Ashen

No game is without its flaws and Ashen has a few... but the disconnection irritations while in co-op and some other bizarre parkour-related nonsense aside- Ashen is remarkable. Toss the Dark Souls crap. Tired of it. Dark Souls is Dark Souls... Ashen is- Ashen. Ashen is a svelte, velvety, liquid, immersive, intelligent, and delightfully angular artistic game any poetic-minded gamer can enjoy with a partner or alone. It's simple... settle in. Slide down a mountain. Awe the sky puppy. Rumble with hounds. Try not to die getting cool stuff. Maybe crack a cold one or two along the way. Peace.

Played this game a few times, it's quite a shame that most souls-like games don't allow one to co-op from beginning to end. This game however is the exception. If you're looking for an interesting and engaging game with lots to explore, this is it. Definitely a fun experience.

Honestly, I have to get back to it one of these days, but it can be so stressful (like all the other games of this sort I guess). Extended cut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYkRBw6sa4 If you're on the fence about this one, grab it on sale and give it a try, really cool art style and levels. The only thing that is a downside is how unbelievably hard it gets halfway through but hey - git gud, right?

I wanted to like this game..... The story seemed pretty good, the combat was mostly good and the characters seemed colourfull. .... right up up until I stopped playing fairly early on. The one MASSIVE problem this game has is the horrendous controls when using mouse and keyboard: - I'd lose lock on the enemy with _every single action_ that I took! This pissed me off so much, that I gave up on this game permanently. I just can't enjoy a game that keeps bugging out like that... it's too immersion destroying!

The good: - Very fun combat and gameplay loop: I realised this once I got through the Eye of the Needle, and found myself running back over the map over and over to pick up my Scoria/Souls from my last death. - Stunningly beautiful scenery and map construction - looks like the dearly departed Worlds Adrift - A bunch of secret dungeons are scattered throughout the map, even close to your home base (beware, they are difficult). - Relaxing, dreamy mood and soundtrack. A simple, uncomplicated game. - Did I mention the scenery? It's some of the nicest I've seen in a game. Stylish, each area clearly recognisable, carrying on logically from the previous. The bad: - I haven't played any Dark Souls, so can't compare the two. - The price. Seems a bit pricey for a shortish game (haven't finished it yet, but I feel it's getting towards the end), though it is a work of art of a game. The ugly: - Character voices are very slow and sleepy; makes listening to voiceovers a chore. - Multiplayer is unreliable. No LAN (I've even tried hacks, and no luck so far playing with my brother next door), no direct connection to friends, no indication afaik when a friend takes over your AI companion. Oh, and about as much chat as Journey (i.e. press a button to "ping") - No armour customisation. Each piece of armour/weapon is strictly better than the last.