Ash of Gods: The Way is a strategic fantasy game developed by AurumDust Studio. Although it shows promise with its beautiful hand-drawn art style and intriguing premise, it ultimately falls short in several key areas.
One of the biggest issues with Ash of Gods: The Way is its gameplay mechanics. While it tries to be a strategic game, the mechanics are often convoluted and lack depth. The combat system, in particular, feels clunky and unrefined. The turn-based battles lack tactical depth and end up feeling repetitive and monotonous after a while. Additionally, the difficulty spikes can feel unfair and frustrating, leading to unnecessary trial and error.
Another letdown is the storytelling. Despite the interesting premise of a world where the choices you make have dire consequences, the execution falls flat. The writing lacks depth and fails to engage players on an emotional level. Characters are poorly developed, making it difficult to care about their fates or become invested in the story. The dialogue also feels forced and unnatural at times, further detracting from the immersion.
Visually, Ash of Gods: The Way shines with its gorgeous hand-drawn art style. The artwork is stunning and creates a unique and captivating atmosphere. However, the animations can be clunky and lack polish, which can be jarring and take away from the overall experience.
In terms of audio, the soundtrack is one of the game's highlights. The haunting melodies and atmospheric compositions perfectly capture the dark and mysterious tone of the game. The voice acting, on the other hand, is hit or miss. Some performances are solid, while others feel wooden and uninspired.
Despite its flaws, Ash of Gods: The Way does have some redeeming qualities. The branching narrative and multiple endings offer some replay value, allowing players to explore different paths and make different choices. Additionally, the game's permadeath feature adds a layer of tension and consequence to decision-making, forcing players to think carefully about their actions.
Overall, Ash of Gods: The Way is a game that falls short of its potential. The convoluted gameplay mechanics, lackluster storytelling, and occasional visual and audio shortcomings hinder the overall experience. While it may appeal to fans of the genre looking for a unique art style and challenging gameplay, it's difficult to recommend it to a wider audience. With some refinement and better execution, it could have been a standout title.
Rating: 5.5/10
