To Ash
- March 29, 2016
- 16 Bit Psych
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"To Ash" is an old-school RPG that challenges the traditional leveling system by weakening the character as the game progresses. Players control Demitri, a powerful hero on the brink of death, in turn-based battles with a unique "Stance" mechanic. The game's themes revolve around acceptance of mortality, loss, and death, and it offers two modes for those focused on the story rather than gameplay.
Reviews
- The unique mechanic of getting weaker as the game progresses adds an interesting twist to the traditional RPG formula, making players weigh the risks of combat and treasure.
- The battle mechanics are engaging and encourage players to avoid unnecessary fights, which enhances the overall experience.
- The story is intriguing and explores themes of aging and mortality, providing a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with players.
- The game can feel slow to start, with an overwhelming number of combat options that may confuse new players.
- The implementation of the aging mechanic may not be as impactful as expected, as players can still acquire stronger weapons that balance out the weakening effect.
- The game is relatively short and lacks significant replayability, which may leave some players wanting more after completing it.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique mechanic where players experience a gradual loss of abilities, reflecting the protagonist's descent into frailty, which adds depth to the battle mechanics and keeps players engaged. While the aging mechanic is a standout feature, some players feel it could be more pronounced. Overall, the game offers enjoyable combat and an engaging storyline, with approximately 8-10 hours of playtime.
“The battle mechanics are clever and keep me engaged.”
“It is truly unique and thought-provoking; not so much in the dialogue, but because of Demitri's underlying personality and experiencing, through the game mechanics, his descent into frailty.”
“The battle mechanics are fun and the storyline (so far!) is engaging.”
“It is truly unique and thought-provoking; not so much in the dialogue, but because of Demitri's underlying 'personality' and experiencing, through the game mechanics, his descent into frailty.”
“Maybe a mechanic where the player gets winded might've been nice.”
“The aging (getting weaker) mechanic is basically the reason I bought the game.”
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its intriguing and unique approach, setting it apart from typical RPGs by incorporating a theme where players grow weaker over time. Reviewers highlight the fantastic narrative and engaging twists, alongside enjoyable battle mechanics that enhance the overall experience.
“The story is intriguing and is different from many RPGs.”
“A fantastic story and theme, as well as an interesting twist on RPGs by having you grow weaker.”
“The battle mechanics are fun, and the storyline (so far!) is engaging.”
“What would be the story explanation for such a thing?”
“The plot feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character motivations are poorly developed, leaving their actions feeling unconvincing.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's unique approach to grinding, as it minimizes traditional grinding for gold and experience points, instead encouraging strategic decision-making regarding loot and combat. This fresh perspective is seen as a welcome change for RPG fans tired of tedious grinding mechanics, making the gameplay feel more engaging and less punishing.
“This game was a journey: much like life, I suppose, it started out fairly interesting and then became progressively more tedious, difficult, and even punishing.”
“Great for RPG fans who are getting bored of the usual grinding for gold and XP and looking for something new.”
“Which is my new favorite thing as it completely removes grinding and left me always weighing loot and treasure over permanently lost power.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a fun experience for about 10 hours, but its short length and limited replayability may leave some players wanting more.
