This game is punishing, but so much fun. The art style is amazing, and it is such a great throwback to classic sidescrolling gaming. Hone those reflexes, and enjoy!
If one can look past the sprites, and bask in the brilliant atmosphere, adventuring thou shoult go
This game definitely pays (at times, heavy) homage to the Souls franchise, but like other reviewers here, I also think Ashen sets itself apart in important and compelling ways. I played through the game about 8 months ago, then recently came back to it for the DLC. Above all, what struck me most was the way in which the game brings together its music with its environments, for incredible atmosphere and immersion. Every area feels distinct, and what is a fairly mundane colour palatte, and airy musical score in the early stages of the game, grows in vividness and intensity as you move into the mid-game. I will say that the descent beginning at the Henge of the Matriarch is one of the most involved and intense dungeon crawls I've encountered in recent gaming - just amazing (also recommend you commit to the immersion with some quality headphones). In terms of controlling your character, the mechanics for combat do take getting used to - you have to be strategic with your moves, much more so than a Souls game, I find (where reflexes and speed play a larger role). Heading into a difficult encounter, these mechanics can often prove frustrating. You have to kind of game the level design, drawing enemies out, or sprinting past, to then turn and face them under more advantageous settings - not completely unlike some Souls encounters. In terms of replayability, as some other reviewers have mentioned, the skill tree and weapons/equipment are nowhere as deep as a Souls game, a condition that has its charms, but also might affect how quickly you return to the title. Personally, I think I'll come back to this game for the aesthetic and atmosphere, not the gear (or even the bosses, really, like I do with Souls games). The world building is on point; the rest, including the gear, perfectly fits that built world, so I don't take issue with it.
