Coffin of Ashes

About

Coffin of Ashes is a single player casual role playing game with horror, thriller and anime themes. It was developed by DigitalEZ and was released on December 8, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

Delilah is an ordinary school girl who accidentally discovers an old mansion on a rainy night. As her exploration in the mansion continues, she finds many mysterious phenomena that can't be explained. In this mansion covered by ashes, what's the secret hidden deep underground?

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews

story67 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Engaging, well-developed story with multiple endings and good character development, especially after multiple playthroughs and New Game+ mode.
Atmospheric pixel art style with detailed character portraits and effective sprite animations that contribute to a haunting and immersive horror experience.
Challenging and creative puzzles that require thought without being impossible, combined with frequent save points that ease the trial-and-error gameplay.

Story pacing and exposition can feel clumsy and confusing; the narrative is sometimes haphazard, overly ambiguous, or delivered through awkward, excessive exposition.
Some puzzles are poorly hinted or illogical, leading to frustration and reliance on external guides; certain mechanics and puzzle solutions feel unintuitive.
Occasional issues with translation quality, clunky dialogue, and character reactions that break immersion; gameplay can feel repetitive with irritating chase sequences, especially on harder difficulty.

story
138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The story in this RPG Maker horror game is generally seen as interesting and emotionally resonant, featuring multiple endings and a slow, atmospheric unfolding through exploration and environmental clues. However, it suffers from uneven pacing, occasional clunky exposition, translation issues, and a sometimes confusing or contrived plot that may require multiple playthroughs to fully understand. While not groundbreaking, the story is appreciated for its characters and thematic depth, making it a serviceable and engaging experience for fans of the genre.
- “The story centers around a young girl named Leila, who finds herself in a mysterious, decrepit mansion after a seemingly ordinary school day takes a terrifying turn. As she searches for a way out, she uncovers pieces of a chilling backstory involving occult experiments, twisted human desires, and tragic consequences. The plot unfolds gradually, encouraging exploration and rewarding careful observation. Notes, letters, and environmental clues provide backstory that deepens the mystery, and as Leila unravels the secrets of the mansion, the player is drawn into a tale that is both sorrowful and disturbing.”
- “Choices made throughout the game subtly influence how Leila’s story ends, and uncovering the ‘true’ ending requires attention to detail and a willingness to dig deeper into the game’s lore. In conclusion, Coffin of Ashes is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant horror experience that embraces its indie roots while delivering a compelling story and a rich, unsettling atmosphere. With its focus on psychological horror, meaningful exploration, and layered storytelling, it stands out as a strong entry in the RPG Maker horror niche.”
- “The story is reminiscent of Corpse Party, but a bit less edgy and trope filled (no hate towards Corpse Party, loved that game). I'm sure if you examined it too closely it may start to fall apart, but it's serviceable for what it is. I'd say towards the end of Rebirth is where it kind of started to feel a bit too convenient, like they weren't quite sure how to wrap things up and were maybe written into a bit of a corner; I probably wouldn't have done the ending how they did, but I don't think it ruins the game or the story at all though.”
- “Starting with my chief gripe: the story is indecipherable.”
- “The plot is beyond being serviceable; it is pretty boring and clichéd in its first half and devoid of acceptable explanation or payoff in the latter half. It blends every conceivable plot point already used (locked house, ghosts, evil scientists, tragic love) and once you reach the full explanation of all mysteries, it seems contrived and is undermined by excessive exposition, making the ending an endless drag.”
- “The end awkwardly shoves in a forenote trying to explain some things, attempting poorly to recontextualize parts of the story or just saying 'yeah idk man, you figure it out.' This makes the story and writing feel more amateurish. The 'split personality' bit is shoved in unnecessarily.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
12%
The music in the game is generally praised for effectively enhancing the horror atmosphere with eerie, tension-building melodies and well-timed silence, though it can be a bit loud at times. While not groundbreaking or award-winning, the soundtrack is considered fitting, occasionally standout, and adds to the immersive experience. Some players find it repetitive or generic compared to other horror RPGs, but overall it contributes positively to the game's mood and storytelling.
- “The ambient soundtrack features eerie piano melodies, distant echoing sounds, and silence that punctuates tension-filled moments.”
- “A really enjoyable game with interesting characters and story, some puzzles to make your brain work finally, decent graphics (considering it is made in RPG Maker), in addition to the good music and sounds that together with the environment create a perfect atmosphere and mood that fit excellently with the entire game.”
- “The music and sound effects also help to set the mood perfectly.”
- “The game has the same music as all the other free games, there's a lot of unnecessary jumpscares (scary pictures flashing on screen or random loud noises), it's honestly annoying to play.”
- “Music/art: the game feels older than a 2016 title.”
- “The music was okay and the puzzles were all so okay, one or two were a pain in the butt, but not too bad.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The gameplay centers on exploration and puzzle-solving with light survival elements, offering a mix of intuitive and obtuse puzzles that may frustrate some players without guidance. While the mechanics are generally functional and occasionally unique, certain aspects feel clunky or underused, and difficulty settings can impact the experience. Overall, the gameplay is simple yet engaging, serving mainly to complement the story and atmosphere rather than stand out on its own.
- “There are some neat puzzles and mechanics as well as unique art styles and room designs.”
- “Gameplay in Coffin of Ashes is largely centered around exploration, puzzle-solving, and light survival elements.”
- “The mechanics work flawlessly and the story is just so good.”
- “The puzzle side of the gameplay is rough; there's not really enough direction for the average player, which could result in a lot of frustration. Some puzzles feel obtuse, and you might find yourself needing a guide to progress or complete achievements.”
- “There are a lot of points where the game is really clunky: sound effects, story motivation, constantly dying, hard mode making chase scenes unenjoyable, and puzzles where the answer is seemingly impossible to figure out on your own—such as kicking down a door mechanic that is never explained or hinted at.”
- “Enemies are instant kill, but you can take damage by stepping on traps and heal with potions, which can be confusing until you understand the mechanic.”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
47%
18%
The game's graphics feature a distinctive pixel-art style that effectively creates a moody, atmospheric experience with detailed environments and unique character designs. While the retro aesthetic and artistic touches are praised for enhancing the narrative tension and ambiance, the visuals may not appeal to those seeking modern graphical fidelity. Overall, the graphics are well-executed for an RPG Maker game and complement the story, though some find the style somewhat niche.
- “Drawing inspiration from classic Japanese horror RPGs and psychological thrillers, the game offers a tightly woven narrative wrapped in a retro, pixel-art aesthetic.”
- “The visuals are richly detailed for the format, with decaying hallways, ominous lighting, and unsettling character designs that give the game a palpable sense of unease.”
- “The pixel art/graphics are very good and the notes you can read are very good as well and helped with the story.”
- “The pixel-art presentation, while artistically effective, may not appeal to everyone, especially players who prefer more modern graphical fidelity.”
- “Graphic: 5/10”
- “There are some neat puzzles and mechanics as well as unique art styles and room designs, but the things that were good were what most would consider finishing touches — stylistic flairs — and not so much what makes a game good at its core.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
The atmosphere in Coffin of Ashes is generally praised for its dark, unsettling, and haunting tone, enhanced by pixel-art visuals, music, and sound design that effectively evoke psychological horror. However, some find elements like excessive vignette effects and frequent cheap jumpscares detract from the overall mood, resulting in a mixed reception where the atmosphere ranges from compelling and immersive to somewhat lacking.
- “For players who appreciate indie horror titles with depth and atmosphere, Coffin of Ashes provides a haunting experience that lingers long after the credits roll.”
- “The tone is consistently unsettling, and the game isn’t afraid to lean into psychological horror, using implication and atmosphere rather than gore.”
- “A really enjoyable game with interesting characters and story, some puzzles to make your brain work, decent graphics (considering it is made in RPG Maker), and good music and sounds that together with the environment create a perfect atmosphere and mood that fit excellently with the entire game.”
- “The vignette is incredibly annoying; sure, it tries to add atmosphere but feels pointless and excessive. It's too strong for what it is.”
- “The atmosphere—although it tries to be chilling—is not as good as it could have been, especially with the very cheap jumpscares at every turn.”
- “Game atmosphere: 5/10”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
62%
Character development in the game is well-executed, with lovable main characters and distinct personalities that enhance the engaging story. The character designs are widely praised for their quality and appeal, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and multiple endings.
- “Characters: the character development and personalities are well done.”
- “It has a really interesting story (the true ending is sooo good!!) and the main characters are so lovable and have cute character designs!”
- “Also has cute character designs and interesting story with multiple endings.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a strong emotional impact through its well-crafted, text-based storytelling despite the lack of voice acting. It offers a compelling and unsettling horror experience with a wholesome touch that resonates deeply with players.
- “The lack of voice acting is noticeable at times but doesn’t detract significantly, as the text-based storytelling is strong enough to carry the emotional weight of the narrative.”
- “In conclusion, Coffin of Ashes is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant horror experience that embraces its indie roots while delivering a compelling story and a rich, unsettling atmosphere.”
- “I really recommend it to everyone who likes horror stories with a cute and wholesome touch.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers strong replayability through multiple endings, hidden areas, and optional documents that enrich the narrative and encourage exploration. Though relatively short, these elements provide depth and incentives for players to fully engage and revisit the experience.
- “This replayability is further enhanced by hidden areas and optional documents that flesh out the world, creating a sense of depth and discovery for players who fully engage with the narrative.”
- “Enjoyable and replayable thanks to the multiple endings.”
- “It's not a very long game, but it's got a few different endings and achievements to chase after which makes it replayable.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game can feel tedious, especially with frequent saving due to sudden death risks, but save stations help manage this challenge. Players may also find themselves needing additional lives to effectively grind.
- “The constant need to save can get a bit tedious, but with a game featuring many sudden death moments, save stations are necessary.”
- “You'll need a second life to handle the amount of grinding required.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Coffin of Ashes is well-optimized, running smoothly without performance issues.
- “Coffin of Ashes plays nicely and runs smoothly.”