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Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Linux • 2024

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Quick resume

Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok, is a challenging Norse inspired roguelite-survivor game, where you’ll have to survive hordes of creatures that come your way.

Global score

88/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Casual, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Shooter, Arcade

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and rewarding progression system
    • Unique character skill trees and builds
    • Active and responsive developers with frequent updates
    • Engaging norse mythology theme and art style
    • Excellent value for price

    Cons

    • Some grind required for full progression
    • Initial slow pacing and learning curve
    • Visual clarity issues in crowded combat
    • Lack of key remapping
    • Limited content variety currently due to early access

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Survival, Continuation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have significant control over character builds via unique skill trees and in-run talent spending, allowing personal playstyle choices rather than fixed routines."

    • Competence
      4

      "The game rewards skill and strategy with challenging combat, meaningful progression, and a steep learning curve that requires mastery."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is primarily on personal progression and self-improvement; no strong evidence of ranked modes or direct player-vs-player competition."

    • Continuation
      5

      "Highly addictive with many hours played, frequent updates, and strong meta progression encouraging long-term engagement."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Game is a single-player roguelike with no cooperative multiplayer elements mentioned."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Players customize builds via character-specific skill trees and relic combinations, allowing creative experimentation within structured options."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No indications of exerting control over others; gameplay is focused on individual progression and challenge."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game as a distraction and stress relief, enjoying immersive Norse fantasy and engaging gameplay."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no evidence of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Encourages trying different characters, builds, and relic combinations, with many layers of overlapping systems to explore."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Multiple realms with unique enemies and features encourage discovery, though maps are reused with difficulty variations."

    • Expression
      3

      "Character customization through skill trees and unlockable skins allows some degree of self-expression."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strongly rooted in Norse mythology and fantasy themes, with mythical characters, realms, and bosses."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community gameplay elements; experience is solitary."

    • Growth
      5

      "Extensive meta progression, skill acquisition, and build development provide strong learning and personal growth."

    • Health
      -5

      "Standard sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires active focus and continuous engagement during runs; not suited for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; purely individual gameplay."

    • Progression
      5

      "Strong emphasis on accumulating upgrades, unlocking characters, and advancing through skill trees and relics."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Some players find a zen-like flow state, but the game also has challenging and tense moments."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though graphics are simple and not overly flashy."

    • Status
      -4

      "Achievements exist but social recognition or popularity is not a central motivator."

    • Story
      3

      "Norse mythology setting and lore provide narrative context, though story is minimal and gameplay focused."

    • Strategy
      4

      "Requires strategic build optimization, resource management, and tactical combat decisions."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Players experience tension and excitement from challenging boss fights and hordes of enemies."

    • Value
      5

      "Highly praised for excellent value, frequent updates, and content richness relative to price."

    • Violence
      4

      "Combat involves defeating hordes of enemies with weapons and spells, emphasizing destruction."

    • Survival
      4

      "Core gameplay centers on surviving waves of enemies, managing resources, and overcoming threats."

    Last update: 29/04/2026