also faces challenges with performance and clarity in certain aspects.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is smooth and captivating.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, makes the world feel alive.”
- “The graphics and sound design are top-notch, immersing you in the viking world with stunning visuals and atmospheric audio.”
- “Graphics feel lackluster and odd.”
- “Optimization is abysmal and some of the graphical effects both look bad and cook your GPU at the same time, like the fog and night causing everything to glow like crazy.”
- “For some reason the graphics are so poor it actually hurt my eyes.”
optimization
151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
64%
15%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly as village size increases. While some users experience smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others face severe frame drops and stuttering, leading to frustration and refunds. Overall, there is a consensus that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance performance and stability, especially for lower-end devices.
- “The developers have done a great job with nearly every aspect of the game: UI, AI, graphics (at least in terms of style), sound, world generation, and optimization — it's all very well done.”
- “The performance is alright, none of the bugs I've encountered have been game-breaking, I've never lost any progress, and most issues are resolved by simply restarting the game.”
- “I do rather enjoy the art style and barring some hiccups and performance issues sporadically it runs rather well on my middle-aged system.”
- “Played a while, terrible optimization..... refunded.”
- “Optimization is abysmal and some of the graphical effects both look bad and cook your GPU at the same time, like the fog and night causing everything to glow like crazy.”
- “The optimization in the game is sadly very bad and there are bugs here and there, but I can only hope it gets fixed along the way.”
story
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
6%
The game's story aspect is widely criticized for its lack of depth and progression, with many players expressing a desire for a more structured narrative or quest system to enhance engagement. While some appreciate the integration of village management and survival elements, they feel that the absence of a compelling storyline or character development leaves the experience feeling repetitive and unfulfilling. Overall, players hope for future updates to introduce more meaningful story content and quests to enrich the gameplay.
- “Beautiful graphics, great story.”
- “You'll feel like a lost puppy in a dangerous world in the first several hours, but after getting established, it becomes a story of guiding a village to prosper as their demigod leader.”
- “Immersive storytelling: the narrative of Aska is rich and engaging, drawing players into a mystical world filled with secrets and ancient lore.”
- “No story, no stepping stone achievements really.”
- “With no backstory or storyline to follow, the game is just a city builder.”
- “There's little story progression, and it feels like an endless gathering quest with little to no reward.”
stability
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
1%
83%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly related to AI behavior and game freezes. While some users noted a relatively smooth experience with minimal bugs, the overall consensus leans towards the game being quite buggy, especially in its early access state, leading to frustration during gameplay. Players are advised to approach the game with caution due to its current instability and frequent technical problems.
- “The game is perfectly stable, performant, and bug free.”
- “There are no glitches so far through two seasons.”
- “Good early access game just released but not buggy and all around very complete; only 1 issue so far and that's with road building and terrain leveling.”
- “It's really buggy, always missing tools; they just vanish.”
- “But as of November 2025, do not buy this buggy half-arsed game.”
- “Between endless bugs, clunky menus, and connection issues, we spent more time troubleshooting than actually playing.”
music
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the visuals and gameplay. Many players find the soundtrack beautiful and relaxing, enhancing their overall experience, although some express a desire for more variety and looping options. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, with a strong Viking theme that resonates well with players.
- “The soundtrack and visuals are very good too, and I haven't run into any bugs at all (thumbs up for that!).”
- “The music is great and makes me feel like I am truly in a Viking village.”
- “Soundtrack and atmosphere: the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing immersion and creating a memorable experience.”
- “I got attacked by a big skeleton with a huge sword and baby music starts playing... literally baby music, wtf.”
- “There wasn't enough music to listen to while playing, and it's a real grind to get resources.”
- “The absolute only critique I have is I'd like an option to have the music looped, or more frequent, because the music is beautiful and I don't hear it enough (personally).”
atmosphere
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
21%
5%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted environments, featuring dynamic weather, changing seasons, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the rich, Viking-themed aesthetic and detailed landscapes, which create a world that feels alive and engaging. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is strong, there are areas for improvement, particularly in environmental effects and the depth of gameplay progression.
- “The atmosphere is rich — storms roll in, forests feel alive, and the changing seasons make the world both beautiful and brutal.”
- “The vibrant landscapes and dynamic weather effects create a truly atmospheric experience that draws you in and keeps you invested.”
- “Immersive world: the viking-themed setting is beautifully crafted, with detailed environments and a rich atmosphere that pulls you in.”
- “People compare this to Valheim, but aside from a Norse theme, it shares nothing with it: none of the atmosphere, depth, or sense of progression.”
- “Atmosphere needs some audible and visual TLC.”
- “It's basically if you threw Valheim into The Sims with a gritty dark atmosphere.”
replayability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
68%
14%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the endless potential offered by procedurally generated maps and various gameplay elements, others find it lacking due to repetitive mechanics and limited challenges after a few playthroughs. The introduction of new features, such as boats, has been positively received, but concerns about long-term engagement and multiplayer experiences persist. Overall, the potential for replayability exists, but it heavily depends on player preferences and future updates.
- “Since each game has a new map, the replayability is endless.”
- “The random map seeds, randomly generated villagers, ability to play in co-op, as well as there being so many things to do and learn in the game, gives it a lot of replay value.”
- “Replayability: hidden secrets and optional challenges encourage exploration and multiple playthroughs, ensuring that there's always something new to discover.”
- “After 3-4 attempts, I pretty much got to the point where I only wait for new invasions, making replayability really lackluster.”
- “To make this system work, I need to use warehouses in a very specific way to be able to do any kind of logistics, which is massively damaging to the concept and replayability of the game.”
- “I'm a bit worried about long-term gameplay and replay value.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
17%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players enjoying chaotic moments and amusing character interactions that lead to laughter, especially when playing with friends. While some aspects, like certain sound effects and bugs, can become repetitive or frustrating, the overall experience is filled with funny scenarios, quirky character designs, and entertaining mishaps that keep players engaged and entertained. The developers' responsiveness to community feedback also enhances the fun, making it a lighthearted and enjoyable game.
- “My wife and I had a great time building and laughing through the chaos.”
- “Gathering a group of friends and diving into the chaos together turns the game into a hilariously fun derp-fest.”
- “The little goat-rabbit things you can sneak up on scream like a girl; it's too funny.”
- “There are so many damn buildings, it's not funny.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than funny.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing concerns about it being a potential cash grab, particularly for fans of similar titles like Valheim. While a few users appreciate the game's charm and dedication, many are frustrated by intrusive ads and the feeling that it may prioritize profit over quality, especially in its early access state. Overall, there is a significant skepticism regarding the game's long-term value and integrity.
- “One step away from a screenshot generator/asset flop/cash grab.”
- “Hopefully it's not a well put together cash grab, but if it isn't fixed, I'll have to assume so.”
- “This game is an obvious cash grab aimed at Valheim fans looking for sharper graphics.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke feelings of heartbreak and nostalgia, particularly through its beautifully composed soundtrack and engaging narrative. Players express a mix of joy and frustration, as the sense of accomplishment from building and growing settlements is often undermined by technical issues and setbacks that can feel disheartening. Overall, while the game offers moments of wholesome fun, the emotional experience is marred by gameplay frustrations that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “It's beautifully composed, enhancing the emotional weight of key moments and adding an immersive layer to the overall experience.”
- “It expertly combines stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply.”
- “Seeing your settlement grow from a few shelters in the wilds to a fully walled-in community is a pretty cool and wholesome feeling.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing the character design as unappealing and lacking creativity. While the game features elements like skill leveling and managing villagers, the overall execution of character aesthetics has been deemed subpar.
- “It's definitely more of a 'niche' type game with base building, character development, leveling of skills, and managing village 'idiots' quite literally.”
- “Character design is mediocre.”
- “Terrible character design.”
- “One of the ugliest female character designs I have ever seen.”