Darkblade Ascent

Darkblade Ascent is a first-person roguelite blending melee combat with arena-style progression, reminiscent of games like Roboquest and Gunfire. Players appreciate the weighty and responsive combat mechanics, especially the parry and pushback system, which provides satisfying gameplay. The game offers a variety of weapons, elemental types, and upgrade paths, though the depth of builds and class differentiation is limited. The campaign is relatively short, typically around 2-3 hours, but the inclusion of endless and extraction modes adds replayability.

However, the game suffers from polish issues and UI confusion, such as unclear damage stats, overwhelming perk screens, and occasional bugs like stuck bosses or graphical glitches. The enemy AI is simple, and level designs often reuse assets, reducing environmental variety. While the price is considered fair, many players find the content repetitive after several hours, and the loot and upgrade systems sometimes feel unbalanced or uninspiring. Overall, it’s a promising indie title with room for improvement and a solid foundation for fans of the genre.

Highlights

Players praise the combat mechanics for their smooth and weighty feel, with parry and pushback abilities standing out as engaging features. The weapon variety and elemental damage types add interesting tactical choices, while the soundtrack and atmospheric environments enhance immersion. The game’s fast-paced action and loot-driven progression keep runs exciting, especially in arena modes. Many commend the developers for delivering a quality experience given the small team size and affordable price point.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the confusing and cluttered UI, particularly regarding damage calculations and perk selection. The lack of polish manifests in bugs, graphical glitches, and awkward camera issues. Players note the repetitive level design and limited enemy AI, which reduce long-term engagement. The loot system can feel unbalanced, with overpowered weapons diminishing build diversity. Some find the content too short and repetitive, with minimal incentives to replay after unlocking most upgrades.