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Idols of Ash

Idols of Ash Game Cover
98%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
grinding, optimization
98% User Score Based on 608 reviews

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Idols of Ash Game Cover

About

Idols of Ash is a single player platformer game with horror, fantasy and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by Leafy Games and was released on April 9, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Descend thousands of meters into a dark and ancient place. You are being hunted. Features First-person physics-based climbing system with a grappling hook Hunted by a huge monster in an ancient mega-structure Unlockable difficulty modes including additional content Atmospheric visuals and audio Approximately 20-40 minutes to complete on Normal

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Idols of Ash screenshot
Idols of Ash screenshot
Idols of Ash screenshot
Idols of Ash screenshot
Idols of Ash screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 608 reviews
gameplay102 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The grappling hook mechanics are highly satisfying, intuitive, and fun, providing a deep skill ceiling and rewarding gameplay.
  • The atmosphere is intensely immersive and chilling, enhanced by excellent sound design and a unique horror tension without relying on jump scares.
  • Despite its short length, the game offers strong replayability through multiple difficulty modes, challenge maps, and different level variations.
  • The base game is quite short, leaving some players wanting more content, length, and deeper narrative exploration.
  • Checkpoint placement can be sparse or frustrating in harder modes, leading to increased repetition and potential player frustration.
  • Some players experienced bugs and occasional inconsistencies with grappling hook physics and fall damage, which can disrupt the gameplay flow.
  • gameplay
    188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay centers on a simple yet highly polished grappling hook mechanic that is easy to learn but difficult to master, creating an engaging and satisfying movement experience. Paired with an intense chase from a menacing monster, it fosters a tense, adrenaline-fueled loop that is both fun and addictive, though some note the game’s short length and desire for more content or additional modes. Overall, the focused mechanics, smooth physics, and escalating challenges deliver a memorable gameplay experience praised for its depth and replayability despite its minimalist design.

    • “The movement and momentum are fantastic and intuitive, the mechanics are easy to learn and give you just enough confidence to go for that crazy hail mary jump and hook, and though immediate fall damage is very forgiving, the chasm has one great strength - it's very deep, and you can fall very far.”
    • “The main mechanic of the grappling hook is great, it has its own physics, and knowing how to swing from the rope and then let go to grapple again feels risky but very rewarding when pulled off.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are simple - you have a grappling rope with full physics, and a giant wall-climbing monster is chasing you. From this emerges fun core gameplay that is simple to grasp yet difficult to master, leading to organic moments of tension and joy.”
    • “The reliance on a single core mechanic means that variety is limited, and the experience can begin to feel repetitive once players become familiar with its systems.”
    • “Kinda wish there was an endless mode; the game's cheap but from all the hype 35 minutes of gameplay is a bit lackluster.”
    • “But the gameplay is short :(”
  • story
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is simple, atmospheric, and often conveyed subtly through environmental cues and mechanics, creating a haunting yet brief narrative experience. While many appreciate the unique, thematic storytelling and its emotional impact, numerous users feel the story is too short and leaves much to interpretation, wishing for a deeper, more expanded plot to accompany the gameplay. Overall, the story effectively complements the gameplay but is considered more of a compelling backdrop than a fully fleshed-out narrative.

    • “The story is simple yet powerful, and the atmosphere is surreal.”
    • “Speaking of the kilns, this game's story, although simple, is really unique and captivating, and it's something you'll have fun piecing together yourself.”
    • “I entered thinking the game would be a really long climb to the bottom, however it was a 30-60 minute descent that slowly leads you on a story that leaves room for interpretation but nonetheless is a short story of a yearning soul chasing a memory.”
    • “There's very little story to it and it's fairly easy outside of the challenge map which is brutally difficult.”
    • “There's a story being hinted at but it's only ever hinted at and nothing is explicitly explained.”
    • “The story itself is okay, but the length is atrociously short.”
  • atmosphere
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Idols of Ash" is widely praised for its intense, eerie, and immersive horror ambiance, achieved through minimalist sound design, pixelated visuals, and a haunting sense of isolation. Players consistently highlight its oppressive yet beautifully haunting vibe, where sound effects and environmental details create palpable tension without relying on jump scares. This well-crafted atmosphere significantly enhances the climbing and horror experience, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Idols of Ash is intensely atmospheric, frightening, and great fun, with grappling-based movement that is highly rewarding.”
    • “The atmosphere was dreary and perfect, the sound design was simple but immersive (centipede crawling, chewing off your grappling hook, the rope tightening after a heavy drop), and the PS1 styled pixelated graphics further add to the immersion, making you feel as if you were diving down a dusty catacomb with no proper sense of direction.”
    • “The atmosphere and sound design are great; they really went out of their way to include the most skin-crawling sounds for that bug.”
    • “Additionally, the atmosphere and muted soundtrack lend well to the feeling of isolation and anxiety.”
    • “The atmosphere and light lore found in the world are perfect for establishing that uneasy feeling, and the level design somehow makes the chamber feel sickeningly empty and claustrophobic at the same time.”
    • “The atmosphere, sound design, and the constant pressure of being followed 100% of the time.”
  • graphics
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game’s graphics feature a distinctive PS1-style pixelated and low-poly art style that effectively enhances its eerie, desolate atmosphere, drawing favorable comparisons to titles like Shadow of the Colossus. Users praise the visuals for their immersive quality, complementing the sound design and gameplay to create a uniquely unsettling yet charming experience. While some find the pixelation a personal drawback, the overall consensus is that the graphics are well-suited to the game's mood and mechanics.

    • “The atmosphere was dreary and perfect, the sound design was simple but immersive (centipede crawling, chewing off your grappling hook, the rope tightening after a heavy drop), and the PS1-styled pixelated graphics further add to the immersion by making you feel as if you were diving down a dusty catacomb with no proper sense of direction.”
    • “Besides that, I love the graphics, animations are good as well as sound design, the map is very labyrinthine and surreal (reminds me a lot of Shadow of the Colossus, well, the whole game), the centipede monster is so well designed it's actually creepy.”
    • “The art style reminds me a lot of Shadow of the Colossus, which I adore.”
    • “Furthermore, there's little to draw attention during gameplay, and the world didn't strike me as particularly aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “My only gripe with this game, and this is an entirely personal preference, is the pixelation aesthetic it's got going on.”
    • “The graphics remind me of White Knuckle with the old PCX style and all.”
  • replayability
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Despite being a short game, it offers strong replayability through multiple difficulty modes, various gameplay mechanics, and engaging challenges that encourage skill growth and exploration. Players appreciate the game's focused, intense experience and the numerous modes that extend playtime well beyond initial completion. Overall, its simplicity combined with steep difficulty and unlockable content makes it highly replayable and well worth the price.

    • “While short, it delivers a focused and intense experience with strong replayability thanks to sequentially unlocking difficulty modes.”
    • “The game is short but offers a lot of replay value due to its mechanics being easy to approach with a massive skill ceiling.”
    • “And there is a tonne of replayability, thanks to the steep difficulty and many ways to traverse the maps.”
    • “For one, I feel like it's replayable enough and making the game longer could maybe make it feel frustrating; on the other hand, I feel like you could add more obstacles or spice up the difficulty way more with another segment.”
    • “Would love to see more playable maps; the mechanics are just so fun :)”
    • “What would add some more replayability (my obsession cannot be satiated) is an attribute slider for both the PC and monster; zero fall damage but the centipede skitters at mach speed is an experience I probably don't need but desperately want!”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is minimalistic, often absent to enhance the eerie atmosphere and heighten tension through ambient sounds rather than a traditional soundtrack. While some praise the complementary sounds and occasional songs, others feel the music is limited or mismatched at times. Overall, the sound design effectively supports the mood of isolation and anxiety, though musical variety could be improved.

    • “The art style, music, and gameplay all go well together.”
    • “Beautiful game with beautiful soundtrack and visuals.”
    • “Additionally, the atmosphere and muted soundtrack lend well to the feeling of isolation and anxiety.”
    • “The game has zero soundtrack to further emphasize the eeriness of the place while allowing us to hear when the centipede draws closer.”
    • “It's also worth noting the lack of music as such; the only sound I heard was a strange siren.”
    • “The music itself isn't much to write home about, but the sounds of the unnamed and unexplained entity that hunts you are used skillfully to create a feeling of alertness and panic.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing character moments and entertaining streamer reactions, adding a lighthearted charm that complements the gameplay. Players find the comedic elements engaging without overshadowing the overall experience.

    • “I first came across the game on a streamer’s channel, and aside from his hilarious swearing every time he died, I was drawn in by both the gameplay and its simple pixel-art style.”
    • “The funny frog man sent me here.”
    • “All around 9/10 only thing I could ask for is left handed grapple hook mode, just on the simple fact I think it would be dumb and funny.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game can be fun and intense, but some sections—like the first kiln level—are considered overly tedious. The lack of more frequent checkpoints or region-based saving leads to repetitive gameplay, making the grinding feel more frustrating than enjoyable for some players.

    • “But it's not more difficult, it is more tedious, and I'm of the opinion that checkpoints are a quality of life feature that exist to save the player wasted time of redoing the exact same things over and over, something which should generally be standard!”
    • “I have only one issue and that is the saving mechanic, saving should be both at the ash altars and also per region, otherwise the game is too repetitive when losing (makes it more tedious than fun).”
    • “It's fun, very scary, I think the first kiln level is a little bit too tedious though.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect is praised for its touching and heartfelt story, delivering unexpected and poignant moments that evoke strong feelings. The blend of mystery and emotional depth resonates deeply with players, making the experience memorable and impactful.

    • “The story, though bare, is touching.”
    • “Unexpected doomed yuri that made me cry so hard.”
    • “All with a great air of mystery and an extremely touching theme.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game demonstrates strong stability with minimal glitches reported, primarily minor map-related issues affecting grapple mechanics. Overall, it runs smoothly, including on the Steam Deck, providing a clean and robust gameplay experience.

    • “Also runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “Short and sweet game, the mechanics are robust with no glitches from what I could find and a lot cleaner feeling than I expected.”
    • “But there were actual glitches (still only 2) where parts of the map would have one piece of a slanted wall and then farther down they would put a second piece inside of it, causing the grapple to sometimes latch onto the sides of walls.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from notable optimization issues, with frequent FPS drops and performance bugs that impact smooth gameplay, particularly in later sections.

    • “Overrated unoptimized slop.”
    • “The game is quite interesting, though I noticed complaints about optimization, as my game dropped to very low FPS at some points.”
    • “There is a performance bug that made navigating the last part a bit difficult.”
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7h Median play time
9h Average play time
7-16h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Idols of Ash is a platformer game with horror, fantasy and dark fantasy themes.

Idols of Ash is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 9 hours playing Idols of Ash.

Idols of Ash was released on April 9, 2026.

Idols of Ash was developed by Leafy Games.

Idols of Ash has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked Idols of Ash for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Idols of Ash is a single player game.

Similar games include Project Earth, Valley, FALLSTRUKTUR, BETON BRUTAL, Dredge and others.