Ashen is an action RPG being developed by Aurora44 and published by Annapurna Interactive.
I’ve seen many Souls-like games that have tried to recapture the magic of what makes a Dark Souls game great, but never played one that felt quite right. Ashen is not only the first I’ve played that feels great to play, but also brings new elements to the table.
Ashen features passive multiplayer inspired by games like Journey, so when you play you’ll find other wandering players to either cooperate with or even just ignore. It’s up to you how you want to interact. There will be a passcode setting, so you and a friend can play through the entire game together with no summoning interruptions.
The dreary open world is beautifully minimal, with plenty of moments that fill you with awe. As I traveled, I found a women sitting on a branch over a cavern filled with fog. I spoke to her and helped her with an item I had found, a giant woman raised up from the fog to peak down at me. It was haunting and creepy, but also had me wowed.
The combat felt tight and not too slow or fast. I primarily play fast, dodge based characters in action RPGs, and I felt right at home with a one handed axe and a quick back step. Characters don’t progress through levels but, through perks similar to Fallout 4, you to pick items that fit your play style.
I was really impressed with the overall vibe of the game and felt like my time with the demo was far too short. It truly feels like Ashen is doing something new with the action RPG Souls like genre and I can’t wait to dive back in.
