Can you hear that? It’s the chant of Banner Saga echoing through the halls of Valhalla. Apprently, AurumDust’s upcoming RPG Ash of Gods: Redemption has been listening closely, because the visual similarities between the games are too eye-catching to ignore. Ash of Gods is a turn-based strategy adventure where the world keeps going even when you die. Thanks to a favourable kicsktarter campaign last year, it will be releasing in a couple of weeks.
Beyond The Banner Saga, its inspirations stem from Japanese visual novels and fantasy RPG Darkest Dungeon. Built upon a tragic folk tale tempered by honour and sacrifice, Ash of Gods forces you to confront death in a visceral but intriguing way: the AI is smart and will quickly latch onto your playstyle, adapting accordingly, but mistakes in battle don’t necessarily lead to a game over. Even if your party leader dies, the story continues. It’s not so much about the legacy of one hero, but rather, an evolving plot that reacts to your choices. This is a game about gods where everyone is mortal.
Developer AurumDust explains that Ash of Gods’ art style pays tribute to animator Ralph Bakshi, old Disney cartoons, and Russian animation studio Soyuzmultfilm. Character animations, particularly those during combat, have been constructed with live-action motion capture for enhanced realism. The OST is a collaborative effort between Adam Skorupa, Krzysztof Wierzynkiewicz and Michał Cielecki (Shadow Warrior, The Witcher, Eve Online) and features authentic folk sounds with voice breaks galore. Check it out here and here.
Those keen on diving into Ash of Gods: Redemption can wishlist it today on Steam. It’s officially releasing on March 23, but expect Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions to drop in the coming months.
