Review: Ashen Arrows
Ashen Arrows has been available on Steam in early access since June 2023, and the team is now set to release version 1.0 of the game. Although I haven’t had the chance to try Ashen Arrows myself during early access, I’ve enjoyed watching others play it. Now, I’m excited to grab my bow and arrow and put my skills to the test.
Release Date: February 20th 2025 (1.0 Release)
Developer: Rusty Pipes Games
Publisher: VRKiwi
Price: US $17.49 / Cca $23.49 / €17,49 / £14.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3 with Link Cable
* Access Provided For Review *
Gods Need Mere Mortals
In moments of dire danger, even the mightiest of Gods may seek assistance from humans. During these critical times, ordinary hunters like you must prepare themselves for battle and rise to the status of legendary archers. These archers will be brave enough to face not only bandits, fierce fighters, and terrifying mythical beasts but also dragons themselves!
Rouge-like Archery
Ashen Arrows is fundamentally a rogue-like game, but it also incorporates wave-based defence mechanics. In this game, you’ll take on the role of an archer, defending your base against waves of diverse enemies. The experience is further enriched by the various modifiers and skills you can select for each run, allowing for countless strategies and approaches to keep the gameplay fresh and exciting.
As an Archer, the primary focus is on achieving perfect accuracy with your bow and arrow, which is your sole weapon. I was thrilled to see that the team has really hit the mark with this aspect, ensuring that your precision is just as crucial as the modifiers available in the game. What I appreciated most is that if you happen to miss a shot, it’s clear that it’s due to your own skill level, not any flaws in the game, which eliminates any potential frustrations outside of your control.
I really enjoy that the game offers several modes to choose from: Saga, Bastion, and CO-OP mode. Saga mode not only narrates the game’s story but also serves as a tutorial when you first dive in, helping you get acquainted with your heroic hunter. In Bastion mode, you unlock additional acts as you progress through waves, with even more content planned for the future. This variety provides a refreshing break from the main rogue-like experience of Bastion mode.
Bastion serves as the core mode of the game, introducing all the rogue-like features. In this mode, players can explore four distinct maps, each representing different realms of Norse mythology. The emphasis here is on endless replayability, thanks to the procedurally generated maps that change with every run. You can choose to face twenty, forty, or sixty waves, depending on the level of challenge you seek. As you progress through the waves, you’ll earn upgrade points that can be used to enhance your weapons, defence, or abilities at any time—not just between waves. The upgrades are randomly assigned, which means you won’t always have the same builds, encouraging you to adapt your playstyle. Additionally, more content for the Bastion mode is on the horizon as the game continues to evolve. In CO-OP mode, you and two friends can team up and enjoy the game together. The excitement of Bastion mode grows even more as you collaborate to tackle the incoming waves of enemies.
Low-Poly Norse Realms
The game adopts a low-poly and striking visual style, which initially made me question its suitability for the gameplay. However, the combination of these simpler graphics with the bow and arrow mechanics turns out to be quite effective. This design choice enables the team to create both small and expansive areas without compromising visual quality. The straightforward textures and vibrant colors shine in both daytime and nighttime settings. Additionally, this approach helps enemies stand out in each environment, making it easier to identify and eliminate them before they can damage your defences and base.
I was pleased to see that the game features some character customisation options. This allows you and your friends to have unique appearances in CO-OP, which can be helpful for communication during intense waves of enemies. However, it’s a bit disappointing that you don’t get to see your character much, as it would enhance the customisation experience, especially for those who prefer playing solo.
The audio in this game effectively keeps you immersed in the experience. The highlight is the captivating Norse music that plays as you navigate through the waves. It blends seamlessly with the sounds of your bow and arrow, the groans of defeated enemies, and the damage they inflict on your base. Occasionally, you’ll hear a voiceover delivering one-liners; while they do repeat, it’s not to the point of irritation. A loud horn signals the end of each wave, making it clear when you’ve completed a round. The voice acting in Saga mode is quite good during the storytelling segments, though the upgrade box in Bastion can be a bit vocal about using upgrades, which I found somewhat bothersome. Overall, the audio serves its purpose well for the game.
Comfort
The Verdict
Ashen Arrows is a game that might divide Virtual Reality gamers, primarily because it focuses exclusively on bow and arrow combat. To truly appreciate the game, you need to enjoy this particular style of gameplay. However, for those who love using a bow and arrow in VR, the developers have achieved impressive accuracy, ensuring that any missed shots are due to your own skill rather than flaws in the game. The combination of rogue-like elements with wave-based combat is a bold move, especially since both genres are quite popular, but Ashen Arrows blends them seamlessly, providing a fresh experience with each playthrough thanks to randomly generated Norse realms and skills. What really sets this game apart for me is the co-op option, which transforms the experience into a collaborative effort, allowing you to work as a team instead of relying on random archers from skill points. As mentioned earlier, the game may appeal differently to players based on their preference for bow and arrow mechanics, but if that’s your thing, Ashen Arrows is definitely worth a try.