We approach the cave exploring the nearby area. My friend and I swear over our headsets peering into the dark. Not because the absence of light produces the traditional primal instinct of fear, but because we know Ashen is about to be irritating through design.
I unhook my shield to carry the lantern, an item that only works when carried by hand rather than on a belt. It's a mystery why. I'm sure the developers thought the mechanic would provide a fun challenge. They are wrong. My friend proceeds as the vanguard with shield raised as I try to light the way. We progress slowly. Soon enough we stumble upon an enemy we called a wraith who raises her arms to do a charge attack. She dashes forward, I dodge to one side but her lock on tracks me mid jump and hits me anyway. The dodge is often useless.
Whilst pinned my friend comes to help hit her off me. A different enemy crawling along the cavern floor comes running from the darkness at him. His lock on fails for no reason leaving him flailing at the barely visible foe. He puts his shield away to bring his own lantern out hoping to set it on the ground to provide light. This allows the enemy to land the final blows with no defence and slow animations. He dies stumbling to his knees hoping for a chance I may revive him, the odds are slim. The wraith finishes her attack allowing my badly eviscerated character to get up. As this happens the camera spins at an angle leaving me confused as I am killed next to my friend frustrated. The lanterns go out.
There is only silence in the dark, but there is max brightness in the settings.
I unhook my shield to carry the lantern, an item that only works when carried by hand rather than on a belt. It's a mystery why. I'm sure the developers thought the mechanic would provide a fun challenge. They are wrong. My friend proceeds as the vanguard with shield raised as I try to light the way. We progress slowly. Soon enough we stumble upon an enemy we called a wraith who raises her arms to do a charge attack. She dashes forward, I dodge to one side but her lock on tracks me mid jump and hits me anyway. The dodge is often useless.
Whilst pinned my friend comes to help hit her off me. A different enemy crawling along the cavern floor comes running from the darkness at him. His lock on fails for no reason leaving him flailing at the barely visible foe. He puts his shield away to bring his own lantern out hoping to set it on the ground to provide light. This allows the enemy to land the final blows with no defence and slow animations. He dies stumbling to his knees hoping for a chance I may revive him, the odds are slim. The wraith finishes her attack allowing my badly eviscerated character to get up. As this happens the camera spins at an angle leaving me confused as I am killed next to my friend frustrated. The lanterns go out.
There is only silence in the dark, but there is max brightness in the settings.
6 Comments
lmao I remember playing through this right before I made my backloggd account and it was quite the mediocre experience. I died a lot and the anger the game gave me through playing it made it a very forgettable experience.
@DrJeans -Accurate. It has some nice ideas like the Journey esq online. However, to counter that all the weapons are kind of bland, I despise the level design and for a game with so much combat it's pretty unrefined and lacking in options.
It's serviceable but just not that enjoyable or memorable sadly.
It's serviceable but just not that enjoyable or memorable sadly.
That cave must have killed many a playthrough. It's meant as the very last thing leading to the final boss, but many players end up there early.
@Ghost_of_SAS - I know the cave you mean, we did die there but similar scenarios apply to a long dungeon to the second boss, the DLC etc. we just hated the lantern mechanic, dungeon design and wooden limited combat.
The infuriating multiplayer/companion system is made even more infuriating by the fact that it doesnt feel optional. The Wraiths are like 40% of the game all on their own and they always use their range-independent grapple. Always.
LordDarias
6 months ago