Ascent of Ashes is a colony simulation that throws you into a vast, post-apocalyptic alien world. Developed by Vivid Storm Interactive, this game demands strategic thinking as you build bases, manage survivors, and defend against threats like raiders, aliens, and remnants of old militaries. The real-time-with-pause combat and deep personality systems give the game emotional depth and tactical finesse. 

An ambitious modern RTS takes its first steps 

In Ascent of Ashes, your survivors are fully realized individuals with unique motivations, fears, and abilities, which forces you to make tough leadership decisions. Base-building is central to survival. You’ll craft workspaces, grow food, tame alien beasts, and use salvaged tech to fortify yourself against attackers. Vehicles like restored trucks and tanks speed up exploration across the planet’s procedurally generated biomes. 

Combat is deliberate and punishing. The system emphasizes situational awareness, cover usage, and suppressive fire. Non-lethal hits can incapacitate your colonists, make every shot count, and add weight to every tactical decision. However, it’s still in early access and lacking in content. The learning curve is also steep for beginners. Moreover, the performance dips in denser or larger areas. 

Survival through strategy and sacrifice 

Ascent of Ashes combines colony simulation with RTS combat, creating a tough survival experience that's rich in emotion and strategy. The game stands out with its unique survivors and deep base-building mechanics. While it’s still in early access and has some rough edges, it shows great potential for strategy lovers.