Astral Ascent Reviews
Astral Ascent is a terrific roguelite. Its gameplay, design, and art form a brilliant constellation that's as fun as it is exhilarating. We lack a little more value in terms of innovation and there are aspects that can be improved, but even with those problems, this game is so solid that it is consecrated as a worthy successor to Hades.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Astral Ascent is a Roguelike that should be mentioned alongside genre greats like Hades and Spelunky, and simply demands to be played.
Astral Ascent maintains the legacy of the Roguelike genre with polished and satisfying combat, vibrant pixel retro inspired visuals, unique concept, fantastic voice acting, and incredible replay value that will have you longing to return to the game before your latest run is done. If you're into Roguelikes or looking to jump into the genre, Astral Ascent provides a great challenge for enthusiasts, and a warm invitation for new comers.
I enjoyed Astral Ascent when it was in Early Access and I still enjoy it after it's official release. Multiple characters, spells, and abilities along with procedurally generated areas and some fun and interesting boss fights against the Zodiacs give Astral Ascent plenty of replayability. If these kinds of games are up your alley, you'll get plenty of gameplay out of Astral Ascent.
Astral Ascent offers the usual roguelite gameplay where you have to die a ton of times before you have a decent build to progress, with a somewhat nebulous system of spells and power-ups at first. After the first couple of hours without any particular emotions, however, the game explodes showing all its potential, especially once all four heroes are unlocked. At that point it becomes one of the best video games of this genre, despite the fact that not much attention has been given to the platformer component. If you love characters to grow with thousands of combinations, you've come to the right place.
Review in Italian | Read full review
There are other weak spots — some of the writing and voice acting isn't quite where it needs to be, and there are elements of the UI that get a little messy — but overall it's a well-rounded, robust, and fun roguelite.
Astral Ascent is a prime example of a game that amounts to more than the sum of its parts. Its strong character design, hi-bit visuals, tight combat, memorable bosses, and broad build variety have all featured in games you've probably played before-there's nothing 'new' here. But to write it off as just 'another one of those' in a crowded genre would be to miss out on one of the most delightful and surprising releases of the year. Astral Ascent is comfortably one of the best roguelites available on the Switch today, and we can easily recommend it to anyone with a passing interest in the genre. Don't miss it.
Astral Ascent is the roguelite I've been wishing to play for a hot minute. Its combat is highly variable, incredibly replayable, and quite gorgeous. It's a fantastic example of a roguelite that is easy to pick up, fun to return to, and rewarding despite losing early and often.
Astral Ascent pairs the snappy controls and satisfying upgrades of roguelite staples with a stellar art style and feel-good atmosphere. Some design frustrations stifle its greatness, but this is still an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.
With a combat system backed by a huge amount of possibilities for customizing your runs, memorable boss fights, and excellent pixel art, Astral Ascent is a must-have for roguelite fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall, Astral Ascent is a damn fine example of roguelites at their near best. It’s an unfolding mystery set in a beautiful world, and the addictive gameplay loop just keeps you coming back for more. The amount of times I was ready to head to bed before hearing my mind calling for “just one more” happened times than I’d care to admit. It may not topple the giants, but it certainly gives enough to stand amongst them.
Catering to both 2D action enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, Astral Ascent is a roguelike that anyone can thoroughly enjoy.
At the time of this review, I have yet to actually beat Astral Ascent in full, so I can't speak to the game's ending. If it's anything like most roguelikes I've played over the years, though, it's not getting to the ending that matters; it's about how enjoyable the trip is. As someone who has put in hundreds of hours in Dead Cells, Hades, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Slay the Spire, and countless others, I really thought I was kind of done with the whole genre. Astral Ascent, though, is the first game since Starfield was released earlier this year that has hooked me. It's always hard to put into words what that "one more run" feeling is the best roguelikes inspire, but Astral Ascent undeniably nails it.
Astral Ascent is a very addictive and huge time sink, with a variety of features that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging with the constant unlocks and how each run is random items and abilities. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort has been put into creating a game that offers a unique and enjoyable experience for players.
Astral Ascent offers a compelling journey into the roguelite genre that I found worth taking. While the genre may be packed with heavy hitters, Astral Ascent hits all the marks of quality that make it easy to recommend. A unique variety of characters with their own play style, beautiful graphics and that ever-addictive gameplay loop is calling you to try again, even against impossible odds. To top it all off, you can bring a loved one along to enjoy the journey together.
Astral Ascent offers an immersive and dynamic roguelite experience. The 2D action excites us with the diversity of characters with unique fighting styles and the robust spell system, which provide frantic and strategic matches. Furthermore, there is a lot of content to explore, with modifiers to make runs more complex. Despite having elaborate action, the game has some limitations. The variety of rooms and events during matches is reduced, making it a notable weakness that can result in repetition. At least there's a captivating world to explore with beautiful pixel art visuals and charismatic characters, whose personality is reinforced by the voice acting. In the end, Astral Ascent is a solid, agile and engaging action roguelite. It lacked a little boldness, but the end result is great.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
If you are tired as heck of roguelike games, this is not the game that’s going to change your mind. But if you like solid platforming action and are willing to learn the game’s systems, crack the bones and sink into the marrow? You’ve got a heck of a game on your hands, and many exciting runs ahead of you. And that’s even before you unlock your third characters.