Astral Ascent: A Cosmic Journey Through Pixel Art and Roguelite Madness
Exploring the astral prison with a dash of magic and combat fluidity
last updated Nov 16, 2023
Astral Ascent shines bright in the roguelite universe, with its dance-like combat and stunning pixel art.
Pixel-Powered Pugilism
Astral Ascent is not your run-of-the-mill roguelite. It delivers a celestial smackdown with its unique combat system, where every dash and basic attack feels like an astral dance. The fluidity is just mesmerizing – think ballet but with more celestial punching. The game's combat mechanics shine, especially when you master the dash resets and ground slams. You'll need to brace yourself though, because the difficulty curve is as steep as a hike up Olympus Mons, but it's all worth it when you're zipping around like a cosmic ninja.
A Symphony of Stars
Now, let's talk audio. The music in Astral Ascent is like a love letter to your eardrums, composed in the key of 'epic.' Each track melds with its stage, crafting an atmosphere that's both mystical and invigorating. As for the voice acting, it's a mixed spacebag. Some characters might have you rolling your eyes harder than a tumble in zero gravity, but overall, it adds a layer of personality to the game that's hard to ignore. It's like having a space opera in your living room, minus the sopranos.
Galactic Graphics and Performance
Graphically, Astral Ascent is a pixel art paradise. The bosses are a feast for the eyes, and the character animations are smoother than a polished meteorite. Performance-wise, it runs as smoothly as a spaceship on autopilot. The game maintains its cool even in the heat of combat, which is no small feat given how chaotic things can get. However, this graphical marvel comes at a cost – sometimes it's easy to lose track of your character amidst the astral chaos, like trying to find your space helmet in a supernova.
Astral Anomalies and Gameplay Balance
Astral Ascent isn't without its black holes, though. The game can feel like a grind, with some runs feeling more like a cosmic treadmill than an epic adventure. Plus, the balance between characters is as uneven as a seesaw on the moon. Some characters are just inherently more fun and effective than others, which can lead to a bit of a repetitive gameplay loop. And let's not forget the RNG gods – sometimes they bless you, and other times they leave you stranded in the asteroid belt of disappointment.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Hibernian Workshop
Publisher
Hibernian Workshop, MP2 Games, Maple Whispering Limited
Release Date
November 14, 2023
Verdict
In the grand constellation of roguelites, Astral Ascent shines bright. Its combat is a well-choreographed cosmic dance, and its pixel art will make your eyes pop like supernovae. The music and voice acting add layers of celestial charm, even if they occasionally hit a bum note. However, it's not without its quirks – uneven character balance and the occasional grind can test your patience. But if you're willing to embrace its quirks, Astral Ascent is a journey worth taking, especially for those who love a challenge wrapped in a stunning pixelated package.
