Ashes of the Singularity

 PC
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 90
  3. Negative: 26 out of 90

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Tollman
    Apr 4, 2016
    8
    I've followed the development of this game for some time. One of my first games was WarCraft 2 and I've loved RTS ever since. TA is probably my all time favourite RTS game and apparently the designer of Ashes feels the same way about TA too. While it is clearly not TA2 TA's influence is clear on the game with the slower and tougher units, streaming economy, similar style maps and bigI've followed the development of this game for some time. One of my first games was WarCraft 2 and I've loved RTS ever since. TA is probably my all time favourite RTS game and apparently the designer of Ashes feels the same way about TA too. While it is clearly not TA2 TA's influence is clear on the game with the slower and tougher units, streaming economy, similar style maps and big armies clashing. Once wrecks and reclaiming is in the game (2H of the year) the comparison will be that much closer.
    I like that you can play with terrain obscured or not, or have Defenders on or not; those little changes can really change up the feel and pace of the game if you are feeling like a change. A map maker is already in the game and modding is encouraged so I think the game will have good longevity.
    The game is not without its problems, the UI needs work, I hope the aircraft get a little love in their movement patterns and I want water and navy asap. From what I have read UI improvements are on the way and navy will be added sometime down the line. But in the meantime the game is fun to play as it currently stands and is worth a go if you are an RTS fan.    … Expand
  2. Athena324
    Apr 19, 2016
    10
    Large scale exciting RTS game? Yes please. And given Stardock's history for support and improvement, I can't wait to see how the game continues to evolve. ::throws money at the screen:: 10/10.
  3. sasmariozeld
    Apr 2, 2016
    8
    game isn't quite done yet, missing mod workshop support, some more units and needs some overral polish but its getting better each month . story is worthless buy this game for some more c&c feeling multiplayer or bots , there are two factions gdi nod style pretty much , maps are not crazy for now but then a gain its just the core that s done

    tl dr messy for now shows great improvements
  4. Obiwanshenobi
    Apr 19, 2016
    9
    I've been following this game since before it was early access on Steam. I'm not going to compare it to other RTS games because I don't really care. What I care about is if the game is fun, looks good, and is something I can play for a while going forward. The answer to all of that is a big yes.

    The scale of this game is insane, and when you have large battles going on and see all of    I've been following this game since before it was early access on Steam. I'm not going to compare it to other RTS games because I don't really care. What I care about is if the game is fun, looks good, and is something I can play for a while going forward. The answer to all of that is a big yes.

    The scale of this game is insane, and when you have large battles going on and see all of those units in battles it's just a "wow" moment.

    I'm usually more of a fan of single-player, but I've been dabbling in the MP and have actually found myself playing more and more MP. Playing with others has been fun, and a challenge at the same time. But again, most importantly it has been a blast to play.

    I'd definitely like to see some things added to the game, but I have been reading the developer posts on their Steam forums, and they have a nice looking roadmap with what they plan to do with the game going forward.

    Don't mind some of these silly reviews here. This is an awesome game and I recommend it.    … Expand
  5. demeisen
    Apr 9, 2016
    10
    A scorchingly good RTS with huge longevity. The procedurally generated maps means that no two skirmishes are the same, while the excellent AI makes every encounter a challenging experience. Visuals are superb, as is sound. The front-end and UI is a little underwhelming, but the the core of the game is up there with the best. It's certainly the most interesting of the recent RTS releases,A scorchingly good RTS with huge longevity. The procedurally generated maps means that no two skirmishes are the same, while the excellent AI makes every encounter a challenging experience. Visuals are superb, as is sound. The front-end and UI is a little underwhelming, but the the core of the game is up there with the best. It's certainly the most interesting of the recent RTS releases, and more than makes up for the similarly themed but gloomy Planetary Annihilation. Stardock have already published an exciting road map for AOTS, and look ready to commit to at least 2 years dedicated support for the title. They're also very open to community requests, and have promised to incorporate the best suggestions into future releases. Finally, while DLC hasn't been totally ruled out, the vast bulk of the product road map over 2016 is free. Great news considering the scale of the additions coming in the next few months.… Expand
  6. snierke
    Apr 4, 2016
    10
    In my opinion this is undoubtedly one of the best RTS games in many years if you like skirmish and multiplayer games. A game that is continually updated and devs that are serious about their game. A lot of strategy and a lot of eye candy. I have previously played a lot of Sup Com, FA and Planetary Annihilation. I have played Ashes about 90+ hours.
  7. PParker
    Apr 21, 2016
    9
    AI, strategy and battles are really cool. Love that the developer continues to develop the game. Already seeing developer adding scenario's and more to the game; ranked multiplayer, a lot of skirmish options. Really good.
  8. bwing
    Apr 21, 2016
    9
    Love the ranked multiplayer and it was easy to pick-up, unlike most RTS titles. Stardock always updates their titles after release, and I'm excited to see what's next.
  9. DFEGHALI
    Apr 5, 2016
    10
    Ok let me start saying, that the Dev's did start making this game on a complete new Tech, DX12, 64bit, Oxide's new Engine called Nitrous. All that is new to the Gaming world, the it does still need a lot of more work to get everything perfect.
    So if you guys ask me why i am giving this game a 10!, so here is my answer.
    PROS - Nitrous Engine Kick-ass, its really a great Engine and its    Ok let me start saying, that the Dev's did start making this game on a complete new Tech, DX12, 64bit, Oxide's new Engine called Nitrous. All that is new to the Gaming world, the it does still need a lot of more work to get everything perfect.
    So if you guys ask me why i am giving this game a 10!, so here is my answer.

    PROS
    - Nitrous Engine Kick-ass, its really a great Engine and its gonna get so much better with AOTS.
    - Full DX12, its the First RTS game that use DX12 100%.
    - The Ai in AOTS is really good, the best that I have seen so far.
    - The maps are really big.
    - The units in each faction are are very different and fun to play.
    - Its all about large scale war with Thousand of Units in each map.
    - You can create your own maps and scenarios.
    Cons
    - The games still have some bugs but they are working on fixing them.
    - The strategic map still need some work.
    - The meta units sometimes get stuck.
    - MP games need pings, and some other team game options like connecting and sharing regions.
    - No replays, no spectator mode.
    - Need more optimization.
    - Explosions need to get better on T1 & T2 Units, they just disappear when they die.
    - The still miss some good options.

    Stardock and Oxide will add and fix all those bug and options to the game in the coming weeks and month so i am not worried at all.

    Well i just want to tell everyone is that this game is Not SupCom, or TA, or COH, or Starcraft, or Sins of a Solar Empire, its its own game, its a mix of all of them, and I am loving it, I do have a lot of fun with it.

    And in a month or 2 I will give this game an 11 if I can. so so far for me this game is fun and i am happy with it and it will get better and better in every update.

    I do recommend everyone who read this review to get it, you will have fun playing AOTS.    … Expand
  10. MartialDoctor
    Apr 16, 2016
    9
    I bought this at the end of the beta and I have been very impressed with what this game turned out to be.

    This is a strategy gamer's RTS. It's designed for those who want to play a RTS that is more strategy focused rather than speed / micro focused. There is very little micro involved as you group most units into "meta-units", which allows them to function as one. The focus of this    I bought this at the end of the beta and I have been very impressed with what this game turned out to be.

    This is a strategy gamer's RTS. It's designed for those who want to play a RTS that is more strategy focused rather than speed / micro focused. There is very little micro involved as you group most units into "meta-units", which allows them to function as one.

    The focus of this game is on the overall strategy and map control. Different units fill different roles and you can group them in ways to create different types of meta-units. Scouting, building appropriate defenses, and holding choke points are all needed in this game. As some put it, the focus is on the macro aspects of the game rather than on micro.

    There are only two races (with one to be released in a later DLC) in the game and they don't differ dramatically. However, I find this works well for this game as it's focus is on balanced gameplay and strategy. That being said, the devs have said they will be adding more units very soon.

    The AI is, surprisingly, quite good and can be both fun, and challenging, to play against.

    I don't have much bad to say about this game. My only warning is that, if you are more into micro RTS games (like Starcraft), you may not like this game. The closest game I can compare it to is Sins of a Solar Empire, although with less complexity and quicker games.

    One final word is that, as with any Stardock game, the devs are very involved with listening to the community, following the game, and making beneficial improvements.

    If this sounds like your type of game, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase it. I've been having a blast ever since I bought this one.    … Expand
  11. Nurseryguy
    Apr 11, 2016
    10
    Great game-play. I have a beefy rig and it plays very smooth. I find the game slightly twitchy but very engrossing. This game will eventually beat all RTS into the dust. Great game, highly recommended!
  12. ZRaiyne
    May 10, 2016
    10
    Let me open this review by stating that this game is NOT Supreme Commander (all iterations of it included). It might share some of it's looks and scale, but it is far from it. Before moving on with the review, it is good to keep an open mind that this game is different from any recent RTS'es that have come out. Different in a good way.

    At first i thought it needed a couple of months    Let me open this review by stating that this game is NOT Supreme Commander (all iterations of it included). It might share some of it's looks and scale, but it is far from it. Before moving on with the review, it is good to keep an open mind that this game is different from any recent RTS'es that have come out. Different in a good way.

    At first i thought it needed a couple of months more of development before an actual release. It felt a bit lacking in polish in some aspects that i would expect to see in a modern RTS title. Seeing however the speed and dedication the developers put into these constant updates post launch (upon this review we are at 1.1), i have to retract my initial thoughts and say that these guys know what they're doing.

    Support them for they are an awesome company.

    Diving into the game, i found that this is a great game. A great, well-balanced, solid RTS game that will NOT be for everyone. Especially those who are do not like learning curves.

    It may share similarities to many well known RTS's like Supreme Commander FA and Supreme Commander 2, but still manages to be its own game by introducing unique mechanics that feel fresh. Again, it may look like Supcom, but it plays very differently.

    It's quite difficult to go into detail, because this is the first MACRO focused real-time strategy game out there in the wild. It focuses on the larger aspect of battles - aka wars - rather than micro managing units to win short skirmishes. Supreme commander is a big game too, however this game features units that behave according to their squad type, size, and overall composition. In this game, masses of units will move and fight accordingly in proper formation. When i say that armies go easily into the hundreds.

    This is an important aspect of the game that can either be good or bad depending on your expectations. Not to mention that your mileage on these experiences will vary depending on your history of RTS's played. This game is no Supreme Commander FA, no Starcraft, no Company of Heroes. It is it's own - and by experience i can say that this game pulls it off well.

    One of the best things about this game that is worth admiration is the development team behind it.

    As I've mentioned above, they provide CONSTANT updates and TRANSPARENCY on thepath the game will be taking in the coming weeks and even as far as months. The developers show that they have the best intentions for the customers and as such they are active in the forums. That alone earns "Three thumbs Up" in my book. (I had to grow another thumb, lol)

    Why does this deserve such praise? Simple. Many RTS's and even the newer batches, (I'm talking about you, Deserts of Kharak!) seem to run away with your hard earned money and purposely ignore the requests on their forums.

    Another thing that makes this game awesome? The AI. That glorious AI.

    So, what about it? It's brilliant, in the literal and figurative sense. It works magnificently and will adapt well with whatever you throw at it. You will get pummeled at NORMAL difficulty at first... or forever depending on how good you are at adapting. That is a pleasure no other modern RTS's can even hope of coming close to.

    In summary, for anyone looking for a challenge, massive wars, and a fresh approach to the lacking RTS genre, this game is the perfect package for you.

    Again, a word of warning; you will lose against a NORMAL AI that doesn't cheat. It is by far the best AI i have ever seen in a strategy game (aside from the latest iterations of Sorian AI). So come - and be baptized! ;)    … Expand
  13. Elfman
    Apr 19, 2016
    9
    While not perfect, this game does a lot right and sets up a good foundation to build upon. You can control vast legions of units easily, the graphics are pretty good, and the units are differentiated in purpose (though they can be hard to tell apart). It is definitely NOT a TA/SC clone!
  14. Veermok
    Apr 21, 2016
    9
    I love playing this game. Reminds me a bit like the old starcraft but with hundreds/thousands of units. Multiplayer is a blast especially with friends
  15. pacman
    Jun 24, 2016
    9
    I've been playing this game for a couple of months now and I am very pleased by how it turned out. It started mediocore but with every update it got better and more polished. I am convinced that this game will remain a staple in the real time strategy genre for years to come. I must say, with RTS games, I usually only play multiplayer and this game I heartily recommend exactly for that. IfI've been playing this game for a couple of months now and I am very pleased by how it turned out. It started mediocore but with every update it got better and more polished. I am convinced that this game will remain a staple in the real time strategy genre for years to come. I must say, with RTS games, I usually only play multiplayer and this game I heartily recommend exactly for that. If you like large-scale battles that don't require much micro management, then get it!… Expand
  16. taneath
    Apr 19, 2016
    9
    If you want to lead armies then this is the game for you. It isn't about telling a specific tank when to fire or to to fire at, but commanding your thousands (literally) of units. Lots of destruction, lots of explosions, lots of fun.
  17. sniper1120
    Apr 21, 2016
    10
    I've been playing since the beta, and it's been a blast! I mainly focus on the skirmish battles, and I have to say, the combinations of the AI, graphics, and the sheer SCALE of the battles is insane!

    I've played lots of RTS'... StarCraft, Warcraft, Wargames, SupCom, etc.. and even compared to those, this game is phenomenal. The best part? The devs are actually active, and actually care.    I've been playing since the beta, and it's been a blast! I mainly focus on the skirmish battles, and I have to say, the combinations of the AI, graphics, and the sheer SCALE of the battles is insane!

    I've played lots of RTS'... StarCraft, Warcraft, Wargames, SupCom, etc.. and even compared to those, this game is phenomenal. The best part? The devs are actually active, and actually care. There aren't many games who do that any more.

    Beautiful graphics, multi gpu support, directx 12, supports TONS of resolutions - including 5k!!!, huge battles, smooth performance ... it's absolutely amazing. I can see myself playing this for years. Can't wait for the extra content.    … Expand
  18. toca83
    May 21, 2016
    10
    please excuse my bad english. It's not my native language:
    The game is completly playable in english and german. For my opinion, Ashes of the Singularity is one of the best RTS Games of the last years. It has no max. Unit Limit, you can fight with tens of thousands Units on Screen! I've seen a YouTube Video with more than 6000 Units on Screen. THATS MASSIVE AND IMPRESSIVE! It has a fully    please excuse my bad english. It's not my native language:
    The game is completly playable in english and german. For my opinion, Ashes of the Singularity is one of the best RTS Games of the last years. It has no max. Unit Limit, you can fight with tens of thousands Units on Screen! I've seen a YouTube Video with more than 6000 Units on Screen. THATS MASSIVE AND IMPRESSIVE! It has a fully DirectX12 support and it Looks very beautiful(!) with it's genius explosions and has awesome light effects. The Units are very detailed and you can extremely zoom in and zoom out too see all the animations and Details of your Units. Zoom far out to Control thousands of Units. The game might me ABSOLUTLY addicted!! It's in a Sci-Fi Setting like Starcraft and Supreme Commander.

    You have 4 ressources to build your Buildings and Units, Upgrade them and extend your current unit Limit so far you want (and dependend of your ressources). The Campaign is good, makes fun, has a lot of variety missions, the Story is okay but sure no Hollywood Epos. But thats okay. The game itself is extremely good and you will not to regret your buy! Until now the Campaign were release as Episode 1. But you have already a lot of hours with good gameplay. It helps you to prepare for multiplayer in introduce in the game mechanics. Currently the Story has a great into Video and some cool cutscenes, but the biggest part is currently driven by dialogue Windows. It's okay but could be better. The Developers has promised and said we will get next month the "Deluxe Campaign" for free, That means, the dialogue Windows will replaced by professional voice recordings :)

    Actually you can play 1vs1, 2vs2 and 3vs3 on multiplayer on free Play. The Game has also 1vs1 ranked multiplayer. You can Play every friday for two hours with the devs online. They are very Close to their community, they have a open ear for your wishes and critics on steam discussions and their own forum and they use the friday Events for improving the game. It's a very great Community between devs and Players. I recommend you to buy the game or you will miss something!

    There are so much more reasons to buy but i Need to Play Ashes now again.. i'm so addicted to the game :D BUY! BUY! BUY! If you like Real Time Strategy and Massive Action with thousands of units by best graphics, you will love the game!    … Expand
  19. Esch1lus
    Sep 22, 2016
    8
    The PROs:
    The first installment of next-gen RTS with a focus on game mechanics and diversity. Sold as a showcase for DX12 libraries, Ashes of the Singularity gives you much more than a generic supcom like RTS: exceptional performance even during hot moments, incredible potential in ranked games and very high replayability thanks to game balance.
    The CONs: This game is not macro    The PROs:
    The first installment of next-gen RTS with a focus on game mechanics and diversity. Sold as a showcase for DX12 libraries, Ashes of the Singularity gives you much more than a generic supcom like RTS: exceptional performance even during hot moments, incredible potential in ranked games and very high replayability thanks to game balance.

    The CONs:
    This game is not macro oriented as you may think. Since every node capture must be estabilished manually, you have to click-spam in order to be competitive. Unit roles are not well defined in large armies, because every unit is going to be pulverized in matter of seconds (or fraction of it). Armies will eventually become clumsy after you reach a critical mass and won't be able to position correctly in the map. This condition becomes even clearer in chockepoints. There are some design flaws here and there, with PHC units hard to differentiate at mid range of zoom (cruisers do look the same and you can only distinguish them by their projectiles for example); terrain seems lackluster in some maps. Some Orbital powers are just gamebreaking: for example you can literally spam a "detonate" power which destroys every single T1 unit in a large area even after 6 armor upgrades and there's no way to prevent it if you are too far from an orbital jammer (that's why developers are introducing a new mobile jammer unit in the forthcoming expansion). Anyway, chances of building a large army is very low both on normal and ranked games. That's a big issue for a game supposed to be titanic in scale. All these cons will be solved in the upcoming standalone expansion Escalation.

    Even though my CONs list is longer than PROs, I strongly suggest to buy it. It is still a good game after all.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
17
#17 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Riot Pixels
    Aug 12, 2016
    58
    Ashes of the Singularity, like a time machine, brings us back to the era when every RTS clone wanted to look unique and innovative.
    Read full review
  2. The Escapist
    Jul 11, 2016
    90
    Ashes of the Singularity has limited depth in some aspects, but as an RTS experience, and particularly as a first showing for its Oxide Engine foundation, it is absolutely stellar.
    Read full review
  3. CD-Action
    Jun 29, 2016
    65
    It’s a competent game but it won’t show you any tricks you haven’t seen in the genre. [06/2016, p.46]
See all critic reviews »