2025’s Controversial Open-World Fantasy RPG Has Finally Been Fixed, And More People Need To Play It

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I’m a big fan of fantasy RPGs that don’t get enough credit, especially those that try something truly new, even if they’re a little rough around the edges. Games like Two Worlds and Gothic are what make the RPG genre so exciting – they each offer unique ideas you won’t find in big-budget titles. Honestly, the more flawed and modestly produced they are, the better, because those games often take risks to create something truly special and innovative.

Released in 2025, Of Ash and Steel is a fantastic fantasy RPG that somehow flew under the radar – it’s amazing the developers are still supported! It wasn’t a smooth launch, and the game had significant issues that initially justified the lack of attention. But now that those problems have been fixed, it’s a perfect game for fans of older, quirky RPGs like Elex, Gothic, and Mars: War Logs. Seriously, if you enjoy those titles, you really need to give Of Ash and Steel a try.

Of Ash And Steel’s Rocky Launch State Has Finally Been Fixed

When Of Ash and Steel was first released, it was essentially unplayable. The game’s core ideas were fun, but it was launched far too early and filled with technical and gameplay problems. This caused major issues, especially in the later parts of the game and with certain quests. For example, a large city would completely disappear from the map, leaving a gaping hole, and quests would get stuck because important characters or items were missing. This even broke the main storyline, leaving many players with no choice but to wait for the developers to fix these problems with updates.

The major issues with Of Ash and Steel have been addressed, and any remaining small problems can be fixed with the new console commands – that’s great news! Because once you get past those, Of Ash and Steel is a truly excellent RPG. It’s not going to appeal to all players, though. Its realistic world, detailed gameplay, and challenging difficulty make it stand out from the many other fantasy RPGs available.

I don’t see the game’s challenging nature as a flaw, and it doesn’t detract from the final product. I simply mean that Of Ash and Steel is designed for players who appreciate games like Hell Is Us, which removed traditional quest markers, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which included realistic but sometimes tedious tasks. In fact, it’s these challenging elements that allow Of Ash and Steel to truly shine, creating one of the most immersive single-player worlds we’ve seen in a long time. Despite its technical issues, we need more RPGs like Of Ash and Steel that strive to create a truly player-driven experience, similar to a tabletop game.

The World Needs More Games Like Of Ash And Steel

In late April 2026, the RPG developer Spiders, known for its creative and unique games, unfortunately closed down. This followed a similar fate for Piranha Bytes, the studio behind the popular Gothic series, which shut down in 2024. We’re quickly losing talented developers who still take risks on large, ambitious fantasy RPGs – a type of game even major studios aren’t often making these days. It’s a real loss, but understandable given how incredibly expensive game development has become in today’s challenging market.

As a huge RPG fan, I’m really glad to see Fire & Frost dedicated to improving Of Ash and Steel. It’s awesome that they’re committed to making the game better for those of us who already bought it, or were let down by the initial release. Honestly, it’s crucial for their future too! I’m hoping a polished Of Ash and Steel will draw in more players like me who are constantly on the hunt for that next big fantasy RPG to fall in love with. We need developers like Fire & Frost in this space. Without them, we’re stuck waiting years for the big-budget AAA RPGs, which often play it safe to appeal to everyone. That’s the opposite of what Of Ash and Steel does – taking risks, like letting you play an entire Act without a map, which is honestly super refreshing!

I’m not ignoring the flaws of Of Ash and Steel, but I want to highlight something important. The game’s release was poorly handled, and this is a frustrating pattern we’re seeing in both smaller and larger game development. However, I also don’t want to see this type of gaming experience disappear. Of Ash and Steel offers something special, and there are fewer and fewer developers willing to take risks and create truly immersive role-playing games. I really hope more people play Of Ash and Steel so that developers like Fire & Frost can continue their work. I’ve grown to appreciate these smaller RPGs even more than big-budget titles, and we need to support the last few developers keeping this style of game alive.

Now that Of Ash and Steel has been updated, are you planning to check it out? Share your thoughts and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-05-07 21:43