Random Video Game Review - The Ascent

Coming straight from August's Humble Choice set, we have this game. A game published by Curve Digital whom I have got quite a few games of and much like with Raw Fury, they are another publisher that honestly, I have had no beef with. They publish so many of people's favourite PC games that it kind of hard not to like them. This is an indie game by Swedish game studio Neon Giant, and this is pretty much their first game as a developer. The people at the studio have worked on other games such as Far Cry 3 and a few Microsoft and Bethesda franchises. So not sure what I should be expecting here, but with credits like those, this is sure to be a blast. So let's take a look:

The game follows the scenario of a big evil corporation that the player character works for as a slave of sorts. But the corporation eventually falls, leaving various factions to be formed and the player being tasked to prevent factions from seizing control and to uncover the mystery behind the corporation's collapse. Played from an isometric view that overlooks the characters, you play the game as a twin-stick shooter game. It includes aiming functionality that lets you shoot up and down, killing enemies that are both close and far away, which is key to the game's cover system that uses props and the environment. Characters are fully customizable and can augment cyberware upgrades to get new skills and abilities. You can also hack things too. The environment is destructible and there is a fast travel system in place because this is an open world game with literally no loading screens (as far as we know). All defeated enemies can be looted. Items can also be collected by completing missions, exploring the world, or purchased from in-game vendors with in-game currency. Up to four players can play this game.

This game, for all it is, is alright. Can be very challenging, but has a good soundtrack, satisfying gameplay and will otherwise hopefully play out for you as an enjoyable experience. Plus, this being Neon Giant's first game, means there is a lot of hope and promise for the Swedish indie game studio going forward. 8/10