The world of Ashen Vow evokes the dark, haunting atmosphere of Christian Medieval Europe. You play as a knight watch guard who uncovers an evil that was never meant to be found. The priests within this castle no longer follow the teachings you learned as a child. Has God truly led these holy men astray, or has a far darker force infiltrated the faith of those who devoted their lives to it? Combo enemies, learn their patterns, and survive.
The only way you're going to survive and kill The Black Maw is by mastering the art of your sword. Your weapon and your wits are the only thing that's going to help you here. Not just learn, but master the inputs for your attacks and create devastating and powerful combos. Opt into wide and quick swing routes to mow down crowds of enemies, or use your powerful single target combos to obliterate thicker skinned combatant and bosses.
Every enemy is equipped with their own arsenal of tricky and deadly attacks. They fight for The Black Maw, and have taken their new oath to kill anything the Maw commands. Some come in numbers, some are a threat of their own. But to take down any of them you will need to learn and adapt to their move list and patterns.
When you succumb to the horrors of The Black Maw, your job is still not done. In order to get back to the human realm, you must find the exit portal back. While journeys are quick and straightforward, the mysteries of this barren and sorrowful land can be explored, where you can find Lost Souls to collect, and maybe some others who are much less fortunate than yourself.
My goal with Ashen Vow is to blend gritty medieval combat with psychological horror. While the combo system isn’t strictly historical, it’s designed to give players creative freedom in how they fight. I’ve focused on making the world and sound design as unsettling as I could, while also grounding the horror in the tension and desperation of each combat encounter.
If you have any thoughts on the game’s story, gameplay, or design, feel free to share them in the forums, on social media, or by contacting me directly. Thanks for the support, and hope you give my game a try!
