Ash and Flame
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About Ash and Flame
Ash and Flame is a narrative-driven RPG set in the grimdark fantasy realm of Erwintal. Developed by Worlds In Portal, it launched on PC in March 2027. You play as Raynar, a soldier grappling with past traumas while battling a resurgence of ancient evil. The game emphasizes branching dialogue and morality systems, with player decisions directly altering the kingdom’s future. Combat is turn-based and tactical, blending resource management with strategic positioning. The story prioritizes emotional stakes over action, with heavy themes of sacrifice and redemption. At its heart, it’s a game about choices with lasting consequences, wrapped in a moody, hand-painted art style.
Gameplay
Each session revolves around dialogue trees, exploration of decaying villages, and managing Raynar’s physical and mental health. Battles unfold in grid-based combat where positioning and item use matter more than raw damage. You spend most of your time parsing complex conversations, weighing immediate survival against long-term alliances. The world reacts to your actions: spare a traitor, and they might betray you later. Scavenge for limited healing items between fights, as failure in battle often leads to permanent consequences. The interface feels clunky during fast-paced moments, but the writing and voice acting keep you invested through its 20+ hour runtime.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community gives Ash and Flame a 8.7/10 rating, with 74% recommending it. Critics average 82/100, praising its moral complexity but noting pacing issues. 41% of players finish the main story, averaging 12.5 hours per playthrough. Community moods split: 62% feel fulfilled by the ending, 28% frustrated by ambiguous choices. The game’s 35 achievements have a 78% completion rate, with “Save Three Civilians” being the most skipped. One user wrote: “The moral ambiguity hits harder than any boss fight.” Another griped: “Combat feels like an afterthought compared to the narrative.”
PlayPile's Take
Ash and Flame ($29.99) is a slow-burn RPG best for players who prioritize stories over action. Its branching choices and voice-acted dialogues create memorable moments, but clunky combat and a $30 price tag may deter some. With 41% completion and 35 achievements, it rewards patience. Skip if you want fast-paced fights or open-world exploration. For $30, it’s a solid pick if you enjoy moral dilemmas and branching narratives. The ending’s emotional weight justifies the effort for 62% of players. Not perfect, but thought-provoking.
Game Modes
Single player
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