Court of Ashes

About

Gather your wits and enter the council chamber. The king has fallen, but the five of you remain in the fight. You can mourn the loss of his majesty later; your own survival still depends on how you respond to this war. Undoubtedly, figuring out how to respond will be easier than convincing the others to listen.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

story5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Engaging story with multiple perspectives and outcomes, encouraging replayability.
Simple yet enjoyable gameplay that combines visual novel elements with light strategy and resource management.
High value for a free game, with impressive art and music that enhance the overall experience.

Limited replayability due to predictable choices and outcomes once the right decisions are known.
Some technical issues, including bugs and resolution problems, which can detract from the experience.
The game can feel shallow or hollow after completing it, with not enough depth in side dialogues and decision-making.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The game's story is characterized by its repetitive elements and initial confusion, but it offers a rich narrative experience with multiple perspectives and branching outcomes that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the depth of characters and the immersive storytelling, which allows for significant player choice and engagement throughout the game. Overall, while some moments may be perplexing, the narrative's variety and depth make it a compelling aspect of the gameplay.
- “Don't be deceived by its length, this is a game that deserves multiple runs as it allows you to not only experience the story from 5 different perspectives, but also to change the story by using the personality/ability of the different characters in new and interesting ways.”
- “With an immersive story arc, and characters from many different walks of life, Court of Ashes packs a lot of entertainment into a tidy package.”
- “I was immediately lured into the game with an intense storytelling hook and getting to pick which character I would experience the game through.”
- “Yes, there are different leaders, but the story is always the same and so are the options.”
- “The beginning of the story was confusing, and it feels more like a beta version than anything else.”
- “The result is sometimes you get some 'eh, what?' moments from the storyline.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The gameplay in this visual novel is enhanced by strategic and kingdom management elements, making it engaging even for those who typically don't enjoy the genre. Players appreciate the short gameplay loop and the depth of choices, characters, and branching narratives, which contribute to a more interactive experience than typical visual novels. Overall, the combination of simplicity in mechanics with rich storytelling keeps players invested and encourages replayability.
- “I'm not normally a visual novel fan, but the small strategy and kingdom management elements really help keep it fresh throughout the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is short enough that this isn't too tedious either, which was a concern of mine when realizing I'd have to replay this so many times.”
- “My peeve with visual novels is that they are usually more novels than visuals, and have little to no interactivity, let alone gameplay.”
- “I'm not really sure how much of that influences the gameplay itself, though.”
- “Although the mechanics of Court of Ashes are relatively simple and intuitive, it was the many choices, deep characters, and branching story that make it an excellent choice for your next game.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their unique art style and detailed character designs, particularly the expressive facial features and well-crafted backgrounds. Reviewers appreciate the visual elements as a significant enhancement to the storytelling experience, making it engaging and enjoyable. Overall, the artwork contributes positively to the game's appeal, complementing its intriguing narrative and multiple playthrough possibilities.
- “The game is quite enjoyable, and interesting from the art style to the characters you meet.”
- “Moreover, the artwork and design is pretty neat.”
- “My peeve with visual novels is that they are usually more novels than visuals, and have little to no interactivity, let alone gameplay.”
- “The facial expressions are one of my favorite aspects of the artwork, as well as the backgrounds.”
- “The graphics are subpar and fail to create an immersive experience.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
While some players find the game enjoyable and appreciate its advertised replayability, others feel that the lack of engaging side dialogues diminishes the incentive for multiple playthroughs, leading to mixed opinions on its overall replay value.
- “An enjoyable short story with a lot of replayability.”
- “For that reason, I won't be doing other playthroughs (which last about 2 hours). The game advertises replayability as its main selling point, but based on my experience and the side dialogues not being that interesting, I won't explore that option.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices that would encourage me to replay it. Once you've seen the story, there's little incentive to go back.”
- “Despite the promise of replayability, the game feels repetitive and doesn't offer enough variation in gameplay or story to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in "Court of Ashes" is praised for being rousing and complements the game's beautiful and unique art style, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that contributes to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “An interesting storyline with a guaranteed 5 playthroughs from different perspectives, and seemingly infinite outcomes. Court of Ashes offers great storytelling, a beautiful and unique art style, and a rousing soundtrack.”
- “Fantastic art and music.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players generally find the grinding aspect manageable, as the gameplay loop is short enough to prevent it from becoming tedious, alleviating initial concerns about repetitive play.
- “The gameplay loop is short enough that this isn't too tedious either, which was a concern of mine when realizing I'd have to replay this so many times.”
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding rather than repetitive, as each session brings new challenges and progress.”
- “I appreciate how the game balances grinding with engaging content, making each level-up feel like a significant achievement.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its carefully crafted language, which complements the diplomatic themes, although some players may find it challenging to understand due to language barriers.
- “The language used in the game perfectly fits the diplomatic atmosphere, making it a unique experience even for non-native English speakers.”
- “The game's atmosphere is immersive and engaging, drawing players into its world with every interaction.”
- “The attention to detail in the environment creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is closely tied to building friendships, as players receive beneficial bonuses to resource production through engaging in dialogue and nurturing relationships with characters. This mechanic enhances the gameplay experience by rewarding players for their investment in character interactions.
- “Upon becoming good friends with characters, you receive useful bonuses to resource production, enhancing the experience of dialogue and character development along the way.”
- “The character development is incredibly rewarding, as building relationships unlocks new abilities and enhances gameplay.”
- “I love how the game encourages you to invest in character relationships, leading to meaningful growth and impactful bonuses.”