Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

About

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok is a single player survival role playing shooter game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Noxfall Studios and was released on December 14, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Norse themed Roguelike enemy hell, where you’ll have to survive hordes of creatures that come your way. Unlock new weapons and abilities as you battle. Upgrade your character's stats with Constellation Ability Trees and slay your enemies before they surround you, or it may be too late… Fight all sorts of beasts, from basic creatures to Elite monsters and Epic bosses with their own IA. Don’t be fo…

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok screenshot

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,926 reviews

gameplay106 positive mentions

grinding103 negative mentions

Deep and engaging progression system with meaningful meta upgrades that keep players invested for many hours.
Distinctive character skill trees and a wide variety of weapons and relics provide diverse playstyles and builds.
Beautiful and charming Nordic art style combined with a fitting soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere.
Smooth gameplay with frequent updates and active developer support adding new content and balancing.
Runs of reasonable length and enjoyable boss fights with unique mechanics create a satisfying gameplay loop.

Can feel grindy due to slow meta-progression and resource gathering requirements, especially early on.
Visual clutter and effects can obscure enemies and attacks, making some encounters frustrating.
Randomized weapon stat upgrades can lead to inconsistent builds and reduce player agency.
Some characters and weapons are imbalanced, causing certain builds to be clearly superior.
Lack of dodge/roll or invincibility frames on dash reduces responsiveness and makes surviving some attacks difficult.

gameplay
257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The gameplay of Nordic Ashes is widely praised for its challenging yet addictive roguelike loop, unique character mechanics, and engaging progression through the Yggdrasil skill tree. Players appreciate the variety in builds, strategic depth beyond typical vampire survivor clones, and the smooth, responsive combat, though some criticize frustrating mechanics like confusion effects, lack of dodge/dash, and occasional repetitiveness. Overall, it offers a solid, enjoyable experience with substantial replayability, especially for fans of bullet heaven and survivor-style games.
- “The gameplay loop is challenging but addictive; once you start unlocking more characters, the game really opens up.”
- “Gameplay is snappy and responsive, characters have unique playstyles, maps have vastly different enemies and mechanics, and the Yggdrasil skill tree is really fun to play around with as you're filling it out.”
- “This game has extraordinarily fun gameplay that provides a satisfying challenge for both new and experienced players, with constant addition of new elements and a mixed progression system preventing it from wearing out its welcome, even after hours of gameplay.”
- “Having a confusion mechanic that completely breaks the controls in a game that only lets you take a couple of hits is absolutely frustrating.”
- “The amount of 'freeze you in place and you're now completely defenseless' mechanics in some levels crosses the line from 'that hurt' to 'your run is over,' especially when the movement already feels sluggish and imprecise.”
- “Boss invulnerability is terrible gameplay design; it forces long, boring fights where your damage doesn't speed up the battle, and you must wait for the boss to become vulnerable.”
graphics
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The game's graphics feature a distinctive, charming cartoon-style art with a Norse mythology theme that many find visually appealing and well-crafted, offering clean, colorful aesthetics that run smoothly even on modest systems. While the art style is praised for its uniqueness and beauty, some players note occasional clarity issues—such as crowded effects obscuring enemy attacks—which can impact gameplay visibility. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout strength, contributing significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere and setting it apart from similar titles in the genre.
- “The 2D visuals are absolutely stunning, and the music perfectly sets the mood, drawing you into its beautifully crafted Norse mythology world.”
- “First off, the graphics and art design is just chef's kiss.”
- “The art style is solid, thematic potential is endless, enemies are unique with different threats and the skill based movement tech (kiting, spacing, juking, wave/enemy manipulation, avoiding enemies) is 10/10.”
- “The 2000s flash graphics become problematic at higher levels and difficulties, with enemies obscuring AoE templates needed to dodge.”
- “The art style makes hit detection and some attacks hard to see; on higher difficulties, attacks are frustratingly obscured by characters and monsters.”
- “I strongly dislike the graphic style, and I just didn't enjoy it.”
grinding
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
Grinding is a prominent aspect of the game, with meta progression and fully upgrading characters often requiring extensive, sometimes tedious playtime that can feel repetitive and slow. While some players find the grind satisfying and rewarding, others view it as excessive and detrimental to fun, though developers have shown responsiveness by reducing unnecessary grind in updates. Overall, grinding may appeal to those who enjoy steady, skill-based progression but could be a barrier for players seeking a faster-paced or less repetitive experience.
- “Gameplay time is just right, not grindy at all.”
- “It's a not too grindy Nordic mythology themed versus clone.”
- “Skillful players being able to "beat the game" relatively fast is actually a good thing, because it just shows that it's well designed around skill, not grinding.”
- “On the most negative side: this one is extremely grindy, taking many, many hours to reach the level of having passives that start to make a difference.”
- “That said, the game is extremely grindy in many different manners and even if the amount of characters is welcome, the achievements/unlockable linked to completing maps with each individual character makes it a slog to complete.”
- “I'd essentially end up grinding for ~5 hours to get an upgrade for like 5% more movement speed.”
music
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
37%
5%
The game's music is widely praised for its catchy, atmospheric, and thematic Nordic-inspired soundtrack that enhances immersion and complements the visuals and gameplay. While some find it repetitive or generic over time, many appreciate its depth, mood-setting quality, and contribution to the overall experience, with several users hoping for a future soundtrack release.
- “The sound design is exceptional, with ambient noises and a haunting musical score that reinforce the game’s somber tone and enhance immersion.”
- “The 2D visuals are absolutely stunning, and the music perfectly sets the mood, drawing you into its beautifully crafted Norse mythology world.”
- “On top of the excellent balance between challenge and reward, Nordic Ashes has a beautiful art style and masterfully composed soundtrack.”
- “The music gets obnoxious after the first couple of hours, but the art holds up and looks very stylish and consistent.”
- “The music and sound are pretty straightforward... nothing amazing here, just generic for playing, so sorta sucks?”
- “I would have liked a little more depth in the game's music, and some of the details in the scenery can be irritating.”
replayability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
6%
The game offers excellent replayability through diverse characters with unique skills, varied playstyles, and multiple progression paths, enhanced by roguelite elements and custom difficulty modes. Players appreciate the engaging role-playing choices, daily challenges, and regular updates that keep the experience fresh and rewarding. While some note occasional grind or repetitive meta builds, overall the game is highly regarded for its extensive and enjoyable replay value.
- “Dialogue choices and player decisions influence relationships and outcomes, introducing elements of role-playing that deepen engagement and replayability.”
- “While there are a slew of these games on the market, this is the gold standard for me, challenging but achievable, interesting and modifiable characters, great mechanics, lots of replayability, hidden characters, random daily challenges, solid achievements and just the right amount of grind.”
- “There are several different characters, each with at least one skin to also unlock, plus a mystery character that you'll have to figure out how to unlock yourself; the characters all feel very different and play differently, so the replay value in this game is through the roof.”
- “Again, talent trees might sound like a fine change but it really hurts the replayability because you quickly develop a meta build and you're never incentivized or required to change it up.”
- “Compared to Vampire Survivors this game has 10x less replayability and builds.”
- “Limited replayability.”
story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
64%
14%
The story in Nordic Ashes is generally seen as minimal and thin, functioning mainly as a backdrop with a post-apocalyptic Nordic setting rather than a driving narrative. While some appreciate the atmospheric worldbuilding and subtle environmental storytelling, many users find the plot lacking depth or engagement, describing the gameplay more as repetitive mission-grinding without meaningful story progression. The overall consensus is that the game shines more through its tactical combat and ambiance than its narrative.
- “With its blend of tactical combat, RPG elements, and a narrative steeped in Nordic mythology and environmental despair, Nordic Ashes crafts an experience that is both immersive and thought-provoking, appealing to players who enjoy deep, story-driven survival games with a somber tone.”
- “The environmental storytelling is subtle but powerful, with remnants of a lost civilization and cryptic symbols hinting at the deeper mysteries behind the catastrophe.”
- “Narratively, Nordic Ashes presents a dark and mature story that unfolds gradually through interactions with NPCs, discovered documents, and environmental clues.”
- “There's not much of a story to drag you in; you play, you unlock, and you repeat.”
- “The last few daily quests I didn't even try.”
- “The story mode will definitely be challenging at first, but once you manage to clear the first 3 worlds on all 3 difficulties with a few characters, there will be no challenge anymore.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The game is highly optimized, delivering solid performance with smooth gameplay even during intense combat and large enemy hordes, preserving impressive visuals without taxing system resources. It runs quietly on PCs and performs well on the Steam Deck, though very late-game scenarios with numerous effects can occasionally cause minor slowdowns. Overall, the optimization ensures an enjoyable, fluid experience with room for further improvements in the future.
- “No performance issues and the runs feel like just the right length (25-30ish minutes), making it easy to string multiple together casually.”
- “Solid performance: my PC stays silent even with hordes of enemies and many effects on the screen.”
- “Optimized incredibly well – unlike many similar games, it doesn't freeze when there are too many sprites on screen.”
- “Optimized incredibly well - a lot of these style games freeze up when there are too many sprites on screen.”
- “Works fantastic on the Steam Deck as well, though sometimes it can struggle in performance in very late game with lots of particles/enemies on the screen.”
- “And I will finish with this: we all know that survivor games sometimes struggle with performance for many different reasons, but it's especially the case when there are a lot of enemies and SFX everywhere which cost a lot and the FPS can drop quickly.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
30%
8%
Nordic Ashes delivers a gripping and immersive atmosphere, blending a bleak, post-apocalyptic Nordic wilderness with haunting visuals and ambient audio that enhance its dark, survival-driven narrative. Its cohesive design and evocative environment create a memorable, atmospheric experience praised for both its striking art style and compelling storytelling. While some elements may slightly clash with the mood, overall the game's atmosphere is a standout feature that deeply enriches gameplay.
- “Nordic Ashes offers a gripping and atmospheric journey into a bleak, post-apocalyptic Scandinavian world where survival hinges on exploration, strategy, and resourcefulness.”
- “The game’s world is a bleak yet visually striking rendition of the Nordic wilderness, combining the raw beauty of snow-covered forests, abandoned villages, and misty fjords with an eerie atmosphere of decay and despair.”
- “Nordic Ashes is a testament to the power of atmosphere and narrative in creating a memorable and haunting gaming experience.”
- “And while I enjoy Missing Numbers aesthetic, since other characters can also learn his abilities through shrines or the in-game gold shop, I find that it ruins the atmosphere the game has.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game runs smoothly and stably on the Steam Deck and high-end PCs, maintaining consistent performance without bugs or glitches. However, there are occasional freezes reported in nightmare mode on the Steam Deck. Overall, stability is strong with rare issues.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck and there's quite a lot of stuff to keep you busy.”
- “Ever wanna play a game that is exceptionally well balanced, offers high DPS (dopamine per second), and as far as I can tell, is bug free?”
- “Runs great 60fps 4k on a 3080ti.”
- “Nightmare mode freezes often on Steam Deck.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a strong emotional impact through well-written, multifaceted characters and an immersive, haunting narrative, enhanced by effective voice acting. However, some players find the emotional connection diluted by frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as unclear telegraphing and boss invincibility phases. Overall, the experience evokes a tense, often relief-driven emotional response.
- “The characters are well-written and multifaceted, each carrying their own burdens and motivations, which adds emotional weight to the survival struggle.”
- “Voice acting, though sparse, is effective in conveying the emotional weight of the narrative.”
- “Its challenging gameplay and haunting narrative create an experience that is both immersive and emotionally resonant.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game is praised for its fair monetization, with no microtransactions or ads, offering good replay value and a reasonable price. Players appreciate its depth and progression systems without feeling like a cash grab. Overall, it is considered a hidden gem in terms of value.
- “Final considerations: 24/25 (enjoyable, no microtransactions, good replay value, good price)”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is appreciated for its funny, culturally relevant references and amusing moments, such as overpowered abilities and playful nods to Norwegian culture, which add a lighthearted touch to the survival experience.
- “Sometimes you feel unstoppable, other times you’re surrounded by snow wolves and swear you hear Odin laughing.”
- “I play the same character and the same build every time and the ults are hilariously OP.”
- “Some funny references to Norwegian stuff made me smile (I am Norwegian).”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
User opinions on character development are mixed, with some appreciating the character design as a strong point, while others dislike the art style and character designs.

Skip Game Offers

Buy Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

11h Median play time

57h Average play time

3-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

92%12.6kreviews

Soulstone Survivors

2025

Survival Hack and Slash

81%3kreviews

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel

2025

Casual Hack and Slash

89%2.3kreviews

Army of Ruin

2022

Survival Hack and Slash

93%23.3kreviews

Death Must Die

2023

Casual Hack and Slash

84%1.2kreviews

Nomad Survival

2022

Survival Shooter

More games like Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok is a survival role playing shooter game with fantasy theme.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 57 hours playing Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok was released on December 14, 2022.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok was developed by Noxfall Studios.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok is a single player game.

Similar games include Soulstone Survivors, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel, Army of Ruin, Death Must Die, Nomad Survival and others.

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

Platforms

Buy Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok