To Ash

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

The unique mechanic of getting weaker as the game progresses adds an interesting twist to the RPG genre, making players weigh the risks of combat against potential rewards.
The battle mechanics are engaging and encourage players to avoid unnecessary fights, which enhances the overall strategy of the game.
The story is intriguing and thought-provoking, effectively capturing themes of aging and desperation, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of JRPGs.

The game can feel slow to start, with an overwhelming number of combat options that may confuse players, especially beginners.
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.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The gameplay is characterized by a unique mechanic where players experience a gradual loss of abilities, reflecting the protagonist's descent into frailty, which adds depth to the experience. The battle mechanics are engaging and clever, contributing to an overall enjoyable gameplay experience that lasts around 8 to 10 hours. However, some players feel that the aging mechanic could be more pronounced to enhance its impact.
- “The battle mechanics are clever and keep me engaged.”
- “Great game, a lot longer than I expected with probably about 10 hours of gameplay, 8 hours if you know what you're doing.”
- “I've always wanted a game with a mechanic where you get weaker or lose abilities as the game progresses.”
- “Maybe a mechanic where the player gets winded might've been nice.”
- “It is truly unique and thought-provoking; not so much in the dialog, but because of Demitri's underlying personality and experiencing, through the game mechanics, his descent into frailty.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
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 find the narrative engaging and the battle mechanics enjoyable, contributing to a fantastic 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?”
- “What would be the story explanation for such a thing?”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its unique approach to grinding, as it completely eliminates the traditional grind for gold and experience points, encouraging players to avoid combat instead. This fresh perspective is appreciated by RPG fans seeking a break from the typical grind, although some players found the overall experience became tedious and punishing over time.
- “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.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its short length, which limits its replayability, providing around 10 hours of fun but lacking incentives for players to return after completion.