The Ascent

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 354 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 249 out of 354
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 354
  3. Negative: 57 out of 354

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. LittleFinger
    Aug 29, 2021
    0
    This game is unplayable on the xbox game pass. Its been out for a month and im still facing game progress halting bugs
  2. Grobeu
    Aug 15, 2021
    3
    Look past the gorgeous graphics swarming with details and you end up with a formulaic, redundant, unoriginal and frankly boring (and dysfunctional) run of the mill twin stick shooter with a sluggish pace that fails to bring anything new to the table. You already played this game a thousand times, they just amped up the appearance.
    In one ear and out the other.
  3. Hurrikhan
    Aug 9, 2021
    4
    This game is a bugged exercise in frustration.

    Even if they ever fix all the bugs that will make you miserable (crashes, lost items, lost saves, bugged quests, ...) the game is simply not good. Let's ignore the story : unless you consider a bus ticket to be the pinnacle of storytelling, you'll ignore it pretty quickly. The map navigation is confusing. Icons labeling a shop or    This game is a bugged exercise in frustration.

    Even if they ever fix all the bugs that will make you miserable (crashes, lost items, lost saves, bugged quests, ...) the game is simply not good.

    Let's ignore the story : unless you consider a bus ticket to be the pinnacle of storytelling, you'll ignore it pretty quickly.

    The map navigation is confusing. Icons labeling a shop or quest don't tell you if what you are looking for is above or below. I got annoyed with this pretty quickly.
    For the quests though, there is a pathfinder. Alas, it will regularly require you do go through some impossible path and you'll still have to circle around to find your way.
    Most of the time the view is isometric, but sometimes it show you from the side or another very annoying angle.

    The encounters are very random and you will either go smoothly from point A to point B, or you will be attacked by mechas the size of the screen and damage-sponge enemies with way more levels than you. After your inescapable death, you'll re-spawn a few screens from there with barely any obstacle on your path ... or you'll die again a few times before you get "lucky".

    Another kind of random **** is when, during a "boss" fight, you get bounties spawning among the "normal" enemies. They are usually stronger and will make your fight more difficult.

    Speaking about fights, the combat system is lame. You have two weapons. You can roll-dodge a couple of times, with a cool-down. You can hide behind some obstacle and shoot over it, or below some stairs and cheese through enemies coming from above.
    Sometimes though there is no cover and you will simply die if you get swarmed by enemies.

    You could of course think about running around, followed by the enemies (in a word: kiting), dodge some of the damage and fire back. Alas, in good old-fashioned bad design, the enemies will soon rush back, invulnerable to attacks, and heal. You will not of course, guess what's next?

    One of the worst aspects is that the focus of protection for some damage types.
    You must equip an armor that will protect you against what your enemies are firing. If you don't, you are toast.
    But how do you decide what to focus on you ask?
    Simple, if an encounter kills you in a fraction of a second, change your armor focus to something else. Rinse and repeat as much as needed. It's bad design and, in my opinion, the opposite of fun.

    Another strictly not fun thing in this game is that, after pushing your way through enemies to reach a boss, you'll sometimes realize you simply cannot win and will need to leave, level up and try again.
    Yes the quest is recommended for 5 levels below you, it doesn't mean there aren't swarms of enemies 5 levels above you inside.

    Don't bother sparing "innocent" bystanders. They run to you during fights and you will be too busy trying to survive to ask yourself "is this guy rushing me an enemy or not?".
    You'll get complains from some alien but otherwise there is no consequences. This is just another minor annoyance of this game.

    meh

    Looking at other reviews, I'd ignore the 10 and 0. The game is certainly not worthy of a perfect score, nor is the worst game there is. It's simply mediocre.    … Expand
  4. inmate003
    Aug 3, 2021
    3
    This Game has more Bugs then Cyberpunk. You can't Close the Game with the Exit button. Coop not really Playble
  5. BulgarianCritic
    Aug 6, 2021
    4
    This is an incredibly average game with a very generic story and characters that live in a world that you have seen a million of times done before(but not done good). The gameplay is generic and incredibly easy due to the developers not thinking ahead of how easy it is to spam an RPG non stop since the game doesn't have an ammo system. It gets boring very quickly and becomes tiresome whenThis is an incredibly average game with a very generic story and characters that live in a world that you have seen a million of times done before(but not done good). The gameplay is generic and incredibly easy due to the developers not thinking ahead of how easy it is to spam an RPG non stop since the game doesn't have an ammo system. It gets boring very quickly and becomes tiresome when you keep shooting down the same generic horde of baddies. The walking is the most annoying part and the fast travel system is pretty weak.I have also encountered a lot of bugs that ruin the game or make you restart the level because key enemies didn't respawn.Music and voice acting is fine and I did enjoy some of the aesthetic and city but it gets pretty boring fast. Avoid or buy on a huge discount is my suggestion.… Expand
  6. habened198
    Sep 20, 2021
    0
    If you enjoyed the first few minutes of Ascent, you might enjoy the rest of the game. It's an astoundingly boring grind and every single minute is exactly identical to every other minute of mindless repetition. So if you enjoy the first few minutes, maybe you'll enjoy repeating them for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours
  7. N3STRo
    Jul 31, 2021
    3
    This game is ok, but it's a little repetitive.. And the amount of gear isn't great so far, I'm level 11, you mostly pick up duplicates of guns.. seems a little too cookie cutter.. the character creation lacks a lot, no classes, no tech tree, just leveling up and picking from certain stats.. Honestly it's a decent game.. But I don't know what all the hype is about.. Cyberpunk is much betterThis game is ok, but it's a little repetitive.. And the amount of gear isn't great so far, I'm level 11, you mostly pick up duplicates of guns.. seems a little too cookie cutter.. the character creation lacks a lot, no classes, no tech tree, just leveling up and picking from certain stats.. Honestly it's a decent game.. But I don't know what all the hype is about.. Cyberpunk is much better when it comes to weapons, gear, stats, upgrades.. this is more if a run and gun twin stick shooter.. I'll give the devs props for creating a beautiful, detailed environment with only 12 developers, that's impressive. But other than that. . It's eh.. I haven't tried co-op yet.. I will have to see if that changes the game..… Expand
  8. horst81230
    Aug 2, 2021
    2
    This game looks gorgeous and the world is amazing. The basic gameplay of shooting and looting is, what probably a lot of people are looking forward to. But this game is just too mediocre or even downright bad to enjoy it.
    The writing is horrendous, dialogues feel stiff and awkward, no one talks like this.
    There is nothing story wise that gets you hooked. And then there is the horrible    This game looks gorgeous and the world is amazing. The basic gameplay of shooting and looting is, what probably a lot of people are looking forward to. But this game is just too mediocre or even downright bad to enjoy it.
    The writing is horrendous, dialogues feel stiff and awkward, no one talks like this.
    There is nothing story wise that gets you hooked.
    And then there is the horrible level design. If this was randomized like in Diablo, it would have been okay at best. But this is just unbearable. No landmarks, everything looks the same, the minimap and fast travel are completely useless and then there are even multiple height levels, in an isometric game, which really is the epitome of bad game design.
    This game had so much potential and I was really looking forward to it, but it disappointed on every level, except the graphics.    … Expand
  9. AllNewSuperfake
    Jul 31, 2021
    1
    It looks and sounds like a great game while you start playing it. It plays like a good game until the bugs start appearing. It already seems like a not so great game when you have to reload a save for the first time because somethings not working as it should. That's when the next 15 minutes of the game begin.
  10. Lukitass
    Jul 30, 2021
    4
    le doy 4 solo por estar hecho por 12 personas. sino, sería menos. no habilita el DLSS no hay diferencias en RT muchos bugs graficos y no tiene historia entretenida. la jugabilidad es apenas correcta. peca de querer ser dificil, sin apelar a la iA sino, limitando las habilidades del personaje.
  11. vitala
    Jul 31, 2021
    0
    Weak storyline, mediocre and boring gameplay, poor optimization. You can pass by, you will not lose anything.
  12. Devarsh2116
    Jul 30, 2021
    0
    Bad like really bad don't waste your time and money on this. Story is boring , gameplay is repetitive bad camera angle just worst
  13. off3nc3
    Aug 6, 2021
    0
    This game is one of the most shallow isometric RPG's i've ever played , nothing is good in this game besides the scenery , the gunplay-aiming is terrible and not accurate , very repetitive / grindy enviroments , the story/lore is cyberjank I really cannot recommend this game , it's a CONTRA 2021 knock-off but way worse.

    Got insanely bored 3 hours in and uninstalled.
  14. SamirMrtnz
    Jul 30, 2021
    0
    Es un juego con muy buenos gráficos e iluminación, pero su gameplay se hace repetitivo, aburrido, tiene problemas con la altura de disparos, su historia es aburrida, los enemigos se mueven mas rápido que el personaje(lo cual me parece estúpido para este tipo de juego), y tiene problemas de rendimiento(cuando hay muchas explosiones los fps bajan a 15)y tuve 3 crasheos.
    Si quieren jugar este    Es un juego con muy buenos gráficos e iluminación, pero su gameplay se hace repetitivo, aburrido, tiene problemas con la altura de disparos, su historia es aburrida, los enemigos se mueven mas rápido que el personaje(lo cual me parece estúpido para este tipo de juego), y tiene problemas de rendimiento(cuando hay muchas explosiones los fps bajan a 15)y tuve 3 crasheos.
    Si quieren jugar este tipo de juegos recomiendo Hades, Alienation o Enter the gungeon; ya que personalmente no recomiendo The Ascent    … Expand
  15. Jonathan_8Ochoa
    Aug 2, 2021
    2
    una bazofia para los videojuegos y un insulto para los jugadores 2/10 somnifero una cagada
  16. Mic2
    Aug 5, 2021
    0
    Un juego magnifico con un aura increíble y con una banda sonora de 10/10..
  17. MisterF
    Jun 23, 2022
    0
    This game is such a wreck. It doesn't deserve the praise it's gotten. It crashes constantly, the gameplay and progression is more shallow then a wading pool and the story is the laziest most predictable pieces of Pablum I've seen in ages. The best thing I can say about it is it looks pretty and some of the voice acting is good. Development team also supported the game with plenty of freeThis game is such a wreck. It doesn't deserve the praise it's gotten. It crashes constantly, the gameplay and progression is more shallow then a wading pool and the story is the laziest most predictable pieces of Pablum I've seen in ages. The best thing I can say about it is it looks pretty and some of the voice acting is good. Development team also supported the game with plenty of free cosmetic DLC. But don't believe the hype! You'd be better off playing Path of Exile, Diablo 3, Torchlight or hell I'm gonna say it! I had more fun hate playing Diablo: Immortal for 4 hours then the 20 i sank into this.… Expand
  18. 0o0o0o
    Nov 16, 2021
    1
    I bought this game to play in co-op mode. But after 2nd save it became impossible to continue adventure together because all joined friends had corrupted and not working characters.
    Game was bought via steam PC shop.
    Release game in 2021 without working co-op is a great mistake.
  19. coltsr2
    Aug 29, 2021
    2
    This game looks amazing and tbh i was hoping for amazing things in the gameplay department to match! BUT alas its graphics are the only real good thing about it. A ridiculously clumsy and limited control system with no options to change is a big negative, then you have the even worse GUI menu with few very and limited options to change.
    The gameplay is very repetitive, cutscenes are    This game looks amazing and tbh i was hoping for amazing things in the gameplay department to match! BUT alas its graphics are the only real good thing about it. A ridiculously clumsy and limited control system with no options to change is a big negative, then you have the even worse GUI menu with few very and limited options to change.
    The gameplay is very repetitive, cutscenes are ok-ish, the story is basic and reflects the repetitive mindless gameplay. Camera control is non existent so you are forced to play it one horrible angle with no zoom function at all, as a result you have no real idea of location as the map/radar function is useless also, also no real character progression or stats tweaking as you progress, as any options other than basic level ups are absent, combine all that negativity with the constant brain numbing mindless gameplay (after 5-10 mins you will know what i mean!) with enemies that just constantly pour at you from every angle quickly just walking/running towards you without any meaningful AI input at all, and you will soon see its a frustrating, repetitive and irritating experience.
    Its a shame as the graphics and ambience are both very cool and immersive, if using a somewhat cliched cyberpunk/bladerunner style genre, its still done very well.
    So it can be fun, if you like mindless shooting and walking around a limited on the rails/blinkered corridor space, with even worse limited camera angles and control options. My advice, wait until its on budget then give it a go.    … Expand
  20. sprayer
    Sep 14, 2021
    3
    Good graphics and VFX that's all pros.
    Bad story, bad gameplay, useless stores all perks and weapons dropping from combat. Tons of bugs after month of release date. Bad balance. To much walks on quests
  21. winzentween
    Sep 21, 2021
    4
    This game is an easy 8 when and if it ever works but it doesn't work atleast not all the time. I'm giving it an unfair score for 2 reasons. 1) because the devs thought it acceptable to release a broken game. It's not so this is their reward.

    2) because of all the insane 10 / 10 paid shills for a broken buggy game which even at its best is still only a fancy indie twins tick shooter. And    This game is an easy 8 when and if it ever works but it doesn't work atleast not all the time. I'm giving it an unfair score for 2 reasons. 1) because the devs thought it acceptable to release a broken game. It's not so this is their reward.

    2) because of all the insane 10 / 10 paid shills for a broken buggy game which even at its best is still only a fancy indie twins tick shooter. And don't be confused. It's nothing more than that. Its not an adventure game or an rpg or any thing other than an old school twin stick shooter. But it is made by a team of 11 which is impressive but also shows in its many short comings and limited scope.

    But it is a good (enough) twin stick shooter. It's oddly enough very much like a side scrolling shooter called sine mora. Sinemora was an amazing looking game...far better than it had any right to be. The story was a consulted mess and forgettable. The graphics brilliant as was the music. The sound was fine. The gameplay was average at best and it was buggy at launch.

    I always loved sinemora for what it promised but never delivered. The same could be said of the ascent. It looks amazing. And has much potential but it squanders much of that on fest quests and repetitive tasks. The music is awesome but the gameplay is decidedly average and uninspired.

    And the bugs are a problem. The cool multiplayer launched broke as well which is inexcusable.

    So I hope this game sells well enough to get an awesome aaa sequel. And I hope the devs fix the bugs and supply quality free dlc. Or a an expansion with superior story telling and new modes like horde or anything vs nothing. And id like to see melee combat. That's right no melee for no logical reason.

    There has been like 4 patches so far but some have made it worse. And the devs haven't exactly worked with the community.

    8 out of 10 when fixed but 4 until that is true.    … Expand
  22. AKtee
    Aug 17, 2021
    1
    Overrated game solely based on being a "Cyberpunk" genre. Avoid at all costs.
  23. Satanski666
    Oct 2, 2022
    4
    First it was way too easy so i had to set hard difficulty, until it became ridiculously hard even on normal. Game is really beautiful, too bad **** balance made me drop it.
  24. KenniG
    Nov 14, 2022
    1
    I really wish designers would quit focusing so much on “graphics.” Graphics don’t mean crap if the game is more or less unplayable or not fun. There are plenty of free games out better than this with lesser graphics but infinitely more fun and playable. One can easily tell that this was made as kind of a look what we can do game so that they can move onto something more lucrative which isI really wish designers would quit focusing so much on “graphics.” Graphics don’t mean crap if the game is more or less unplayable or not fun. There are plenty of free games out better than this with lesser graphics but infinitely more fun and playable. One can easily tell that this was made as kind of a look what we can do game so that they can move onto something more lucrative which is what the industry has become nowadays. Such a waste of what could be a potentially great game if it wasn’t for the poor quality in the actual gameplay. Only reason I gave this more than a 0 is because of the graphics and potential which I believe is all they really cared about anyway.… Expand
  25. Meishu
    Aug 16, 2021
    1
    A lot of bugs, crashes, freezes A LOT, bad translations, sometimes there are no translation at all, no gun play, boring quests, boring characters, boring guns, boring mechanics, boring character upgrade, boring armor and etc., no balance at all. ONLY good thing is nice environment. I played ~5h, got 8 crashes without game saying anything. This 5h felt like 20h in a mine. Worst game I'veA lot of bugs, crashes, freezes A LOT, bad translations, sometimes there are no translation at all, no gun play, boring quests, boring characters, boring guns, boring mechanics, boring character upgrade, boring armor and etc., no balance at all. ONLY good thing is nice environment. I played ~5h, got 8 crashes without game saying anything. This 5h felt like 20h in a mine. Worst game I've ever played.… Expand
  26. ronadi7368
    Nov 2, 2021
    4
    Some of the filler scenes and dialogue is so good that it almost makes you forget how dull and repetitive every single part of this game truly is.
  27. RGNS
    Jul 9, 2022
    0
    extremely difficult. i am glad that hacking exists. i go to playlist stupid game for free. stupid mouse aim does not work. do not buy this game. i say again do not buy this game. stupid story difficult combat boring stupid game. the stupid character doesn't even talk. eight zero stupid idiot devs.
  28. boltron
    Aug 6, 2022
    4
    Slick graphics, amazing world design, deeply flawed and infuriating gameplay. Abandoned.
  29. PetyaBiszeps
    Aug 25, 2022
    4
    For me The Ascent became a controversial game. It contains BAD plot, grind system, boring characters, but at the same time interesting cyberpunk setting, interesting and not typical gameplay, amazing aesthetics.

    I won't lie, for me this game didn't gift nice emotions and i won't comeback for this one, but it has it's own pluses. Summing up the pros and cons i would give it 5/10. Average    For me The Ascent became a controversial game. It contains BAD plot, grind system, boring characters, but at the same time interesting cyberpunk setting, interesting and not typical gameplay, amazing aesthetics.

    I won't lie, for me this game didn't gift nice emotions and i won't comeback for this one, but it has it's own pluses. Summing up the pros and cons i would give it 5/10. Average game, but sadly, not more.    … Expand
  30. somovbiu
    May 7, 2023
    0
    Most of the game is tedious, but sometimes the difficulty suddenly spikes. This means the developer put zero effort into balancing the game. Don't give this kind of developer any money.

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 17, 2022
    100
    The Ascent provides you with a unique opportunity to visit the not-so-distant dystopic future of our world in an action-packed manner and also in a graphically astonishing way. Its various possibilities of character creation allow for a unique playthrough and replayablity.
  2. Gamersky
    Dec 20, 2021
    76
    The Ascent has an excellent shooting experience and is great for playing with friends. However, apart from "shooting another wave of enemies", the game can bring very limited fun. The dull story and gameplay will easily bore you in this cyberpunk world.
    Read full review
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 22, 2021
    79
    Many games go for the cyberpunk vibe lately, but few can live up to this style as good as The Ascent does. [Issue#255, p.44]
See all critic reviews »