ASKA

ASKA is a Viking-themed survival and colony-building game that merges city-building, resource management, and survival mechanics into a unique experience. Players manage a village of NPCs, assigning tasks like building, farming, and crafting, while also participating directly in exploration and combat. The game features a dynamic seasonal world with challenging invasions and boss fights, emphasizing strategic planning and community growth.

Players praise ASKA's deep and rewarding building system, atmospheric Norse-inspired visuals, and the lively AI villagers that add depth to gameplay. However, the game is still in early access, and many note issues with villager AI, tedious micromanagement, and a steep learning curve. Combat can be initially challenging but becomes easier with progression. Multiplayer can be enjoyable but suffers from bugs and connection problems. Despite rough edges, ASKA offers a promising foundation with ongoing developer support and potential for significant improvement.

Highlights

Players highly appreciate ASKA's innovative blend of survival and colony simulation, particularly the engaging city-building mechanics and resource management. The Norse-inspired graphics and atmospheric environments receive consistent praise for their beauty and immersion. The integration of AI villagers who autonomously perform tasks adds a compelling layer to gameplay, making the village feel alive. The combat system, though not the main focus, is seen as impactful and strategic, especially during boss encounters and invasions. Cooperative multiplayer enhances the experience, allowing for shared roles and community building.

Criticisms

Common criticisms center on the villager AI, which is often described as unintelligent or inefficient, leading to frustrating micromanagement. The building process is considered overly complex and time-consuming, with many players feeling it resembles tedious work rather than fun gameplay. The game’s progression is sometimes seen as linear and grind-heavy, with limited exploration content and repetitive point-of-interest areas. Combat difficulty spikes abruptly, and invasions can feel unbalanced or unfair. Multiplayer suffers from connection issues and loss of inventory on disconnect. Additionally, the tutorial and UI lack clarity, making the learning curve steep for new players.