Rat Cliff Games’ Among Ashes delivers an intriguing premise by blending two distinct horror experiences in a single game: one inside a haunted retro game and another unfolding in the “real world.” Its dual-layered structure sets it apart from typical horror titles, offering players a game-within-a-game narrative where strange occurrences bleed into the protagonist’s apartment. And despite some uneven pacing and rough edges, Among Ashes impresses with its concept and unsettling atmosphere – here’s our look at the PS5 version.
The core premise is undeniably compelling. Players find themselves in the early 2000s, sent a mysterious game link called Night Call by a friend. As you explore the pixelated manor of this retro-styled first-person horror game, monsters lurk in the halls, puzzles need to be solved, and there’s a constant sense of dread. Outside the game, you’re trapped in your dimly lit apartment, where supernatural events escalate as you progress. The way the two realities overlap creates moments of genuine tension, with unsettling sounds and jump scares ensuring you’re never completely at ease. Unfortunately, the narrative payoff doesn’t fully capitalize on this setup, as the story wraps up without delivering much depth to the mystery behind Night Call and its origins.
From a gameplay perspective, Among Ashes struggles a little with consistency. Inside Night Call, exploration and puzzle-solving take center stage, with combat offering simplistic mechanics that can feel clunky during high-stress encounters. The manor’s maze-like design does a solid job of building tension, though backtracking through its repetitive corridors can wear thin over time. Outside the game, navigating the protagonist’s apartment provides some eerie environmental storytelling, but the limited size and interactivity dampens its potential, making these sequences feel like passive breaks rather than equally engaging gameplay.
Controls are functional but not without issues, particularly during combat. Aiming and movement feel imprecise, which can lead to frustrating encounters, especially when enemies in Night Call close in quickly. Meanwhile, some puzzles lack clear direction, causing occasional confusion that interrupts the pacing of an otherwise quite immersive horror experience.
Visually, Among Ashes effectively contrasts its two settings. The pixelated art style of Night Call captures a nostalgic, retro horror vibe reminiscent of early 3D PC games, while the modern apartment setting leans into atmospheric lighting and subtle environmental details. This duality enhances the game’s unsettling tone, even if the apartment itself feels somewhat sparse in design. Audio design deserves praise, with an unnerving soundscape that includes distorted whispers, foreboding creaks, and sudden audio spikes that amplify tension. However, repetitive sound effects during certain sequences diminish their impact over time.
Despite its technical flaws and moments of uneven pacing, Among Ashes succeeds in delivering a unique horror experience that stands out due to its clever premise. The constant interplay between realities keeps players on edge, and the game’s ability to blur the lines between virtual and real horror creates genuinely chilling moments. That said, the lack of polish in its gameplay mechanics and narrative resolution holds it back from achieving greatness.
For horror enthusiasts looking for something different, Among Ashes offers a worthwhile, albeit flawed, experience. Its ambition shines through and it’s a great concept, even if the execution falters slightly at times. With stronger storytelling and refined mechanics, it could have been a standout entry in the genre. As it stands, it’s a memorable but imperfect descent into digital terror.
Score: 7.5/10
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