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
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  1. Nio23
    Aug 7, 2021
    10
    ‎¡Juega! No importa a los demás. Si te gusta lo que ves - usted estará en el ascenso durante horas y horas!‎
  2. Thedevilinside8
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    I’m not sure what the negativity is about..this is a really fun game to play and looks gorgeous
  3. F3x
    Aug 8, 2021
    10
    Es una maravilla jugar. Realmente me estoy divirtiendo mucho haciéndolo. Muy recomendable, pruébalo y no te arrepentirás, ¡lo único que te arrepentirías es no haberlo probado desde su lanzamiento!
  4. Nichorko
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    Really fun game. Looks amazing, I'm having a really good time. Bosses are challenging
  5. Fabio2
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    Je veux mettre une critique positive parce que je pense que les gens ont de mauvaises attentes. Ce jeu est un jeu de tir à deux bâtons avec des éléments rpg. J'ai joué 9 heures pour l'instant. Coop et solo, les deux expériences étaient plutôt bonnes. J'ai rencontré 1 bug (aucun son nécessaire pour redémarrer le jeu).
  6. Pirm2
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    Unos detalles increíbles con una jugabilidad aun mas increíble, me encanto que a un juego de este porte se le diera un espacio.
  7. Corchaump1010
    Sep 8, 2021
    10
    The world in this game is amazing the shooting mechanics are excellent the gameplay loop is fantastic.. could have done slightly better with the story but it didn't matter this game is super fun and the attention to detail is second to none great job by a small team on their first endeavor I recommend
  8. Nataraja
    Dec 27, 2021
    9
    This is a time when the critics just don't get what makes a good game. While the story is okay, the gameplay loop, exploration, the setting and atmosphere, sound (except for a few sound bugs in isolated locations) and music are all top notch. It's challenging to play but so worth the $30 price tag. The game has a lot more going for it than games from much larger and better fundedThis is a time when the critics just don't get what makes a good game. While the story is okay, the gameplay loop, exploration, the setting and atmosphere, sound (except for a few sound bugs in isolated locations) and music are all top notch. It's challenging to play but so worth the $30 price tag. The game has a lot more going for it than games from much larger and better funded studios. As the first game from this studio, I for one really look forward to what they do next. The amount of polish and smoothness of this game is amazing for a dev team of only 12 people.… Expand
  9. PretzelJones
    Aug 10, 2021
    9
    Great gameplay, amazingly gorgeous world, addictive combat and satisfying leveling and build customization. The difficulty is challenging without being over the top. A few minor bugs but nothing game breaking. I’ve invested nearly 48 hours into the game in just a week. I can’t put it down. My favorite is the year so far!
  10. Turbodowg
    Aug 14, 2021
    9
    The Ascent is a true gem, a creative masterpiece compared to many of the bland AAA games released over the past year. All the more impressive considering it was worked on by a small team of 11 people.
    The game is visually stunning, blending bright neon against a dark, industrial cyber-scape. There is so much detail to the world which makes exploring it a joy. It feels like you are in the    The Ascent is a true gem, a creative masterpiece compared to many of the bland AAA games released over the past year. All the more impressive considering it was worked on by a small team of 11 people.
    The game is visually stunning, blending bright neon against a dark, industrial cyber-scape. There is so much detail to the world which makes exploring it a joy. It feels like you are in the world of Blade runner, mixed with Starwars and Cyberpunk 2077.
    The visuals are complimented by a haunting synth-wave soundtrack that pumps up during the battle sequences. Some of the tracks are so good, like the Dream World nightclub track, I have downloaded them to listen to away from the game.
    The combat is exciting due to a large arsenal of weapons to choose from. Add an enhanced cyberdeck into the mix with cool augmentations and tactical weapons and you have diverse ways to cause carnage. Leveling your character skills will make you a stronger more efficient killer, so it’s worth exploring to find upgrade material and rare items. Characters appearances are customisable so you can create the perfect cyberpunk to traverse the dystopian future.
    There are tons of missions to complete throughout your playthrough providing hours of gaming. You’ll meet loads of interesting NPCs (human an alien) as you progress. Side quests can offer some great rewards and have some fun questlines so they’re well worth doing.
    You can play online or couch co-op. I played a large part of the game with my daughter at home. The couch co-op worked perfectly and provided a really fun experience.
    There are some downsides to the game. The mini map needs improving. It’s frustrating having to pause the game and scroll across to the map. You’ll end up doing this often to find chests. A quick map button would make life a lot easier. There is a bit of back tracking, but once you have unlocked the taxi service, it makes life a lot simpler.
    All in all I really enjoyed The Ascent. It could have ended up just another generic twin-stick-shooter, but the addition of RPG elements coupled with the beautiful visuals and imaginative setting has really made the game stand out. Free on XBOX Game Pass it’s well worth checking out.    … Expand
  11. Bghse52
    Sep 13, 2021
    9
    I'm playing with Gamepass, what a great scenario setting. I was waiting for this game and I liked to see the level of details that the guys managed to put in the game, the sounds of the weapons and the game in general are amazing. I would love to see a remake of Future COP ps1 with this atmosphere it would be fenomenal.
  12. regnaston
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    Fun game. Not earth shattering but it does the twin stick shooter very well and adds the element of cover based mechanics. Graphics on the Xbox Series X are outstanding.
  13. NBMTX
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    I completed the game with about 24 hours of playtime, and it's probably the best cyberpunk game I've played to date. (I comment on bugs at the bottom)

    Some people will immediately write it off because of it's genre and isometric perspective, but that's just unfortunate because this game has helped me come to realize that the perspective choice is probably the best option for any game    I completed the game with about 24 hours of playtime, and it's probably the best cyberpunk game I've played to date. (I comment on bugs at the bottom)

    Some people will immediately write it off because of it's genre and isometric perspective, but that's just unfortunate because this game has helped me come to realize that the perspective choice is probably the best option for any game wanting to use such a setting. Just about every section of every region is just "gorgeously" crafted and often decrepit.

    The story is solid and rooted in the awesome worldbuilding throughout the game. If you like cyberpunk movies/games, then you'll be feeling that love shared by the devs, the whole way through. The protagonist is an indent(ured servant) so they'll always be fairly minute against the backdrop of the world, so don't expect much of a hero or anything. And you'll certainly be reminded of your place along the way (it's fun). This part of the review would be a lot more fun with spoilers, but they're probably be more fun experienced spontaneously, so I'll leave it at that.

    The combat is solid twin stick action. Lots of variety and feasible builds to suit all sorts of tastes, although I do wish they gave the option to use one armor's stats but another's aesthetics (Xenoblade has done this, and it's awesome). Upgrading weapons is very gratifying, but you're probably best off if you pick a favorite 2-4, and devote resources to that. Probably best to upgrade an energy weapon, but you can also use an augment that will convert ballistic weapons to deal energy damage, which I found to be my preferred solution. This just goes back to the builds thing. There's also a sex toy that's actually a very feasible weapon, when usually such things are purely novel.

    The world is also mixed with enemies of different levels, so there's always a sense of danger (as there should be), as you walk through. Some areas you'll have to return to full explore after doing additional leveling. This works out because you'll have to do a fair bit of backtracking, and will also help you level, because things can get pretty challenging.

    BUGS: I played on Series X, and on day one there was this sound bug that was pretty annoying. I think they may have fixed it already (about a week later at this time), because I didn't encounter it as I was finishing the game, after an update had arrived.

    There was a time my gun disappeared, I think after using a tactical skill, and I think it was fixed by going into the menu and changing the equip to something else and back. Not sure if that bug is still there.

    Not exactly a bug, but there were a couple of times where I died and the checkpoint was basically further than I'd been, so dying basically just skipped the part I died at, and topped off my health. Not the worst thing, but popping up in an area you haven't been to can be a bit confusing at first.

    With that sound bug seemingly fixed, or perhaps it's tied to the early game, I don't think these bugs are worth docking any points. That day one sound bug would've been a -1 until fixed, but without it, the others are really more than tolerable. They're not consistent, like with a broken game, but just something going on with some rare mix of things.

    TLDR: 9/10, best cyberpunk game I've played.

    Major bug has seemingly been fixed already, making a disproportionate number of the mixed and bad reviews for the game worthless. Minor bugs aren't worth any substantial deductions. Even with the major bugs on day one, I didn't want to stop playing. So the game's very good.    … Expand
  14. Inuarcer
    Aug 4, 2021
    9
    Stunning looking game, a fresh new formula for me. I am having a lot of fun with it, I can truly reccomend it. Since it is on game pass even better. The swedish studio with 12 core people did a great work here!
  15. Borachon
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Great game, the world is gorgeous, the music is fantastic and the gunplay is a tonne of fun. Think some of the critics are rating this game as if it costs 70 quid. It's an indie title made by a dozen people. It's incredible to see the world they've created. Just don't expect a deep RPG experience. It's an isometric shooter with RPG elements. Co op will be incredible, can't wait to try itGreat game, the world is gorgeous, the music is fantastic and the gunplay is a tonne of fun. Think some of the critics are rating this game as if it costs 70 quid. It's an indie title made by a dozen people. It's incredible to see the world they've created. Just don't expect a deep RPG experience. It's an isometric shooter with RPG elements. Co op will be incredible, can't wait to try it with a few mates. If you have Game Pass this is a no brainer.… Expand
  16. John_Remix
    Aug 24, 2021
    9
    Una de las sorpresas del año, un juego de accion super divertido con graficos excelentes
  17. 7hacker
    Aug 6, 2021
    9
    El juego es genial. Tiene muchos errores porque viene de un estudio nuevo y pequeño pero la intención es genial. Las gráficas muy buenas y es divertido. Recomendado.
  18. Huntingassassin
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    I'm not really much into Diablo or any game with this type of camera angle normally but ill say this a really great game I love the art style the game play is pretty smooth story is interesting plus couch and online coop plenty of options to customize your look and playstyle overall I give this game a 9/10
  19. TheMoil
    Sep 13, 2021
    9
    Impressive game, was unexpected. Played this on both PC and Xbox with play anywhere. Highly recommend it.
  20. Thantris
    Aug 5, 2021
    9
    Really awesome!,, all works fine after last update, incredible adictive atmosphere and gameplay!!!
  21. Ilkayson
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Very enjoyable gameplay, full content, I liked it very much. The graphics are outstanding environmental detail is great.
  22. Wolfsschule
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Awesome graphics and details. This is what love for video games looks like. Some bugs have to be fixed soon, but the overalls experience is overwhelming. Well done!
  23. JaggaFredde
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    It’s a great game, 7-9 out of 10 depending on how much you like twin stick shooters. I love the genre so for me it’s a 9 and a total blast. Feels surprisingly fresh with the added RPG elements and dodge and cover mechanic. Looks like a AAA game but made by 12 people, it’s incredibly impressive to be honest, and the sound design is top notch!
  24. Pepe_gamer
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    excellent twin-stick shooter, mind-blowing world art design putting AAA to shame, insane visuals. Played 2 days non-stop and loved every second of it. Hoping the next project those guys go BIG, the only thing missing there is animation and world interactivity detail like bad clipping everywhere and very limited physics. Wish the destruction had actual gameplay impact rather than being justexcellent twin-stick shooter, mind-blowing world art design putting AAA to shame, insane visuals. Played 2 days non-stop and loved every second of it. Hoping the next project those guys go BIG, the only thing missing there is animation and world interactivity detail like bad clipping everywhere and very limited physics. Wish the destruction had actual gameplay impact rather than being just for the looks, blowing up buildings blowing up cover etc... that would be great.… Expand
  25. Burgermaster
    Aug 2, 2021
    9
    The Ascent is looking gorgeous on Xbox Series X, runs butter smooth and is IMO a pretty good game over all. Yeah, there are bugs and design problems (map!) – but this Cyber–Diablo is really fun to play.
  26. Soobinnie
    Aug 25, 2021
    9
    Scenario is amazing, story is also very nice, gameplay as well, I have no complains about this game. But only that would be amazing to play it on First/Third person, that would make the game so dope.
  27. Panconbasura
    Aug 11, 2021
    9
    I'm playing the game on Xbox series X, and I'm having a blast! It's so much fun! The gameplay and shooting is so satisfying. The graphics are amazing, the textures, illumination, physics and attention to details is top notch. The story so far is engaging, the conversations are interesting, the progression and leveling system is rewarding. I haven't experienced any bug or glitch, it hasI'm playing the game on Xbox series X, and I'm having a blast! It's so much fun! The gameplay and shooting is so satisfying. The graphics are amazing, the textures, illumination, physics and attention to details is top notch. The story so far is engaging, the conversations are interesting, the progression and leveling system is rewarding. I haven't experienced any bug or glitch, it has been a smooth experience so far. Overall, I recommend everyone to play it. My only recommendation is to to not explore new areas without a quest, you will encounter much higher level enemies that will instantly one-shot kill you.… Expand
  28. Alln_lk
    Aug 11, 2021
    9
    Soundtrack 10/10
    Design/stages 10/10
    Graphics 10/10
    Game-play 9/10
    Story 8/10
    Bosses 9/10
    Maps 10/10
  29. The_Matheus27
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Simplesmente VICIANTE! Mas necessita urgente de um bugfix, alguns crashs durante a gameplay, apesar disso uma experiência Cyberpunk fantástica!
  30. pablonunez
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    So funny and fast, few text much action. Nice gungame and graphics. Beautifull ambient Cyberpunk
  31. edsalerno
    Aug 6, 2021
    9
    Muy buen juego, lo acabo de terminarlo y quede impresionado a pesar de algunos poco bugs( como en casi todos los juegos actuales) cumple y rebasa lo esperado, enganchense a la historia también es muy loca
  32. GaeloxLex
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    Las propuestas de The ascent y su mundo son impresionantes. La escencia de lo que es un cyberpunk está muy bien reprecentada en el título

    El juego se disfruta mucho en cooperativo, ya que su gameplay se presta para ello
  33. Amaneitor
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Es una delicia en cada uno de sus aspectos, juagble mente , gráficamente y el sonido de diez, la ambientación no puede ser mejor.
  34. johelrc
    Aug 9, 2021
    9
    Great game! it goes straight to the point: entertain, do not expect a wonderful rocking story... cause is no there, but the gameplay is great, ambiance is wonderful and immersive, this is the kind of game where you can easily spend hours without noticing... hard to believed that it was develop by an small group of people..
    Grandioso juego! va derecho al punto: entretener!, no esperen una    Great game! it goes straight to the point: entertain, do not expect a wonderful rocking story... cause is no there, but the gameplay is great, ambiance is wonderful and immersive, this is the kind of game where you can easily spend hours without noticing... hard to believed that it was develop by an small group of people..
    Grandioso juego! va derecho al punto: entretener!, no esperen una historia profunda oh rompedora, porque no está alli, pero el gameplay es genial, el ambiente es maravillo e immersivo, este es el tipo de juego donde puedes perder horas sin notarlo, es dificil creer que fue desarrollado por un grupo de pequeño de personas..    … Expand
  35. Popcrat
    Aug 6, 2021
    9
    Very good game. Beautiful scenery, with lots to explore. Stick with this one past the first few hours (3-4 missions). Would certainly recommend to others.
  36. Poophead69
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Amazingly fun twin stick shooter with lite rpg mechanics… this game will shock you with the quality of its world and visuals.
  37. Dohrakis
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Partiendo con esta nota que es un juego indie, y hay que puntuarlo como tal...se merece un para mi gusto un 9.
    No le doy el 10 por lo pequeños fallos que aún tiene,a la.espera de ser pulidos.
    El detallo enfermizo en los pequeños detalles de la ambientación al puro estilo ciberpunk
  38. Ryzenxgammer
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Great game, nice implementation of cyber punk world. The story could use work, menus, shooting mechanic's and cinematography could also use work. A bit buggy at launch but I'm sure they working on a patch. Keep it up guys
  39. xXZEROCOOLXx
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Great game. Graphics are excellent for a twin stick shooter. Gameplay is addictive but can be repetitive. Definitely worth a look in especially if you have Gamepass.
  40. darkducaz24
    Jul 30, 2021
    9
    Es increíble el mundo tan detallado que han creado Neon Giant, razas interesantes, gore, armas, un estilo cyberpunk bien logrado, tira un poco la historia, pero no quita el merito de que realmente se desenvuelve en un frenético y divertido juego al estilo Diablo, si no le pongo un 10, es porque las misiones aveces nos hacen ir de un extremos a otro, en su mayoria, para matar, un poco deEs increíble el mundo tan detallado que han creado Neon Giant, razas interesantes, gore, armas, un estilo cyberpunk bien logrado, tira un poco la historia, pero no quita el merito de que realmente se desenvuelve en un frenético y divertido juego al estilo Diablo, si no le pongo un 10, es porque las misiones aveces nos hacen ir de un extremos a otro, en su mayoria, para matar, un poco de variedad no estaria mal, pero de resto...increible… Expand
  41. Tjirvin
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    So first thing first, the game is beautiful, for it to be the type of game it is, it’s very detailed and the city is always active. I have had a blast playing with my guy’s on this game. The wave of enemies that comes your way that are different levels in different territories. Some could be level 3 than some could be level 24 or 28 you never know just be ready for action. The game onlySo first thing first, the game is beautiful, for it to be the type of game it is, it’s very detailed and the city is always active. I have had a blast playing with my guy’s on this game. The wave of enemies that comes your way that are different levels in different territories. Some could be level 3 than some could be level 24 or 28 you never know just be ready for action. The game only gets better with as you level up and get better weapons, like I have the mini gun right now and a ghost buster like laser beam gun and it’s freaking awesome. Trust me you want to play this and level up. Here’s the con’s, it has glitches, I mean what game doesn’t. You almost can never get the perfect game without something wrong with it. Sometimes it might kick you out the game, or if you and multiple people are in the same shop at the same time. One of you might glitch and not be able to move. Luckily the game saves it seems like every certain amount of seconds so your progress is not loss. So there’s nothing to worry about. I gave it a 9 cause once those glitches are patched the game is a action pack thriller and a perfect 10.… Expand
  42. dusktildawn48
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    Gorgeous game, solid gameplay. Could've been a 10 without a few bugs I ran into.
  43. Joan_Futur
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    Se juego bien, como todos los juegos de este tipo. Además la ambientación está muy bien conseguida. Lo recomiendo a los usuarios de Xbox.
  44. PaulClev
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    A mix of diablo and smash tv! I love it! This game needs some tweaks, some extra detail on how the meta works. E.g Labels on the different stats. The taxi system need to be pushed abit more as missed this till I watched a YouTube. Ice and cyberdeck needs better explanation. Maybe some tool tips if you are using the wrong guns against certain enemies.
  45. Kluc
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    The Ascent est un super jeu magnifique, nerveux et très riche que je recommande vivement. Le mode multijoueur rencontre des soucis sur Xbox one mais rien qu'un patch ne peu à priori régler. Bravo aux développeurs pour un rendu aussi surprenant sur Xbox one.
    Je vous invite à tester le jeu par vous même et vous verez. Ne vous laissez pas induire en erreur par ces notes farfelus de gens qui    The Ascent est un super jeu magnifique, nerveux et très riche que je recommande vivement. Le mode multijoueur rencontre des soucis sur Xbox one mais rien qu'un patch ne peu à priori régler. Bravo aux développeurs pour un rendu aussi surprenant sur Xbox one.
    Je vous invite à tester le jeu par vous même et vous verez. Ne vous laissez pas induire en erreur par ces notes farfelus de gens qui sont là juste pour critiquer.    … Expand
  46. Captainjy
    Jul 31, 2021
    9
    Amazing micro details of a cyberpunk world filled with mindless destruction. This game is a ton of fun with amazing visuals on Series X. The checkpoint system is a little rough, but nothing to ruin the game.
  47. Toboinetsu
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    Fantastic game! While the bugs are a given for any game this $30 game can be mistaken for a $60 game. This indie studio is really on the level of an AAA studio.

    Graphics: With Unreal Engine 4, I am impressed how detailed the developers can make this game. The amount of NPCs present in the game, looking over cityscape rooftops, seeing hovering vehicles with trains at different corners,    Fantastic game! While the bugs are a given for any game this $30 game can be mistaken for a $60 game. This indie studio is really on the level of an AAA studio.

    Graphics: With Unreal Engine 4, I am impressed how detailed the developers can make this game. The amount of NPCs present in the game, looking over cityscape rooftops, seeing hovering vehicles with trains at different corners, and the whole feel of the environment makes this the best looking ARPG to date.

    Combat: This is where a lot of people get confused in the beginning, and might put a lot of people off with the combat system. This is not a game where in diablo you can aim at anything with a click of the button. This game you will need to think a bit on how to defeat your enemies. If the enemy height is lower you can't use the aim button or else you will miss. You will be dodging a lot since there is no melee in the beginning until you get an augmentation mod for it. When there are a lot of enemies you have options to hide behind barriers and shoot with the aim button or find explosive objects and lure them in for the kill. Of course you can always do guns blazing if you put in the right skill points, but when it comes to defeating a bunch of enemies you will need to be more strategic.

    Once you get the hang of the combat system everything should be a breeze. Just a reminder, the higher the enemy level the more punishing they get, but you can also use tactics to pick off high levels while under cover. I managed to kill 3 level 18 NPCs at level 5 because I lured them near an explosive barrel.

    Controls: This is the only area where I had problems. I find using the controller better than using mouse and keyboard. For some reason they decided to change the WASD movement instead of sticking with the original ARPG movement. There is no way to change the settings so the mouse is the only way to rotate your character. You are basically strafing with WASD instead of a full rotation so it takes time to get used to. I feel they can improve it more with different layout styles.

    Using the controller the left stick will make you move at a full 360, the right stick is for aiming. The sensitivity level of the joysticks cannot be adjusted so you will need steady thumbs to get it to aim properly which can also be a bit frustrating when you got enemies engaging and you can't dodge anywhere.

    Sound: From the soundtrack all the way down to the SFX, it's just really good. It really brings the game to life.

    Overall I haven't really encountered bugs that users have been complaining for both PC and console (using Microsoft store not steam), but the game itself is unique and it's great to bring a fresh game on board.

    if you are into turn based RPG, Cyberpunk 2077, looking for a unique ARPG etc.. this game is for you, but if you are looking for Diablo run and gun type game, I would not recommend it.    … Expand
  48. Blixstopher
    Aug 1, 2021
    9
    This game is awesome. Its definately not a 0 outta 10. I loved every part of The Ascent, from the graphics all the way to sound and gameplay. The only place this game doesnt shine like a AAA game is the map. Now to those folks giving this a 0, you are scum. Any game that accomplishes being a playable game is not a 0 outta 10. Grow up folks. This game has less bugs than returnal and youThis game is awesome. Its definately not a 0 outta 10. I loved every part of The Ascent, from the graphics all the way to sound and gameplay. The only place this game doesnt shine like a AAA game is the map. Now to those folks giving this a 0, you are scum. Any game that accomplishes being a playable game is not a 0 outta 10. Grow up folks. This game has less bugs than returnal and you have people giving it a 0. These 12 devs worked extremely hard and for people to give it a 0 are seriously review bombing it because they cant stand to see game that are good on gamepass.… Expand
  49. MikeSwiss91
    Aug 5, 2021
    9
    Really Good and Fun. At the Beginn some Bugs with the Map and 1 crash. But one in around 30h. So one of the best Cyberpunk Games. And much better than Cyberpunk....
  50. KWGamer
    Aug 6, 2021
    9
    The Ascent is a mixed bag, a mixed bag that is mostly full of gold with a handful of silver and bronze coins too. As an isometric shooter, it’s almost perfect if not perfect. The guns feels great, the physics and mechanics are excellent. The gunplay is highly satisfying and the addition of shooting behind cover is an innovation for twin-stick shooters and isometric action RPGs. As an RPG,The Ascent is a mixed bag, a mixed bag that is mostly full of gold with a handful of silver and bronze coins too. As an isometric shooter, it’s almost perfect if not perfect. The guns feels great, the physics and mechanics are excellent. The gunplay is highly satisfying and the addition of shooting behind cover is an innovation for twin-stick shooters and isometric action RPGs. As an RPG, the levelling up is somewhat initially confusing, but look beyond the jargon and it’s fairly straightforward. You also have the ability to reset all your attributes (for a price) and redistribute your skill points.

    As an RPG, the quests however are far too generic. Move from A to B and shoot everything that attacks you, kill a boss and maybe shoot some more. There’s no mystery to the quests, no moral choices to be made either or a choice to kill or set free to alter the story line. At launch there are some bugs, the way point is slightly broken. In one mission I’m repeatedly set to a place to deliver something but no one is there to receive it. Sometimes the way point sends me to an edge or a corner which I cannot pass. The missions have recommended levels, sometimes this is misleading since you have to pass an area which far stronger enemies. The sound effects are great, you feel the guns, the music is also good too but requires a bit more variety.

    The graphics…simply amazing. What makes me play on despite the handful of issues is the gameplay, which is amazing, the RPG elements which makes levelling up fun, the “tactics,” and the fairly interesting story where you have to discover why the largest corporation has gone bankrupt.

    Here’s hoping for a sequel, a better quest system, a way to alter the story with choice, secondary fire for the guns and a few more abilities would be welcome.    … Expand
  51. GalacticGunter
    Aug 5, 2021
    9
    The “critic reviews are way off on this one. The world they created is some of the best cyberpunk I’ve scene, and it is full of details and lore. The gameplay is top notch, lighting and animations are on point. My two main issues with the game are the sub-par character creator, and the story and lore not coming through the quests as well as I’d prefer. The codex is highly detailed, andThe “critic reviews are way off on this one. The world they created is some of the best cyberpunk I’ve scene, and it is full of details and lore. The gameplay is top notch, lighting and animations are on point. My two main issues with the game are the sub-par character creator, and the story and lore not coming through the quests as well as I’d prefer. The codex is highly detailed, and time was spent crafting the story for this world, it just doesn’t shine through the questing narrative too well. It’s there, you just have to read through the codex to get the full picture. For the character creator, I someone understand, this is a top-down, “twin stick” shooter, so you aren’t that close to your character anyway. That being said, if you’re going to put a creator in a cyberpunk world, it needs to be super fleshed out. I have always loved twin stick shooters, and to see this fresh, rpg approach makes me excited for more of this same style of game in the future. The Ascent proves that just because it’s a twin stick style game, it doesn’t have to be an arcade-like game. You can build really cool worlds and have great rpg mechanics, and get the same feel you would from a 1st or 3rd person shooter, or even a more traditional rpg. The level design is superb, and the camera work does a great job of highlighting just how much detail went into laying the city out. Great game. Once again, the “professionals” got it wrong. Don’t let the critics pull you away from this one. It’s a special game, very unique in my opinion.… Expand
  52. ShushBush
    Aug 7, 2021
    9
    Game is a blast to play and has a good amount of replay value if you have friends to play with. Different builds and weapons make playing again with friends a lot of fun. Graphics and sound are superb and with patch released it is an absolute must buy or get on Game Pass.
  53. Tjmac1880
    Aug 9, 2021
    9
    Fun game. Great controls. Great visuals, would be a 10 if coop had better matchmaking.
  54. LazyWolf0
    Sep 2, 2021
    9
    Fantastic game, great fun. I don’t even like twin-stick shooters, but here the gameplay and gunplay is so satisfying. World design and atmosphere are simply brilliant. Visuals are stunning, and performance was rock solid on Series S.

    Don’t expect branching quests or deep story/RPG elements here, the game is simple at its core. But this core is extremely well done, and various character    Fantastic game, great fun. I don’t even like twin-stick shooters, but here the gameplay and gunplay is so satisfying. World design and atmosphere are simply brilliant. Visuals are stunning, and performance was rock solid on Series S.

    Don’t expect branching quests or deep story/RPG elements here, the game is simple at its core. But this core is extremely well done, and various character builds are very different.

    I had one crash during the playthrough, and experienced couple of unpleasant bugs. And some elements like how you can get sidequests before the areas they take place in unlock are rough, that’s why I score it 9 and not full 10.    … Expand
  55. fredda
    Jan 7, 2022
    9
    Been playing this 2 player co-op with my girlfriend the last few days. We are having a blast. The game looks nice, and manages to create an unique steampunk atmosphere with the neon and the very fitting soundtrack. I played it first on XOne, then on XsX. The loading times are shorter and thing looks abit nicer on the XsX, but overall I would give this 8 on XOne and 9 on XsX. (Loading timesBeen playing this 2 player co-op with my girlfriend the last few days. We are having a blast. The game looks nice, and manages to create an unique steampunk atmosphere with the neon and the very fitting soundtrack. I played it first on XOne, then on XsX. The loading times are shorter and thing looks abit nicer on the XsX, but overall I would give this 8 on XOne and 9 on XsX. (Loading times steals a point from the XOne score)… Expand
  56. carlm332
    Jul 25, 2023
    9
    Every review has subjective side, it's acceptable. But this game is really a great one. I always doesn't care what editors says because their tastes and my tastes not common with them. But for this game I don't know :/ must play
  57. MrMT
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    Very entertaining rpg isometric looter shooter. Yes, it’s a bit one note, but that note is consistently fun, and I look forward to finishing this one - which is not such a common experience in gaming these days!
  58. hiruu
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    A very solid RPG, with a good story, fun game mechanics. I've been getting deep into the game over the past couple of days and the User Score is definitely spot on for this title. The game is ambitious, especially for such a small team, and it really has been one of the most enjoyable games this year for me. I love RPGs and this game is just over the RPG line sufficiently to wet myA very solid RPG, with a good story, fun game mechanics. I've been getting deep into the game over the past couple of days and the User Score is definitely spot on for this title. The game is ambitious, especially for such a small team, and it really has been one of the most enjoyable games this year for me. I love RPGs and this game is just over the RPG line sufficiently to wet my appetite. Highly recommend for others to try it.… Expand
  59. Jerjef
    Aug 11, 2021
    8
    The Ascent is a gorgeous twin stick/ARPG shooter with solid gameplay and one amazing soundtrack. My main gripe is with the back and forth treks from point A to point B to point C that all are 1.5 km or more and there's no run mechanic. Yes there's a fast travel, but you have to pay for it. As well many of the side quests are buggy, often requiring a main story pre-req that isn't pointedThe Ascent is a gorgeous twin stick/ARPG shooter with solid gameplay and one amazing soundtrack. My main gripe is with the back and forth treks from point A to point B to point C that all are 1.5 km or more and there's no run mechanic. Yes there's a fast travel, but you have to pay for it. As well many of the side quests are buggy, often requiring a main story pre-req that isn't pointed out to the player. I am enjoying the story and world that has been built though and here's hoping for a sequel with a bigger budget and team next time.… Expand
  60. Steyraus
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    This is what Dark Alliance should have been a top down action game. Man this game is bad Ass and so close to being Epic ,,except ,, it has the Game Pass cyrse. Its filled with jenk and bugs.. The visuals , gunplay, progression, charter design is awsome. But the 3rd time you loose all you hard earned funds to a bugs , because you paid for an item then dont recieve it, you cant help beThis is what Dark Alliance should have been a top down action game. Man this game is bad Ass and so close to being Epic ,,except ,, it has the Game Pass cyrse. Its filled with jenk and bugs.. The visuals , gunplay, progression, charter design is awsome. But the 3rd time you loose all you hard earned funds to a bugs , because you paid for an item then dont recieve it, you cant help be pissed. Ive had several crashes and missons bug out or freeze..
    When a game is this good I will deal with the bugs. But its a shame this is where gaming is at.. The only other game I liked on game pass was Minecraft dungeons and it barly has 4 hours worth of content on release and now that there more content I am not interested.. I cant help thinking how much better The Accent could have been if it wasnt on Game Pass and was held to standards.    … Expand
  61. RomanG700
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    An excellent indie game with stunning graphics, cyberpunk style and interesting gameplay. There are a couple of flaws in it, such as an inconvenient map and a crumpled plot, but this practically does not interfere with enjoying the gameplay.
  62. Voodoo123
    Aug 17, 2021
    8
    +Gorgeous visuals
    +Moreish gameplay and upgrade structure
    +Great setting and soundtrack
    +Gamepass
    -Gets repititive over longer play sessions
    -Storyline was a pass but could've been stronger

    This has a been a pleasure to play through - I will been keen to see what this studio come up with next!
  63. portillo12850
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    Realmente un muy buen juego, excelentes graficos y posee detalles increibles, la jugabilidad es muy buena, posiblemente el unico detalle es la historia pero pasa a un segundo plano con la adrenalida que odrece el juego, lo recomiendo mucho
  64. deftones034
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    What a surprise. Having a lot of fun so far. Eye candy for sure on series X. No HDR hurts my score a little. Not sure why it doesnt have it. Its 2021. Good job.
  65. Rad_Pitt
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    Awesome twin stick shooter with fun combat, great visuals, music and atmosphere. Neon Giant have nailed the Cyberpunk aesthetic.
  66. efcosplays
    Aug 4, 2021
    8
    The Ascent is a gorgeous game that knows exactly what it is. Doesn't complicate things just for the sake of "More" and isn't simplistic just for the sake of "Less." It's exactly what it needs to be, knows it and it thrives because of this. Did I mention is gorgeous? The Ascent really nails the art direction and level design. While many players complain about the map, I instead think theThe Ascent is a gorgeous game that knows exactly what it is. Doesn't complicate things just for the sake of "More" and isn't simplistic just for the sake of "Less." It's exactly what it needs to be, knows it and it thrives because of this. Did I mention is gorgeous? The Ascent really nails the art direction and level design. While many players complain about the map, I instead think the developers did never had the intention for us to play it following the map as we do with an open world game. I think the map is something we could've done without, because having it has left a desire for more on it, when it's not entirely necessary. One con I have with the combat is that you could be walking down a hallway with no enemies, but when you encounter one up in front of you, enemies would spawn out of nowhere. So, if you backtrack a bit from where you came from, where there were no enemies before, you now, out of nowhere, may encounter several of them. This really makes no sense and it's a bit frustrating to me, because when I have many enemies in up front I'd like to be able to walk back to safety. I understand devs probably want me to keep moving, but I think there are other and better ways to accomplish that. Yet, my biggest complaint is the game's performance. The game stutters with effects, especially with explosions, to the point where is game breaking. Apparently as you play along it starts to perform better. But when you close and open the game again, it starts with the struggles. I've also encountered a few bugs here and there. For example Bosses and some battle arenas have a cinematic, but if you skip these too quickly the enemies would not load properly, making you having to restart the game. I've also encountered an issue where I quit to the main menu and the game would not recognize any inputs from my controller nor keyboard, so I have to force alt-f4 quit the game instead of through the menu. There's a bit of polishing needed to be made but this game is a true gem, in my opinion. Is one of the funnest games I've played this year and I can't wait for the devs to expand on it with, possibly, new game modes and content.… Expand
  67. Jonyps
    Aug 16, 2021
    8
    No entiendo el Hate y las Notas tan Bajas de la Prensa.
    No me esperaba nada pero es una Joya como todo lo que tiene Xbox este año.
    Se ve de Lujo en Xbox Series X.
    Y lo que queda por llegar.
    Muy recomendable
  68. Thonichi
    Aug 3, 2021
    8
    Positiv. Sounds, Grafik, gameplay
    Negativ. No German voice, Charakter editor, multi-player
    The game Ist really good. The setting is awesome and for the first game, ist really good. Some negatives but it's OK. From me it give 84%
  69. Meeleepit
    Aug 10, 2021
    8
    Visually stunning, great music in a world that feels alive.

    The developers nailed attention to details perfectly. When you walk past a security camera the camera will follow you.

    The twin stick shooting is decently incorporated in the game and i love the map.

    Excellent RPG elements.

    Game started out with a lot of bugs but a meaty patch was released couple of days after release.
  70. HonestOpinion4
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    Amazing Graphics and excellent gameplay. Gameplay is fun both single and 2 to 4-player co-op mode. And BIG plus is local co-op. I've been playing game in cross platform (pc-series X) session and encountered zero stuttering or problems.
    Story and narrative ain't the most strongest part of the game. Also Character customization could've been better. But the Core gameplay is solid.
    Also    Amazing Graphics and excellent gameplay. Gameplay is fun both single and 2 to 4-player co-op mode. And BIG plus is local co-op. I've been playing game in cross platform (pc-series X) session and encountered zero stuttering or problems.
    Story and narrative ain't the most strongest part of the game. Also Character customization could've been better. But the Core gameplay is solid.
    Also for those who are old enough to remember Crusader games, this is a must game.
    Some complain about rgb elements and automatically compare this to Diablo or Nex Machina... Because the camera angle ??? This game is totally different genre. WE have to remember that team of twelve developers made this. I consider this game more fun than many of the mega budget games. As a cyberpunk game this Works better than cyberpunk 2077.    … Expand
  71. jyd1626
    Aug 7, 2021
    8
    Real Note:76
    The ascent is a good game, with great gameplay and gunplay, however the spaces between them is long and kind of anoying, too long walks to get from point one to poing two.

    As a conclusion, good action game which could have lasted 3 or 4 hours less
  72. Papa5murf
    Aug 11, 2021
    8
    Beautiful looking game with stunning Cyberpunk visuals, super fun to play and incredibly addictive. What lets this game down though is the terrible level design and balance. Different areas will have different level of enemies, but there's no pattern - it all seems random - you can be doing a lvl 10 side quest, but actually getting to that quest you have to go through lvl 20 enemies, orBeautiful looking game with stunning Cyberpunk visuals, super fun to play and incredibly addictive. What lets this game down though is the terrible level design and balance. Different areas will have different level of enemies, but there's no pattern - it all seems random - you can be doing a lvl 10 side quest, but actually getting to that quest you have to go through lvl 20 enemies, or vice versa. Furthermore, many locations are blocked from the player and need to be unlocked in the main story, but you are never told this, and just have to be psychic or read a Wiki. It makes the whole experience very disjointed, and actually puts you OFF doing side missions because you have no idea if you can even get to that side mission.
    Then there are the bugs - this game is VERY buggy - loads of crashes (especially in multiplayer) but even solo there are many major bugs where bosses or crucial enemies don't spawn. And don't try to play this on multiplayer on Xbox One - the lag is so bad it's unplayable.
    Despite all that, it still gets an 8 from me because everything else in the game is SO good, but the whole package has been badly let down by awful design decisions and serious bugs.    … Expand
  73. John_S117
    Aug 13, 2021
    8
    I don't understand how this game has a 60 from the critics, it's a very solid 80. Amazing graphics and details, cool story, adictive gameplay and FUN.
  74. Awanka
    Nov 10, 2022
    8
    Excellent run and gun twin stick shooter similar to arcade games like Smash TV. Game looks fantastic, and really gives the feeling of being in a giant vertical urban center. The environment here does some heavy lifting, and swings between hi-tech and a slum aesthetic like something between Coruscant and a hive city from W40k.
  75. Ramiro333
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    Gostei muito do jogo,gráficos muito bons,cenários bem elaborados e uma iluminação muito boa.
    Inimigos com uma IA muito boa,sabendo se mover para te tirar do cover e sabendo se proteger tbm,missões boas,algumas repetições como é de costume em jogos assim,precisa de algumas melhorias em alguns bugs mas nada que atrapalhe na gameplay,se você tem game pass baixa e joga,só você vai dizer se o    Gostei muito do jogo,gráficos muito bons,cenários bem elaborados e uma iluminação muito boa.
    Inimigos com uma IA muito boa,sabendo se mover para te tirar do cover e sabendo se proteger tbm,missões boas,algumas repetições como é de costume em jogos assim,precisa de algumas melhorias em alguns bugs mas nada que atrapalhe na gameplay,se você tem game pass baixa e joga,só você vai dizer se o jogo é bom ou não.    … Expand
  76. StarGotGame95
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    The Ascent is a phenomenal Indie game I believe it’s the first game available on XSX running on Unreal Engine 5 and you can tell from the very first time you see an explosion or how the waypoint particles fall to the floor after you ping. I feel the low critic score is disingenuous. A for sure diamond in the rough. The only 2 things they kept it from being a 10/10 for me were limitedThe Ascent is a phenomenal Indie game I believe it’s the first game available on XSX running on Unreal Engine 5 and you can tell from the very first time you see an explosion or how the waypoint particles fall to the floor after you ping. I feel the low critic score is disingenuous. A for sure diamond in the rough. The only 2 things they kept it from being a 10/10 for me were limited character customization & some audio bugs I had while in shop menus (it sounded like cars flying by really close but in a choppy loop very annoying if playing with a headset on). Those issues aside the world looks stunning combat is fast and more engaging than any other twin stick shooter I’ve played with the mixture of a cover and high/low aim system highly recommend to play on Game Pass… Expand
  77. franjau
    Sep 7, 2023
    8
    Amazing atmosphere, best Cyberpunk game by far in it's kind, colorful world and great game design, you will not be dissapointed, one of the, if not the most immersive game of 2021 to this date.

    I do recommend it for the Xbox Series X
  78. XramLC
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    Just finished it. Good game, fun to play, beautiful graphics, great soundtrack (deeply reminded me of Akira). Found no game breaking bugs, at least during my play time. If you subscribe to gamepass, it's an awesome pick to spend a few hours. Just don't expect the best game in the world, something that will change the industry. It's a good game, a good rpg and a good cyberpunk experience.
  79. Frank-byert
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    La estética de este juego es preciosa, su mayor defecto seria que en ciertos puntos la dificultad llega a ser desbalanceada, pero no es nada exagerado.
  80. sergioodoardi
    Aug 4, 2021
    8
    I've had so much fun with this game. I cannot believe how good is this game. Don't pay attention to the media's so called "specialist on videogames" opinion on this. Details are great. I still can't believe this game was made by only 12 people. Way better than others (you know who you are...) 4 hours AAA action adventure games for children.
  81. ethicsbeanie
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    If you like Diable type games then this will be perfect for you. It's a standard Diablo clone set in a great cyberpunk setting. There's a deep background story to optionally explore. The characters and books around the game add to the worldbuilding pleasantly. As with most diablo clones none of that is necessary and you can run, roll and shoot your way through the campaign if you wish.If you like Diable type games then this will be perfect for you. It's a standard Diablo clone set in a great cyberpunk setting. There's a deep background story to optionally explore. The characters and books around the game add to the worldbuilding pleasantly. As with most diablo clones none of that is necessary and you can run, roll and shoot your way through the campaign if you wish. Theres a pleasing amount of skills and weapons to upgrade, fast movement systems and the ability to totally respec and even change your character look, apperance and sex. On a Series X it loads fast and seemed smooth to me. Multiplayer worked fine, though the difficulty did not seem to scale for me so the game was rather easy multiplayer.

    There are a few issues, things like not being able to customise controls properly and the cyberdecks being hidden randomly around the world. It's worth playing now and hopefully as more updates come out will just improve with time.    … Expand
  82. OleMannLogan
    Aug 8, 2021
    8
    The Ascent is a great twin stick shooter with great RPG elements. Great Cyberpunk aesthetic to it that is very detailed an a joy to look at. The game runs Great on both the Series S/X with some stuttering here and there but most noticeable when playing coop. There is a great challenge in this game and tons to explore and do with extra side missions and areas to explore. Combat is great andThe Ascent is a great twin stick shooter with great RPG elements. Great Cyberpunk aesthetic to it that is very detailed an a joy to look at. The game runs Great on both the Series S/X with some stuttering here and there but most noticeable when playing coop. There is a great challenge in this game and tons to explore and do with extra side missions and areas to explore. Combat is great and there is a slew of weapon and augment combinations that you can do to cause a lot of chaos. Making it that so you can choose how you want to play. While the story is not super in-depth ever else about this game. Would absolutely recommend to any one who is looking for a chaotic good time! My total play time sat me at just under 24hrs in the game.… Expand
  83. JasperThorn
    Nov 14, 2021
    8
    Having fun playing this game with friends I wanted to wait because of all issues but the game is in a very good state
  84. ArVilla
    Aug 3, 2021
    8
    I didn't know that I needed this game until I came upon it. From the amazing well crafted world to the engaging combat, I had a ton of fun playing this solo, and with a some friends.

    Are there areas that need some improving? yes, of course. The character creation could be better, the weapons system could be revamped, and the map could use some form of pinging. Also, it would be nice to    I didn't know that I needed this game until I came upon it. From the amazing well crafted world to the engaging combat, I had a ton of fun playing this solo, and with a some friends.

    Are there areas that need some improving? yes, of course. The character creation could be better, the weapons system could be revamped, and the map could use some form of pinging. Also, it would be nice to have more control options for party creation/invites.

    Are there bugs? yes, a few glitches from time to time, but nothing world ending. A simple restart was all that would be needed, but it rarely happened during my playthroughs.

    Though not a perfect game, it has been an incredibly fun game, developed by a relatively small team. At the end of the day, being a fun game is all I ever needed.    … Expand
  85. JaeRobbyGaming
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    The Ascent is a fun, high octane, twin stick shooter that leaves a smile on your face. Coming from a small studio, the game isn’t perfect and has a few bugs here and there. However, those bugs are never level breaking, and the gunplay, soundtrack, fun factor, and challenge easily trumps those small technical speed bumps. The progression tree is straightforward but each skill point spentThe Ascent is a fun, high octane, twin stick shooter that leaves a smile on your face. Coming from a small studio, the game isn’t perfect and has a few bugs here and there. However, those bugs are never level breaking, and the gunplay, soundtrack, fun factor, and challenge easily trumps those small technical speed bumps. The progression tree is straightforward but each skill point spent truly feels like you’re closer to becoming an ultimate killing machine. It tickles your Diablo-like itch with a sprinkle of cyberpunk cocaine dust. A must-play for GamePass owners and a great game for $40!… Expand
  86. Heraz0
    Jul 30, 2021
    8
    No es mi estilo de juego iba con pocas espectativas, su facilidad para jugarlo, sus controles, su historia y ambientación lograron engancharme sin duda alguna buen juego.
  87. Fair_judgement
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    I found this game very interesting and fun I definitely got sucked into the gameplay the story wasn’t that interesting or captivating and customization was lacking but overall a good game
  88. Mackbigtmack
    Jul 31, 2021
    8
    This game is nothing short of amazing. Only a few crashes and online needs to be patched. This game is a hidden gem. Don't let the 65 score fool you. Try it for yourself and see.
  89. ZaaLan
    Aug 1, 2021
    8
    Deffinetly a must play on Xbox! :) Especially of you are a #GamePass member. World ist insanely detailed. Story is casual. Gunfight get intenser the more you play. Loot system could be better. Map is not good. Buggs happend. But the game may become the first in the series. If the team gets bigger and gets more funds, the Ascent2 may become even better game.. Hope MicrosoftGamesStudiosDeffinetly a must play on Xbox! :) Especially of you are a #GamePass member. World ist insanely detailed. Story is casual. Gunfight get intenser the more you play. Loot system could be better. Map is not good. Buggs happend. But the game may become the first in the series. If the team gets bigger and gets more funds, the Ascent2 may become even better game.. Hope MicrosoftGamesStudios understands that ;)… Expand
  90. PMG-Writer
    Aug 24, 2021
    8
    First of all, we have to praise the small developer studio of "The Ascent". The game looks simply great and very appealing. In addition, there are elaborate effects and the fantastic soundtrack. Unfortunately, the gameplay and storyline can't quite keep up as the game progresses. So you can also play the title alone or in co-op. This simply adds more fun to the experience. If you want moreFirst of all, we have to praise the small developer studio of "The Ascent". The game looks simply great and very appealing. In addition, there are elaborate effects and the fantastic soundtrack. Unfortunately, the gameplay and storyline can't quite keep up as the game progresses. So you can also play the title alone or in co-op. This simply adds more fun to the experience. If you want more than just a solid action title with bombastic graphics, you should give "The Ascent" for the Xbox Series X a chance. If you own the Xbox Game Pass, you can even get the game for free.… Expand
  91. FolkenZA
    Aug 8, 2021
    8
    I really enjoyed this game. I don't get the bad rep it's getting from critics. Yes, the co-op was a bit clunky at launch, but what MP game isn't... The SP is really solid though. Its a beautiful game with a vibrant Cyberpunk world to rival 2077. And to think it was made by a team of 12. Well done!
  92. mfosa
    Aug 8, 2021
    8
    The Ascent has been on my personal wish list since it was shown during the Xbox preview last year. A few hours and missions in and it has been a fun experience. For a team of 12, the whole end product is super impressive. The environment itself is a character on its own; so beautifully designed and alive. I've been peeking levels below wondering if I could explore those areas.

    A few    The Ascent has been on my personal wish list since it was shown during the Xbox preview last year. A few hours and missions in and it has been a fun experience. For a team of 12, the whole end product is super impressive. The environment itself is a character on its own; so beautifully designed and alive. I've been peeking levels below wondering if I could explore those areas.

    A few quips for me would be Quick Resume not working as intended. Also, the information on the RPG system could be improved. It's a bit hard to decide which item is better/stronger than the other.    … Expand
  93. Phobos1881
    Aug 10, 2021
    8
    Wer Lust hat ein Diablo Style Spiel im Cyberpunk Universum zu Spielen ist hier Richtig. Respekt was ein so kleines Team hingekriegt hat. Klar Kleinigkeiten stimmen noch nicht ganz, aber die Atmosphäre stimmt, die Grafik auch und es ist sogar im Couch Coop spielbar. Leider gibt es davon zu wenige spiele. Kann das Game nur weiterempfehlen. Bin gespannt, was noch von diesem Studio kommt
  94. Cariba85
    Aug 11, 2021
    8
    nice graphics, sound and gameplay, medium story. I wish it had a German language version. All in all a nice game
  95. The_Chune
    Aug 22, 2021
    8
    Playing this co-op is a must. Solo feels like a slog but I am having an absolute blast blasting away baddies with my buddies.

    It has a decent amount of design quirks and bugs but is still beyond impressive for a studio of 12 people. I can't even get 12 people to help me move without breaking half my stuff. Ha ha ha ha ha.
  96. LouiseVictoire
    Nov 7, 2021
    8
    Aesthetically it's perfect. The gameplay is very good. The story is suite linear and has nothing exeptionnal.
    A really good moment.
  97. ImYrHuckleberry
    Sep 15, 2022
    8
    Surprisingly fun, great gameplay and a beautiful world that keeps you wanting to come back for more. The story is ok, but the gameplay and visuals are what shines.
  98. umaumai
    Jul 30, 2021
    7
    This is a very deep twin stick style shooter with some of the most intriguing visuals surrounding a rich environment that is set to a dystopian cyberpunk future. The problem for me is there is almost too much happening on screen when you are in the over world. This can make exploring more of a chore than a delight. The voice acting is great and there is a lot of dialogue and text to combThis is a very deep twin stick style shooter with some of the most intriguing visuals surrounding a rich environment that is set to a dystopian cyberpunk future. The problem for me is there is almost too much happening on screen when you are in the over world. This can make exploring more of a chore than a delight. The voice acting is great and there is a lot of dialogue and text to comb through to get the most out of what you're involved in. There are RPG elements as you level up here as well. Augments and weapon upgrading are just a few of the standard fare that most of you who are used to the genre will be familiar with, but I felt like there was too much to keep track of initially without a lot of explanation from the game itself on how to utilize those systems. There are instruction cards that pop up when a new feature or ability becomes available to you, but there isn't aways an immediate tutorial as too managing or using them. That's not a dealbreaker for me as learning and developing my own style of play is fun, but for some it might become overwhelming. I haven't finished the story, but what I've experienced so far was fantastic. On the flip side of that I can see that the multiplayer co-op is one area that this game can shine. I see a lot of late night sessions rocking this with friends in my future. The one big drawback for me is the isometric gameplay. I'm perfect fine with concept in general, but after having other games utilize a rotating isometric view it's hard for me to get completely behind a static version. I understand that with the amount things that they have going on at one time visually on screen it would have made development for a rotating feature very difficult, but it would have been nice if some of the action sections could have been seen from different views. The use of static here is mostly well executed, but I have experienced a few hiccups, minor bugs, that have kept me from finding somethings that enemies drop after combat. Again, that's not a dealbreaker for me just a very minor annoyance. Over all if you have "Game Pass" all I can say is why are you reading this and not downloading the game right now? For everyone else if you like the idea of an RPG driven twin stick shooter I'd give this a look.… Expand
  99. imoviesreview
    Jul 30, 2021
    7
    This game feels like a stopgap. Just something to hold Xbox Series Users till Halo Infinite or any other major release on that system. But it's a decent stopgap that at least has some staying powering. As well as quite a bit of content. It makes good use of the Xbox Series features and is fairly fun. It's worth checking out if you have Game Pass at least.
  100. cottandy
    Oct 4, 2021
    7
    "The Ascent" is an isometric top-down shooter in a cyberpunk setting made by a team of 11 people.
    You are a mercenary in a futuristic world who does whatever job he/she gets. And what you do is kill anything that stands in your way. And if you wish also read dialogs about where you need to do this or about the world you play, which is interesting. But if you don't like reading anything    "The Ascent" is an isometric top-down shooter in a cyberpunk setting made by a team of 11 people.
    You are a mercenary in a futuristic world who does whatever job he/she gets. And what you do is kill anything that stands in your way. And if you wish also read dialogs about where you need to do this or about the world you play, which is interesting. But if you don't like reading anything you can skip this part and just destroy.

    Certainly devs put their soul in "the Ascent". A lot is done great, but some gameplay mechanics just leave a bitter aftertaste.
    So a huge plus for the whole picture, beautiful little details, music, design, etc, but also little nasty holes of negative appear here and there.
    Most of the time game is brilliant and fun to play. There are many pros in little details and huge visible moments. The most important is neat gameplay and nice plot.

    More detailed cons and controversial points:
    Camera - the most important, seems like a little one, but it ruins too much of the hardwork of the devs. It's uncomfortable and uncontrollable at the same time. Lacks a simple possibility to zoom out/in, nothing more. Sometimes you don't even see your enemies, but they see you. It not such a big deal to add a little zoom feature from the devs, which will fix quite a lot.

    Bad navigation. Both mini-map and main map are a confusing when it comes to multilevel system, which is present in the game, but doesn't show enough info about levels on maps.

    Not a con, but a warning. You will die often, which doesn't spoil anything.
    It may be a little hard for beginners on normal difficulty when you face your first enemies with gun.
    You will have to use game mechanics not to die too often and master the game. But from the other side game doesn't punish when you die. You start from the last checkpoint and these are literally everywhere. No matter where you die, you won't lose your progress. It's certainly good if the game crashes. And there is a possibility for it to happen. Hard to say how often, but sometimes it will in the current state of development.    … Expand
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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.
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  3. Meristation
    Aug 18, 2021
    75
    The Ascent offers cyberpunk lovers a setting where they can unleash their dreams of steel and neon.
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