Ashen Impression/review

I aimed to explore Souls/Bourne-style gameplay without investing $39.99 in Dark Souls Remastered on Switch. Consequently, I opted for Ashen and its DLC, priced at $11 during a sale. The reviews and impressions I read beforehand portrayed it as a highly enjoyable Souls-like experience, making it seem like a suitable entry point into this genre of gameplay.

At first, I didn't have the best impression. My character seemed sluggish, and the combat felt sluggish too. I died frequently in battles, lost my scoria, and struggled to find my rhythm in the initial hours. I set the game aside for a month and returned to it later, and suddenly, everything started to make sense.

I had a similar experience with Monster Hunter. I tested a demo of MH3tri on Wii and wasn't fond of the gameplay mechanics. However, for some reason, I chose to purchase the full game upon its release. Once I grasped its intricacies, I found myself captivated and couldn't tear myself away. Experiencing that same dynamic again with Ashen was truly gratifying.

Once I grasped the gameplay loop, I found myself completely engrossed. Progressing smoothly through the main quest relied on completing side quests early on to earn HP and Stamina upgrades. Improving combat skills, however, required practice—there's no shortcut to mastering it. Whenever I encountered a challenge, such as facing The Shadow of the Ashen, I took the opportunity to grind for scoria to upgrade weapons, equipment, and brew potions to give myself a better chance at victory. And eventually, I’d prevail

I found the art style and atmosphere of the game to be captivating. The sound design and audio are well-executed, contributing to the immersive experience. Despite being a budget title, the production values are impressive. Having the AI character actively involved was beneficial, as it effectively diverted enemy aggro and provided valuable support - especially during boss fights.

Final stats

My final stats in the game are:

• Started: 10/17/23 ; Ended: 2/6/24

• ”Played for 35 hours or more”

• Health: 386

• Stamina: 256

• All Journey's Complete

I plan to play the Nightstorm Aisle DLC sometime next month.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on Dark Souls Remastered on Switch. As soon as it goes on sale, I’ll be picking it up and starting a file!