Inner Ashes
- June 29, 2023
- Calathea Game Studio
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreInner Ashes is a first person, narrative, puzzle adventure, where the player puts himself in Henry's shoes, a forest guard diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. He has to travel through his mind to discover why his only daughter Enid disappeared from his life.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully crafted narrative that sensitively portrays the struggles of Alzheimer's disease, making it an emotional and introspective experience.
- Visually stunning with charming art styles and immersive environments that enhance the storytelling.
- Gameplay mechanics, such as tangram puzzles and memory aids, provide a unique and engaging way to experience the protagonist's journey.
- The game has significant accessibility issues, including poor UI contrast, lack of settings for colorblindness, and potential photosensitivity concerns.
- Voice acting in English is inconsistent, with some players recommending the native Spanish audio for a better experience.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive at times, and the pacing may be slow for some players, which could detract from the overall experience.
- story14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's story centers on single father Henry Hughes, his daughter Enid, and his best friend Joseph, exploring themes of Alzheimer's and emotional connections. Players praise the well-researched narrative, which is both beautiful and poignant, often evoking strong emotions, while the visuals and music enhance the storytelling experience. Despite some critiques on execution, the overall consensus highlights the game's captivating and meaningful narrative journey.
“This game is the story of single father Henry Hughes and his daughter Enid, plus Henry's best friend Joseph, who is an important link between past and present.”
“The story was beautiful and brought me to tears; the visuals are very impressive.”
“It beautifully combines storytelling, gameplay, and art to deliver a truly unforgettable journey.”
“The story seems to be well researched as far as Alzheimer's symptoms and treatments go, and what someone with the condition or someone caring for a person with the condition may experience.”
“I understand the story might be hard for those vulnerable to these kinds of themes (like me), but it unravels in a somewhat uplifting tone.”
“It's a testament to the power of storytelling in video games and a must-play for those looking for a meaningful narrative adventure.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as a profound and immersive experience, often described as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates deeply with players, especially those familiar with Alzheimer's. The narrative effectively portrays themes of love and memory, prompting players to reflect on personal connections and evoking strong feelings, often leading to tears. Overall, it is praised for its touching storytelling and emotional depth, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
“The narrative is a retrospective journey into Henry's mind about the past and what an emotional rollercoaster it is!”
“It's a touching portrayal of a father's love and the power of memories.”
“Inner Ashes is not just a game; it's an emotional and introspective experience that raises awareness about Alzheimer's disease.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its sublime and evocative quality, effectively enhancing the emotional depth of various scenes. It adapts well to the narrative, providing a moody and atmospheric experience, although some players noted accessibility challenges for deaf individuals. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game's storytelling.
“The music in this game was sublime and evocative in particular scenes.”
“The last chapter's music was exceptional, which is where I totally lost it!!!”
“The music is fantastic - moody, charming, calming, energetic, dark - changing to suit the scenes and story well.”
“But it is difficult for deaf people to hear the music in this chapter.”
“One other thing is that there is a chapter where there is music involved, so you have to follow the sound.”
“Music is actually an aid for ad sufferers and calms them.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their bright, colorful presentation and impressive art styles, including a comic style for cutscenes and a stylized, psychedelic look in the game world. The visuals are described as stunning and immersive, effectively enhancing the emotional storytelling and overall experience.
“The graphics were bright and colorful and went through the seasons.”
“The art styles are quite good - both the comic style used in cutscenes and the stylized, almost psychedelic style used in the playable game world.”
“The graphics are outstanding; the dubbing is delightful... such an immersive experience.”
“The graphics were bright and colorful but lacked detail and depth.”
“The environments felt flat and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
“The character models were poorly designed, which detracted from the overall experience.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its immersive mechanics inspired by real therapy methods, allowing players to experience the protagonist Henry's struggles and memories in a visually appealing environment. While the story begins slowly, it deepens over time, creating a unique blend of storytelling, gameplay, and art that enhances the overall experience.
“You experience the day-to-day struggle of Henry and see the many mechanics used to jog his memory.”
“The gameplay mechanics, inspired by real therapy methods, offer a unique and immersive experience.”
“It beautifully combines storytelling, gameplay, and art to deliver a truly unforgettable journey.”
“The gameplay mechanics are frustratingly clunky and often break the immersion.”
“The controls feel unresponsive, making it difficult to engage with the game effectively.”
“The pacing of the gameplay is inconsistent, leading to moments of boredom and confusion.”
