The Ascent

Gameplay – 8.5/10

The Ascent combines classic action role-playing games with the mechanics of a twin-stick shooter set in an immersive cyberpunk universe. Fighting is always brutal, fast-paced, and incredibly satisfying. Players have the ability to cover, dodge, and utilize powerful guns and cybernetic implants. Each battle feels like you are in a slaughterhouse because the enemy AI is not forgiving at all. The game excels in co-op mode where effective communication makes the experience even better. On the other hand, there are moments in the story where the difficulty spikes out of nowhere and can leave the player feeling a little anxious, considering how challenging it is to get through when playing solo.

Graphics & Art Style – 9.5/10

This is one of the most beautiful skate games set in a cyberpunk world. The neon drenched streets alongside the rain filled alleyways, and the towering mega structures culminate to create a captivating game world. The level of detail is astonishing with each environment being packed with life, grime, and technology. Every explosion within the game world, coupled with the lighting effects that accompany them, and the destructible scenery turn every gun fight into a cinematic scene.

Sound & Music – 8/10

Its soundtrack, which relies on synths, describes the setting excellently, making combat and exploration more immersive. The sound design is just as good thanks to the great weapon sounds, voice acting, and environmental noise which brings life to the game’s harsh world. Some of the voices can be pretty stiff, but the audio is still impressive.

Story & Atmosphere – 7.5/10

The lore drops you in an engaging world – even if the main story takes a backseat, it does revolve around an adequate plot of a corporate collapse and power struggle. The premise of a dystopian existence where global corporations and crime syndicates shape the environment is top notch, and provides the depth it so claims. Although the narrative itself isn’t anything revolutionary, your environment keeps you engaged – and in this case, most of the heavy lifting alongside the atmosphere is done.

Replayability – 7.5/10

There is some level of constructed freedom with permadeath, side missions, bespoke builds, and cooperative play – which are all great reasons to hop back to the world. However, everything the game has to offer is fairly easy to experience in a short period of time, and the absence of diverse enemy types paired with linear mission format eliminate sustained replayability.

Final Verdict – 8.5/10

The beautiful aesthetics combined with the engaging world infused with a delightfully frenetic combat system and considerable RPG elements is a dream for any fan of the genre. The Shard's breathtaking environments grab your attention at all the right places, and the action filled combat, while functional, doesn’t do as much justice. The narrative lags behind the world building, but for those who love the genre, this title is a necessity.

Not only is The Ascent integrated with seamlessly interconnected levels, but it is also enhanced with sharp cat and mouse gameplay, drenched in a neon colored dystopia, all with a deep RPG twist. 🔥💾