The RPG genre has seen a massive resurgence in popularity recently, thanks in part to landmark titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 that push the boundaries of traditional RPG gameplay. Smaller titles like Tainted Grail: Lost Avalon also help revive the essence of older classics, paying homage to RPG giants such as The Elder Scrolls. 
Enter Of Ash and Steel, the debut game from Fire & Frost, which is trying to blend the spirit of these timeless RPGs with a modern experience. While it shows promise, it’s clear that there’s still a long road ahead before it can be considered a standout title in the genre.
Currently available as a playtest on Steam, the game offers a glimpse into its prologue and first chapter. The prologue takes place in the Grotto, setting the stage for the journey of the protagonist, Tristan, and his expedition. The first chapter, set in the Forgotten Reach, unveils the world’s design more fully, showcasing the open-world mechanics where player choice shapes the environment.
Fire & Frost’s commitment to creating a vibrant world is evident from the start. In the prologue, NPCs are not mere background figures; they actively interact with each other and engage in conversations that, while unrelated to Tristan’s mission, help build a deeper sense of immersion. The Forgotten Reach improves on this with diverse activities that-though not groundbreaking-add variety and lean into the simulation side of RPGs. The survival mechanics, light as they may be, offer an extra layer of depth to the game’s world.
However, while the ambition is there, the execution falls short in a number of areas. The jankiness that defined the Gothic series is taken to a new level here, something that’s expected from a small development studio. The visuals are underwhelming, with uninspiring environments and awkward character animations that detract from the otherwise lively world. More frustratingly, the controls are clumsy-movement feels floaty, and the stamina-based combat doesn’t quite hit the mark. The controller input is clunky, poorly mapped, and just unpleasant to use, even though there’s an option to change it. There’s also a noticeable lack of quality-of-life features, such as an object highlight for interaction, which makes exploring unnecessarily tedious.
Some early quests are particularly frustrating. In one, players must step on insects that blend into the ground, making them almost impossible to find without luck. The absence of a quest marker is a noble attempt at encouraging exploration, but in practice, it only serves as an obstacle. Another quest requires retrieving tools that were thrown “up high” without offering any further details, leading to a poorly executed platforming segment with the game’s already problematic movement controls.
The NPCs don’t offer much help either, repeating crucial dialogue only sporadically. As a result, players have to rely on the Journal for unclear clues, which only reiterate the vague directions given by characters. While this may seem like an attempt to make the game more challenging, it instead contributes to the game’s sense of disjointedness.
Ultimately, this early playtest version of Of Ash and Steel proves that Fire & Frost still has a lot of work ahead. Despite its current shortcomings, the game has potential, especially in its world-building and immersive features. If the developers can iron out the issues and enhance the experience, Of Ash and Steel could become a memorable RPG, but it’s clear there’s a very long journey ahead before it reaches that point.