The Ascent Reviews
This game is not perfect, but these days we see fewer games like it, the story of the game, although not great, but encourages you to continue and gameplay innovation can be seen on it.
Review in Persian | Read full review
The biggest takeaway from my playthrough of The Ascent definitely has to be the amount of polish that went into the game. The Neon Giant team is made up of a number of AAA developer veterans and it really does show in the final product. The experience is fairly similar between the Xbox and PlayStation versions though the extra immersion via the DualSense controller makes this the definitive version of the game.
The Ascent has the kind of graphical and audio design prowess that many games can only dream of. While some technical and mechanical issues disrupt the immersion, there’s no denying the sheer sadistic joy that comes from shredding through the neon glazed tiers of Veles. A critique of the Cyberpunk genre this isn’t, but damn is it a blast to play.
Cyberpunk gorefest that's brutal, intense, and incredibly fun in co-op.
The Ascent provides a vibrant, living environment for you to run around in and shoot at. The world is brimming with walking-talking NPCs and neon-filled areas. While the story isn't really that memorable, it's decent enough for you to push on to the next mission, which will lead you to diverse locations and up against different enemies. The bigger enemies can be a bit too much bullet sponges, but otherwise the gameplay and diverse possibilities are quite satisfying.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Ascent is an excellent top-down shooter with a great cyberpunk aesthetic, exhilarating combat and some neat RPG systems to boot. If you like arcade action and fast-paced combat, this is the game for you. It's a great start to what I hope is a new franchise because I certainly would be down for a sequel, a few years down the road.
The Ascent delivers meaty action and gorgeous visuals in an imaginative cyberpunk package.
The best assets of The Ascent are the visuals, the music and its lore and world building which has made Veles feel like a real living, kicking and breathing place but the gameplay feels just OK with a not so smooth UI.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Many systems that lack depth make it difficult for players to get the pleasure of brushing, while slightly monotonous levels are also easy to play with.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
The Ascent on PS5 is the same game with a few tweaks. Best played with friends, it provides a gorgeous, if inconsistent, experience.
The Ascent is an ambitious work, which fascinates with incredible atmospheres and visually breathtaking scenery. Unfortunately, the exceptional production effort made on the sets and modeling of the game world does not hide some problems related to the balance of the gameplay and the quality of the script.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A few balance issues and questionable combat encounters do not mar an otherwise solid and memorable cyberpunk action-RPG experience.
The Ascent throw in a bunch of games that on the one hand I love, and on the other hand I'm waiting for an update. I'll be happy to come back, check out the news, but it's definitely the perfect position for Game Pass. You play, you can have fun, and when the level of frustration pierces the ceiling, you turn off and wait for patches.
Review in Polish | Read full review
The Ascent offers a surprisingly decent amount of depth and is best suited for fans of looter shooters.
The Ascent gives off an impeccable first impression. The game is one of the most atmospheric titles I have experienced this year. Graphically, the game has some of the best environmental art styles of 2021. It’s a testament to the small developer team to be able to pull off these kinds of feats. However, where The Ascent does fall is in its uninspired RPG mechanics that felt like an afterthought. That, coupled with disastrous UI, difficulty spikes, and quest-scaling issues, hampered that amazing first impression. Though a later patch remedied some of these technical issues. All in all, The Ascent is definitely worth your time. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and will leave you a lasting impression of the dystopic nature that is the Arcology.
The Ascent is a nice experience hampered by technical issues but ultimately it's fun and keeps us waiting for what this 11-person studio can offer in the future.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
The Ascent can be great fun with three other like-minded players. There are lots to explore in Veles and many challenges. On the flip side, much of the game falls apart or is otherwise tedious solo.
The soundtrack is a highlight, with clear inspiration from some of the most iconic sci-fi scores in entertainment
The Ascenti constantly reminds you of being an indie game, having both ambitious ideas you won't find in your typical AAA blockbuster and a not so brilliant execution. Despite the missed opportunities, it still is a fascinating universe and an enjoyable isometric shooter RPG.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite its stylishly designed atmosphere and graphics, The Ascent can distract the player with numerous optimization problems.
Review in Turkish | Read full review