01//Briefing
You are an indent, a worker who owes your life to a corporation called the Ascent Group. When the company suddenly collapses, the arcology goes into chaos and you are sent to deal with the fallout. The plot is serviceable and mostly a framework for missions.
02//In the field
Top-down shooting with cover, aiming high or low, and grenades and augmentations. It feels powerful and loud. Co-op with friends is the best way to play, and the game scales for up to four players. Solo, some fights can feel like damage sponges.
03//The city
The arcology of Veles is one of the most detailed environments in any game: layered streets, markets, alien species, signs and machines stacked high. It is an absolute pleasure to look at, even if navigation through the layers can confuse.
04//Systems & choice
Loot, cyberware augments and skill points give you a build, but the variety is limited and progression is mostly numbers. There are no meaningful story choices.
05//On your rig
Demanding for a top-down game. Rated Playable on Steam Deck at reduced settings. Patches fixed most launch bugs, but the map remains a weakness.
Upgrades
- Stunning, dense art direction
- Satisfying shooting
- Co-op for up to four players
Bugs
- Thin story
- Confusing map and navigation
- Loot lacks variety
BEST FOR
Groups of friends looking for a gorgeous co-op shooter.
SKIP IF
You want a strong story or deep RPG systems.
SC//Scores
- Story & writing ×25%
- 3.0
- Play feel ×25%
- 4.0
- World & atmosphere ×20%
- 4.8
- Systems & choice ×15%
- 3.6
- PC tech ×15%
- 3.6
3.0×25% + 4.0×25% + 4.8×20% + 3.6×15% + 3.6×15% = 3.790 → 3.8
FINAL VERDICT
The Ascent looks like few other games, and its shooting is satisfying, especially with friends. As an RPG it is thin, but as a co-op tour of a breathtaking arcology it works.
Written by the Game Top Guide editorial desk · Updated 3 Oct 2026 · How we rate · Report an error
