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Astria Ascending is a single-player, turn-based RPG whose hand-drawn world and layered combat are its clearest draws. Reviews also point to a weaker story, dialogue, and cast, so it is a better fit for players who value combat and character-building more than a compelling narrative.
What kind of game is Astria Ascending?
Released on September 30, 2021, Astria Ascending is a single-player RPG built around turn-based battles, character customization, and exploration through a traditionally animated 2D world. Artisan Studios developed it, and Dear Villagers published it, according to the Steam listing.
The official PlayStation listing also describes platforming exploration, environmental puzzles, mini-games, and full Japanese and English voice acting. The mix means the game is not only a sequence of battles: exploration and optional activities are part of its appeal.
What do reviews praise?
Distinctive hand-drawn presentation
Critics highlighted the hand-drawn sprites and environments as a standout. The visual style helps give the world a strong identity, and it is one of the recurring strengths in the review excerpts on both the PC critic page and the Nintendo Switch critic page.
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#1 Best Overall
- 👉️【Usage Notes】When using the gamepad for the first time, it needs to be connected to the PS5 console via a USB-C cable（It must be the data cable included in the package or the original data cable）, and then press the Home button to activate it. If your controller has any functional issues, please use this url to update the firmware: we.tl/t-yAwofXJL9YOyyq3K !!! The gamepad is only compatible with PS5 series consoles and Windows PCs, and it is not compatible with PS4.
- 👋【Quick Connection & One - click Wake - up】 You can connect to the PS5 console by pressing the HOME button on the controller. When connecting to the console for the first time, you need to use a data cable. It also supports use on computers with Windows operating systems.
- 🎮️【Controller with Sound】 The controller is capable of producing sound, providing an immersive gaming experience. Please note that the controller is only equipped with a speaker and has no microphone. If you want to use the microphone fuacnction, please use an external headset. It is equipped with a 3.5mm TRRS headphone jack（not compatible with Apple headphones.）
- 🌈【Customizable Colors】Press the Lighting button to switch colors and light effect modes with one click. It features a color memory function, ensuring that the next time you use it, it will still be the color you prefer.
- 🕹️【High - Precision Joysticks】Equipped with upgraded joysticks, these effectively reduce the joystick dead zone and extend the controller's service life.
Turn-based combat and character building
The combat system and progression options also drew praise. Reviewers noted depth in battle and flexibility in how characters develop their skills. For players who enjoy learning a combat system and shaping a party’s abilities, that combination is the game’s strongest reason to play.
Variety beyond battles
Exploration combines platforming with turn-based encounters, rather than keeping the adventure entirely within menus and battle screens. The PlayStation listing also cites mini-games and environmental puzzles as part of the package.
Rank #2
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Where might Astria Ascending disappoint?
Story and writing
Review excerpts repeatedly identify the narrative, dialogue, or plot as less engaging than the art and combat. That is the central caveat for anyone choosing an RPG primarily for its story.
Character appeal
Some criticism also falls on the cast. If memorable characters and strong writing are essential to your enjoyment of a long RPG, the review record gives you reason to be cautious rather than assuming the presentation carries the narrative.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Progression does not erase the narrative concerns
Character skill building is praised, but that does not mean every part of progression or the larger adventure is equally compelling. The captured PC review excerpts include criticism of progression alongside praise for combat and art; the Switch excerpts similarly note writing and plot as shortcomings. The available review evidence does not establish specific balance, bug, or performance problems.
What do the review scores mean?
At the time the pages were captured, Metacritic showed a PC Metascore of 68 from 22 critic reviews and a Nintendo Switch Metascore of 62 from seven critic reviews. These are platform-specific snapshots, not live or universal verdicts. The review excerpts describe a similar broad pattern—praise for visuals and combat, reservations about story and writing—but the scores alone do not show why versions differ or establish that one platform performs better.
Rank #4
- ❗❗❗Tips：Due to a recent PS5 system update, vibration and controller speaker functions of our controllers may be temporarily unavailable.. No need to worry—your controller is not defective. This is a system compatibility issue that may be resolved through a future PS5 update
- 【Designed for PS5 Console Compatibility】Our PS5 wireless controller is specially designed to work seamlessly with the PS5 console. It pairs effortlessly and delivers stable performance across a wide range of PS5 games. Players can enjoy smooth gameplay with intuitive button layouts and responsive control functions, offering a true next-gen gaming experience
- 【Ergonomic Design with Immersive LED Light Effects】This PS5 controller is designed with player comfort in mind. It has a balanced weight and a comfortable grip, effectively reducing fatigue even during long gaming sessions. The built-in LED lighting system offers vibrant, customizable color effects that enhance the visual atmosphere and bring more excitement to your gaming setup
- 【Advanced Bluetooth Connection】Our PS5 wireless controller uses the latest Bluetooth technology to ensure a stable and fast wireless connection with your PS5 system.The setup process is quick and simple—just pair once and enjoy reliable communication without cables. The enhanced transmission performance minimizes interference and ensures consistent control, even during fast-paced action games
- 【Ultra-Low Latency and High-Precision Control】Built for accuracy and responsiveness, this controller features highly sensitive analog sticks and precision triggers for refined control. Every movement and command registers instantly with minimal delay, giving players a competitive edge in shooting, racing, or sports games. The optimized chip design helps maintain low input lag for a fluid, real-time response
Steam’s user-review label and totals can change over time, so they are not a stable measure to treat as a lasting score. For a buying decision, the recurring strengths and criticisms in the critic excerpts are more useful than reading a single aggregate number as a complete description.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How long is Astria Ascending?
The official PlayStation product listing claims “over 50 hours of gameplay” and mentions mini-games, including shoot ’em ups, a fantasy-themed card game, and environmental puzzles. That is a platform-holder marketing estimate, not an independently measured playtime or a guarantee of how long an individual player will take.
Best Value
- 【Connection & Wake-up】When using the gamepad for the first time, it needs to be connected to the PS5 console via a USB-C cable（It must be the data cable included in the package or the original data cable）, and then press the Home button to activate it. After completing the first connection, you only need to press the HOME button to turn on the PS5 console. The gamepad is compatible with PS5 series consoles and Windows PCs, and it is not compatible with PS4.
- 【Controller with Sound】The controller is capable of producing sound, providing an immersive gaming experience. Please note that the controller is only equipped with a speaker and has no microphone. If you want to use the microphone function, please use an external headset. It is equipped with a 3.5mm TRRS headphone jack（not compatible with Apple headphones.）
- 【Customizable Colors】Press the Lighting button to switch colors and light effect modes with one click. It features a color memory function, ensuring that the next time you use it, it will still be the color you prefer.
- 【High - Precision Joysticks】Equipped with upgraded joysticks, these effectively reduce the joystick dead zone and extend the controller's service life.
- 【Multiple Functions】10 times/second Turbo function can be set, supporting up to 16 keys programming, making your gaming experience even better.
Which platforms is Astria Ascending on?
The game is listed for PC on Steam. Metacritic’s game details list Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC; the official PlayStation page confirms a PS5 edition. These listings establish platform availability, but they do not establish identical performance or experience across versions. The captured PC and Switch review scores are not technical comparisons.
Who should play it?
- Consider it if hand-drawn art, turn-based combat depth, and character skill customization matter more to you than a standout story.
- Be cautious if you need strong dialogue, an especially compelling cast, or narrative momentum to sustain a long RPG.
- Choose a platform based on your own access and preferences: the available listings confirm multiple editions, but the evidence here does not identify a technically superior version.
Astria Ascending is most appealing as a visually distinctive combat-focused RPG. Its weaker narrative reception makes it a qualified recommendation for story-first players, not an automatic pick for every JRPG fan.
Quick Recap
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