Desert Ashes

49%
Game Brain Score Based on 44 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Desert Ashes Game Cover
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"Desert Ashes" is a turn-based strategy game with both single-player campaigns and online multiplayer. The game features a dynamic day-night system that affects the battlefield, such as freezing bodies of water at night. Players can also unlock perks to customize their armies, like the Fort Toughness Perk for added defense and the Vampire Perk to convert attack damage to HP. Single-player campaigns allow players to experience playing as both the Winged Crusade and the Landians.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

49%
Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and colorful art style reminiscent of a collaboration between Tim Burton and Jim Henson, making it visually appealing.
  • It offers a variety of fun and unique units with interesting mechanics, such as a day/night cycle that affects gameplay.
  • The game is affordable and provides a decent single-player campaign along with multiplayer and skirmish modes for added replayability.
  • The user interface is clunky and feels more suited for mobile devices, leading to frustrating navigation and gameplay experiences.
  • The AI is often unchallenging and can make the game feel too easy, diminishing the strategic depth expected from a turn-based strategy game.
  • There are significant issues with multiplayer functionality, including dead matchmaking and bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay features interesting mechanics, such as freezing bodies of water and a rock-paper-scissors system, but is often criticized for its simplistic controls and slow pace. While some players appreciate the unique art style and turn-based strategy elements, many find the overall experience mediocre and lacking depth, especially in character differentiation and engagement. Despite its competent design, the gameplay can feel tedious, particularly for those accustomed to more dynamic strategies.

    • “The game mechanics are simple once you get the hang of them, and if you like turn-based strategies, I'm sure you will enjoy it. I actually recommend trying out the Wars series, especially Advanced Wars, if you like the mechanics of the game.”
    • “As mentioned above, you have to pay attention - the mechanics of buying units which then can't move or attack until the next turn means that if you start losing ground or end up short of units one turn, then the opponent is probably going to stomp all over you very fast.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, the game is fun, if not a bit easy.”
    • “Gameplay and controls are simplistic, and the interface feels like a child's toy from Fisher-Price.”
    • “The gameplay isn't great or engaging; the mobile/console heritage of the game is painful and ugly, and this doesn't sit well on PC.”
    • “I had to relaunch the game no less than 8 times to accumulate the 5 minutes of gameplay I needed to review this garbage and warn you guys.”
  • story21 mentions

    The game's story is generally considered weak and poorly executed, with minimal character development and a lack of engaging narrative elements. Players noted that while there is a basic storyline involving factions, it is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics, and many found the dialogue riddled with errors and lacking depth. Despite some charm in the setting, the overall narrative fails to captivate, leaving players wanting more clarity and a resolution to the cliffhanger ending.

    • “There are three modes to the game, a campaign with three episodes and multiple missions.”
    • “The story and the whole setting overall have its charm, although the story is a bit bland and lacking - some things are not explained well enough and the game ends in a cliffhanger - I would love to see the continuation though.”
    • “Each campaign has 7 maps, though initially only the first one is unlocked, although there is a little backstory that makes sense if they are played in order.”
    • “The story is weak and at the same time barely there.”
    • “The story is poorly written, and the writers didn't bother to even spellcheck 'their' work.”
    • “I may try to play the rest of the campaign, but after the first chapter I feel no interest in the story; I don't know who they are or why they are fighting.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a mix of vibrant and colorful art styles, with some reviewers praising the crisp visuals and unique troop designs. However, there are contrasting opinions, with some describing the art as deliberately ugly or basic, leading to a somewhat depressing atmosphere. Overall, while the graphics may not be universally appealing, they effectively convey the game's quirky and fantastical themes.

    • “The artwork is crisp and colorful, and the game has a very HD look to it.”
    • “Crisp and vibrant graphics with wonderfully wacky troop designs.”
    • “In terms of audio-visuals, the graphics are colorful, as you can see on the screens and generally look nice.”
    • “It has a deliberately ugly art style and gameplay that is unique and can even surprise you at times.”
    • “Special note: the music and art style, while unassuming, provide an exceptionally depressing atmosphere.”
    • “However, the graphics are very basic and especially animations may look a bit amateurish.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the amazing soundtrack that complements the overall atmosphere, while others criticize it as average or lackluster, noting issues like repetition and bugs that disrupt the experience. Additionally, the music and visuals contribute to a notably depressing ambiance, which may not appeal to all players. Overall, the soundtrack's quality varies significantly among users, reflecting a divide in opinions.

    • “Special note: the music and art style, while unassuming, provide an exceptionally depressing atmosphere.”
    • “+ amazing soundtrack!”
    • “A really nice feature though is the soundtrack which is amazing in my opinion!”
    • “The music and sound effects are very average, and the game has typos in the English language.”
    • “Most sound and music is lackluster.”
    • “Aside from that, having no way to cancel an accidental order is annoying, the music sometimes skips, and the text and animations are interminable.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is notably problematic, with frequent crashes occurring during skirmishes and when accessing menus, leading to a frustrating experience. Additionally, while the freezing water mechanic offers strategic advantages, it is marred by bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode, which further detracts from overall gameplay stability.

    • “This game freezes whenever I enter a skirmish.”
    • “Trying to access the menus to do anything during the game starts a separate game which then freezes and crashes the entire thing.”
    • “Multiplayer is buggy.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and awkward character designs, which some players find amusing. Additionally, players have shared lighthearted moments related to gameplay issues, often laughing at their own past mistakes.

    • “The character designs are a bit hilarious and awkward looking sometimes, but that's just my personal opinion.”
    • “I found the issue and fixed it a long time ago; you just need to change the resolution of your PC to a lower setting in order to play it. I laughed and found my review funny too because, wow, I was dumb! XD.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users express strong emotional reactions to the game's handling of its promising concepts, feeling that it diminishes their potential and is presented in a disrespectful way. This has led to feelings of frustration and disappointment.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's music and art style, though understated, contribute to a profoundly depressing atmosphere that resonates deeply with players.

    • “The music and art style, while unassuming, create an exceptionally haunting atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
    • “The combination of sound design and visual elements establishes a uniquely captivating atmosphere.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, often describing it as boring.

    • “Grindy and boring.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding for resources, and it just wasn't fun.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character designs are perceived as humorous and occasionally awkward, reflecting a unique artistic choice that may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The character designs are a bit hilarious and awkward looking sometimes, but that's just my personal opinion.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users indicate that certain elements of the game provide significant replayability, suggesting that these features enhance the overall experience and encourage players to return for multiple playthroughs.

    • “These elements provide the greatest replayability value.”
    • “The game offers a wealth of options that encourage multiple playthroughs.”
    • “Each decision you make leads to different outcomes, enhancing the replayability.”
    • “The game lacks significant replayability, as once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
    • “After finishing the main storyline, I found no compelling reasons to replay the game.”
    • “The limited choices and outcomes make replaying the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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