Category: RPG

Roleplaying games, everything from classic CRPGs to modern stuff

Of Ash and Steel – Seven Points of Critique

I’m far from finishing Of Ash and Steel, so this is not a review—just a critique of the game and its mechanics after about fifteen hours of playing. While I think it’s a good addition to the specific Gothic/Risen/Skyrim lineage of RPGs, I do find it falls short in places—in areas where they could have found easy inspiration. It’s not something that overly disappoints me, but thanks to these issues it will probably never reach the same level of appreciation (at least from me).

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Of Ash and Steel is OUT!

My most anticipated RPG of the year has finally, after a few delays, been released. Of Ash and Steel is currently being sold at a very favorable price at a measly 30 euros, and if that isn’t enough, it comes with a nice 20% off that lasts until the 8th of December. So, what are you waiting for—go and get it! If you are unsure, you can read my demo impressions here! For some odd reason, they have removed the demo—or at least, I can’t seem to find it anymore. However, at 24 euros, the risk is low as it is, especially with Steam refund protecting you from buying dumb things. Be sure to check out the launch trailer after the jump!

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The Blood of Dawnwalker [Gameplay video #2]

Another long-form gameplay video is out for the RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker to showcase the different paths you can take to complete quests. Just like in my comment on the first video, the similarity to Witcher 3 is still very palpable. Now, I have warmed up to it more since, and it will probably be an interesting gritty semi-grounded RPG worth playing. Yet it can’t seem to escape that “copied” legacy. If this is a negative, it all depends on how the world feels, of course. If the design is cloned from Witcher 3, it risks being an extremely static world where people don’t mind you ransacking their house for loot. Oh, a priceless heirloom from grandma—worth 2 gold coins? *yoink*.

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UnderRail 2: Infusion [Lands on Steam]

UnderRail 2: Infusion finally gets a Steam page, which I assume means a release is imminent. With imminent, I mean, five to ten years. Because if it’s something the developer, Stygian Software, are not known for: It’s speed. Jokes aside, the game is looking great. Just check out that juicy trailer (is that ragdoll effects?), and the GIFs presented on the store page. The crafting system looks like something else, both visually and mechanically. I know I’m going to spend a lot of time on that, tweaking my gun until perfect killing potential is achieved. 

What I noticed is that the title got “2” now. I might be behind on the lore here, but I thought Infusion was going to be a spin-off, and not a true sequel. This is new information to me. A sequel comes with somewhat bigger expectations, but I don’t doubt that Stygian is up to the task! Release date is set to “to be announced”, so probably a while out. Yet, it certainly feels closer than before!

Shadow of the Road – Demo Impressions

The demon fears the samurai, like most other living things that are allergic to katana strikes aimed at the gut. Shadow of the Road is another unexpectedly fun RPG demo with turn-based gameplay, set in an intriguing medieval Japanese setting—local mythology and demons included. The only thing that had me confused was how the turn order worked, as it constantly shifted around during play. But I think I got the hang of it (somewhat) nearing the end of the demo.

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