Of Ash and Steel officially launched on November 24, 2025, bringing a breath of fresh air to the RPG genre. Developed by indie studio Fire & Frost and published by tinyBuild, this third-person open-world action RPG deliberately rejects modern hand-holding design in favor of the exploration-focused gameplay that defined classics from the 2000s. Set on the medieval island of Grayshaft, you play as Tristan, a humble cartographer who gets pulled into a dangerous adventure much bigger than mapping terrain.
No Quest Markers Allowed
The most defining feature of Of Ash and Steel is what it removes rather than adds. There are no quest markers guiding you from objective to objective. No glowing breadcrumb trails telling you exactly where to go. The game expects you to read dialogue carefully, pay attention to NPC directions, and actually explore the world to find your next destination. This design philosophy might frustrate players accustomed to modern conveniences, but it’s exactly what fans of older RPGs have been craving.
The Kingdom of the Seven has fallen into chaos, and you need to navigate this fractured world through observation and curiosity. Talk to NPCs, listen to their hints, and piece together where you should go next. The developers at Fire & Frost stated their goal was to recreate the magic of RPGs from the 2000s, and removing quest markers is central to that vision. You’ll actually need your cartography skills to survive this adventure.
Combat Built on Stances and Skill
Combat in Of Ash and Steel uses a three-stance system that changes how you approach battles. You can switch between different combat styles to match the situation, wielding swords, axes, daggers, bows, and crossbows. Strength-based characters favor heavy weapons and crossbows, while dexterity builds excel with lighter weapons and traditional bows. There’s even magic to discover as you uncover ancient knowledge scattered throughout the island.
Mastering parrying is crucial to high-level play. Many melee weapons allow you to block incoming strikes, and the Parry skill lets you perform perfect parries that knock enemies off balance. Heavy attacks unlock through the Basic Combat Training skill, adding another layer to your offensive options. Combat feels deliberately challenging rather than power-fantasy focused. You start as a nobody and have to earn your place as a warrior through practice and smart build choices.
Professions Beyond Fighting
Unlike many action RPGs that focus solely on combat progression, Of Ash and Steel includes extensive profession systems. You can master blacksmithing to craft and upgrade weapons at anvils. Fishing and hunting provide resources for survival. Alchemy lets you brew potions with various effects. These aren’t throwaway minigames either. The crafting system ties directly into your character’s power, with certain skills requiring specific stat combinations to unlock.
You can set up camps in the wilderness, skin animals for materials, and use environmental objects during combat. The Tannery profession converts animal hides into cloth and leather for armor crafting. Sharpening stones hone your weapons for increased damage. Later in the game, the Master Smith skill allows you to create the Pride of Tantares, a unique sword customized to your playstyle. These systems give depth beyond just swinging swords at enemies.
Reactive World and Character Building
NPCs in Of Ash and Steel change their opinions of you based on your actions and choices. The game promises meaningful consequences for your decisions as you forge alliances and pick sides in conflicts. Your character builds through attributes like Strength, Dexterity, Stamina, Insight, and Fortitude. Each stat unlocks different perks and abilities across three skill trees: Survival, Crafting, and War.
The skill system has requirements beyond just spending points. You need specific attribute combinations to unlock certain perks. For example, Master Blacksmith perks require high Insight and Strength, while Weapon Honing needs Strength and Fortitude. This forces you to think carefully about your build rather than spreading points randomly. With 45+ hours of narrative content, side quests, and discoveries, you’ll have plenty of time to experiment with different character builds.
Day-Night Cycle and Survival Elements
The game features a full day-night cycle that significantly impacts gameplay. When darkness falls, you need torches to see anything in the countryside. Torches are equipped by right-clicking them in your inventory rather than using keybinds, and dropped torches apparently can’t be picked back up, so manage them carefully. Night brings both dangers and opportunities, adding another layer of planning to your adventures.
Always sheathe your weapons when entering villages and cities by pressing R. Walking around with weapons drawn will make NPCs hostile. These small touches add to the immersion and force you to think about how you present yourself in civilized areas versus the wilderness.
Platform and Pricing
Of Ash and Steel is available exclusively on PC through Steam and GOG. The game is built in Unreal Engine 4 and runs on Windows. The standard price is $29.99, but there’s a 20% launch discount bringing it down to $23.99 for the first two weeks. For 45+ hours of content in a genre that typically charges $60 or more, the pricing feels more than fair, especially for an indie release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Of Ash and Steel come to consoles?
Currently, the game is only available on PC via Steam and GOG. The developers haven’t announced any console ports yet, though that could change based on the PC launch’s success.
Is there difficulty selection or is it just hard by default?
The game is designed to be challenging, but there are difficulty options you can adjust. The developers wanted to capture that 2000s RPG feel where you need to learn systems and improve rather than breezing through content.
Can I respec my character or am I locked into my build choices?
The available information doesn’t specifically mention respeccing, which suggests builds may be permanent. This would align with the old-school design philosophy the game embraces.
How does the game compare to titles like Gothic or Risen?
Of Ash and Steel draws heavy inspiration from those exact games. If you enjoyed Gothic, Risen, or other Euro-RPGs from the 2000s that emphasized exploration and challenge, this should appeal to you.
Is there multiplayer or co-op?
No, Of Ash and Steel is a purely single-player experience. The focus is on solo exploration and your personal journey through the Kingdom of the Seven.
Does the game have controller support?
The game is designed for PC, but specific controller support details haven’t been widely documented yet. Check the Steam page for the most current information on input methods.
Why was the game delayed from November 6 to November 24?
The development team discovered technical issues during final testing that needed additional work. They delayed the release by 18 days to address these problems rather than launching with known bugs.
Conclusion
Of Ash and Steel delivers on its promise to recreate the magic of classic 2000s RPGs without apologizing for its old-school design choices. The lack of quest markers will frustrate some players, but for those tired of being led by the hand through every objective, this is exactly what they’ve been asking for. The combination of challenging combat, deep profession systems, reactive NPCs, and genuine exploration creates something that feels rare in the modern gaming landscape. If you’ve been waiting for a game that respects your intelligence and doesn’t treat you like a checklist completionist, Of Ash and Steel deserves your attention. At $23.99 during the launch window, it’s a low-risk investment for 45+ hours of adventure.