The Ascent

 Xbox Series X
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 453 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 346 out of 453
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 453
  3. Negative: 67 out of 453
Buy Now
Buy on

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. Mogwai76
    Jul 30, 2021
    1
    Style over substance. The game looks good (but that's not really hard to do these days in Unreal) but it plays incredibly poorly and gets boring quickly.
    It's clear that this is done by a new team, who might well have experience in the industry in making games, but don't really understand what makes a great game.
    While the visuals are great, they are also inconsistent - some things in    Style over substance. The game looks good (but that's not really hard to do these days in Unreal) but it plays incredibly poorly and gets boring quickly.
    It's clear that this is done by a new team, who might well have experience in the industry in making games, but don't really understand what makes a great game.
    While the visuals are great, they are also inconsistent - some things in the environment seem to pull me in to investigate, but I can't interact, while other items I am supposed to interact with look dull and part of the backdrop. There is no signalling or breadcrumbing for players, there is no consistency.
    The game clearly was made for PC and then ported to the console once the GamePass deal was done - from "press any key to continue" on the first screen, to text that is too small to read on a TV and menus that are a pain to navigate with a controller - it's not built for a console.
    Gameplay becomes tedious quickly, the combat is average at best and I can't see myself going beyond a few hours without getting bored.
    Above all else tho: the usability in general is just very poor. The developers seem to have made a game for themselves, and learned how to interact with it as they developed it, and not given a thought as to how a new player might experience the game. The first 30 min is just a shockingly poor experience.
    I am glad I got this on gamepass, spending money on this would have been a huge waste.    … Expand
  2. Gaymerpika
    Jul 31, 2021
    3
    For all the amazing graphics, the area map is incredibly muddled and hard to read. Controls are iffy at best, with too many of them being contextual. Felt woefully unprepared for the first boss fight that happens within the first 30 minutes of the game, seeing as the chests gave me more cosmetics (that I couldn't figure out how to equip) and power-ups (that you have to visit a vendor toFor all the amazing graphics, the area map is incredibly muddled and hard to read. Controls are iffy at best, with too many of them being contextual. Felt woefully unprepared for the first boss fight that happens within the first 30 minutes of the game, seeing as the chests gave me more cosmetics (that I couldn't figure out how to equip) and power-ups (that you have to visit a vendor to use that you can't access until after the first boss) than it did gear. Everything was else was fine. Nothing special, though, and certainly not enough to make up for gunplay that just felt bad and frustrating. Might come back if they tighten the combat and progression up a bit.… Expand
  3. ghettie
    Jul 31, 2021
    0
    This is not an RPG, its just another boring game not bringing anything new to its genre and at the same time not executing the ideas too well.
  4. vitala
    Jul 31, 2021
    0
    Weak storyline, mediocre and boring gameplay, poor optimization. You can pass by, you will not lose anything.
  5. Rasjam
    Jul 30, 2021
    0
    It’s very buggy right now. I have had audio issues, connection issues, and my progress was wiped two times. The RPG elements aren’t that great but the shooting is pretty fun.
  6. Anandu
    Aug 1, 2021
    2
    This game has a lot of issues,if they could have sorted out all of that by the launch,it would have be so much better.
  7. MFxd
    Jul 30, 2021
    4
    kinda dull and boring, had low speciation's and still got disappointed just play shadow run or next Machina if you want a good RPG or fun gameplay
  8. Dreniast
    Aug 1, 2021
    2
    The game seems to have a good idea, not fresh but good, unfortunately i played in multiplayer online with a friend and it crashes a lot, performance was very bad, even Nvidia GeForce experience was not able to measure FPS, second boss never spawn and our save match got corrupted, lost 2 hours on this unplayable game.
  9. Angelox
    Aug 1, 2021
    0
    Este juego es una copia mala de Diablo 3. Al momento de jugar tiene como una capa de humo que hace que se vea mal y luego no tiene raytracing para un juego poco exigente. La jugabilidad muy pobre a las 7 horas se volvió repetitivo.
  10. Heisenberg421
    Aug 1, 2021
    0
    The game has a lot of frame rate issues on the series S and camera Angle is so bad, even tho it's on gamepass, I won't recommend it to anyone
  11. haloboyscp
    Aug 2, 2021
    0
    Deep Gameplay. Expect a good Action RPG, but do not expect as great visuals (Defo not next-gen) as it's been promised. It's fun. particularly for a game you can get for free at gamepass. Good Job
  12. Queruba
    Jul 30, 2021
    4
    O "novo cyberpunk" é mais um jogo medíocre, sem relevância e que não vale o investimento feito no Xbox Series X. Não sei porque ficam inflando o gamepass com jogos bem bosta, cadê os jogos AAA?
  13. mangelrogel
    Aug 16, 2021
    0
    No es un juego de 10 pero se lo doy por lo injusta que ha sido la prensa con él. Juegalo y disfrutalo. Graficos increibles.
  14. xenomorf
    Aug 10, 2021
    0
    Gamebreaking bug during the mission Mutual Dependencies. 4 enemies are supposed to spawn and they don't. Hence you cannot progress further. Wasted hours for nothing. Another developer who thinks they are able to create a game, alais another dissapointment.
  15. lllFredolll
    Aug 13, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. technique à la ramasse, y a des freezes et des lag toutes les 2 min alors quand ça pète de partout le jeu est à la ramasse. heureusement qu'il est compris dans le gamepass sinon ce serait un échec commercial.… Expand
  16. Sun3030
    Aug 5, 2021
    3
    The Ascent looks really good in the game trailer and I really looked forward to this title but like most all little Indy games on Xbox Game Pass they fail to deliver and this game is no different. The story is soso and the game play gets repetitive quick and the combat in my opinion is not good with the controller maybe a option for lower sensitivity that i couldn't find but maybe it hasThe Ascent looks really good in the game trailer and I really looked forward to this title but like most all little Indy games on Xbox Game Pass they fail to deliver and this game is no different. The story is soso and the game play gets repetitive quick and the combat in my opinion is not good with the controller maybe a option for lower sensitivity that i couldn't find but maybe it has one idk. For me this game became a bore and frustration that i could not push through and that led me to the low score.… Expand
  17. ElPolloLoco82
    Aug 7, 2021
    4
    This game starts off too slow and currently has too many technical issues. On the XBox One X, it's practically unplayable and desperately needs a big a patch to get it into a playable state.

    I was getting dashboarded in both co-op and single player about once every hour, and regardless if I was the host or not, there is no way to rejoin the game and everyone must quit and regroup in    This game starts off too slow and currently has too many technical issues. On the XBox One X, it's practically unplayable and desperately needs a big a patch to get it into a playable state.

    I was getting dashboarded in both co-op and single player about once every hour, and regardless if I was the host or not, there is no way to rejoin the game and everyone must quit and regroup in the host's lobby. It also doesn't seem to have matchmaking, so you have to preassemble your squad before playing.

    Pros:
    -The Environment and the Script
    It's impressive that a 12 man team could create a world as they such did, it does look good and has layers upon layers built on top of each other. People also seem to like the writing and find it quite funny and a lot like Borderlands in that regard. However, for whatever reason I can't explain why, I just didn't care and wanted every cutscene and dialog to just end, and I think subconsciously my mind just didn't want to absorb anything story or plot wise from this game. To me, it's just another futuristic "corporations and capitalism bad" plotline, like they are trying to indoctrinate us into some sort of communist revolution that will set us back 100 years.

    The bad:
    -Combat
    You have to rely on running around the enemy in circles and an auto aim feature that stops working the second melee enemies get nuts-to-butts with you. Enemy spawns and their group configuration make using cover pointless, because they tend to always ambush you with spawns coming from the area you just passed through and flush you out with melee mobs. This extremely problematic before get augments and modifications.

    -Map and Navigation
    The map is 3-D rendered and hard to get used to. Quest navigation stops working and will lead you to literally no where and then it will change and send you 600 meters to another new nowhere. Quest navigation issues can be patched, the map needs an overhaul.

    -Traveling the world
    Before you unlock taxis and the ability to fast travel, the game feels like a walking simulator where you get attacked every 50m to get to your objective 1500m away. Along the way, you can be fighting enemies at or below your level, and then you get a mob that's 10 levels higher than you, highlighted with skulls, that will kill you with a sneeze.

    -The game isn't deep
    Each area seems to have one of each type of weapon, so while you are on that level you will see the same guns and armor drop over-and over until you go to the next area. Weapon skins you acquire disappear from your inventory completely when you quit the game or get dashboarded and restart the game, so acquiring them is pointless until that's patched. Upgrades are basic with no customization given to upgrade the gun; armor can't be upgraded, and the only build control you is in where you allocate your attribute points and the gear you equip. It's simple and in no way deep. Use items that coincide with your attribute point distribution, that's the basic idea. Any depth this game has can only be attributed to the lore and world building and not to the gameplay aspect in it's current state.

    Verdict
    This game is currently in a broken state and gets a 4/10, for now. If properly patched, it's a solid 6/10 or 7/10; and I'm not going to boost the score because it was made by a 12 man team or costs $30 to purchase, if you don't have Ultimate or Gamepass. It's impressive what they did, but it doesn't make it any less broken. At this point it has no end game and I see no real point in why anyone would choose to play it again or invest more than 2 weekends on.    … Expand
  18. cobra969
    Aug 2, 2021
    3
    Juego con grandes fallos. Partes en inglés y español en el mismo cuadro de dialogo. Rascazos importantes a cada momento Y por supuesto, como ya nos tiene acostumbrado Xbox, no está doblado al castellano. El juego en si me resulta aburrido y una ambientación confusa, fácil de atascarse en los rincones y la IA de los enemigos, dejan mucho que desear. No sé como un usuario se puede conformarJuego con grandes fallos. Partes en inglés y español en el mismo cuadro de dialogo. Rascazos importantes a cada momento Y por supuesto, como ya nos tiene acostumbrado Xbox, no está doblado al castellano. El juego en si me resulta aburrido y una ambientación confusa, fácil de atascarse en los rincones y la IA de los enemigos, dejan mucho que desear. No sé como un usuario se puede conformar con éste tipo de juegos. Resultaría perfectamente para jugar en móvil o tablet. Un juego muy genérico.… Expand
  19. Ursoaica202
    Aug 4, 2021
    4
    It's long boring to much back track to many bugs. Many times I can't shoot the enemy it's like my character can't shoot that low. Side quests are one of the worst aspects about this game. Skills are very limited. Rpg elements are the most basic I have ever seen. Definetly not abuy. Get it on gamepass
  20. blade0r
    Aug 2, 2021
    1
    I feel like The Ascent has potential, but the game is broken, as I’ve seen so far.
    The aiming system is really bad and the tutorial doesn’t help at all (e.g. LT for 3D aim, insane).
    The game developers suggest that everyone use the aim assist at medium or high level, but that’s ridiculous! Also, every text on the screen (except the subtitles) is so tiny I can’t read anything (tutorials,    I feel like The Ascent has potential, but the game is broken, as I’ve seen so far.
    The aiming system is really bad and the tutorial doesn’t help at all (e.g. LT for 3D aim, insane).
    The game developers suggest that everyone use the aim assist at medium or high level, but that’s ridiculous!
    Also, every text on the screen (except the subtitles) is so tiny I can’t read anything (tutorials, suggestions, map, etc.).
    Biggest disappointment of 2021, so far.    … Expand
  21. Anuragkumar27
    Aug 1, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is full of bugs and the camera management is poor, should have not been released this year… Expand
  22. gyomei
    Aug 1, 2021
    1
    game has major issues with co op not connecting properly and camera management is poor, it is just something to fill space till halo
  23. Mindurbidniss
    Apr 12, 2023
    3
    More Isometric dribble to utilize the all powerful Xbox Series X teraflops. Another game that feels like it released in 2009. Sure the graphics look decent with the whole cyberpunk theme, but it's not doing anything Shadowrun didn't already do. I guess this will appeal to someone out there, it just didn't do it for me
  24. MrPromte
    Aug 23, 2021
    0
    The game is incredibly full of bugs and technical flaws. The story of the game is empty and the missions are poorly designed.
  25. Junkreviewer
    Aug 22, 2021
    2
    Played this on Gamepass. I usually like top down shooters. But throughout I thought something was off with this game. The aiming of your weapon is difficult. You'll find yourself running backwards a lot of the time to stop getting hit. The world seems vibrant and interesting but you can hardly see it as you're so far away. Story is generic and gets quite repetitive.
  26. Menacing-Fish
    Jul 22, 2022
    1
    No updates for Xbox it's buggy and didn't save my progress avoid this game until they show more motivation and update Xbox version
  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.

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. CD-Action
    Oct 12, 2021
    85
    Style over substance – I bet Neon Giant has this cyberpunk principle printed above the office entrance. The design of their game is absolutely breathtaking, with huge, vertical, crime-infested cities and masterful use of lights and shadows. Add a pulp-style story and good dialogues (or rather monologues, as the protagonist is silent) immersed deeply in the cyberpunk lore, and you’ve got a pure gem for anyone who enjoys this setting. The shooting mechanics and progression system might be overly simple, but they get the job done and make it easier to catch the game’s flow. [10/2021, p.56]
  2. PlaySense
    Aug 19, 2021
    75
    A visual feast that, along with the great audio design, makes for a very atmospheric experience. It's not perfect, though. Navigation leaves a bit to be desired and some technical shortcomings put a damper on the fun.
    Read full review
  3. Meristation
    Aug 18, 2021
    75
    The Ascent offers cyberpunk lovers a setting where they can unleash their dreams of steel and neon.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »