Astral Ascent
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Astral Ascent Trailers
Astral Ascent - Cinematic Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Astral Ascent - Official Cinematic Launch Trailer
Astral Ascent - Announcement Date Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Critic Reviews for Astral Ascent
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 a Roguelike that should be mentioned alongside genre greats like Hades and Spelunky, and simply demands to be played.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
