Elden Ring will go down in the history books as a rip-roaring success. People will be playing it for years and decades from now, and given its cultural imprint, it’ll be around for a long time.
But if you’re looking to try something a little different, you can grab this gem on Xbox Game Pass now. It hits many of the same beats but has its own style and approach.
Ashen Is A Surprisingly Great Indie Soulslike
The World Is Mesmerizing
Ashes, released in 2018, is an “open world co-op action RPG.” You’ll play as a wanderer who is searching through a fascinatingly desolate yet beautiful setting.
The developers, A44, cite it as “Souls with a twist,” in that you’ll experience unique interactions through “passive multiplayer.” That essentially means that you’ll encounter other players in the game similar to Journey, who will be here one moment and gone the next. If you’re not interested in any of that, you can also play Ashen offline, where your companion will be filled in by an NPC.
If you’re keen to try it out, it’s available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Game Pass Premium, and the PC-only tier. Ashen also has a single DLC titled “Nightstorm Isle,” which you can buy for $9.99 piecemeal. It follows a mother searching for her daughter and takes place in a new location, while retaining the passive co-op multiplayer angle.
It’s Free On Xbox Game Pass Now
Give It A Shot
I picked up Ashen when it was released, and had a great time with it. A few of the larger confrontations weren’t as impressive as they could have been, but the act of exploration, especially given the random nature of finding others doing the same, was enjoyable. The world is really the core strength of the game. As you discover more locations, the story gets clearer, and exploration in turn feels more rewarding.
You’ll pretty much know if it’s for you in the first 30 minutes or so. As you roam around the world and start to uncover its inner workings, you’ll either get hooked or bounce off. It’s great that this is the exact sort of experience that Xbox Game Pass is perfect for. Souls-like games can be polarizing on their own, even if they don’t add anything new to the genre.
This Underrated Xbox Game Pass Freebie Will Scratch Your Elden Ring Itch
