The Ascent
The Ascent is a PlayStation 5 adventure game developed by Neon Giant. It centers on area and route exploration, character and object interaction, and objective or clue progression, with controls and information arranged around the DualSense twin sticks, triggers, directional pad, and face buttons, with touchpad, motion input, adaptive triggers, and detailed haptics where the game uses them.
- AI score · out of 10
- 7.7 / 10
About this game
The Ascent is a PlayStation 5 adventure game centered on area and route exploration, character and object interaction, and objective or clue progression. Locations, objectives, and clues gradually open the main chapters, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Theme, character expression, and environmental clues need to support exploration together, while SSD streaming, 4K and HDR output, 3D audio, performance or quality modes, and high-density interfaces need to preserve feedback and information clarity together. The genre-specific limitation is that guidance, objective triggers, camera behavior, or dense text can create search and comprehension costs. Platform conditions also include install size, SSD space, patch version, DualSense battery life, visual mode and frame rate, online dependencies, PS VR2 requirements, and cross-generation version differences affect the current release. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.
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PlayStation 5
AI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
A vivid city supports satisfying but repetitive shooting.
The Ascent gives twin-stick encounters different emphases through weapons and implants. Development changes combat priorities, making direct action a stronger attraction than elaborate conversation or exposition. Extended battles initially create momentum, but repetition can overwhelm exploration. The straightforward story cannot always provide enough new motivation to renew interest in similar encounters. Dense neon environments and synthesiser music give the city a vivid identity. Detail makes ordinary travel worth observing, offering more attraction than the twists of its story. PS5 haptics strengthen immediate impact, while occasional progression faults required reloading. Satisfying moment-to-moment feedback therefore coexists with meaningful interruptions to the reliability of the wider campaign. Best for shooting fans interested in cyberpunk environments and builds. Original 2022 PS5 solo campaign; current co-op excluded.
Strengths
- Environmental detail complements forceful shooting.
Weaknesses
- Repeated battles and occasional progression faults interrupt momentum.
Who it is for: Best for shooting fans interested in cyberpunk environments and builds.
Play notes: Original 2022 PS5 solo campaign; current co-op excluded.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Extended battles initially create momentum, but repetition can overwhelm exploration. The straightforward story cannot always provide enough new motivation to renew interest in similar encounters. | Reviewed | 6.8 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension The Ascent gives twin-stick encounters different emphases through weapons and implants. Development changes combat priorities, making direct action a stronger attraction than elaborate conversation or exposition. | Reviewed | 8.0 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Dense neon environments and synthesiser music give the city a vivid identity. Detail makes ordinary travel worth observing, offering more attraction than the twists of its story. | Reviewed | 8.7 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension PS5 haptics strengthen immediate impact, while occasional progression faults required reloading. Satisfying moment-to-moment feedback therefore coexists with meaningful interruptions to the reliability of the wider campaign. | Reviewed | 7.2 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Neon Giant
- Publisher
- Curve Games
- Release date
- Mar 24, 2022
- Platforms
- PlayStation 5
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Role-Playing · Primary genre
- Tags
- Slow BurnScience FictionThird PersonMain Story 10–20 HoursInvestigationSolo-friendlyLinear LevelsExplorationPuzzle SolvingStory-drivenLocal Co-op3D Graphics
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- MultiplayerSingle playerCo-op
- Perspectives
- Top-down
Release editions
- PlayStation 5WorldwideMar 24, 2022
Game gallery
Sources
Not provided