Ascend Hand of Kul

Score - 29

Release: 2013

Platform Played: Steam

Developer: Signal Studios

Overview

Ascend Hand of Kul is a unique game where you integrate some RPG mechanics with a kind of F2P mmo mechanics without actually interacting with other players. You’re given 3 gods to choose from and whichever you choose you become that God’s Champion. You’re not necessarily good or evil, you are just doing your God’s bidding. Now based on which god you chose your progress is altered in accordance to how the rest of the players are performing. Thus, you can’t necessarily choose with your heart you do kind of need to choose with popularity in order to smoothly progress through the game. The idea is unique, but the games hack and slash combat lacks depth and the progression system is very boring/basic and the F2P mechanic is more annoying than interesting.

The Good

The idea of the game is interesting, the idea of serving a god and destroying the world to gain power is alluring. The cyclical nature of the game’s progression gives Ascend a distinct identity which few other RPGs can claim.

Your character is kind of a bad ass. You’re a towering giant and in comparison, to the humans you encounter and visually it is impressive. Crushing enemies underfoot can feel satisfying strangely.

Choosing between 3 different God with each god offering different perks and bonuses is also another really cool idea.

The Bad

The combat very quickly becomes monotonous. Most encounters are just spam basic attacks against waves of enemies. The game begins to feel more grindy than challenging.

Ascend also constantly force feeds you the monetization systems. It’s timers or resource limitations or upgrade restrictions can push you towards spending money which overall artificially slows the game down.

This is another one of those games that barely qualifies as an RPG. It’s very lacking in any RPG pillar outside of your free choice of allegiance it’s as much of a rpg as something like God of War, more action than Role-Playing.

Final Verdict

Ascend Hand of Kul introduces us to a very unique concept with loads of potential. Sadly, it fails to deliver as more thought was put into the idea of the systems and less thought into the actual execution. This game is kind of a turn your brain off and hulk smash some things, but if you’re wanting a memorable experience, there are better options.