Of Ash and Steel

The main pros of the game

• Nostalgic Feel: Many players appreciate the game for its old-school RPG vibes, reminiscent of classic titles like Gothic and Risen.
• Exploration: The open-world design encourages exploration, with a vast environment filled with quests, treasures, and hidden areas to discover.
• Challenging Combat: Combat is described as difficult but rewarding; players enjoy the progression from being weak to becoming powerful.
• Immersive Atmosphere: The game creates a strong sense of immersion, with engaging world-building and a gritty, dangerous environment.
• Voice Acting and Story: Players have praised the quality of voice acting and the interesting storyline, adding depth to the experience.
• Freedom of Choice: Character customization and skill trees allow for varied playstyles and approaches to quests.

The main cons of the game

• Bugs and Stability Issues: Many players report numerous bugs, including game-breaking issues, crashes, and disappearing quest items.
• Lack of Quality of Life Features: The absence of a map early in the game complicates navigation, leading to frustration when trying to locate quest objectives or characters.
• Combat Mechanics: While challenging, the combat system is often described as clunky and unresponsive, with issues related to hit detection and animations.
• Quest Design: Some players find quest directions vague and frustrating, leading to confusion and extended periods of aimless searching.
• Difficulty Balance: The game can be punishing, with some players feeling that early enemies are disproportionately strong compared to the player's starting abilities.
• Economy Issues: Players have noted that the game's economy is harsh, making it difficult to earn enough gold for training and equipment.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Map Functionality: A significant number of players express frustration over the lack of a map in the early stages of the game, especially given the protagonist's role as a cartographer.
• Improved Quest Tracking: Users suggest the need for better quest tracking systems to avoid confusion, such as clearer directions or the ability to ask NPCs for help.
• Stealth Mechanics: There are complaints about the stealth system being ineffective and not functioning as expected.
• Crafting and Inventory Management: Players desire a more intuitive crafting system and better management of inventory, including the ability to delete or sort save files.
• Save System: Users have pointed out that the save system is poorly organized, making it difficult to find the most recent save file.

Summary

• In summary, "Of Ash and Steel" has a solid foundation with nostalgic elements and an engaging world, but it is currently hindered by numerous bugs and design flaws that need addressing to enhance the overall player experience.

Summary generated on: December 4, 2025