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Astral Ascent

PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4 • 2023

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Quick resume

Choose one of four heroes and explore the Garden, an astral prison guarded by 12 powerful mystical bosses: the Zodiacs. Challenge them with dozens of unique spells and faithful friends by your side to unfold the story of this platform roguelite with lightning fast combat.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Platform

Pros

  • Fluid and satisfying combat
  • Beautiful pixel art and animations
  • Deep build customization and synergies
  • Engaging boss fights and variety
  • Frequent developer updates and support

Cons

  • Some performance issues and frame drops reported
  • Spell rotation system can feel clunky
  • Story and dialogue can be cheesy or weak
  • Some rng elements affect run balance
  • Screen clutter in multiplayer can be confusing

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have meaningful choices about routes, spell upgrades, and build customization, allowing personal control over playstyle and progression."

  • Competence
    4

    "Combat is skill-based with a high skill ceiling; players learn enemy patterns and improve through repeated runs and mastery of mechanics."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is primarily on personal progression and self-improvement; no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards, though some challenge elements exist."

  • Continuation
    5

    "High replayability with long sessions and habitual play; players report spending dozens to hundreds of hours and eagerly awaiting updates."

  • Cooperation
    3

    "Supports local and online co-op play with shared progression and cooperative combat, though some players note screen clutter in multiplayer."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Extensive build customization through spells, gambits, auras, and weapons; players experiment with synergies and unique combinations."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared experiences and mutual respect; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game for immersive fantasy and stress relief, enjoying the vibrant world, story, and intense combat."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Players try new builds, spells, and synergies; the game encourages exploration of mechanics and creative problem solving."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players discover new areas, secrets, and lore through multiple runs; the world and story unfold gradually with exploration."

  • Expression
    3

    "Character customization through spells and weapons allows some self-expression, though no mention of cosmetic personalization."

  • Fantasy
    5

    "Strong fantasy elements with imaginative characters, spells, and mythological zodiac bosses; immersive fictional world."

  • Fellowship
    3

    "Community and social interaction are present through co-op and shared experiences; players form connections around the game."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop skills, learn enemy patterns, and improve build strategies; meta-progression supports personal development."

  • Health
    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players note long sessions and potential for fatigue."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to fast-paced combat and complex mechanics; not suited for passive play."

  • Intimacy
    2

    "Some social interaction through co-op and character relationships, but limited evidence of deep emotional connections."

  • Leadership
    -3

    "Players mostly engage in individual or cooperative roles without explicit leadership or authoritative control."

  • Progression
    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, spells, and meta-progression; players unlock new content and improve power over time."

  • Relaxation
    2

    "While combat is intense and challenging, some players find the game flow satisfying and cathartic; mixed experience."

  • Sensation
    4

    "Vibrant visuals, fluid animations, and dynamic audio provide strong sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

  • Status
    -3

    "No evidence of social status or recognition systems; focus is on individual achievement and personal mastery."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative unfolds through character interactions, lore fragments, and boss encounters; story is engaging but not central."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Players plan builds, manage resources, and adapt tactics to enemy patterns; strategic thinking is rewarded."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Combat provides moments of suspense and challenge, especially in boss fights and higher difficulty levels."

  • Value
    4

    "Players perceive strong value for time and money due to frequent updates, deep gameplay, and extensive content."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat involves defeating enemies and bosses with spells and weapons; destruction and combat are central gameplay elements."

  • Survival
    3

    "Players manage health and resources to avoid failure; difficulty scaling and enemy attacks require strategic defense."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026