Solar Ash Review (Gipan)
Solar Ash was an interesting experience, if there was one word to describe the game, it would be "minimal." You traverse through a vast world that is split into different areas by skating around while you do some light platforming and in certain areas some minor environmental puzzles. The movement of the game feels very nice and fluid and the controls are tight and responsive. There are side quest and these catches that you can collect that unlock suits for you to use with different abilities and lore of the game. I enjoyed the design of the different suits a lot and just overall the design of this game as a whole. The world you're in is very beautiful to look at and at times I would just stand for a bit to take it all in, the graphics are definitely a highlight of this game. Oftentimes the game felt relaxing while I skated and explored as the atmosphere and the soundtrack complimented the game very well.
There is very minimal combat, it does happen but it is not the focus of the game. However, every area has a boss. The bosses you fight are what can only be described as Shadow of the Colossus-esq type fights and to me was my main drive to complete this game and see what I had waiting for me in the next area. These were the most enjoyable part of the game for me.
I do have some issues with it, such as I wish the skating was just automatic instead of having to hold down a button the whole time, you will be spending the whole game holding down the skate button as there are no reasons not to. The currency was a bit pointless since you only use it to gain extra hitpoints, which you lose one every time you clear an area, so you would have to rebuy it, you do get a lot of it and there's plenty to go around even after beating the game but I would of liked to have seen it been used in other ways. I also ran into an issue with the flying remnant where it seems sometimes the wings would be in an odd position where it wouldn't allow you to hit the marked area. The side quest were also a bit underwhelming but they are optional and do extend the playtime. The world map was also not that great and it would of been nice to see details of the areas you were in, I had to complete a side quest by visiting the npc in a certain spot and I had no idea where it was because the map does not show anything besides just the names of the main areas you unlocked and how they connect.
Its a neat game, I think its a very nice and relaxing experience and if you are into Fast Traversal Platforming Narrative-Driven games with Shadow of the Colossus type bosses, then this is the game for you. Its not very long, it took me 8 hours to 100% but that is no issue for me. However, it might be for you, so if anything pick it up on sale.