Return to Ash

About

Return to Ash is a single player action game. It was developed by Serenity Forge and was released on July 10, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Return to Ash is a narrative-driven visual novel where you awaken in a mysterious afterlife, feeling unexpectedly well. Navigate emotional storytelling and build relationships with others trapped in this strange purgatory. Your choices shape Ashleigh’s journey as she confronts trials set by a masked figure called “Death.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 80 reviews

story14 positive mentions

The game features a beautiful art style and an emotionally impactful story that resonates with players, often leading to tears.
Characters are well-developed and evolve throughout the game, making them relatable and engaging.
Return to Ash offers multiple unique endings, providing good replayability and a meaningful exploration of themes like loneliness and second chances.

The game is relatively short, taking only a few hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
Despite its quality, the game is underrated and has not received much attention, which is disappointing for its fans.
Some players found certain gameplay mechanics, like the 'True Gamer' achievement, to be frustrating or overly challenging.

story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
19%
14%
The game features a beautifully crafted story that is both heartfelt and emotionally impactful, with multiple unique endings that leave a lasting impression. Players praise the strong character development and the ability to convey deep themes through a simple narrative structure, enhanced by stunning visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the storytelling is considered one of the game's standout elements, often evoking strong emotional responses from players.
- “Great story overall, complemented by excellent visuals and music.”
- “Each and every one of the endings leaves an incredible, long-lasting impact and finishes with so much room for interpretation while also completing each character's story arc in a satisfying way.”
- “Incredible story and characters with an equally interesting premise and art style.”
- “I didn't expect myself to want to dig so deep into the story, but as with most games involving Sophie Gray/Nomnomnami, I just got sucked in.”
- “And for that reason, the story, its themes, and the character of Ash really touched my heart and will stick with me as long as I can remember the game!”
- “I won't say anything about the story; it's not too long.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their charming and cute art style, which effectively complements the heartfelt story and engaging soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the visuals as simple yet expressive, contributing significantly to the overall emotional experience of the game. The combination of appealing aesthetics and a fitting musical score enhances the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.
- “Great story overall, complemented by excellent visuals and music.”
- “The visuals are oozing with charm, simple yet effective with an art style that's cute and expressive.”
- “I found this game particularly enjoyable, especially due to its art style.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with standout tracks like "Dandelion" being highlighted as particularly memorable. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's chill vibe and its seamless integration with the game's visuals and narrative, contributing to a charming and immersive experience. Overall, the original soundtrack is considered a significant strength, complementing the game's art style and emotional depth.
- “The music is a chill vibe and 'Dandelion' is such a delightful piece to me.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible.”
- “Also feel the soundtrack was meshed very well with the story, and how each playthrough meaningfully contributed to the overall feel of the game.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its heartfelt storytelling, beautiful art style, and impactful music. Many reviewers express that the game evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears and deep reflection on personal experiences. The characters are described as relatable and human, contributing to the overall touching and memorable experience of the visual novel.
- “It's such a heartfelt story, beautiful art style, and great OST.”
- “Very emotional, and like most of nomnomnami's work, it leaves you either in tears, reconsidering an aspect of your life you hadn't before, or both.”
- “A short yet beautiful indie game that made me feel things I'm not used to feeling.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers strong replayability, as players can explore different endings that provide additional insights and information, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- “There's great replayability, as different endings provide more information on various aspects of the story.”
- “The game encourages multiple playthroughs, with each choice leading to unique outcomes and experiences.”
- “I love how replaying the game reveals new details and perspectives that I missed the first time.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The gameplay is praised for its simplicity and accessibility, allowing players to easily progress through the story. It follows a classic visual novel format without complex mechanics, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate straightforward storytelling.
- “I really appreciated the simple nature of the gameplay; it's very easy to play through and get tidbits of the story each time!”
- “The gameplay mechanics are intuitive and engaging, making it easy to immerse yourself in the experience.”
- “I love how the gameplay encourages exploration and rewards curiosity, keeping me hooked for hours!”
- “There are no particular gameplay mechanics like 'Bad End Theater' where it's roughly a collect-a-end, or 'Her Tears Were My Light' with the ability to move forward by rewinding. It's more of a classic visual novel, but it feels lacking.”
- “The gameplay is very simplistic and doesn't offer much depth or engagement, making it feel repetitive over time.”
- “While the story has its moments, the gameplay itself is quite dull and doesn't provide enough interaction to keep players invested.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is expertly crafted, with a perfect blend of an evocative soundtrack and striking visual design that effectively captures the essence of a hospital setting.
- “The hospital atmosphere is captured flawlessly, thanks to the amazing soundtrack and visual style.”
- “The music greatly enhances the atmosphere.”