After playing the demo for Red Cliff Games’ Among Ashes, I found that diving into this demo left me surprised. Not only does it feel nostalgic in style, but it also has this eeriness and mystery.
With its roughly 30-45 minute demo, it perfectly executes the game within a game concept. The game starts with the player in front of a computer playing a shooter game called Demon Blood. Then, a message pops up on a MySpace messaging app from a friend, asking the player to download a game he found online.
As the story continues, the player loads up the website where the game, Night Call, is available. Something is unsettling about the message, giving the player the impression that something isn’t right.
Despite this, the player decides to begin playing the game after downloading it.
Credit: Red Cliff GamesThe game utilizes a health bar that is saved in a notepad to track game progress, similar to the typewriter system in Resident Evil. However, you are reminded that it’s a game within a game when you receive a message from your friend asking, “Have you met the girl?”
After solving the puzzle, you encounter the girl your friend mentioned. As you meet her, she charges at you in the doorway, and I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw this.
Among the Ashes is a great game to play. I enjoyed the concept of moving between virtual worlds, which I haven’t seen in a horror game before. The authentic visuals of old-school survival horror kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. It’s a perfect game to play this October if you’re looking for a spooky, fun time.
The demo for Among Ashes will be a part of October’s Steam Next Fest.
