Among Ashes

The "game within a game" concept is done really well, especially how things happen in the real world at the same time. The atmosphere is great and the puzzles in it are really creative too. The Awesome Messenger adds even more to the retro feel. 👾

I played the demo for this back in October 2024 and LOVED it. Bought the game as soon as it released, then sat on it for AGES after my livestream performance and availability for streaming both took a big hit. FINALLY managed to squeeze a horror stream in for my birthday last week, plans for co-op Fears to Fathom fell through, and Among Ashes was my first pick. The passion for all things horror and the appreciation for the horror classics of the 90s and 2000s here is readily apparent and tickles my millenial nostalgia so perfectly. The way the story and worldbuilding unfold largely in AIM/MSN messenger-style chats, "old internet"-style web pages, and online message boards is brilliant. You're playing a game within a game, and at one point you even play a game within a game WITHIN A GAME, lol. It's meta as hell and basically bakes a bunch of different style of games into one, which as someone with what I like to call "Super ADHD," I enjoy a lot. Something new around every corner. Definitely one of the most ambitious and unique indie horror games I've ever played. I will say, there are 2 chase sections much further in that are mind-numbingly frustrating and had me at the edge of quitting. Just stick with it because the rest of the game is worth it. The monster you run from here is actually really goofy and terrifying at the same time and I LOVE it, but it was just needlessly difficult to the point that I was struggling to finish long after the scare factor had worn off. IMO walking sim games (this particular section is a walking sim, about half of the game is old-school survival horror but in FPS perspective) should NEVER be too difficult because it spoils the horror experience and replaces the fear over time with resentment. 8/10

Um dos jogos que mais me deixou tenso dos últimos tempos. História bem legal, sem muita exposição desnecessária e com umas reviravoltas bem interessantes que são reveladas próximo ao final. Bem legal a dinâmica das telas e o gameplay "duplo". RECOMENDO