This game contains adult content
Neon Giant's The Ascent is a sprawling action-shooter RPG set to the backdrop of a fascinating cyberpunk world.

"The Ascent is a co-op action-shooter RPG set in the cyberpunk world of Veles. Plunged into a solo or group adventure, players must navigate the aftermath of their employer's collapse, battling foes and unraveling a conspiracy in a struggle for survival and power."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,112 reviews
story1,318 positive mentions
stability1,008 negative mentions
  • story6,732 mentions

    The story of "The Ascent" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and lacking depth. While some appreciate the intriguing cyberpunk setting and world-building, they criticize the narrative for being predictable and filled with cliché elements, often reduced to repetitive fetch quests. Additionally, numerous bugs and quest design issues detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration and disengagement from the storyline. Despite these shortcomings, the game's visuals and gameplay mechanics are often praised, suggesting that players may enjoy the experience more for its action than its plot.

    • “The story is interesting and does redeem it to some degree, but it's not enough to keep me interested in finishing it.”
    • “The story is pretty good too.”
    • “The story is well written, and keeps you wondering what comes next.”
    • “The story is the definition of generic.”
    • “Unfortunately, the rest of the game feels a bit hollow with repetitive gameplay, lack of diverse weapons, and an astoundingly boring/cliché story.”
    • “The story is also disappointing.”
  • gameplay3,249 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Ascent" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced twin-stick shooter mechanics and engaging combat, enhanced by RPG elements like character customization and skill upgrades. However, criticisms often highlight the repetitive nature of the gameplay, lack of depth in RPG mechanics, and various technical issues, including bugs and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While the game's stunning visuals and immersive cyberpunk atmosphere are frequently lauded, the gameplay itself is seen as needing more variety and polish to fully realize its potential.

    • “The gameplay is fast-paced, with intense combat and RPG elements that allow for a variety of character builds and upgrades.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, with fantastic graphics that perfectly capture a cyberpunk world.”
    • “The core gameplay is solid, the guns feel heavy, powerful, and violent.”
    • “Unfortunately, the rest of the game feels a bit hollow with repetitive gameplay, lack of diverse weapons, and an astoundingly boring/cliché story.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly repetitive and boring, and trekking across beautiful landscapes doesn't help when there's nothing to do in between objectives.”
    • “The gameplay loop is repetitive; you go up against pistol dudes, shotgun side hammer/sword dudes.”
  • graphics3,063 mentions

    The graphics of "The Ascent" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning cyberpunk aesthetic, with many reviewers praising the intricate details, vibrant environments, and impressive lighting effects. Players have noted that the visuals create an immersive atmosphere reminiscent of classic cyberpunk films and literature, making the game visually captivating. However, some users have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, indicating that while the graphics are a highlight, optimization remains a concern.

    • “Breathtaking cyberpunk dystopian visuals and atmosphere from the sewers to the ivory tower.”
    • “Stunning visuals: the cyberpunk aesthetic is jaw-dropping, with incredible attention to detail in lighting, environments, and character design.”
    • “The ascent is a cyberpunk-themed action RPG that immediately impresses with its stunning visuals.”
    • “Constant graphical errors that make it look like items are there when they aren't.”
    • “Major glaring issue, graphics are painfully unoptimized, takes you more than a few seconds of 1 fps for textures and things to load in.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, whether it is game-breaking bugs that need a save reload or minor visuals, it's got it all and it baffles me how this long after its release they haven't ironed out at least some of them.”
  • music1,593 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the cyberpunk aesthetic. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to enhance gameplay, particularly during combat, with energetic synthwave and electronic tracks reminiscent of classics like *Blade Runner* and *Ghost in the Shell*. While some note occasional repetitiveness in the combat music, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, elevating the game's experience significantly.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and complements the theme.”
    • “The music fits the game very well, with thumping electro beats for combat and more ambient tracks for non-combat situations.”
    • “The music is amazing, the visuals are stunning, and the atmosphere is perfectly crafted to immerse you in a cyberpunk world.”
    • “Additionally, there were battles where the music absolutely overtook the scene, and you could barely hear the sound effects or dialogue.”
    • “The music is repetitive.”
    • “The biggest criticism I have for this game is it feels like the creators spent the upfront investment in time and effort on world-building, lore, and environmental music, graphics, and texture to create something that could have honestly rivaled 'Mass Effect' as a truly memorable and top-tier sci-fi, cyberpunk RPG with some action elements, but got shot down by the publishers and the suits in marketing.”
  • stability1,059 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode. Many users experienced game-breaking issues that required restarts, while others noted minor glitches that, although annoying, did not completely hinder gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game remains significantly buggy, impacting the overall experience despite its engaging gameplay and aesthetic appeal.

    • “The game runs great, and plays great.”
    • “Runs great on my rig, no issues.”
    • “Awesome game, nice visuals, runs great and fun gameplay.”
    • “Game is buggy though, crashing several times for no reason.”
    • “I wanna like this game, but my screen goes black periodically and it freezes and crashes more times than it runs properly.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, and the number of times we had to restart for multiplayer to work right.”
  • atmosphere997 mentions

    The atmosphere of "The Ascent" is widely praised for its breathtaking cyberpunk visuals, immersive world-building, and a haunting soundtrack that captures the essence of a dystopian future. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a living, vibrant environment filled with intricate details, making it a standout experience for fans of the genre. While some mention gameplay and technical issues, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is its strongest asset, often compared favorably to other notable titles in the cyberpunk realm.

    • “The atmosphere is impressively oppressive, the environments are highly detailed, and the soundtrack is fantastic.”
    • “The ascent features a beautifully crafted cyberpunk environment with detailed character designs and atmospheric lighting.”
    • “The sheer scope and density of the environments are breathtaking, creating a believable and immersive cyberpunk atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is exciting and foreboding and a bit melancholy.”
    • “The atmosphere just oozes in this game.”
    • “The atmosphere, lore, world building, textures, and environments are absolutely nuts and like nothing I've experienced.”
  • optimization687 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly in high-density areas or when using DirectX 12. Despite some users experiencing smooth gameplay on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially for lower-end hardware and handheld devices, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Developers have been noted as slow to address these ongoing issues, leaving players disappointed with the game's technical performance.

    • “Performance-wise, it doesn't run as smoothly as it should; systems that shouldn't stutter simply do from time to time.”
    • “The graphics are pretty impressive, but the optimization is terrible for what is realistically not a complex game, and I have a PC that should be able to handle anything on ultra.”
    • “Despite being around for years, several bugs and performance issues persist, and the developers have shown little responsiveness in addressing these problems.”
    • “But unfortunately this is one of the worst optimized games in both performance and game balance that I've ever played.”
    • “The game is not optimized at all.”
  • grinding280 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game's grinding aspect is a mixed bag, with many players finding the backtracking and map traversal tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the grinding for upgrades and leveling as part of the experience, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to repetitive gameplay and frustration, especially in later stages. Overall, the game is described as having a grindy nature, but opinions vary on whether this is a positive or negative aspect of the experience.

    • “So grinding for upgrades isn't really grinding; it's more of an easter egg hunt, which I suppose adds some incentive to explore the open world, but these things don't respawn.”
    • “If you are not grinding levels, upgrading the best guns, and using the right powers, you have no chance at all near the end, and even then the game pushes the boundary of 'fair'.”
    • “Yes, that is right, no grinding for ammo... the options for customization are also nearly endless, with every new item you find being added to the library of options to change your look and character loadout.”
    • “Additionally, quests are often padded with tedious backtracking, which detracts from the pacing and overall experience.”
    • “The game becomes a bit tedious at a certain stage; eventually, I found myself almost completely disinterested in the narrative.”
    • “The fast travel system is incredibly tedious, which means you spend way too much time walking (there's no sprint) to destinations.”
  • replayability201 mentions

    The game's replayability is a contentious topic among reviewers, with many citing a lack of meaningful variety in builds, missions, and endgame content as significant drawbacks. While some players appreciate the potential for co-op play and the addition of DLCs to enhance replay value, others feel that once the main campaign is completed, there is little incentive to return. Overall, the consensus leans towards limited replayability, with many expressing a desire for more diverse gameplay options and content to encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The story campaign is quite lengthy, however, the replayability is there courtesy of higher difficulty settings, new game plus, co-op, and a slew of reasonably priced DLC packs.”
    • “It has lots of replay value, and some great challenges and hidden gems throughout.”
    • “Awesome game with lots of fun details and a good amount of replayability, hoping they expand on it further for the future.”
    • “The RPG mechanics are on the shallower side as well, making it less replayable compared to other ARPGs.”
    • “There is no endgame or replayability once you've finished the story.”
    • “The only complaint I really have about this game is the lack of replayability.”
  • humor178 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its blend of dark, crude, and situational comedy that often elicits genuine laughter. Many reviews highlight the amusing dialogue, quirky characters, and unexpected moments, such as humorous bugs and glitches that add to the overall experience. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, the general consensus is that it effectively complements the game's dystopian setting and engaging gameplay.

    • “I also found myself genuinely laughing at some of the vulgar comments and humor used throughout.”
    • “Beautiful dystopian cyberpunk gem with seemingly endless open world to explore, loads of 'mini' side missions, an extensive and engaging primary mission thread and some pretty funny (and crude) dialogue and characters.”
    • “The story is an action-packed and humorous tale of an economic slave blasting their way up the corporate ladder, annihilating anyone and everyone who gets in their way of overcoming a corpo-slaver juggernaut in order to secure their own freedom.”
  • character development55 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and meaningful choices, leading to a generally forgettable experience. While there is a wide range of customization options for appearance and abilities, the overall character development system feels simplistic and uninspired, often overshadowed by the game's stunning visuals and environments. Some players appreciated the character designs and voice acting, but overall, the consensus is that the game could benefit from more intricate character interactions and development.

    • “Character development isn't too complex but does give you the tools to customize your build in a way that suits your playstyle and will impact which augments, tactical devices, and weapons are a good fit.”
    • “Very enjoyable gameplay with good character development; it's been a long time since I had such a good time defeating more enemies.”
    • “Character development is pretty cool - you have enough freedom to develop to match your playing style that I think most folks will be happy.”
    • “The story has moments of intrigue but generally follows a predictable path without deep character development, making it somewhat forgettable amidst the action.”
    • “There are no choices to be made and nothing in the way of character development.”
    • “Overall character design is very limited, same with armor colors.”
  • monetization34 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that it leans towards a cash grab due to the presence of numerous advertisements and DLCs that seem poorly thought out. While some appreciate the vibrant, immersive world filled with neon ads, others criticize the game for its bugs and misleading marketing regarding multiplayer features, suggesting that the focus on monetization detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players express a desire for more genuine content rather than a reliance on advertisements and microtransactions.

    • “No crappy microtransactions.”
    • “It is awesome to have this kind of game in an industry with companies that release unfinished games full of microtransactions.”
    • “Not only is this a fantastic game worth your 30 bucks, but it also proves that modern AAA game companies are misleading; Ubisoft claims it needs microtransactions to create large beautiful open worlds, EA says multiplayer games require large player bases, and CD Projekt Red has been criticized for their own Cyberpunk game.”
    • “Major achievement bugs for over a year and nobody is doing anything to fix it, seems cash grabby.”
    • “The map is also a giant mess without any of the original game's good points and a lot of game-breaking ideas in the DLC. My advice is don't buy that DLC; it's a poorly thought out cash grab.”
    • “I mistook the advertisement of 'play with friends' and 'online co-op' to mean you could play with randos.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers finding the protagonist to be a generic and emotionally shallow character, leading to a lack of engagement with the story. While some players appreciate the game's visuals and visceral gameplay, they express disappointment over the boring narrative and repetitive mechanics, which detract from any potential emotional impact. Despite a few moments of beauty and nostalgia, the consensus is that the game fails to deliver a compelling emotional experience.

    • “This game made me feel whole for the first time in 40 years.”
    • “This game is so beautiful, it makes me want to cry.”
    • “I find it heartbreaking for such a beautiful game to be let down in this way.”
    • “Mind-numbingly boring story.”
    • “Boring story and some very annoying bugs; some side missions cannot even be completed.”
    • “Kinda generic and boring story and characters, but they get the job done, they keep you somewhat invested in the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

14hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
6-21hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 203 analyzed playthroughs

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